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Related Concept Videos

Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides02:26

Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides

Sulfides are the sulfur analog of ethers, just as thiols are the sulfur analog of alcohol. Like ethers, sulfides also consist of two hydrocarbon groups bonded to the central sulfur atom. Depending upon the type of groups present, sulfides can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical sulfides can be prepared via an SN2 reaction between 2 equivalents of an alkyl halide and one equivalent of sodium sulfide.
Radical Reactivity: Nucleophilic Radicals01:16

Radical Reactivity: Nucleophilic Radicals

Radicals adjacent to electron-donating groups are called nucleophilic radicals. These radicals readily react with electrophilic alkenes. The SOMO–LUMO interactions are the driving force for the reaction, where the high-energy SOMO of the electron-rich, nucleophilic radicals interacts with the low-energy LUMO of the electron-deficient, electrophilic alkenes. Such SOMO–LUMO interactions are the basis of reactive radical traps, affecting the selectivity in radical reactions. For instance, consider...
Radical Reactivity: Concentration Effects01:20

Radical Reactivity: Concentration Effects

In a radical reaction, the concentration of starting materials governs the selectivity of a radical. For example, the reaction between an alkyl halide and an alkene, in the presence of tin hydride and AIBN, begins with the generation of a tin radical. The generated radical then abstracts halogen from the alkyl halide, producing an alkyl radical. This alkyl radical can either react with tin hydride, yielding an alkane, or add to an alkene, generating a nitrile-stabilized radical, eventually...
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols02:33

Preparation and Reactions of Thiols

Thiols are prepared using the hydrosulfide anion as a nucleophile in a nucleophilic substitution reaction with alkyl halides. For instance, bromobutane reacts with sodium hydrosulfide to give butanethiol.
Radical Reactivity: Intramolecular vs Intermolecular01:33

Radical Reactivity: Intramolecular vs Intermolecular

Radical reactions can occur either intermolecularly or intramolecularly. In an intermolecular radical reaction, a nucleophilic radical adds to an electrophilic alkene or vice versa. In such reactions, the radical and generally the alkene, which is also called the radical trap, are two different molecules. Additionally, for such intermolecular reactions to occur, the radical trap must be active, present in an excess concentration, and the radical starting material must have a weak carbon–halogen...
Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride01:26

Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride

Radical substitution reactions can be used to remove functional groups from molecules. The hydrogenolysis of alkyl halides is one such reaction, where the weak Sn–H bond in tributyltin hydride reacts with alkyl halides to form alkanes. Here, the reagent Bu3SnH yields tributyltin halide as a byproduct.
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation reactions,...

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Updated: May 19, 2026

Synthesis of Terpolymers at Mild Temperatures Using Dynamic Sulfur Bonds in Poly(S-Divinylbenzene)
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Synthesis of Terpolymers at Mild Temperatures Using Dynamic Sulfur Bonds in Poly(S-Divinylbenzene)

Published on: May 20, 2019

Solid-Liquid Synergy Enables a Trisulfur-Radical-Rich Microenvironment for Accelerated Li-S Conversion Kinetics.

Zhiqi Zhao1, Bohai Zhang2,3, Bin Tang3,4

  • 1Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|May 18, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a new strategy for lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) using oxygen vacancies and a high-donor-number solvent. This approach accelerates the rate-determining step (RDS) via trisulfur radicals, significantly improving battery performance and longevity.

Keywords:
high donor numberinterface engineeringlithium–sulfur batteriesrate‐determining steptrisulfur radicals

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1,3,5-Triphenylbenzene and Corannulene as Electron Receptors for Lithium Solvated Electron Solutions

Published on: October 10, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Electrochemistry
  • Energy Storage

Background:

  • Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) offer high theoretical energy density but suffer from slow kinetics and poor cycle life.
  • Understanding and controlling the rate-determining steps (RDSs) are critical for improving LSB performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a synergistic strategy to accelerate the RDS in LSBs.
  • To investigate the role of trisulfur radicals as key mediators in enhancing electrochemical reactions.
  • To improve the overall electrochemical performance and cycle stability of LSBs.

Main Methods:

  • Integration of a template sulfur host with oxygen vacancies and a high-donor-number (high-DN) solvent additive.
  • Creation of a localized high-DN microenvironment on the cathode.
  • Experimental validation and computational calculations to confirm the mechanism.

Main Results:

  • A localized high-DN microenvironment with concentrated trisulfur radicals was established.
  • Trisulfur radicals were confirmed as key mediators accelerating the RDS from quasi-liquid-solid to trisulfur radical-mediated conversion.
  • LSBs demonstrated excellent stability, retaining 85.4% capacity after 500 cycles at 1 C (0.03% decay per cycle).
  • High initial capacities of 659.6 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 C and 1126.9 mAh g⁻¹ at a high sulfur loading (4.6 mg cm⁻²) were achieved.

Conclusions:

  • A novel trisulfur radical-mediated catalytic mechanism was presented.
  • The strategy effectively overcomes limitations of the intrinsic RDS through combined interface engineering and electrolyte modulation.
  • This approach significantly enhances the electrochemical performance and cycle life of lithium-sulfur batteries.