General and Mild Method for the Synthesis of Polythioesters from Lactone Feedstocks.

ABSTRACT: Polythioesters are attracting increasing interest in applications requiring degradability or recyclability. However, few general methods exist for the synthesis of these polymers. This report presents a fast and versatile method for synthesizing polythioesters from readily available lactone feedstocks. The two-step process begins with the thionation of lactones to thionolactones, followed by the ring-opening polymerization of the thionolactones to polythioesters. Unlike previous methods that rely on harsh reagents to accomplish this transformation, we demonstrate that the mild tetrabutylammonium thioacetate is a competent initiator for polymerization. This method exhibits broad applicability, as demonstrated by the successful polymerizations of an unstrained 17-membered macrocycle and an N

SUBMITTER: Paul MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11580380 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature