Alternating Sulfone Copolymers Depolymerize in Response to Both Chemical and Mechanical Stimuli.

ABSTRACT: This work describes the depolymerization of poly(vinyl acetate-alt-sulfur dioxide) (PVAS) as initiated by chemical and mechanical stimuli. In recent years, macromolecules that are able to depolymerize in response to specific stimuli have been highly sought because of their ability to amplify signal for sensing and drug delivery. Examples include self-immolative polymers from alkoxyphenol derivatives and polyaldehydes. We show here that alternating copolymers of sulfur dioxide and vinyl acetate are able to undergo similar depolymerization into their monomer components in response to various chemical and mechanical stimuli. Certain vinyl monomers such as vinyl acetate are able to polymerize with sulfur dioxide in a perfectly alternating manner, and the resulting copolymer possesses a

SUBMITTER: Kumar K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5417697 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature