Method for the preparation of poly(disulfide) polymers and gels

摘要

High molecular weight disulfide polymers are synthesized in aqueous media by exposing dithiol compounds to a mild oxidizing environment in the presence of a tertiary amine catalyst. The unique oxidizing system polymerizes monomers through the formation of sulfur-sulfur bonds between dithiol compounds. The same oxidizing system may be used to make disulfide-crosslinked gels from compounds containing multiple thiol groups. The oxidizing system is comprised of oxygen at atmospheric concentration and dilute hydrogen peroxide. A filler such as carbon black may be incorporated into the polymer or cross-linked gel during polymerization. A polydisulfide polymer is provided having a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 100,000 g/mol and a polydispersity index of about 2 or less. A tetrathiol composition results from a reaction of a diacrylate with a trithiol. The tetrathiol composition may be subjected to an oxidizing environment with a tertiary amine catalyst to provide a polytetrathiol polymer network.

主权项

1. A method for the synthesis of poly(disulfide) polymers, the method comprising:
providing a dithiol composition, and subjecting the dithiol composition to an oxidizing environment, in an aqueous solution and in the presence of a tertiary amine catalyst and an additional thiol-containing compound, to provide a crosslinked poly(disulfide) polymer network.