A metal-free and air-tolerable insertion polymerization using sulfoxonium ylides as monomers

Insertion polymerization represents a concise approach to construct carbon-heteroatom bonds in the main chain. Despite some momentous efforts have been devoted to transition-metal catalyzed insertion polymerization, the metal-free insertion polymerization remains elusive. Herein, the fascinating metal-free and air-tolerable insertion polymerization using sulfoxonium ylides as monomers has been disclosed, furnishing a plethora of polythioethers and aromatic polyamines with carbon-heteroatom bonds in the main chain (yield up to 99%, Mn up to 20100). The insertion polymerization features mild condition, easy operation and broad substrate scope. In addition, thermal analysis demonstrated the polymers exhibited good thermal properties.

Automated summary

This paper presents a metal-free insertion polymerization method for constructing carbon-heteroatom bonds in the main chain. Sulfoxonium ylides are used as monomers to produce polythioethers and aromatic polyamines with high yield and molecular weight. The method features mild conditions, easy operation, and a wide range of substrate applicability.