Multicomponent polymerization of sulfur, chloroform and diamine toward polythiourea

The efficient utilization of elemental sulfur (S8) for developing high value-added chemicals is a global concern considering its abundant sources and yearly accelerating environmental issues. However, it has been a long-standing challenge to directly transform elemental sulfur to sulfur-containing polymer, especially via an environmentally benign manner. Herein, a unique chemo-differentiating multicomponent polymerization (MCP) of elemental sulfur, chloroform, and diamine is reported to construct polythiourea based on amine-involved two sequential reactions including isothiocyanation and nucleophilic addition. This strategy features isocynide-free monomers as starting materials, mild conditions, high molecular weights (up to 72,900 g/mol) and desired yields (up to 83%). With the advantages of inactive isocyanation and active nucleophilic addition, the stoichiometric balance of amine and isothiocyanate could be delicately controlled to afford various polythioureas with high molecular weights. The polythioureas have been further utilized in the Cu-based aqueous catalysis and Hg-based ion adsorption.

Automated summary

A unique multicomponent polymerization of elemental sulfur, chloroform, and diamine has been developed to construct polythiourea. This strategy offers a environmentally benign and efficient approach to transform elemental sulfur to sulfur-containing polymer. The resulting polythioureas exhibit high molecular weights and can be further utilized in Cu-based aqueous catalysis and Hg-based ion adsorption.