초록 |
While an old reaction, the interest in thiol-epoxy reaction, especially as a polymerization process, is only recent. The power of this chemistry lies in its efficiency, operation under ambient conditions, commercial availability of a vast variety of thiol and epoxide carrying molecules that can be utilized as monomers, a long list of polymerization catalysts and associated solvent systems, and formation of a hydroxyl group upon completion. The resultant polymers from the thiol-epoxy reaction are termed poly(ß-hydroxythio-ether)s. The polymerization process itself is referred to as ‘proton transfer polymerization’ because quenching of the alkoxide anion, generated upon the nucleophilic attack of thiolate on the epoxide unit, through protonation is the critical step that decides the nature of propagation and final structure of the polymer. Herein, we will discuss synthesis and properties of linear and hydrogel materials prepared through application of the aforementioned chemistry. |