Highly refractive, thermostable, and transparent poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) derivatives partially including S=O bonds were reported. The polymers were prepared via m-chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA) oxidation of the corresponding PPS derivatives, affording...

Dihydroxy-substituted poly(phenylene sulfide) (DOHPPS) was synthesized via oxidative polymerization of bis(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl) disulfide and subsequent deprotection. The synergistic effect of multiple-hydrogen-bond cross-links and the rigidity of the thiophenylene backbone afforded dense yet amorphous supramolecular networks, resulting in a polymer with visible transparency and an ultrahigh refractive index (n D = 1.85).