Synthesis of sulphur compounds on the basis of vinyl ethers and acetylene — XIX. On the part played by thionic complexes in the ionic polymerization of sulphur-containing vinyl compounds

Polymers fromS-vinyl monomers: reactivities and properties

“…The cationic polymerization of vinyl sulfides remains a challenge, which was clearly demonstrated in more detailed studies by Shostakovskii et al 72 using the catalysts SnC1 4 and FeC1 3 . Alkyl vinyl sulfides yield only oligomers and require longer reaction times and elevated temperatures even with highly reactive catalysts, while ethers tend to have “explosive” reactions even with traces of the catalysts.…”

“…On the other hand, phenyl vinyl sulfides exhibit higher reactivity in ionic polymerization, which is due to the fact that the free electrons of sulfur are located near the conjugated π-system of the phenyl ring which results in better resonance stabilization. 72 Any copolymerizations are similarly affected by the abovementioned limitations found for homopolymerizations. Thus, significant amounts of polymer are only formed during the polymerization of phenyl vinyl sulfide with styrene in the presence of SnCl 4 and with butyl vinyl ether in the presence of both SnCl 4 and FeCl 3 .…”

“…On the other hand, phenyl vinyl sulfides exhibit higher reactivity in ionic polymerization, which is due to the fact that the free electrons of sulfur are located near the conjugated π-system of the phenyl ring which results in better resonance stabilization. 72…”