Disulfide network polymers absorb ether and chloroalkane selectively

Yavuz and team reported that disulfide linked network polymers from aliphatic building blocks show selective uptake by swelling when treated with ethers and chloro-alkanes. Although the polymers are non-porous, the gate opening behavior by certain functional groups could provide effective separations. Since water and alcohols are almost rejected, it could be useful in water treatment or product separation in chemical industry.

Reference:
Exceptional organic solvent uptake by disulfide polymeric networks
H. A. Patel, M. S. Yavuz, C. T. Yavuz*
RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 24320-24323 DOI: 10.1039/C4RA03355H

Abstract:

Disulfide-linked covalent organic polymers (COPs) were prepared through catalyst-free oxidative coupling polymerization. Owing to the excellent swelling behavior, low cost, and efficient synthesis, these materials can be promising materials for removal of organics in concentrated streams. COPs show 1,4-dioxane uptake up to 1.8 g g−1.

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