Chemically recyclable polythioesters prepared by ring-opening polymerization of dithiolactone and monothiodilactone monomers

Abstract

Developing polymers that can be chemically recycled signifies a considerable prospect to polymer scientists to tackle the increasing plastic crises but is still plagued with certain limitations in architecture/performance diversity and depolymerization activity. Polythioesters synthesized through ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic thioesters monomers are captivating materials owing to the labile thioester bonds in polymer chains and the low ring strain energy of thiolactone monomers. In this brief review, the latest advancements in the ring-opening polymerization of dithiolactone and monothiodilactone monomers to prepare chemically recycled polythioesters are summarized. Moreover, the feasibility and challenges in future practical applications of chemically recyclable polythioesters derived from dithiolactone and monothiodilactone will be discussed.