Supramolecular Polysulfide Polymers with Metal-Ligand Interactions

Abstract

We report the first preparation of a supramolecular polysulfide polymer using metal-ligand interactions. The supramolecular polysulfide polymer was prepared by introducing 2,2’-bipyridine (bpy) at both ends of linear sulfur and linking the bpy with Cu2+. The molecular weight of the supramolecular polysulfide polymer was higher than polysulfide polymer obtained via conventional polymerization. Disassembly and re-assembly of the supramolecular polysulfide polymers were controlled by de-metalation of Cu2+ from the complex between bpy and Cu2+ and re-formation of the complex with the addition of chelating agents and Cu2+, respectively.