Issue 12, 2017

Green chemistry and polymers made from sulfur

Abstract

Polymers are among the most important mass-produced materials on the planet, yet they are largely derived from a finite supply of petrochemicals. To ensure the sustainable production of polymers and functional materials, alternative feedstocks are required. This Perspective examines this challenge in the context of an emerging class of polymers made from elemental sulfur. Because sulfur is a by-product of the petroleum industry, converting it into useful polymers and related materials is an advance in waste valorisation. Additionally, co-polymerisation of sulfur with renewable monomers represents an additional contribution to sustainability. These reactions are often solvent free and benefit from full atom economy, futher augmenting their Green Chemistry credentials. Applications of these materials will be discussed, with a spotlight on environmental benefits. A forward looking assessment of the opportunities for using sulfur polymers in Green Chemistry is also included.

Graphical abstract: Green chemistry and polymers made from sulfur

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
03 jan 2017
Accepted
27 feb 2017
First published
03 mar 2017
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Green Chem., 2017,19, 2748-2761

Green chemistry and polymers made from sulfur

M. J. H. Worthington, R. L. Kucera and J. M. Chalker, Green Chem., 2017, 19, 2748 DOI: 10.1039/C7GC00014F

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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