Synthesis of thioamide-containing polystyrenes by Friedel–Crafts reaction and by thioamidation of (co)polydithioesters

Thioamide groups were introduced into polystyrenes by the Friedel–Crafts reaction, with phenyl isothiocyanate in nitromethane solution, in the presence of anhydrous aluminium chloride. Free radical copolymerization of 4-vinyl dithiobenzoate with styrene followed by low-temperature solution condensation reactions, with excess of amines in N,N-dimethylformamide, offered another synthetic route to (co)polymers containing thioamine groups in the side chains without crosslinking. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 117–127, 1998