Functionalized chalcogenide hybrid inorganic/organic polymers (CHIPs) via inverse vulcanization of elemental sulfur and vinylanilinesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c8py00270c

In this report, a new class of functional chalcogenide hybrid inorganic/organic polymers (CHIPs) bearing free aryl amine groups that are amenable to post-polymerization modifications were synthesized. These functional CHIPs were synthesized via the inverse vulcanization of elemental sulfur with 4-vinylaniline without the need for functional group protection of amines. This polymer is the first example of a polysulfide or CHIP material to carry a useful primary amine functional group which can be successfully post functionalized with acid chlorides and isocyanates to improve the mechanical properties. The first example of a sulfur copolymer with amine groups poly(sulfur- random -vinylaniline) was synthesized and successfully post-functionalized to improve the thermomechanical properties of these materials.