Synthesis of disulfide polymers of low molecular weight by repeated depolymerization

AbstractBy double or triple depolymerization with sodium hydrogen sulfide in the presence of sodium sulfite, polysulfide polymers of a very low molecular weight can be obtained from disulfide polymers prepared from bis‐2‐chloroethyl formal. The products are mixtures consisting chiefly of dimers and trimers with monomers. The effect of depolymerization will be greater when three depolymerization processes, instead of two, are completed with the same total amount of NaHS and Na2SO3. When depolymerization is repeated, the degree of depolymerization will be higher with polymers of a higher molecular weight. If depolymerization is made with sodium dithionite, the same effect will be achieved by either single or double depolymerization, provided that the same total amount of dithionite has been used.