Nucleophilic Activation of Elemental Sulfur with Amines and Nucleophilic Heterocycles

This invention describes a process to utilize nucleophiles to activate elemental sulfur.

Background:
Existing catalytic methods involve heavy metal components and ultraviolet light. Alternative options also include using free-radicals to catalyze a polymerization reaction. The invention instead has the benefit of generating intermediates with unexplored reactivity, which can be used to bond compounds into a sulfur copolymer. 

Applications:

• Polymeric drug delivery systems
• Production of lithium sulfur batteries

Advantages:

• Rapid reaction time
• Cost saving
• Increased efficiency in terms of product produced per unit time
• Increased efficiency regarding energy usage for the production of the compounds