Copolymerization of divinyl sulfide with vinylpyridines and their derivatives

Linear and three-dimensional copolymers were prepared by the free-radical copolymerization of divinyl sulfide with 4-vinylpyridine, 1-methyl-4-vinylpyridinium methyl sulfate, and 1,2-dimethyl-5-vinylpyridinium methyl sulfate. The effective reactivity ratios measured for the copolymerization of divinyl sulfide and quaternary salts of vinylpyridines indicated a higher reactivity of the latter comonomers. Poly(divinyl sulfide-co-4-vinypyridine) containing 12.67% sulfur had a high sorption capacity with respect to metal ions: gold, 740-1200 mg/g from 1 M HCl and H 2 SO 4 solutions; silver, 340 mg/g from a 1 M HNO 3 solution; platinum, 672 mg/g from 1 M HCl and H 2 SO 4 solutions; and palladium, 414 mg/g from 1 M HCl and H 2 SO 4 solutions.