The structure of styrene and elemental sulfur cooligomers

The structure of the products of interaction between styrene and elemental sulfur was investigated by two-dimensional NMR and chromato-mass-spectrometry techniques. The adduct obtained at 130°C in the absence of solvent has a structure of copolymer with alternating styrene fragments and sulfur chains. The molecules of adduct terminated with 1-phenylethyl- and 2-phenylethyl-groups are found in the proportion 7 : 1. The styrene-styrene units are present in negligible amounts. Sulfide bridges were found mainly to contain two S atoms. The number-average molecular weight of the adduct is about 1000-1400.