Polymer Bulletin, Vol.46, No.1, 37-42, 2001
Synthesis of omega-mercapto-poly(alkylene oxide) by the Mitsunobu reaction
An efficient way to transform omega -hydroxy-poly(alkylene oxide) in omega -mercapto-poly(alkylene oxide) in two steps is described : the Mitsunobu reaction with thiolacetic acid followed by the reduction of the thiol ester. Yields are quantitative with water soluble polymers.