Poly(methylene diselenide) and poly(methylene seleno-polysulfido-selenides), -[-CH2Se2-] n -, -[-CH2SeS m Se-] n -

Abstract

Poly(methylene diselenide), -[-CH2Se2-] n -, when alloyed with sulfur in a 1-4 molar excess of the latter, gives dark orange rubber-like poly(methylene seleno-polysulfido-selenides), -[-CH2SeS m Se-] n -, where m =1-4 representing a new class of S-Se organic polymers having no C-S bonds. At molar ratio sulfur:poly(methylene diselenide) equal to 16 sulfur content does not exceed m =4. The selenium part of the polymer, while alloying with sulfur, is removed from the polymer and forms the compound with sulfur. The polymers demonstrate reversible redox properties and can be employed as active cathode materials in rechargeable lithium cells.