Chemical modification of polystyrene - Introduction of sulfinate and sulfone functionalities

Sulfinate functional groups have been introduced on selected positions of the aromatic rings of soluble or crosslinked polystyrene via lithiation reactions followed by quenching with sulfur dioxide. The sulfinate polymers have good stability, can be stored at room temperature, and can be used for ion-exchange or as nucleophiles to produce polymer-bound sulfones. Good functional yields of polystyrene resins with sulfone pendant groups can be obtained by reaction of the polymeric sulfinates with various alkyl halides under phase transfer or classical conditions.