Synthesis of Corrosion-inhibiting Polythioesters

In the reported investigations, binary condensation copolymers of five monomers known to be corrosion inhibitors were synthesized by solution polymerization. the copolymers synthesized were poly(1,2-ethanedithiol-thiodiglycolate), poly(1,3-propanedithiol-3,3 prime -thiodipropionate), poly(1,2-ethanedithiol-3,3 prime -thiodipropionate), and poly(2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3,3 prime -thiodipropionate). Yields ranged from 77 to 89% and molecular weights from 10,100 to 24,300. Attempts to produce the condensation copolymers of thiodiglycolic acid chloride and 1,3-propanedithiol or 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole failed, yielding only telomeric products. the copolymers that were synthesized demonstrated significant corrosion-inhibitory properties on steel samples in salt water.