IR laser-induced decomposition in thiirane for gas-phase deposition of conjugated organosulfur polymer incorporating cycloheptasulfur

IR laser-induced dielectric breakdown in gaseous thiirane results in extrusion of sulfur, formation of volatile products (ethene, ethyne, and carbon disulfide) and deposition of a solid film of a conjugated sulfur-containing polymer incorporating cyclo-heptasulfur. The polymer structure was analyzed by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy and found to consist of S–S bridges and conjugated CC units partly substituted with S atoms. The cyclo-heptasulfur (known as unstable at room temperature) survives in the polymer for months and is judged to be stabilized in inner layers of polymer phase. Heating of the polymer leads to evolution of a disordered graphitic carbon.