Sustainable, ultrafast, and solvent-free thiol–ene reactions promoted by a triazatruxene-based initiator

Abstract

A triazatruxene-based initiator (TAT-SH) was synthesized and evaluated within the framework of thiol-ene click polymerizations from a green chemistry perspective. The findings indicate that the TAT-SH functions effectively even at low loadings. Notably, all reactions were completed within 1 min in the presence of only 1.0 mol% initiator, demonstrating a remarkable level of efficiency. The fact that the entire process proceeds under solvent-free conditions eliminates solvent-derived waste, thereby offering a clear environmental advantage. In addition, the chemical and thermal stability of TAT-SH supports both the reliable progression of reactions and the long-term usability of the initiator. Taken together, these features show that TAT-SH, through its rapid initiation capacity, high efficiency at low dosages, and compatibility with sustainable processing conditions, represents an innovative alternative compared to conventional initiators. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.