A Mini‐Review of Thiourea‐Based Polymers in Catalysis: From Hydrogen‐Bonding to Emerging Polymerization Strategies
ABSTRACT Thiourea derivatives are powerful hydrogen‐bond donors that have revolutionized small‐molecule catalysis, but their integration into polymer frameworks remains comparatively underexplored. Thiourea‐based polymers offer unique advantages, including tunable architectures, enhanced stability, and recyclability, but challenges in synthesis, functional stability, and active‐site distribution hinder wider application. This mini‐review critically highlights advances from hydrogen‐bonding catalysis to emerging polymerization and post‐functionalization strategies, identifies key research gaps, and outlines opportunities for designing multifunctional catalytic polymers. By bridging molecular thiourea chemistry with macromolecular design, this review provides a timely perspective to guide sustainable catalysis and expand the role of thioureas in polymer science.
Authors
- Ros Azlinawati Ramli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4263-2375)
- Bohari Mohd. Yamin
Institutions
- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (MY)
- National University of Malaysia (MY)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Polymer Science
- Published
- 2026-01-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/pol.20251116
- Primary Topic
- Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Universiti Malaysia Pahang