protocol for the purple light-mediated anti-Markovnikov functionalization of alkenes with thiols. Crucial to the generation of the thiyl radical was the formation of a key photo-active complex. More than 30 thioether products were obtained, demonstrating tolerance towards different functional groups and scalability up to 5 mmol of alkene. Two different reaction conditions have been developed, varying
Water-insoluble, water swellable polymer compositions comprising an at least partially hydrolyzed copolymer of styrene and an α,β- ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride and a multi arm block copolymer of styrene and ethylene oxide attached to the copolymer by hydrogen bonding. In a preferred embodiment, the anhydride groups of the anhydride-containing copolymer are treated with a strong base to further enhance absorption capacity.