Thiol-Ene “Click Reactions” as a Promising Approach to Polymer Materials

This review is devoted to relatively new and promising approach to the synthesis of novel organic compounds and polymer materials, based on the “click chemistry” concept. Several types of the “click reactions” (cycloaddition, nucleophilic ring opening, non-aldol carbonyl chemistry, and addition to multiple carbon-carbon bonds) have been described, and the relevant examples have been provided. The “thiol-ene” reactions based on the addition of thiol to unsaturated functional groups of organic molecules have been mostly considered in this review, including their conditions and mechanisms. Diverse and wide range of applications of the thiol-ene “click chemistry” has been demonstrated, including the preparation of biocompatible materials and materials for culture and encapsulation of cells; the synthesis of block copolymers; the development of degradable materials as well as novel homogeneous and hybrid network structures; chromatography, glycopolymer synthesis, immobilization of proteins, stabilization/functionalization of capsules and multilayer systems, functionalized micro- and nanogels, nanomedicine, and development of antitumor drugs.