> In conclusion, we have explored the properties of a polysulfide synthesized entirely from the industrial by-products sulfur and limonene. The polysulfide is easy to synthesize on a large scale and requires no exogenous reagents or solvents. The polysulfide removes PdII and HgII from water and soil and turns yellow when exposed to mercury(II). This response is selective for mercury, a discovery that may find use in sensing applications. We plan to develop the sulfur-limonene polysulfide as an inexpensive material for environmental remediation, where it will be used to sequester toxic metals from complex mixtures. More generally, this research is part of a growing effort to identify new and useful properties of materials with high sulfur content6 and to synthesize them in an efficient and sustainable fashion.
> In conclusion, we have explored the properties of a polysulfide synthesized entirely from the industrial by-products sulfur and limonene. The polysulfide is easy to synthesize on a large scale and requires no exogenous reagents or solvents. The polysulfide removes PdII and HgII from water and soil and turns yellow when exposed to mercury(II). This response is selective for mercury, a discovery that may find use in sensing applications. We plan to develop the sulfur-limonene polysulfide as an inexpensive material for environmental remediation, where it will be used to sequester toxic metals from complex mixtures. More generally, this research is part of a growing effort to identify new and useful properties of materials with high sulfur content6 and to synthesize them in an efficient and sustainable fashion.