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A precursor kit for a radical polymerization in an aqueous alcoholic solution that results in a stable polydisulfide homopolymer, the kit comprising

• a plurality of substituted 1,2-dithiolane monomers;
• a plurality of stabilizer molecules;
• an initiator;
• and,
• an aqueous alcoholic carrier;
• wherein the plurality of substituted 1,2-dithiolane monomers are functional to polymerize through a ring-opening reaction to form a polydisulfide homopolymer having
• a first active radical sulfur end and a second radical sulfur end;
• and,
• a plurality of repeating units having a substituted dithioalkyl structure from the ring opening reaction as follows
• wherein,
• n is 3;
• each Ri and Rk is independently selected from the group consisting of H;
• alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups, each of the groups having from 1-8 carbons;
• hydroxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups, each of the groups having from 1-8 carbons;
• and, carboxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups, each of the groups having from 1-8 carbons;
• wherein, i and k are integers, and at least one Ri or Rk in each repeating unit includes a carbonyl functionality;
• and,
• m is an integer selected to match a desired molecular weight of the polymer;
• and,
• the kit is used to create the stabilized polydisulfide homopolymer in the aqueous alcohol carrier to create a reaction solution at a reaction temperature ranging from 0° C. to 37° C.

A system for a radical polymerization of a stabilized polydisulfide homopolymer in aqueous solution, comprising

• a plurality of substituted 1,2-dithiolane monomers;
• a plurality of stabilizer molecules;
• an initiator;
• an aqueous alcoholic carrier;
• and,
• a reaction vessel for creating the stabilized polydisulfide homopolymer through the radical polymerization in the aqueous alcohol carrier at a reaction temperature ranging from 0° C. to 37° C.;
• wherein the plurality of substituted 1,2-dithiolane monomers are functional to polymerize through a ring-opening reaction to form a polydisulfide homopolymer having
• a first active radical sulfur end and a second radical sulfur end;
• and,
• a plurality of repeating units having a substituted dithioalkyl structure from the ring opening reaction as follows
• wherein,
• n is 3;
• each Ri and Rk is independently selected from the group consisting of H;
• alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups, each of the groups having from 1-8 carbons;
• hydroxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups, each of the groups having from 1-8 carbons;
• and, carboxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups, each of the groups having from 1-8 carbons;
• wherein, i and k are integers, and at least one Ri or Rk in each repeating unit includes a carbonyl functionality;
• and,
• m is an integer selected to match a desired molecular weight of the polymer.

A stabilized and recyclable polydisulfide homopolymer, comprising:

• a plurality of substituted 1,2-dithiolane monomers, the substituted 1,2-dithiolane monomers functional to polymerize through a ring-opening reaction to form a polydisulfide polymer having
• a first active sulfur radical and a second active sulfur radical;
• and,
• a plurality of repeating units having a substituted dithioalkyl structure from the ring opening reaction as follows
• wherein,
• n is 3;
• each Ri and Rk is independently selected from the group consisting of H;
• alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups, each of the groups having from 1-8 carbons;
• hydroxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups, each of the groups having from 1-8 carbons;
• and, carboxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups, each of the groups having from 1-8 carbons;
• wherein, i and k are integers, and at least one Ri or Rk in each repeating unit includes a carbonyl functionality;
• and,
• m is an integer selected to match a desired molecular weight of the polymer;
• and,
• a plurality of stabilizer molecules configured to stabilize the first active sulfur radical of the polymer, the plurality of stabilizer molecules being the 1,2-dithiolane monomers having a functional group that forms (i) a first stable bond with the first active sulfur radical;
• and (ii) a second stable bond with the second active sulfur radical;
• wherein, the repeating units and the stabilizer molecules are the same, or substantially the same, chemical moieties following a degradation of the polymer.