Polymer precursors for solid state electrolytes

A method of synthesizing a precursor for making a polymer, glass, or ceramic material, the method comprising:

• reacting OPCl3 with NH3 or MNH2, where M is Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, or combinations thereof, to form O═P(NH2)3, wherein the reacting is performed in a polar, aprotic solvent at a temperature of greater than or equal to about −50° C. to less than or equal to about 200° C.;
• and either
• i. reacting the O═P(NH2)3 with M1NH2, where M1 is Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, or combinations thereof, to form the precursor;
• or
• ii. heating the O═P(NH2)3 to form a branched or cyclomeric compound;
• and reacting the branched or cyclomeric compound with M1NH2, where M1 is Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, or combinations thereof, to form the precursor,
• wherein the precursor is an oligomer or a polymer.

A method of making a polymer, glass, or ceramic material, the method comprising:

• forming a precursor that is an oligomer or polymer by reacting OPCl3 with NH3 or MNH2, where M is Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, or combinations thereof, to form O═P(NH2)3;
• and
• either
• i. reacting the O═P(NH2)3 with M1NH2, where M1 is Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, or combinations thereof, to form the precursor;
• or
• ii. heating the O═P(NH2)3 to form a branched or cyclomeric compound;
• and reacting the branched or cyclomeric compound with M1NH2, where M1 is Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, or combinations thereof, to form the precursor;
• heating the precursor to a temperature of greater than or equal to about ambient temperature to less than or equal to about 1000° C. to form the polymer, glass, or ceramic material.