PDOT (10-20 mg) was dissolved in CDCl3 (1 mL). Stock solutions of ethanethiol and DBU were prepared separately in CDCl3. All these solutions were kept sealed and degassed separately by bubbling nitrogen gas for 20 minutes. The stock solutions (2-400 % of thioester linkages calculated in pDOT) were added to the pDOT solution, and it was stirred overnight at RT. NMR analysis was done with the crude aliquots and LCMS analysis was done with the crude degradation product obtained from 400 % degradant. SEC analysis was done after removal of DBU by aqueous wash and further dissolving in THF.