Precise Polymer Structures via Metathesis Polycondensation Chemistry

1. Precise Polymer Structures via Metathesis Polycondensation Chemistry K. B. Wagener, University of Florida, DMR 0314110 ADMET (Acyclic Diene Metathesis) uses olefin metathesis chemistry to produce precisely defined materials inaccessible through any other synthetic means. Metathesis conversions are at the forefront of modern chemistry. ADMET precision polymers are attractive as models that could potentially improve many commercial materials in use today, such as engineering plastics, fuel cell membranes, bio-olefins, water sensitive polymers, & electrically conductive plastics. These behavior of these materials can be fine tuned using this simple, elegant ADMET chemistry. Research in the Wagener Group focuses on the fundamental structure property relationships of ethylene based copolymers. These polymers are used by more people in the world than any other such material. Traditional syntheses of such materials rely on chain propagation chemistry resulting in structural irregularities and ill defined microstructures. Our researchbypasses the side reactions responsible for these defects via the ADMET reaction, a step growth polycondensation pioneered by Wagener’s group at The University of Florida. Precision ADMET Polymerization

2. Precise Polymer Structures via Metathesis Polycondensation Chemistry K. B. Wagener, University of Florida, DMR 0314110 Accomplishments & Broader Aspects – Past 12 Months The Wagener Group operated during this period with eight graduate students, three undergraduate students (including an NSF REU student), and one visiting professor. The group published or had accepted 14 peer reviewed publications. Twelve invited lectures were presented in the USA, Asia, and Europe. One PhD was conferred, with this student accepting a postdoctoral position with Professor Jean Frechet at UC/Berkeley. Two of the three undergraduates have finished their degrees, one now in pharmacy school and the other in the chemistry PhD program at Berkeley. The group’s research horizon expanded via Wagener receiving an Alexander von Humboldt Senior Research Research Award, one of 51 professors worldwide in all possible scientific and literary disciplines. As a consequence, NSF related research has started in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany (3 graduate students at Florida involved, three graduate students in Mainz). Other national and international related research collaborations remain active as part of this NSF sponsored research. These include interactions With Rufina Alamo (Florida State University), Toshio Masuda (Kyoto University, Japan), Bernard Wunderlich (U. Tennessee), Karen Winey (U. Pennsylvania), & Doug Hirt (Clemson University). Corporate collaborative efforts include structure/property investigations with Sumitomo Chemical Company in Tokyo and catalysis exploration with Material Incorporated in Pasadena. Research in the Wagener Group has led to several patent applications on NSF sponsored technology, with one additional patent application being filed during this research period. Educational experiences for graduate students include participation in an exchange program with Kyoto University in Japan, and a developing exchange program with the Max Planck institute in Germany. The objective is to provide our USA graduate students with cultural experiences that they otherwise would miss. Center for Macromolecular Science and Engineering The Wagener Group is part of the Butler Polymer Research Laboratory (photo above) which is included in the University of Florida’s Center for Macromolecular Science and Engineering.