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Marc Hillmyer

Functional poly(cyclooctenes) with applications at the intersection of sustainability and polymer science

Seminar
Tue, Mar. 28, 2023, 4:30pm
Taylor Auditorium, Frick Chemistry Lab B02
Host: Paul Chirik

The ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctenes yields polymers with structures that are difficult or nearly impossible to prepare by other means. This is especially true when carrying out ROMP of functionalized cyclooctenes and especially in the presence of chain transfer agents. These new structures lead to materials with numerous potential applications in the benefit of sustainability. Using monomer design, vanishingly low catalyst loadings, new functional chain transfer agents, and by taking advantage of functional group incorporation, we have developed strategies to such materials that benefit from the versatile and highly efficient nature of ruthenium-catalyzed ROMP approaches. In this presentation, I will discuss both some historical foundations and more recent work in this area. Topics will include the preparation of telechelic polymers, sequence specific polymers, new barrier materials, and functional polymers for compatibilization in recycling of plastic waste.