PECASE: Metal Core Macromolecules with Tunable Properties

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Dr. Cassandra L. Fraser, Chemistry Department, University of Virginia, is supported by a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Program. The utility of halo-methyl derivatives of bipyridine or phenanthroline metal complexes will be tested as living polymerization reagents for the preparation of metal core macromolecules in the form of star, heteroarm star, and star block copolymers. Research efforts include polymerization of oxazolines, styrenes and acrylates; functionalization of macromolecules via nucleophilic termination agents; and examination of block length and composition influence upon aggregation behavior. In an associated educational effort, the second year of a two-year introductory honors sequence and a graduate level transition metal course will be redesigned. The central motif of the undergraduate course is an interdisciplinary approach to science education while the graduate course utilizes an interactive seminar format. Metal-containing macromolecules have a wide range of potential applications that exploit the unique characteristics of the metal complex core. Metal core macromolecules may serve as liquid crystals, supported catalysts and optical or electrochemical sensors. Interdisciplinary and seminar approaches to chemistry education will be introduced at the undergraduate and graduate levels, respectively.