GOALI: Macromolecular Design with Organocatalysis

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The goal of this project is to discover new patterns of catalytic reactivity from organic molecules as an enabler of controlled polymerization methods for the synthesis of novel polymers. Specific objectives are to: (1) develop novel zwitterionic strategies to generate purely cyclic polymers; (2) utilize experimental and theoretical methods to design highly selective organocatalysts for the living ring-opening polymerization of lactones and other monomers; and (3) exploit novel guanidine catalysts for ring-opening polymerization and transesterification reactions. With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Professor Robert M. Waymouth, of the Department of Chemistry at Stanford University and Dr. James L. Hedrick at IBM. The research efforts of this GOALI team revolve around the development of new strategies for creating new classes of biodegradable polymers derived from renewable resources. Successful accomplishment of this goal will reduce the societal dependence on petrochemical feedstock. It could also lead to a new class of low-k dielectric materials.