RUI: The Synthesis, Characterization, and Self-Organization of Calixarene- and Resorcinarene-Core Star Block Copolymers

化学合成具有不同分子结构和/或被合理设计为自组装成高阶结构的聚合物构建块是设计多方面高分子材料的关键。沿着这些思路，本项目涉及杯芳烃和间苯二酚核聚乳酸/聚乙二醇星状嵌段共聚物的合成、表征和自组织。将开发合成星形聚合物的方法。然后将进行研究，以考察大环-核星形嵌段共聚物在水溶液中形成多聚胶束或单分子胶束的能力。还将评估假定的胶束包裹并随后释放模型疏水客人的能力。凭借这一奖项，有机和高分子化学计划支持阿什兰大学化学系的佩里·科尔宾教授的研究。科尔宾教授致力于杯芳烃和间苯二酚核星形嵌段共聚物的合成和研究。由于杯芳烃和间苯二酚的结构多样性以及它们易于官能化的潜力，这些大环是制备多功能星形嵌段共聚两亲分子的理想平台。因此，将制备的聚合物和聚集体具有在各种材料应用中的潜力，包括作为纳米级、靶向药物输送载体的应用。即将开展的研究将反过来为本科生提供重要的、基础广泛的研究经验，重点是分子合成和表征、聚合物在溶液中的自组织以及对聚合物材料性质的调查。

The chemical synthesis of polymer building blocks that have varied molecular architectures and/or are rationally designed to self-assemble into higher-order structures is critical to the design of multifaceted macromolecular materials. Along these lines, this project involves the synthesis, characterization, and self-organization of calixarene- and resorcinarene-core polylactide/polyethylene glycol star block copolymers. Methods will be developed for synthesizing the star polymers. Studies will then be carried out to examine the capability of the macrocyclic-core star block copolymers to form multimeric micelles or unimolecular micelles in aqueous solution. The ability of the putative micelles to entrap and, subsequently, release model hydrophobic guests will also be evaluated.With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research of Professor Perry Corbin of the Department of Chemistry at Ashland University. Professor Corbin's research efforts focus on the synthesis and study of calixarene- and resorcinarene-core star block copolymers. Because of the structural diversity of calixarenes and resorcinarenes and their potential to be readily functionalized, these macrocycles are ideal platforms for preparing versatile star block copolymer amphiphiles. As such, the polymers and aggregates to be prepared have the potential for use in varied materials applications, including their use as nanoscale, targeted drug-delivery vehicles. The studies to be carried out will, in turn, provide undergraduate students with important, broad-based research experiences that will focus on molecular synthesis and characterization, the self-organization of polymers in solution, and an investigation of the properties of polymeric materials.