CAREER: Well-Defined Cyclic and Linear Poly(alpha-peptoid)s and Their Block Copolymers: Synthesis, Characterization and Solution Self-Assembly

在这个由化学学部大分子、超分子和纳米化学项目资助的CAREER项目中，路易斯安那州立大学（LSU）的张东辉将开展研究，开发n -取代- n -羧基酸酐的新聚合方法。张教授将研究亲核n杂环碳烯介导的n -取代- n -羧基酸酐开环聚合的动力学和机理。将制备各种环状和线状嵌段共聚物，并研究它们在溶液中形成的聚集体类型。教育计划的重点是将研究项目的概念纳入路易斯安那州立大学的课程，并改善路易斯安那州立大学K-12的外展项目，包括ChemDemo和“你是化学家”（You Be The Chemist）。这项工作将扩大与生物相关的聚合物的范围，科学家可以用它来开发新的聚合物和材料。除了开发新的方法外，拟议的研究将使研究人员能够创造出可以在生物成像和生物医学技术中应用的仿生聚合物。

In this CAREER project funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Donghui Zhang of the Louisiana State University (LSU) will carry out research to develop new polymerization methods for N-substituted-N-carboxyl anhydrides. Zhang will study the kinetics and mechanism of the ring-opening polymerization of N-substituted-N-carboxyl anhydrides mediated by nucleophilic N-heterocyclic carbenes. Various cyclic and linear block copolymers will be prepared and the types of aggregates that they form in solution will be studied. The educational plan focuses on incorporating concepts from the research project into courses at LSU and on improving LSU K-12 outreach programs, including ChemDemo and "You Be the Chemist." This work will broaden the array of biologically related polymers that scientists can use to develop new polymers and materials. Besides developing new methodologies, the proposed research will enable researchers to create biomimetic polymers that could find application in bioimaging and biomedical technologies.