Integration of unexplored functional groups into polymer science

在这项由化学系大分子、超分子和纳米化学计划资助的项目中，爱荷华大学的Ned B.Bowden将探索含有多噻唑的同系物--亚磺酰胺和二氨基二硫醚重复单元的聚合物的合成。该方法是制备环磺酰胺类化合物，然后研究其开环聚合的基础化学；开发仲胺和二硫转移剂逐步增长聚合成聚二氨基二硫化物的方法；最后合成和表征基于聚亚硫胺和聚二氨基二硫化物的半导体聚合物。更广泛的影响包括访问当地学校展示化学演示，在爱荷华州博览会上主办一个向公众展示化学研究创新的摊位，每月在报纸上开设专栏向公众传播科学，培训研究生和本科生，并以各种形式广泛传播研究成果。塑料是长链有机分子，存在于日常生活的许多方面，包括食品包装、汽车和航空航天运输的结构材料，以及轻型电子设备。这项研究将探索在聚合物链中包括硫和氮原子的新方法，这可能会影响从导电性到对水水解的敏感性等性质。研究结果有助于获得高性能的有机电子或发光设备以及对环境有影响的材料。

In this project funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Ned B. Bowden of the University of Iowa will explore the synthesis of polymers containing the sulfenamide and the diaminodisulfide repeat unit, congeners of polythiazyl. The approach is to prepare cyclic sulfonamides and then investigate the fundamental chemistry of their ring-opening polymerization; to develop methods for the step-growth polymerization of secondary amines and disulfur transfer reagents into polydiaminodisulfides; and finally to synthesize and characterize semiconducting polymers based on polysulfenamides and polydiaminodisulfides. The broader impacts involve visiting local schools to present chemistry demonstrations, hosting a booth at the Iowa State Fair to present chemical research innovations to the general public, a monthly newspaper column to communicate science to the general public, training graduate and undergraduate students, and broadly disseminating research results in a variety of formats.Plastics are long chain organic molecules and are found in many facets of everyday life, including food packaging, structural materials for automotive and aerospace transportation, and lightweight electronic devices. This research will explore new approaches to include sulfur and nitrogen atoms within the polymer chain, which can impact properties ranging from electrical conductivity to susceptibility to water hydrolysis. The results of the studies could facilitate access to high performing organic electronic or light-emitting devices as well as environmentally responsive materials.