RUI: CAS: Bespoke Polymer Degradation via Topology and Sidechain Variation

在化学系大分子，超分子和纳米化学（MSN）计划的支持下，凯尼恩学院的Yutan Getzler教授将探索聚合物拓扑结构如何影响聚合物降解的速度和途径。聚合物无处不在，从我们肌肉中的多肽到我们包装中的聚烯烃。我们必须了解这些化学物质在分子尺度上的结构如何影响它们在宏观尺度上的性质。取决于温度、催化剂要求和聚合物组成等条件如何影响解聚，这项工作可能在从靶向药物递送到生物可降解农用薄膜的领域产生影响。此外，当与现有催化体系配对时，解聚产物具有用作循环聚合物经济中的单体的潜力。 本科研究人员将获得关键的准备作为早期的职业科学家，同时追求这些目标在一个密切指导的环境，并将参加正在进行的季度会议与研究生研究小组。这个研究项目将提供一个特殊的培训机会，为早期的职业科学家谁的愿望更大的研究经验之前，追求博士学位。这位学士后实习生的导师将专注于研究生院成功的关键技能-实验设计，数据分析，项目管理，近同行指导，演讲和写作。合成环状聚合物拓扑结构存在固有的挑战，因此它们仍然相对罕见。Getzler团队设计了一种催化剂来帮助构建环状聚酯，这种形状很难获得。由于缺少链端，这些大环被保护免于常见的、不受控制的降解途径。通过仔细修饰用于形成大环的单体，可以实现和控制其他独特的降解途径。在这个研究项目中，Getzler团队将合成和表征一系列具有不同侧链结构的环状均聚物和共聚物。 拓扑结构和侧链对聚合物稳定性和解聚机理的影响将被检查。本研究的一个重要目标是了解控制环聚酯解聚的因素。 如果成功的话，从这些研究中获得的基础知识将为材料的合理设计提供可定制的降解曲线。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

With the support of the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program in the Division of Chemistry, Professor Yutan Getzler of Kenyon College will explore how polymer topology impacts the speed and pathways of polymer degradation. Polymers are ubiquitous, from the polypeptides in our muscles to the polyolefins of our packages. It is vital that we understand how the structures of these chemicals at the molecular scale impact their properties at the macroscale. Depending on how conditions such as temperature, catalyst requirements, and polymer composition impact depolymerization, this work may have implications in fields ranging from targeted drug delivery to biodegradable agricultural films. Furthermore, the depolymerization products have the potential for use as monomers in a circular polymer economy when paired with existing catalytic systems. Undergraduate researchers will gain critical preparation as early career scientists while pursuing these goals in a closely mentored environment and will participate in ongoing quarterly meetings with graduate research groups. This research project will provide an exceptional training opportunity for an early career scientist who desires greater research experience prior to pursuing a doctorate degree. Mentorship of this post-baccalaureate trainee will focus on the skills critical to success in graduate school – experimental design, data analysis, project management, near-peer mentoring, presentation, and writing.There are inherent challenges in synthesizing cyclic polymer topologies and so they remain relatively uncommon. The Getzler group designed a catalyst to help construct cyclic polyesters, a shape that is otherwise difficult to access. Due to the lack of chain ends, these macrocycles are protected from a common, uncontrolled, degradation pathway. By carefully modifying the monomers used to form the macrocycles, other unique degradation pathways may be enabled and controlled. In this research project, the Getzler group will synthesize and characterize a range of cyclic homopolymers and copolymers with different side-chain structures. The impact of topology and side chains on the polymer stability and depolymerization mechanism will be examined. An important goal of this research is to understand the factors that control depolymerization of cyclic polyesters. If successful, the fundamental knowledge gleaned from these studies will inform the rational design of materials with customizable degradation profiles.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.