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）项目的支持下，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。至关重要的是，我们要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。根据温度、催化剂要求和聚合物组成等条件对解聚的影响，这项工作可能会在从靶向药物输送到可生物降解农用薄膜等领域产生影响。此外，当与现有的催化系统配对时，解聚产物具有在循环聚合物经济中作为单体使用的潜力。本科研究人员将获得作为早期职业科学家的关键准备，同时在密切指导的环境中追求这些目标，并将与研究生研究小组一起参加正在进行的季度会议。该研究项目将为希望在攻读博士学位之前获得更多研究经验的早期职业科学家提供一个特殊的培训机会。对这些本科毕业后的实习生的指导将侧重于在研究生院取得成功的关键技能——实验设计、数据分析、项目管理、同侪指导、演讲和写作。在合成环状聚合物拓扑结构中存在固有的挑战，因此它们仍然相对不常见。盖兹勒小组设计了一种催化剂来帮助构建环状聚酯，这种形状很难得到。由于缺乏链端，这些大环被保护免受一个共同的，不受控制的，降解途径。通过仔细修改用于形成大环的单体，可以启用和控制其他独特的降解途径。在本研究项目中，Getzler团队将合成并表征一系列具有不同侧链结构的环均聚物和共聚物。研究拓扑结构和侧链对聚合物稳定性和解聚机理的影响。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，从这些研究中收集到的基本知识将为具有可定制降解概况的材料的合理设计提供信息。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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.