U.S.-Malaysia Cooperative Research: Macromer Synthesis via Delocalized Carbanions

本提案请求资金支持宾夕法尼亚州立大学高分子科学系Bernard Gordon博士与马来亚大学化学系Seng Neon Gan博士进行通过离域碳原子合成大分子的研究。他们的研究将涉及(1)通过阴离子引发制备新的大分子（具有活性末端的聚合物），(2)化学修饰氢化橡胶以产生具有活性末端的弹性碎片，(3)研究了环氧化天然橡胶与阴离子引发法制备的各种高分子聚合物的反应。天然橡胶和合成橡胶的传统用途的多样化可以通过改变基础聚合物的性质来实现。这可以通过直接化学反应来改变结构或通过将其他聚合物接枝到橡胶结构上来实现。该项目在美国国家科学基金（NSF）资助下为PI的研究增加了一个国际合作的维度。dmr - 8822938。甘博士在天然橡胶和合成橡胶方面的经验，以及之前与PI在高分子聚合物方面的合作，将为正在进行的研究增加一个有价值的新维度。该项目与发展中国家科学项目的目标相关，该项目旨在通过科学信息、思想、技能和技术的交流以及在互利问题上的合作，提高美国和发展中国家科学家和工程师之间的合作水平。

This proposal requests funds to permit Dr. Bernard Gordon, Department of Polymer Science, Pennsylvania State University, to pursue with Dr. Seng Neon Gan, Department of Chemistry, University of Malaya, macromer synthesis via delocalized carbanions. Their research will involve (1) preparing new macromers (polymers with a reactive terminal) by anionic initiation, (2) chemically modifying hydrogenated rubbers to produce elastic fragments with reactive terminals, and (3) investigating the reactions of epoxidized natural rubber with various macromers and polymers prepared by anionic initiation. Diversification of the traditional uses of natural and synthetic rubbers can be achieved by changing the properties of the base polymers. This can be done by direct chemical reactions to change the structures or by grafting other polymers onto the rubber structure. This project adds an international cooperative dimension to the PI's research under NSF Grant No. DMR-8822938. Dr. Gan's experience with natural and synthetic rubbers and prior collaboration with the PI on macromers will add a valuable new dimension to the ongoing research. This project is relevant to the objectives of the Science in Developing Countries Program which seeks to increase the level of cooperation between U.S. and developing country scientists and engineers through the exchange of scientific information, ideas, skills, and techniques and through collaboration on problems of mutual benefit.