Controlled Synthesis of Architecturally Complex Fluoropolymers

在这个由化学系大分子，超分子和纳米化学项目资助的项目中，康涅狄格大学的Alexandru Asandei将开发新方法，以控制合成具有复杂结构的氟化（共）聚合物。 首先，方便的反应条件下的小规模聚合的氟化单体将进行探索，和新的引发方法，如自由基生成直接从（氟）烷基卤化物或高价碘化物，将进行研究。 其次，将研究催化的碘退化转移控制的偏二氟乙烯自由基聚合的发展，以获得“活”样的，窄分子量分布的含氟聚合物。 第三，所提出的化学效用将通过合成具有复杂结构的定义明确的含氟材料来证明。 更广泛的影响包括对研究生和本科生的高级培训，与高中教师合作开发与聚合物和纳米技术相关的实践实验工作的研讨会，通过社交媒体传播研讨会中开发的演示，以及广泛传播研究成果。聚合物是长链有机分子，存在于日常生活的许多方面，使用塑料，包括食品包装、用于汽车和航空运输的结构材料以及轻质电子器件。 含有氟元素的聚合物（含氟聚合物）是多用途的特种塑料，从不粘涂层，管道衬里和火箭发动机的O型环到燃料电池膜材料。这项研究旨在提高我们在含氟聚合物合成方面的知识，并可能导致新型先进材料的广泛应用。

In this project funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Alexandru Asandei of the University of Connecticut will develop new methods towards the controlled synthesis of fluorinated (co)polymers with complex architectures. First, convenient reaction conditions for the small scale polymerization of fluorinated monomers will be explored, and novel initiating methods, such radical generation directly from (fluoro)alkyl halides or hypervalent iodides, will be studied. Second, the development of catalyzed iodine degenerative transfer controlled radical polymerization of vinylidene fluoride to obtain "living"-like, narrow molecular weight distribution fluoropolymers will be examined. Third, the utility of the proposed chemistry will be demonstrated via the synthesis of well-defined, fluoromaterials with complex architectures. The broader impacts include advanced training for graduate and undergraduate students, collaborations with high school teachers on the development of a workshop with hands-on experimental work related to polymers and nanotechnology, dissemination via social media of the demonstrations developed in the workshop, and the broad dissemination of research results.Polymers are long chain organic molecules and are found in many facets of everyday life that utilize plastics, including food packaging, structural materials for automotive and aerospace transportation, and lightweight electronic devices. Polymers that contain the element, fluorine, (fluoropolymers) are versatile specialty plastics used anywhere from nonstick coatings, pipe liners, and O-rings for rocket engines to materials for fuel cell membranes. This research seeks to advance our knowledge in the synthesis of fluoropolymers and could lead to new types of advanced materials for a wide range of applications.