New Directions in Green Polymer Catalysis

鉴于生物可降解聚酯如聚乳酸（PLA）在一系列应用中作为生物材料的普遍使用，迫切需要控制和优化这些聚合物的微观结构和功能，以实现改善的性能特征和功能化的目标。在这个提议中，我们的目标是开发新一代的手性双核铟催化剂，以提高环酯开环聚合的稳定性，功能控制和对映选择性。为了将单体的范围扩展到环酯之外，我们还将研究新的阳离子铟基催化剂家族。我们将探讨这些铟阳离子的配位化学及其与环醚和丙烯酸酯的反应性。特别是，我们将探讨这些催化剂与可再生的极性共轭烯烃，如亚甲基丁内酯家族的反应性。我们还将探索我们的铟催化剂在高度可控聚合中的独特能力，以开发高性能材料。由亲水性和疏水性嵌段组成的两亲性嵌段共聚物是许多胶束药物递送系统的基本组分。此外，它们可能有许多潜在的应用，从食品保存到水净化。我们将详细探讨这些胶束的化学性质，重点是活性胶束的形成和胶束中官能团的结合。该研究旨在催化剂开发和聚合物合成和表征领域的重大发展，在多样化的石油化工，材料科学和药物输送中的应用。此外，这个工业相关的研究计划预计将提供一个特殊的跨学科的培训环境，为高素质的，创造性的科学家与化学合成和聚合物科学的培训谁将在加拿大精细化学品部门突出就业。

Given the ubiquitous use of biodegradable polyesters such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as biomaterials in a range of applications, there is a critical need to control and optimize the microstructure and functionality of these polymers in order to achieve the goals of improved performance characteristics and functionalization. In this proposal we aim to develop a new generation of chiral dinuclear indium catalysts for enhanced stability, functional control, and enantioselectivity in the ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters. To expand the scope of monomers beyond cyclic esters, we will also investigate new families of cationic indium based catalysts. We will explore the coordination chemistry of these indium cations and their reactivity with cyclic ethers and acrylates. In particular, we will explore the reactivity of these catalysts with renewable polar conjugated alkenes such as the methylene butyrolactone family. We will also explore the unique abilities of our indium catalysts for highly controlled polymerization to develop high performance material. Amphiphilic block copolymers composed of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks are essential components of many micellar drug delivery systems. In addition, they may have many potential applications ranging from food preservation to water cleanup. We will explore the chemistry of these micelles in detail with an emphasis of living micelle formation and incorporation of functional groups in the micelles. This research aims to engender significant developments in the areas of catalyst development and polymer synthesis and characterization, applications in diversified petrochemicals, material science, and drug delivery. In addition, this industrially relevant research program is expected to provide an exceptional interdisciplinary training environment for highly qualified, creative scientists with training in chemical synthesis and polymer science who will be eminently employable in Canadian fine chemicals sectors.