Synthesis and Review of Polymer Structures Ranging from 1D to 3D
Open Access
- Author:
- Hu, Jinzhen
- Area of Honors:
- Interdisciplinary in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Elizabeth A Elacqua, Thesis Supervisor
Themis Matsoukas, Thesis Honors Advisor
Benjamin James Lear, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Polymer
Covalent Organic Framework
D-A Copolymer
Anion Sensing - Abstract:
- In today’s industrial world, polymers can be considered one of the most prevalent materials. Most of polymers fall under three structure categories, ranging from one dimensional (1D) to three dimensional (3D), resulting from the growth direction of the monomer and/or overall assembly of the polymer within a given environment (i.e., solvent). This thesis works to synthesize and also review different types of polymers that fall within these structural categories. Within the 1D category, the focus will be on the controlling the backbone with sequence precision. The reviewed methods include iterative synthesis for forming oligomers with controlled sequence, electronic influenced donor-acceptor copolymer synthesis using Kumada catalyst transfer polymerization, and both electronically governed and sterically influenced sequence-controlled copolymers using ROMP. In the 2D category, a triarylpyrylium photocatalyst that could be incorporated into covalent-organic frameworks was investigated and designed; however, the final product was not synthesized as planned. While a different route of converting the TPT unit into katritzky unit was developed, the research was not completed owing to limited access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Toward 3D structures, a polymer that incorporated C4P and dye complex that is capable of sensing and capturing anion was synthesized and the anion binding affinity was investigated. The final anion (fluoride ion) binding affinity for the polymer was 1.8 x 104 M-1, which is on par with the small molecule. This research started the foundation for developing structure specific 3D anion capturing polymer network. This summation of this thesis work provides an overall fundamental view for of polymers varying in structure and discusses target applications of each. The overall goal is to provide a fundamental viewpoint of synthetic polymers to the readership.