Synthesis of DMAP tethered polymer chains for reversible micelle formation

<p>Dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) can act to catalyze numerous organic reactions. To increase its recovery and reuse, it has been tethered to dendrimers and to micellar systems, creating nano-scale catalytic pockets for reactions to proceed. Previously developed systems show diminished reactivity over time as the products of the reaction fill up the nano-scale reactor. Thus, the goal of my research is to use RAFT polymerization methods to synthesize a hydrophobic polymer chain bearing 4-methylaminopyridine units and to attach it to a hydrophilic polymer chain to create a polymer system capable of micelle formation in solution. These functionalized micelles are designed to be selectively opened and closed by changing the temperature, thus allowing the product to be removed from the micelle and avoiding the diminished catalytic activity that other polymer-supported catalytic systems show. A monomer with DMAP-like activity was made by reacting 4-methylaminopyridine with 3-isopropenyl-α,α-dimethylbenzyl isocyanate that could be polymerized into a hydrophobic polymer chain, and progress towards polymerizing the functionalized monomer was made.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Year dc:date.available

2016

Author dc:creator

• Fredricks, Richard Arthur

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gregg Wilmes
• Harriet Lindsay
• Donald Snyder

• Pure sciences
• Chemistry

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/770

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2149