Research in the Klausen Group applies the principles of target-oriented organic synthesis to polymeric materials. Advances in building block design provide fundamental organic polymers inaccessible from traditional feedstocks like vinyl acetate. BN 2-Vinylnaphthalene (BN2VN) is a masked polar monomer, with an aromatic core that imparts styrene-like reactivity. Postpolymerization functionalization converted the boron-based side chain to a hydroxyl group, resulting in the first syntheses of highly stereoregular polyvinyl alcohol and styrene-vinyl alcohol and methacrylate-vinyl alcohol copolymers. Achieving atomistic control of polymer structure ultimately provides materials with tailored properties.

Unconventional building blocks for precision polymer synthesis

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.