Synthesis of Metal Binding Polymers via RAFT Polymerization of Activated Ester Monomers and Post-Polymerization Functionalization
Abstract
Poly pentafluorophenyl acrylate (PPFPA) is an activated ester polymer used for the binding and removal of toxic metals out of solution through filtration. PPFPA was synthesized via reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using pentafluorophenyl acrylate (PFPA) as the monomer to create linear and hyperbranched polymers. RAFT polymerization allows control over molecular weight and the molecular architecture of PPFPA. H-NMR and F-NMR spectroscopy was utilized to assess monomer purity, polymer conversion, and confirm the structure of the final polymer. The purpose of this study is to synthesize PPFPA, a chelating polymer, as well as to functionalize said polymer with different functional groups to determine the efficacy of the functionalized polymer at extracting heavy metals from contaminated water. PPFPA is a modular polymer that is capable of being functionalized with metal binding groups through post-polymerization aminolysis. The modular activated ester polymers were reacted with different chelating nucleophiles to install various metalbinding groups, including phosphonates, bisphosphonates, and carboxylates. Effective functionalization of the final polymers was confirmed by H-NMR, F-NMR, and IR spectroscopy.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Patricia Calvo
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-5-2023 12:00 PM
End Date
4-6-2023 4:00 PM
Synthesis of Metal Binding Polymers via RAFT Polymerization of Activated Ester Monomers and Post-Polymerization Functionalization
Alvin Sherman Library
Poly pentafluorophenyl acrylate (PPFPA) is an activated ester polymer used for the binding and removal of toxic metals out of solution through filtration. PPFPA was synthesized via reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using pentafluorophenyl acrylate (PFPA) as the monomer to create linear and hyperbranched polymers. RAFT polymerization allows control over molecular weight and the molecular architecture of PPFPA. H-NMR and F-NMR spectroscopy was utilized to assess monomer purity, polymer conversion, and confirm the structure of the final polymer. The purpose of this study is to synthesize PPFPA, a chelating polymer, as well as to functionalize said polymer with different functional groups to determine the efficacy of the functionalized polymer at extracting heavy metals from contaminated water. PPFPA is a modular polymer that is capable of being functionalized with metal binding groups through post-polymerization aminolysis. The modular activated ester polymers were reacted with different chelating nucleophiles to install various metalbinding groups, including phosphonates, bisphosphonates, and carboxylates. Effective functionalization of the final polymers was confirmed by H-NMR, F-NMR, and IR spectroscopy.
