PREPARATION AND REACTIONS OF POLYMERS
ChE/CHEM/TFE 6750
Course coordinators:
Dr.
David Collard (Chemistry) and Dr. Malcolm Polk (TFE)
Prerequisites: CHEM/CHE/ME/MSE/TFE 4775, and Graduate standing or
consent of instructor
Proposed Catalog Description:
A detailed treatment of the reactions involved in the
synthesis of both man-made and natural polymers, including preparation and
degradative reactions of polymer systems.
Course Justification:
The learning objectives for the course are as follows:
1. Learn
essential concepts of formation and reactions of polymers focusing on the
organic chemistry and mechanisms of reactions
2. Prepare
students for research in the field of polymer synthesis
Students shall learn an integrated approach to polymer
synthesis and reactions. The course lecture materials have been taught at
Georgia Tech for a number of years.
Text: at the level
of Principles of Polymerization, G. Odian and references from
literature.
Topical Outline
1. Introduction
to Polymer Synthesis
2. Step Growth
Polymerization
A. Heterocyclic
Polymers (Odian)
Polyimides (Handout):
Mechanism, Kinetics, New Methods
B. Polyurethanes
(Odian)
C. Phenol-Formaldehyde
and Amine-Formaldehyde Polymers (Odian)
D. Oxidative
Coupling (Odian)
E. Oxidative
Coupling (Odian)
F. Polyethers,
Polysulfides, and Related Polymers (Odian)
G. Ring-Opening
Polymerization (Odian)
H. Starburst
Dendrimers (Handout)
I. Inorganic
Polymers (Odian)
Polysiloxanes,
Polysilanes, and Phosphonitrilic
Polymers
3. Chain Growth
Polymerization
A. Free
Radical Polymerization
Living Free Radical
Polymerization (Literature)
New Methods for Controlling
Structure and Stereochemistry (Literature)
B. Living
Cationic Polymerizations (Literature)
C. Anionic
Polymerization
Traditional Methods
(Odian)
Group Transfer
Polymerization (Odian)
D. Coordination
Polymerization
E. New
Methods for Ziegler-Natta Polymerization (Literature)
F. Metathesis
Polymerization (Odian)
G. Metallocene
Complexes of Group 4 Elements in the Polymerization of Monoolefins (Literature)
4. Reactions in
Polymer Systems (Odian)
5. General
Mechanisms of Degradation and their Effect on Structure (Literature)
Polymer
Structure - Property Relationships; General Degradation Mechanisms - Thermal,
Thermo-oxidative, photo-oxidative, chemical; General Mechanisms of
Stabilization