Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

New technologies rely upon the creativity of researchers to develop designer materials with unique properties and function. For example, recent advances in polymer science have led to materials for LED displays, drug delivery and biodegradable food packaging. Many of the above polymer-based products were derived from fundamental curiosity driven research. The properties and applications for a polymer are a direct consequence of the arrangement and type of atoms that make up the chain structure. Most polymers in use today are composed of chains containing of carbon, oxygen, and/or nitrogen atoms. The development of polymers composed of other elements is at its infancy, however, there is considerable promise for these so-called inorganic polymers because of the unique properties imparted to the materials by heteroelements. In this proposal, the development of new strategies to incorporate functional phosphorus groups into long chain polymers will be outlined. The living polymerization of P=C bonds, allows for precise control over chain lengths and microstructure and, consequently, polymer properties. The development new pi-conjugated phosphorus polymers will also be outlined herein. Another topic of focus will be the fundamental advancement of the synthetic chemistry of phosphorus. In particular, the development of unusual molecular species containing phosphorus will be explored. In addition, novel phosphine-carbenes will be developed as precursors to metal-containing polymers. Underlying all the investigations, will be the training of undergraduate and graduate students in the techniques of inorganic and polymer chemistry. In closing, the work proposed herein further expands the fascinating chemistry of phosphorus. This work will lead to gains in fundamental knowledge of inorganic chemistry and polymer science, and will provide a foundation for future technological applications.