CAREER: Metathesis Strategies to Diverse Sulfur- and Phosphorus-Based Oligomers

University Of Kansas Center For Research Inc, Lawrence KS

Investigators

Abstract

The focus of this research is the development of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) strategies to structurally diverse polymeric motifs that contain sulfur- and phosphorus-based functional groups. Emphasis will be placed on the design and synthesis of asymmetric monomeric units containing norbornene skeletons. Sulfonamide-based oligopeptides, sulfamide scaffolds containing C2-symmetric pockets, polymeric nucleic acid scaffolds and polymeric lipid scaffolds will be prepared using the ROMP methodology. These diverse polymers can potentially serve as novel pharmaceutical agents, ligands in asymmetric catalysis, artificial lipid scaffolds and DNA/RNA antisense agents. The educational portion of the project stresses graduate student mentoring of undergraduates, a vigorous undergraduate tutoring program, multi-media pre-laboratory preparation and lecture presentation, and high school outreach. With this CAREER award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program is supporting the research and educational activities of Dr. Paul R. Hanson of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Kansas. Professor Hanson will focus his research on the development of pharmaceutically relevant sulfur- and phosphorus-based oligomers. The foci of the educational activities involve mentoring, tutoring and undergraduate course development.