Dr. Tara Meyer of the University of Pittsburgh will study ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of imines with support from a Faculty Early Career Development award in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Chemistry Program. Strained-cyclic imines will be polymerized to synthesize polymers suitable for use as metal chelation agents and drug carriers. High-valent, early tranisiton metal catalysts will be reacted with imine monomers to produce the polymers. The education component of this project focuses on the development of courses which encompass a combination of complex thinking, decision making, and problem solving skills that relate to real world technology issues such as risk assessment. This project addresses the synthesis of new, polymeric materials utilizing a known polymerization approach in a novel way. The fundamental chemistry of the metal compounds and organic monomers will be explored, and it is likely to provide new avenues to new polymeric materials. The polymers have potential for applications in drug delivery and metal removal from aqueous solution.
