The focus of this research is to examine poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)co- and terpolymers as supports in catalysis and synthesis. Theses studies will probe the reactivity of soluble polymer-bound species to enzymatic reagents and the feasibility of multistep `Merrifield-like` syntheses on supports that are recovered by thermal precipitation. If successful, this chemistry will lead to alternatives to conventional crosslinked supports. Various catalytic systems that use biphasic polymers will also be developed. These include fluorous phase polymers and polymers with controllable hydrocarbon/water solubility. With this renewal award, the Synthetic Organic Program is supporting the research of Dr. David E. Bergbreiter of the Department of Chemistry at Texas A & M University. Professor Bergbreiter will focus his work on new approaches to the use of soluble polymers as supports for catalysis. The polymers described can, by design, be readily prepared by people with little or no polymer chemistry experience.
