This research relates to a new class of polymers, functionalized polyolefins, which have unique molecular (comb-like) structure. The functional group is located at the end of the side chain with several flexible methylene spacers. This type of polymer could be a very useful material, not only in the sense of having mobile primary functional groups to interact with other materials, but also because many of the desirable physical properties of polyolefins-such as crystallinity, thermal stability, and processibility-are preserved. The chemistry involved in preparing this type of functional polyolefin involves borane monomers and transition-metal catalysts, such as Ziegler-Natta and olefin metathesis catalysts. Borane monomers are generally stable to transition-metal catalysts and are polymerizable to high-molecular-weight polymers. In turn, the borane groups in these polymers are easily converted to other functional groups under mild conditions to polyalcohols. This new functionalization chemistry will include: (1) a systematic study of borane monomers which are polymerizable with transition metal catalysts; (2) the extension of this functionalization chemistry to polyolefins containing amino and halide groups; (3) a new synthetic route to prepare telechelic polymers with functional groups at both ends of the polymer chain; (4) the utilization of reactive polyolefins to prepare other new classes of materials, such as block and graft polyolefin copolymers; (5) the application of functionalized polyolefins to immobilize catalysts for chemical processes; (6) the evaluation of functionalized polyolefins in polymer blends and alloys. This study will be a colloboration with Dr. Charles C. Han of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Overall, the goals are not only to extend this functionalization chemistry, but also to study the potential of applying these research findings to the preparation of materials with novel properties.
