Research
Fluoropolymers
Highly Fluorinated Polyphenylenes . Since 2005, our group has developed a clean, modular synthetic approach to semi-rigid polyphenylenes with very high fluorine content. Our work in this area is organized according to the following five main themes:
- Novel monomer chemistry based on a long track record of innovation in fluoroaromatic chemistry,
- Irreversible propagation chemistry based on Diels-Alder and electrocyclic CO extrusion,
- Modular, tunable functionality using established reactivity patterns in fluoroaromatic systems,
- Exceptional physical properties based on the thermal stability and chemical resistance afforded by fluorine, and
- Useful applications that span gas separation membranes, fuel cell PEMs, coatings, and dielectric resins.
Unique Chemistry. The diagram below shows just one example of how our synthetic chemistry enables us to explore the structural parameter space of these polyphenylenes by a systematic, modular approach. Three distinct systems are under investigation in our laboratories now, including a system designed to produce an exceptionally highly fluorinated polyphenylene shown in cartoon form at the top of this page.
Other Research Areas
Since 1995, our group has been involved in the following research areas. At present, all of these areas are secondary to our effort in fluoropolymers, and their activity levels depending on the interests of the students who join our group. All of the projects center around fluoroaromatic chemistry and especially fluoroarylated cyclopentadiene chemistry as unifying themes.
- Super-strong carbon acids
- Metallocene olefin polymerization catalysts
- CF-activation reactions
- Ferrocene-containing condensation polymers
- Oxidatively stabilized metallocenes