Division/Committee: [ORGN: Division of Organic Chemistry] [POLY: Division of Polymer Chemistry]

Polymer chemistry and the corresponding multibillion-dollar industry relies on a handful of well-established organic reactions. The ability to discover and apply new reactions to the synthesis of polymers expands the structures and thus properties and functions of available materials. As a new generation of chemists are cross-trained in synthetic methodology and polymer chemistry, small-molecule reactions have been rapidly translated to polymer chemistry: for example, the successful adaption of Pd-catalyzed C-H arylation to direct arylation polymerization. At the same time, researchers are developing new reactions targeted at functionalizing and synthesizing macromolecules with ever-increasing control. The success of these efforts relies on collaboration between the methodology and polymer chemistry communities, and cross-pollination of their capabilities, needs, and ideas. This session will highlight recent efforts in the development of synthetic methods aimed at problems in polymer chemistry, illustrating the opportunities for synthetic chemists in polymer science. This symposium was held virtually in Spring 2021 and in person in Spring 2023 housed in the ORGN division and was very well received by the community.

Aaron Teator

The University of Kansas

Appearances