Synthesis of giant aramide helices

Aromatic oligoamides exhibit exceptional mechanical and chemical properties. Oligo(p-benzamide)s are of particular interest to our group, due to their chain stiffness, shape persistence and ability of hydrogen bond formation. They are highly interesting tools for the construction of nanoscopic objects such as tubular structures. Automated solid phase synthesis of oligo(p-benzamide)s not only bears the possibility of sequence control but also provides monodisperse products. By combining organic synthesis of these well-defined oligomers with polymerization techniques a new synthetic routes to supramolecular structures will be investigated.   

Synthesis of a universal end-capping reagent for ROMP

My work concentrates on new substrates to terminate the Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerisation (ROMP). ROMP is a polymerisation technique that has been investigated by many researcher groups over the past decade due to the availability of functional group tolerant Ru(II)-catalysts. While our group has already established new terminating methods, the synthesis of a universal endcapping reagent that can be prefunctionalized remains a challenge. Such a substrate would gives access to a variety of new applications for ROMP.

Rigid rod-like templates for the immobilisation of magnetic nano particles

My project focuses on building polymeric 1D templates to immobilize magnetic nanoparticles at well-defined distances from each other and measure their distance dependent spin interaction. The 1D templates will be polymerized from oligoaramide heterosequences that carry binding sites at well-defined positions. Different substituted p-aminosalicylic acid monomers will be synthesised to yield organosoluble, non-aggregating and shape persistent molecular rods.

Electroactive block copolymers via ROMP

My work concentrates on electroactive ring opening metathesis polymers and block copolymers thereof. I am particularly interested in controlling the phase behaviour of diblock copolymers such that even difficult to obtain phases such as the gyroid phase can be reliably obtained.

Synthesis of amine end-functional metathesis polymers

My research deals with end-functionalised polymers with emphasis on amine end-functionalisation, advancing the "sacrificial synthesis " strategy for telechelic polymer synthesis and the synthesis of novel polymer systems.

Synthesis of oligoamide based chromophores

Synthesis of functional oligo(p-benzamide) heterosequences

Synthesis of end-functionalized olefin metathesis polymers

Synthesis and Characterization of aromatic amides and aramide -based block copolymers

Solid-supported synthesis of aromatic oligo amides

Rod-Coil Block Copolymers with Monodisperse Oligoamide Rod Segments

Rod-coil-rod polymers based on telechelic ROMP polymers