POLYKETONE SYTNHESIS, POST-POLYMERIZATION FUNCTIONALIZATION AND PER-AND POLY-FLUORINATED ALKYL SUBSTANCE ADSORPTION

Abstract

This thesis focuses largely on the synthesis, application, and degradation of olefin-based polymers. The metal-catalyzed copolymerization of olefin and carbon monoxide to form polyketones and its associated mechanism are of central concern. The role of the metal catalyst counter-anion and its associated coordination strength are of interest during the copolymerization, as it is theorized that such coordination strength may disrupt polymer-metal chelate formation and improve overall catalyst activity if balanced correctly. To achieve the balanced counter-anion coordination strength, novel imidazolyl-phenyl (IMP) anions with variable functionality were paired with palladium catalysts and used in the copolymerization. Polymerizations of 1-hexene and carbon monoxide with palladium-IMP systems showed no variability as anion coordination strength was varied, however when allyl glycidyl ether is implemented as the olefin results indicate a potential anion dependence for polymerization. The degradation of polyketones through a pathway of post-polymerization modification is also studied. Akrotek PK-VM polyketones were successfully altered to polyoximes by addition of hydroxylamine. The conversion of polyketone carbonyl groups to oxime functionality caused a change in crystallinity as observed by differential scanning calorimetry and a decreased degradation temperature through thermal gravimetric analysis. Further functionalization to polyamides via a Beckmann rearrangement was unsuccessful, however polyoximes and their potential for aqueous metal chelation was studied for possible other applications. It was demonstrated through UV-vis analysis that polyoximes may have some capability to chelate to aqueous copper (ii) species, however the degree to which the residual solvent plays in this chelation is still unclear. Applications of olefin-based polymers centered around the use of waste plastics such as polyethylene as adsorbents for per- and poly-fluorinated substances (PFAS) in water ways. Initial studies focused on the effects of plastic surface area and its relation to PFAS adsorption. Successful experimental design and implementation of appropriate characterization techniques were achieved. Additional research demonstrated the effects PFAS have on the morphology of lipid vesicles. Specifically, the interactions with the phospholipid bilayers. PFAS is found to have a measurable effect on the phase transition temperature of lipid vesicles and the overall stability of the bilayer.