Solid Phase Synthesis of Block Copolymers Jeffrey T. Koberstein, Columbia University, DMR 0704054

1. TMS TMS TMS TMS TMS TMS TMS N3 N3 N3 TMS TMS Deprotection Deprotection Click Reaction Click Reaction Click Reaction N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N Solid Phase Synthesis of Block CopolymersJeffrey T. Koberstein, Columbia University, DMR 0704054 Multiblock copolymers of any desired sequence can be prepared by a new solid phase synthesis method as outlined above. The substrate is first functionalized with an alkyne using an appropriate ligand for the substrate of interest. A copper catalyzed click reaction is used to graft a heterobifunctional (red) polymer with an azide group on one end and a trimethylsilane-protected alkyne on the other end. The azide and alkyne react to form a robust triazole linkage. Surface alkyne groups are then regenerated by removal of the TMS protecting group. Blue and grey polymer sequences are added by repeating this process, much in the manner of solid phase peptide synthesis. This approach is free from problems associated with direct block copolymerization of disparate monomers such as the failure to find a common solvent and failure in crossover from one monomer to another. Hybrids comprising synthetic and natural polymer sequences may also be prepared by this route.

2. Solid Phase Synthesis of Block CopolymersJeffrey T. Koberstein, Columbia University, DMR 0704054 Prof. Koberstein organized and chaired the 2009 Gordon Conference on the Science of Adhesion held at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, NH July 26-31, 2009. The conference set record of attendance (116 conferees) and posters (56). Attendees came from academe, industry and government and represented 14 countries from around the world. 34 women and over 30 graduate students and postdocs took advantage of the opportunity to meet face to face with accomplished researchers in all fields relating to synthetic and biological adhesion. Attendees of IGERT Conference, Gleneden Beach, Oregon, December 2008 Prof. Koberstein and Prof. Nicholas Turro from the Department of Chemistry currently co-advise three PhD students. Two of these students, Ellane Park and Jeffrey L ancaster recently attended the NSF sponsored IGERT workshop held in Gleneden Beach Oregon.