We have a new paper out in J. Am. Chem. Soc.! In this work, Chamoni, Corvo, and co-workers explore polymer network hydrogels that can be temporarily mechanically reinforced on treatment with a carbodiimide through the formation of anhydride cross-links. Because these materials undergo gel–gel transitions, they exhibit new and unusual behavior. For example, two pieces can be temporarily and repeatedly adhered, with the time of adhesion dependent on the amount of carbodiimide used. Films can also be reversibly patterned with different mechanical properties. This work is part of our long-running collaboration with the Konkolewicz group.
News
Ben Cubberly and Bianca Addison join group!
Welcome to Ben Cubberly and Bianca Addison, who have joined the group as undergraduate researchers!
New paper in J. Org. Chem.
We have another new paper out in J. Org. Chem.! In this work, Govinda and Will study the effect of different amides installed at the ends of ortho-phenylene oligomers on the conformation. The behavior can be quite complicated, with the amides affecting multiple degrees of freedom along the oligomers. This can be resolved using our recently developed 19F labeling strategy.
New paper in J. Org. Chem.
We have a new paper out in J. Org. Chem.! Suma, Juliana, and Gopi show that it is possible to control the twist sense of o-phenylenes by including chiral phthalimides in the middle of the oligomer. Importantly, it is necessary to include substituents farther along the helix to interact with the chiral groups; otherwise, chiral induction is very poor.
Diamond Browner-Smith joins group
Welcome to Diamond Browner-Smith, who has joined the group as an undergraduate researcher!
New paper in ChemSystemsChem
We have a new paper out in ChemSystemsChem! Mosharraf, Isuru, and Renu report on the transient formation of crown-ether-based cages, uncovering some interesting templation effects and evidence of cation binding.
Suma graduates
Happy trails to Dr. Suma Peddi, who has successfully defended her dissertation!
Kyle Hess and Will Krueger join group
Welcome to Kyle Hess and Will Krueger, who have joined the group for the summer as NSF REU students!
Kate graduates
Happy trails to Dr. Kate Bradford, who has successfully defended her dissertation and is moving on to bigger and better things!
New paper in Chem. Commun.
A new paper has just come out in Chem. Commun.! This work is a collaboration with the Konkolewicz group. Andrew, Obed (from the Konkolewicz group), Govinda, Viraj, and Kate show that using ortho-phenylenes as crosslinkers in polymer networks gives unusual mechanical properties, namely enhanced energy dissipation, because of the (un)winding of their folding.