Chemistry Department is pleased to host Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar Series Virtually, Tuesday’s at 12:10 pm. Please see Ithaca College Chemistry web page.
Guest Speaker Dr. Charlotte Williams Professor of Inorganic Chemistry
Williams Research Group, University of Oxford, UK will be joining us on Tuesday, March 30th at 12:10 pm will present:
Catalytic Activation of Renewable Resourcesto make elastomers, plastics and adhesives
The lecture will discuss recent research in the Williams group using controlled polymerization reactions to improve the sustainability of polymers. The first part will focus on how to exploit concepts of synergy in making high activity catalysts for carbon dioxide/epoxide ring-opening copolymerizations. The second part will introduce a form of switchable polymerization catalysis, whereby a catalyst is self-switched by the presence/absence of monomers between different mechanism. This switchable catalysis allows for the preparation of block polymers from mixtures of monomers. The catalysis will be used to make specific sequences in the block polymers to deliver improved performances as ductile plastics, thermoplastic elastomers or pressure sensitive adhesives. The lecture will conclude with some reflections on the remaining challenges in these fields and how the catalyses presented may relate to concepts of sustainability in polymer chemistry.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Paula Larsen at plarsen@ithaca.edu. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.