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Department of Chemistry College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Research & publications

The Wagener Research Group has produced more than 350 papers and book chapters, plus 56 patents. Below is a list of our most recent publications, which demonstrate the research interests of the Wagener group.

Research

Our research interests include polymer synthesis methodology, novel methods of polymerization, monomer and catalyst structure/reactivity relationships, modeling polymer crystallization behavior, preparing biodegradable materials, and biologically active surfaces. A large part of our work is devoted metathesis reactions, specifically acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization. The research has been mechanistic in nature, and the revelations described in many of our Ph.D. dissertations have created new opportunities for polymer chemistry.

Important in this research has been an elucidation of the organometallic complexes that initiate the ADMET polymerization reaction itself. Working through these mechanistic details has led to opportunities for the formation of functionalized unsaturated polymer backbones, the preparation of well defined difunctional telechelic oligomers, the depolymerization of conventional polymers (potentially useful in recycling), and the preparation of novel elastomers and biopolymers. We spend a considerable part of our research in collaboration with industry, for doing so increases the odds of putting this new chemistry to work in society. Working with industrial laboratories provides valuable training for our group’s graduate students as well.

Ultimately, training new polymer chemists is the goal of this research group. We want to produce enthusiastic, independent thinking scientists who are well based in the chemistry associated with large molecules. The long standing tradition of polymer chemistry at Florida, coupled with the routine interaction of our graduate students with all facets of chemistry in the department, permits us to achieve this most important goal of all.

Publications

  • J. H. Pawlow, A. C. Church, and K. B. Wagener “Synthesis of Functionalized Polycarbosilanes via One-Pot ADMET Polymerization”, Macromolecules, 35, 5746 (2002).
  • J. E. Schwendeman, M. D. Watson, J. A. Smith, K. R. Brzezinska, and K. B. Wagener, “Functionalized Polyethylene via ADMET Chemistry”, a Chapter in Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) and Related Chemistry, E. Khosravi and T. Szymanska-Buzar, Editors, NATO ASI Series, Kluwer Publishers, 292-304 (2002).
  • F. J. Gomez and K. B. Wagener, “Metal-Containing Polymers via ADMET Chemistry”, a Chapter in Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) and Related Chemistry, E. Khosravi and T. Szymanska-Buzar, Editors, NATO ASI Series, Kluwer Publishers, 272-280 (2002).
  • K. B. Wagener and F. J. Gomez, “ADMET Polymerization”, in Encyclopedia of Materials: Science and Technology, E.J. Kramer and C. Hawker, Editors, Elsevier, Oxford, 5, 48 (2002).
  • Stephen E. Lehman, Jr. and Kenneth B. Wagener, “Comparison of the Kinetics of Acyclic Diene Metathesis Promoted by Grubbs Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalysts”, Macromolecules, 35, 48-53 (2002).
  • Timothy E. Hopkins, James H. Pawlow, Daniel L. Koren, Kim S. Dieters, Suzanne M. Solivan, Josh A. Davis, Fernando J. Gomez, and Kenneth B. Wagener, “Chiral Polyolefins Bearing Amino Acids”, Macromolecules, 34, 7920-7922 (2001).
  • Patrick M. O’Donnell, Krystyna Brzezinska, David Powell, Kenneth B. Wagener, “”Perfect Comb” ADMET Graft Copolymers”, Macromolecules, 34, 6845-6849 (2001).
  • A. Cameron Church, James H. Pawlow, Kenneth B. Wagener, “An Examination of the Substitution Chemistry of Di-n-hexyldichlorosilane”, Journal of Organometallic Chemistry, 620, 287-295 (2001).
  • Mark D. Watson and Kenneth B. Wagener, “Functionalized Polyethylene via Acyclic Diene Metathesis Polymerization: Effect of Precise Placement of Functional Groups”, Macromolecules, 33, 8963-8970 (2000).
  • Fernando J. Gomez, Michael S. Manak, Khalil A. Abboud, and Kenneth B. Wagener, “Aryloxide Ligand Modification: New Classical Catalytic Systems for Olefin Metathesis”, Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical, 160, 145-156 (2000).
  • Mark D. Watson and Kenneth B. Wagener, “Ethylene/Vinyl Acetate Copolymers via Acyclic Diene Metathesis Polymerization. Examining the Effect of “Long” Precise Ethylene Run Lengths”, Macromolecules, 33, 5411 (2000).
  • Jason A. Smith, Krystyna R. Brzezinska, Dominick J. Valenti, and Kenneth B. Wagener, “Precisely Controlled Methyl Branching in Polyethylene via Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET) Polymerization”, Macromolecules, 33, 3781 (2000).
  • K. R. Brzezinska, K. B. Wagener, G. T. Burns, “Silicon-Terminated Telechelic Oligomers via ADMET Chemistry”, Chapter 27 in Silicones and Silicone Modified Materials ACS Symposium Series No. 729, S. J. Clarson, J. J. Fitzgerald, M. J. Owen, S. D. Smith, Editors, 408-418 (2000).
  • Krystyna R. Brzezinska, Regina Schitter, Kenneth B. Wagener, “Carbosilane/Carbosiloxane-Based ADMET Homopolymers and Copolymers Possessing Latent Reactivity” Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 38, 1544-1550 (2000).
  • Mark D. Watson and Kenneth B. Wagener, “Tandem Homogeneous Metathesis/Heterogeneous Hydrogenation: Preparing Model Ethylene/CO2 and Ethylene/CO Copolymers”, Macromolecules, 33, 3196-3201 (2000).
  • Mark D. Watson and Kenneth B. Wagener, “Solvent-Free Olefin Metathesis Depolymerization of 1,4-Polybutadiene”, Macromolecules, 33, 1494-1496 (2000).
  • P. S. Wolfe and K. B. Wagener, “Investigation of Organoboronates in Metathesis Polymerization” Macromolecules, 32, 7961 (1999).
  • Fernando J. Gomez, Mark D. Watson, Kenneth B. Wagener, “Catalysts for Condensation Metathesis Polymerization” Education in Advanced Chemistry, vol. 6 – Mechanistic Aspects of Molecular Catalysis, Bogdan Marciniec, Editor, 199 (1999).
  • Fernando J. Gomez and Kenneth B. Wagener, “Germanium-Containing Polymers via Acyclic Diene Metathesis”, Journal of Organometallic Chemistry, 592(2), 271-7 (1999).
  • M. D. Watson and K. B. Wagener “Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET) Depolymerization: Ethenolysis of 1,4-Polybutadiene Using a Ruthenium Complex” J. Polym. Sci. A. Polym. Chem. 37, 1857 (1999).
  • T. A. Davidson and K. B. Wagener ” Acyclic Diene Metathesis Polymerization” in Synthesis of Polymers , A.-D. Schluter , Ed., Wiley-VCH, Winheim, 1999, p 105.
  • D. Valenti and K. B. Wagener, “Direct Synthesis of Well-Defined Alcohol-Functionalized Polymers via Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET) Polymerization” Macromolecules, 31, 2764 (1998).
  • K. Brzezinska, K. B. Wagener and G. T. Burns, “Silicon-terminated telechelic oligomers by ADMET chemistry: Synthesis and copolymerization” J. Polym. Sci., A: Polym. Chem., 37, 849(1999).
  • F. Zuluaga, N. E. Valderruten and K. B. Wagener, ” The ambient temperature synthesis and characterization of bile acid polymers” Polym. Bull. , 42, 41 (1999).
  • D. Tindall, J. H. Pawlow and K. B. Wagener, ” Recent Advances in ADMET Chemistry” in Topics in Organometallic Chemistry, A. Fuerstner, Ed. 1, 183 (1998).
  • T. A. Davidson and K. B. Wagener, “The Polymerization of Dicyclopentadiene: An Investigation of Mechanism” J. Mol. Cat. A: Chem., 133, 67 (1998).
  • F. J. Gómez, K. A. Abboud, and K. B. Wagener, “Investigations on Fluorinated Aryloxy Tungsten-Based Catalytic Systems for Acyclic Diene Metathesis Polymerization” J. Mol. Cat. A: Chem., 133, 159 (1998).
  • F. J. Gómez and K. B. Wagener, “Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET) Polymerization Using Aryloxy Tungsten-Based Classical Catalytic Systems” Macromol. Chem. Phys., 199, 1581 (1998).
  • P. S. Wolfe and K. B. Wagener, “An ADMET Route to Unsaturated Polyacetals” Macromol. Rapid Commun., 19, 35 (1998).
  • D. Valenti and K. B. Wagener, “Direct Synthesis of Well-Defined Alcohol-Functionalized Polymers via Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET) Polymerization” Macromolecules, 31, 2764 (1998).