Teaching

Introductory Organic Chemistry I

• CHEM 221
• 3 credits
• Prerequisites: CHEM 205, 206

Description

Basic aspects of orbitals and their role in covalent bonding; delocalization of electrons. Alkanes: structure, nomenclature, isomerism, reactions. Introductory stereochemistry: enantiomers, diastereomers, conformers, Fischer and Newman projections, specification of chirality, E/Z isomerism. Conformations of cyclic compounds. Alkylhalides: S_N1; S_N2; E1; E2 reaction mechanisms. Free-radical reactions, organometallic compounds. Chemistry of alkenes, alkynes, and dienes.

Lectures and laboratory.

CHEM327 (June 2011).

Organic Chemistry of Polymers

• CHEM 327
• 3 credits
• Prerequisites: CHEM 221, 222, 235

Description

The course will offer introductory polymer chemistry with an emphasis on synthesis and physical properties of polymers.

Topics include polymer chemistry basics, polymer synthesis, structures and morphology, thermodynamics and kinetics, and thermal and mechanical properties of polymers. The course will also introduce advanced topics in polymer chemistry such as well-defined block copolymers, polymeric nanoparticles, and crosslinked nanogels and briefly discuss their uses for biological applications such as drug delivery.

Polymer Chemistry and Nanotechnology

• CHEM 498/620
• 3 credits
• Prerequisites: CHEM 222

Description

Advanced Polymer Science and Nanotechnology is required for advanced knowledge in polymer chemistry, nanoscience, materials science, and biomedical and polymer engineering. The course will offer introductory polymer chemistry with an emphasis on polymer synthesis. Various methods to synthesize polymers will be discussed; they include classical step growth, free radical, ring opening polymerization, other polymerizations; modern living anionic, cationic, living controlled/radical polymerization; as well as random and block copolymerization.

In addition, this course will discuss the design and development of polymeric nanomaterials for bio-related applications, particularly drug delivery applications. Topics include amphiphilic block copolymers, self-assembly, micellar nanocarriers, cellular imaging, multifunctional drug delivery, and crosslinked nanogels/hydrogels.

Lectures only.