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Polymer Program Title

Alex Asandei

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Education

Ph.D. Case Western Reserve University
B.S. & M.S. Polytechnical Institute of Iasi, Romania

Contact Information

Phone: (860) 486-9062
Email: asandei@ims.uconn.edu
Website: http://www.ims.uconn.edu/~asandei/

Research Interests

Our group is interested in complex unconventional organic and polymer synthesis, new concepts, reactions and mechanisms. Areas of research include radical polymerizations, polycondensations, liquid crystals, auxetic materials, self assembly and nanostructures. Molecular weight and polydispersity control in living radical polymerization (LRP) is based on the persistent radical effect (PRE). Persistent radicals are not involved in homodimerization reactions or addition to the double bond, and maintain radical concentration at low levels via their reversible endcapping with the growing chain. This process decreases the rate of both propagation and termination, but dramatically suppresses the second order (bimolecular) termination reaction. Various carbon or oxygen centered radicals (nitroxides, addition fragmentation derivatives) and metaloradicals (Cu, Ni, Fe, Ru complexes) are usually employed in LRP. We are exploring novel organic and inorganic systems capable of accomplishing LRP. One goal is the design, synthesis and characterization of catalysts capable of dual or multiple mechanism-polymerizations. Other research directions include the use of unusual substrates for the initiation of living polymerizations, as well as the LRP of monomers that generate very reactive radicals. Radical polycondensation is another topic of interest. It is believed that these reactions alone, or in conjunction with other polymerizations, have a lot of potential in the synthesis of complex structures with remarkable properties. Controlled polymerizations of this type will be targeted via proper monomer/catalyst design. Also of interest are the design, synthesis and characterization of novel architecturally complex, functional and well defined macromolecular structures, via precision polymer synthesis. Examples include polyelectrolytes, conductive polymers, liquid crystals and auxetic materials.

Recent Publications

  1. Living ring opening grafting copolymerization of cyclic esters from poly(methyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate). Asandei, A. D.; Saha, G. Polym. Prepr. 2005, 46(1), 674.
  2. Ti-catalyzed living ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters initiated from epoxides and aldehydes. Asandei, A. D.; Saha, G.; Chen, Y.; Polym. Prepr. 2005, 46(1), 848.
  3. Ti-catalyzed living ring opening polymerization of e-caprolactone initiated from aldehydes. Asandei, A. D.; Chen, Y. Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, 2005, 92, 342.
  4. TiCp2Cl-catalyzed living radical polymerization of styrene monomers initiated by epoxide radical ring opening. Asandei, A. D.; Moran, I. W. Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, 2005, 92, 18.
  5. TiCp2Cl-Catalyzed Living Radical and Ring Opening Polymerizations Initiated from Epoxides and Aldehydes in the Synthesis of Linear, Graft and Branched Polymers. Asandei, A. D.; Moran, I. W.; Saha, G; Chen, Y. Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 2005, 856E, BB11.9.
  6. Preparation of drug delivery biodegradable PLGA nanocomposites and foams by supercritical CO2 expanded ring opening polymerization and by rapid expansion from CHClF2 supercritical solutions. Asandei; A. D; Erkey, C.; Burgess, D.J.; Saquing, C.; Saha, G.; Zolnik, B. S. Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 2005, 845, AA5.7.
  7. TiCp2Cl Catalyzed Living Radical Polymerization of Styrene Initiated by Oxirane Radical Ring Opening. Asandei, A. D.; Moran, I. W. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 15932.
  8. Linear, Graft and Branched Styrene, Lactone and Methacrylate Polymers by Ti Catalyzed Living Polymerizations Initiated From Epoxides and Aldehydes. Asandei, A. D.; Moran, I. W.; Saha, G.; Chen, Y. Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, 2004, 91, 786.
  9. Living ring opening polymerization of e-caprolactone catalyzed by Ti alkoxides derived from radical ring opening of epoxides. Asandei, A. D.; Moran, I. W.; Saha, G.; Chen, Y.; Juzyn, K. Polym. Prepr. 2004, 45(2), 772.
  10. Ti(III)Cp2Cl catalyzed living radical polymerization of styrene initiated from benzaldehydes. Asandei; A. D; Chen, Y. Polym. Prepr. 2004, 45(2), 766.
  11. Grafting of polystyrene from poly(glycidyl methacrylate) initiated by Ti catalyzed epoxide radical ring opening. Asandei, A. D.; Saha, G. Polym. Prepr. 2004, 45(2), 768.
  12. Preparation of drug delivery biodegradable nanocomposites by rapid expansion from supercritical solutions. Asandei; A. D; Erkey, C.; Burgess, D.J.; Saquing, C.; Saha, G.; Zolnik, B. S., Polym. Prepr. 2004, 45(2), 770.
  13. Ti(III) Catalyzed Living Radical Polymerization of Styrene Initiated by Trimethoxybenzaldehyde. Asandei; A. D; Chen, Y. Polym. Prepr. 2004, 45(1), 1001.
  14. Ti(III) Catalyzed Self Condensing Vinyl Polymerization of Glycidyl Methacrylate. Asandei; A. D; Saha, G. Polym. Prepr. 2004, 45(1), 999.
  15. Synthesis of PLGA Foams by High Temperature Supercritical CO2-Expanded Ring Opening Copolymerization of d,l-lactide and glycolide. Asandei; A. D; Erkey, C.; Burgess, D. J.; Saquing, C.; Saha, G.; Zolnik, B. S. Polym. Prepr. 2004, 45(1), 1014.
  16. Towards Controlled Radical Polymerization of a,ß,ß-Trifluorostyrene. Asandei; A. D.; Weiss, R. A.; Moran, I. W.; Chen, Y.; Saha, G. Polym. Prepr. 2004, 45(1), 1010.
  17. Ti(III)-Catalyzed Radical Ring Opening of Epoxides and Living Radical Polymerization of Styrene Asandei; A. D.; Moran; I. W. Polym. Prepr. 2003, 44(2), 793.
  18. Tetraphenyl Porphyrin Transition Metal Catalysts in the Living Radical Polymerization of Styrene Asandei; A. D.; Moran; I. W.; Brückner, C. Polym. Prepr. 2003, 44(2), 827.
  19. Ti(III)-Catalyzed Living Radical Polymerization of Styrene Initiated by Benzoyl Peroxide. Asandei; A. D.; Moran; I. W.; Castro, M. A. Polym. Prepr. 2003, 44(1), 829.
  20. Ti(III)-Catalyzed Radical Ring Opening of Styrene Oxide and Living Radical Polymerization of Styrene. Asandei, A. D.; Moran; I. W. Polym. Prepr. 2003, 44(1), 831.
  21. Living Radical Polymerization of Styrene Catalyzed By Silver (II) and Copper (II) Tetraphenyl Porphyrins. Asandei, A. D.; Moran; I. W.; Brückner, C. Polym. Prepr. 2003, 44(1), 833.

Polymer Program: 860.486.3582: polymer@ims.uconn.edu