The Braslau Research Laboratory

Our research is focused on reactions involving free radical intermediates. Much of the work involves the synthesis and use of designed nitroxides for both the preparation of specialized polymers for applications in nanotechnology, and as sensors via fluorescence quenching. We are also engaged in the development of new synthetic methodologies.

a-H Nitroxides to Prepare Tailored Polymers for Applications in Nanotechnology
» Stereochemistry of Prochiral Radicals coupling with Chiral Nitroxides: the genesis TIPNO in Nitroxide-Mediated “Living” Free Radical Polymerization (NMRP)

» Designed Nitroxides to Prepare Tailored Polymers for Applications in Nanotechnology

» Polymer Chain End Functionalization

1. Functionalized Nitroxide “caps”
        - Carboxylic acid functionalized nitroxide
        - Primary alcohol functionalized nitroxide
        - Oxidative Alkoxyamine Cleavage with CAN
        - Thermolytic nitroxide exchange: addition to enol ethers
        - Exchange of Nitroxide for Azide

2. Functionalized “Feet”

» Bidirectional Initiators

1. “Inside-Out” Bidirectional Initiator
2. “Outside-In” Bidirectional Initiator

» Cyclic Polymers
1. Cyclic Alkoxyamine Initiator
2. Post-polymerization “Click” Reaction to form Macrocycles
Nitroxides as Fluorescence Quenchers
» Nitroxides + “Quantum Dots”

» Detection of Urushiol from Poison Oak/Ivy/Sumac with Profluorescent Nitroxides

Synthetic Methodologies
» Radical [n+1] Cyclizations with SO₂

» Acyl Radical Generation and Cyclizations

» Synthesis of N-Alkoxyamines

View our Polymer "Pacman" Animation (click the image below).