Scientific Achievement
- Researchers in the CUP program designed and developed a Cu-catalyzed borylation reaction that transforms ordinary PVC into a melt adhesive stronger than commercial glues
Significance and Impact
- Upcycling PVC waste creates a new material that retains PVC’s use and manufacturing advantages, while gaining enhanced adhesion to other materials
Research Details
- The catalytic process enables precise control over the extent of polymer borylation of C–Cl bonds
- Discovered that ligand preferences differ between small molecules and polymers, highlighting design rules for adapting catalytic reactions to macromolecules
Publication Details
K.A. D’Angelo, N. Sun, N.R. Ciccia, I.F. Yu, B.A. Helms, J.F. Hartwig. Journal of the American Chemical Society (2025).
Work was performed in the Molecular Foundry.
