Date of Award

2003

Degree Name

Chemistry

College

College of Science

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Minghui Chai

Second Advisor

Robert Morgan

Third Advisor

Michael Norton

Abstract

The research reported in this thesis focused on supramolecular and catalytic properties of poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimers. Analytical techniques used in this research included high resolution NMR spectroscopy, as well as UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies and scanning electron microscopy. This investigation showed that: (1) PPI dendrimers interact with diacids to form interlock self-assemblies by electrostatic interactions (with an increase in dendrimer generation, smaller diacids are required to form the most efficient self-assembly); (2) PPI/diacid self-assemblies are able to encapsulate fluorescent dyes within the void spaces of the PPI/diacid moieties; (3) PPI-3 can chelate many types of metal cations, and these cations compete for the binding sites along the surface of the dendrimer; (4) PPI-3 can catalyze the hydrolysis of esters under very mild conditions (mildly basic pH and room temperature).

Subject(s)

Supramolecular chemistry.

Chemistry, Analytical.

Download

Share

COinS