Courses

CHEN 415/CHGN 430/MLGN 530 Introduction to Polymer Science

Professor: Stephen G. Boyes, 254 Coolbaugh Hall, 273-3633 sboyes@mines.edu

Text: Polymer Chemistry, 2nd edition (2007) by Paul Hiemenz and Tim Lodge, Publisher: CRC Press

Catalog Description:
Over the last 60 years, polymer chemistry has had a striking and direct impact on the lives of almost every person. The products made from polymers influence virtually every aspect of our present way of life. As such, more than 50% of all chemists and chemical engineers are involved with research or development work with polymers. While polymer chemistry broadly encompasses different areas of organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry; the synthesis of polymers is very different from the synthesis of small molecules. Indeed, probably the main challenge in polymer chemistry is the application of fundamental chemical and physical techniques and ideas to large and complex molecules.

Due to the inherently interdisciplinary nature of polymer science, this course will draw on the knowledge of several fields of study. Starting with a discussion on the basic concepts and definitions of polymeric materials as well as structure and molecular weight determination, the course will then move to discuss the organic chemistry of polymers and the reaction engineering of various polymerization techniques. Next, the materials science of polymers in the varying physical states of semi-crystalline, glassy, rubbery, and liquid will be discussed, along with various characterization techniques based upon solution properties. Processing operations for polymeric materials will be briefly discussed and time permitting, a short discussion on recent advances in polymers will be included.

Office Hours:
Office hours will be Mondaythrough Thursdayfrom 10:00 - 11:00. You may always schedule an appointment by e-mailing me ahead of time. If my office hours do not fit in with your schedule, I am more than happy to meet you outside of office hours but please e-mail first. There are many demands on a professors time and I am not always available or in my office. As such, setting up an appointment by e-mail will make sure that I am in my office and have time to help with any questions you may have.

Course Files:
1. Fall 2011 Syllabus
2. Introduction to Polymers - Lecture Notes
3. Step Growth Polymerization - Lecture Notes
4. Chain Growth Polymerization: Radical - Lecture Notes
5. Chain Growth Polymerization: Ionic - Lecture Notes
6. Emulsion Polymerization - Lecture Notes
7. Polymer Isomerism and Conformational Change - Lecture Notes
8. Mechanical Properties of Polymer Solids and Liquids - Lecture Notes
9. Polymer Mixtures - Lecture Notes
10. Polymer Molecular Weight Determination - Lecture Notes

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CHGN 536/MLGN 536 Advanced Polymer Synthesis

Professor: Stephen G. Boyes, 254 Coolbaugh Hall, 273-3633 sboyes@mines.edu

Text: No specific text.

Catalog Description:
Over the last 60 years, polymer chemistry has had a striking and direct impact on the lives of almost every person. The products made from polymers influence virtually every aspect of our present way of life. As such, more than 50% of all chemists and chemical engineers are involved with research or development work with polymers. While polymer chemistry broadly encompasses different areas of organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry; the synthesis of polymers is very different from the synthesis of small molecules. Indeed, probably the main challenge in polymer chemistry is the application of fundamental chemical and physical techniques and ideas to large and complex molecules.

This course will examine the various mechanistic and synthetic aspects of polymer chemistry. The main objective of the course is to provide a comprehensive overview of modern synthetic techniques in polymer chemistry. Topics to be covered included, but are not limited to, the various living free radical polymerization techniques, the different ring opening polymerization techniques, and novel polycondensation techniques. The course will be aimed at both chemists and engineers and provide them with the knowledge to design and synthesize different classes of polymers. This will be achieved by presenting and investigating the synthetic schemes, kinetics, and mechanisms involved in the discussed modern polymerization techniques. The chemistry involved in the application of polymers in areas such as drug delivery, renewable energy, and stimuli-responsive systems, will also be covered.

Based on the prerequisites for the course, students will be expected to be familiar with traditional polymerization techniques. As such, there will be a distinct focus on modern techniques used to synthesize novel polymer systems. The applicability of these techniques for the synthesis of various classes of polymers will also be discussed.

Prerequisites: CHGN 430/CHEN 415/MLGN 530 or by consent of instructor.

Office Hours:
Due to the small number of students in the class, office hours will be by appointment. To schedule an appointment, e-mail me (somewhat in advance) with the date and time you would like and I will respond as quickly as possible.

Course Files:
1. Spring 2011 Syllabus
2. Introduction to Living Radical Polymerization - Lecture Notes
3. Stable Free Radical Polymerization - Lecture Notes; Review Article; Discussion Paper 1; Discussion Paper 2
4. Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization - Lecture Notes; Review Article; Discussion Paper 1; Discussion Paper 2
5. Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization - Lecture Notes; Review Article; Discussion Paper 1; Discussion Paper 2
6. Catalytic Chain Transfer - Lecture Notes; Review Article; Discussion Paper 1; Discussion Paper 2
7. Advances in Step Growth Polymerization - Lecture Notes; Review Article 1; Review Article 2; Discussion Paper 1; Discussion Paper 2
8. Conjugated Polymers - Lecture Notes; Review Article; Discussion Paper 1; Discussion Paper 2

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CHGN 505 Organic Reaction Mechanisms

Professor: Stephen G. Boyes, 254 Coolbaugh Hall, 273-3633 sboyes@mines.edu

Text: Advanced Organic Chemistry Part B: Reactions and Synthesis, 5th edition (2007) by Francis Carey and Richard Sundberg, Publisher: Spring

Catalog Description:
Organic synthesis is the process of preparing a complex molecule from commercially available starting materials via a multistep sequence of transformations. The preparation of compounds and an understanding of their properties and their mechanism of formation are fundamental in all aspects of chemistry, materials, pharmacology, agrochemicals and molecular biology. The purpose of this course is to teach the synthesis of complex organic compounds emphasizing modern reagents and methods. To achieve this we will discuss the more important mechanisms of organic reactions and the structural effects and reactivities in these reactions. We will then apply these reaction mechanisms to synthesize complex organic compounds.

Upon completion of this class, all students should have developed a fundamental base of knowledge about organic reactions in the context of synthesis and mechanism. Using this knowledge student should be able to:
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1. Understand the specific transformation a reaction is capable of achieving and the mechanism of this transformation.
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2. Outline the reagents and reaction conditions used for modern organic reactions and what, if any, substances can catalyze these reactions.
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3. Recognize the sensitivity of particular organic reactions to functional groups and steric conditions and plan suitable synthetic pathways to deal with these issues.
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4. Use the combination of the above points to effectively design synthetic pathways for the preparation of complex organic compounds.

Office Hours:
Office hours will be Monday through Thursday from 10:00 - 11:00. You may always schedule an appointment by e-mailing me ahead of time. If my office hours do not fit in with your schedule, I am more than happy to meet you outside of office hours but please e-mail first. There are many demands on a professors time and I am not always available or in my office. As such, setting up an appointment by e-mail will make sure that I am in my office and have time to help with any questions you may have.

Course Files:
1. Fall Syllabus
2. Homework 1
3. Homework 2
4. Homework 3
5. Homework 4

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CHGN 222 Organic Chemistry II

Professor: Stephen G. Boyes, 254 Coolbaugh Hall, 273-3633 sboyes@mines.edu

Text: Organic Chemistry, 5th edition (2009) by Marc Loudon, Publisher: Roberts and Company Publishers

Solution Manual: Study Guide and Solutions Manual to Accompany Organic Chemistry, 5th edition (2009) by Marc Loudon and Joseph G. Stowell, Publisher: Roberts and Company Publishers

ChemBioDraw Ultra Software: CSM has a site license and students can download this software for free. ChemBioDraw Ultra is an extremely powerful and useful software package for all organic chemistry students.

Organic Molecular Modeling Software: Spartan Lab, CTLM Building, Room B60. The Spartan software will be taught to you in the lab section of this course.

Catalog Description:
Organic synthesis is the process of preparing a complex molecule from commercially available starting materials via a multistep sequence of transformations. The preparation of compounds and an understanding of their properties and their mechanism of formation are fundamental in all aspects of chemistry, materials, pharmacology, agrochemicals and molecular biology. The purpose of this course is to expand on the material taught in Organic Chemistry I by covering the structure, properties, and reactions of various classes of organic compounds. In addition to this, reaction mechanisms for these reactions will be introduced.

Office Hours:
Office hours will be Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. and Thursday between 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. You may always schedule an appointment by e-mailing me ahead of time. If my office hours do not fit in with your schedule, I am more than happy to meet you outside of office hours but please e-mail first. There are many demands on a professors time and I am not always available or in my office. As such, setting up an appointment by e-mail will make sure that I am in my office and have time to help with any questions you may have.

Course Files:
1. Summer 2011 Syllabus
2. Organic II Introduction
3. Nomenclature Rules
4. Organic Chemistry Concepts
5. Suggested Problems

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