Polymerisation Chemistry
P4 – Case Studies
• Hyperbranched PMMA
(HB-PMMA)
• Hyperbranched aliphatic polyurethanes
(HB-PU)
• Highly syndiotactic PMMA and block
copolymers at r.t. (S-PMMA)
• Novel polymer beads for solid-phase organic
synthesis
HB-Polymers
• Tunable viscosity
• Modifiable solubility
characteristics
• End-group dominated
properties
• One-pot synthesis
• Reduced crystallinity
• Increased blend
compatibility
HB-PMMA
• Solution polymerisation of MMA as batch
model reaction
AIBN/xylenes; 20% MMA; time vs conversion;
validation data
• Solution polymerisation of HB-PMMA as batch
model reaction
Independently reproduced
• Scale-up of branching agent
HB-PU
• Small scale synthesis of HB-PU
• Effect of reaction parameters investigated
Time, temperature, addition sequence, catalyst,
solvent
• Small scale synthesis of linear PU model
polymer
S-PMMA
• Improved catalyst available
Better reaction control, higher syndiotacticity
Polymer Beads
• Successful catalyst optimisation (small scale)
Homogeneous crosslinking possible
Immediate Targets I
• PMMA scale-up reactor runs
• Model validation
Feedback loop established
• Small scale HB-PMMA model reaction
• HB-PMMA scale-up reactor runs
• Implementation of new model
Immediate Targets II
• Complete kinetic data set for HB-PU
• Small scale solution polymerisation
Conv., DoB, MW, MWD
• Identify suitable matrix for MALDI-tof
• Model implementation/validation
Funding Opportunities
• EPSRC
High-added value polymers (electronics,
biomedical, pharmaceutical (enabling))
• MMI
LINK programme suggested
• Huntsman
HB-PU – Synthesis and scale-up technology
Sign of interest
Funding Opportunities
• Avecia
CombiChem Supports – Synthesis and scale-up
technology – immediate market potential
Initial discussion meeting 21.03.02
• BP/DTI
Photovoltaics/Molecular electronics contribution –
IC Chem/ IC Physics initiative
Discussions needed
• Basic Technology Initiative 2nd call
Do programme objectives match P4 philosophy?
“The overall objective is to help the
UK to become the world’s leading
manufacturing base of the next
generation of complex, high value
chemicals”
Department of Trade & Industry
EPSRC
4 key aims
1. Reducing time taken to develop and make complex molecules
(using both chemical & biological processes)
2. Improving competitiveness by using innovative processes &
technologies
3. Raising skills, particularly in SMEs, to rapidly adopt new
processes & technologies
4. Increasing awareness of new technologies and emerging best
practice through networking
Target Molecules
Pharmaceuticals including DNA active ingredients and
those derived from human genome work
Intermediates for pharmaceuticals
Additives and dyestuffs
Chemicals for electronics, battery systems, memory,
display and optical technologies
Agrochemicals
High performance materials for healthcare, packaging,
housing, clothing, transport, etc.
Technical Priorities
New chiral formation or separation technologies
New catalysis technologies
Novel chemical synthesis
Innovative separation & reactor technologies
New media, such as supercritical and ionic fluids
Technical Priorities
Enhanced fields such as photo, sonic, &
microwave
Biological processing
Innovative process design
Characterisation of reactions
Novel pilot plant
On-line analysis & control
What can we support?
Scoping
desk based research / survey /study
< 4 months
< £50k
Pilot
lab based research
< 6 months
< £100k
Demo
plant based proof of performance
< 12 months
< £100k
Collaborative, pre-competitive research
Criteria for support of
:
Min. One industrial and One research base partner
Pre-competitive research (not near to market)
Additionality (would not otherwise take place)
Exploitation (clearly identified route)
Overall limit 50% public funding (SMEs up to 60%)
: CombiChem Supports
Min. One industrial and One research base partner
GSK, Pfizer, AstraZeneca
Pre-competitive research
Support performance and versatility, SPR tuned via
synthesis
Additionality
Convincing
Exploitation
Clear
Overall limit 50%
Should be possible
: Conducting Polymers
Min. One industrial and One research base partner
Merck, Avecia, SME?, IC Physics
Pre-competitive research
Scale-up, SPRs, composition
Additionality
Convincing
Exploitation
Needs to be worked out
Overall limit 50%
Needs to be negotiated
Assessment Criteria :
Fit to aims and technical priorities (impact)
Quality of Science, Engineering & Technology
(excellence)
Collaboration (mix of partners & disciplines)
Management (project plan & milestones)
Exploitation (route to market & plan)
Approved projects
BRITEST Technology Transfer project
Chemicals Behaving Badly project
Chiral Separations Pilot study
Hyperbranched Polymers Pilot study
Contact Point
Richard Bahu
MMI Programme Coordinator
The Oxis Partnership
April Croft
Faringdon Road
Shippon, Abingdon
Oxfordshire
OX13 6LN
Tel/Fax: 01235 536766
E-mail: [email protected]