Toward understanding natural rubber (NR) biosynthesis: in situ FTIR monitoring of model systems

POLY 121

Allia Lindsay, alindsay@agnesscott.edu1, Haibo Li, hli@uakron.edu2, and Judit E. Puskas, jpuskas@uakron.edu2. (1) Department of Biology, Agnes Scott College, 141 East College Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030, (2) Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Goodyear Polymer Center, Akron, OH 44325-3909
Natural rubber (NR) is primarily obtained from Hevea brasiliensis, commonly known as the Brazilian rubber tree. As this species contains little genetic variation, it is susceptible to pathogen-based eradication. Consequently, it is imperative that a biomimetic pathway for NR production be developed. Puskas et al. recently proposed that NR biosynthesis proceeds via a carbocationic polymerization. Based on this theory, a general mechanism termed “Natural Living Carbocationic Polymerization” (NLCP) was developed. Central to the mechanism is an allylic carbocation active species. This paper willl discuss our first attempt to generate an allylic carbocation from dimethyl allyl hydroxide (DMAOH) and geranyl hydroxide (geranyl-OH) initiators, analogues of allylic pyrophosphates that are nature's initiators in NR production, activated by TiCl4 was as a co-initiator to polymerize isoprene (IP). The consumption of reactants and polymer formation were monitored using Real-Time Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and the first results will be discussed.
 

Undergraduate Research in Polymer Science
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Polymer Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008