Polymerisation ChemistryPolymerisation Chemistry

P4 – Case StudiesP4 – Case Studies

• Hyperbranched PMMA Hyperbranched PMMA (HB-PMMA)(HB-PMMA)

• Hyperbranched aliphatic polyurethanes Hyperbranched aliphatic polyurethanes (HB-PU)(HB-PU)

• Highly syndiotactic PMMA and block Highly syndiotactic PMMA and block copolymers at r.t. (S-PMMA)copolymers at r.t. (S-PMMA)

• Novel polymer beads for solid-phase Novel polymer beads for solid-phase organic synthesisorganic synthesis

HB-PolymersHB-Polymers

• Tunable viscosityTunable viscosity• Modifiable solubilityModifiable solubility

characteristicscharacteristics• End-group dominatedEnd-group dominated

propertiesproperties• One-pot synthesisOne-pot synthesis• Reduced crystallinityReduced crystallinity• Increased blendIncreased blend

compatibilitycompatibility

HB-PMMAHB-PMMA

• Solution polymerisation of MMA as Solution polymerisation of MMA as batch model reactionbatch model reaction AIBN/xylenes; 20% MMA; time vs AIBN/xylenes; 20% MMA; time vs

conversion; validation dataconversion; validation data

• Solution polymerisation of HB-PMMA as Solution polymerisation of HB-PMMA as batch model reactionbatch model reaction Independently reproducedIndependently reproduced

• Scale-up of branching agentScale-up of branching agent

HB-PUHB-PU

• Small scale synthesis of HB-PUSmall scale synthesis of HB-PU• Effect of reaction parameters Effect of reaction parameters

investigatedinvestigated Time, temperature, addition sequence, Time, temperature, addition sequence,

catalyst, solventcatalyst, solvent

• Small scale synthesis of linear PU model Small scale synthesis of linear PU model polymerpolymer

S-PMMAS-PMMA

• Improved catalyst availableImproved catalyst available Better reaction control, higher Better reaction control, higher

syndiotacticitysyndiotacticity

Polymer BeadsPolymer Beads

• Successful catalyst optimisation (small Successful catalyst optimisation (small scale)scale) Homogeneous crosslinking possibleHomogeneous crosslinking possible

Immediate Targets IImmediate Targets I• PMMA scale-up reactor runsPMMA scale-up reactor runs• Model validationModel validation

Feedback loop establishedFeedback loop established

• Small scale HB-PMMA model reactionSmall scale HB-PMMA model reaction• HB-PMMA scale-up reactor runsHB-PMMA scale-up reactor runs• Implementation of new modelImplementation of new model

Immediate Targets IIImmediate Targets II

• Complete kinetic data set for HB-PUComplete kinetic data set for HB-PU• Small scale solution polymerisationSmall scale solution polymerisation

Conv., DoB, MW, MWDConv., DoB, MW, MWD

• Identify suitable matrix for MALDI-tofIdentify suitable matrix for MALDI-tof• Model implementation/validationModel implementation/validation

Funding OpportunitiesFunding Opportunities

• EPSRCEPSRC High-added value polymers (electronics, High-added value polymers (electronics,

biomedical, pharmaceutical (enabling))biomedical, pharmaceutical (enabling))

• MMIMMI LINK programme suggestedLINK programme suggested

• HuntsmanHuntsman HB-PU – Synthesis and scale-up technologyHB-PU – Synthesis and scale-up technology Sign of interestSign of interest

Funding OpportunitiesFunding Opportunities

• AveciaAvecia CombiChem Supports – Synthesis and scale-CombiChem Supports – Synthesis and scale-

up technology – immediate market potentialup technology – immediate market potential Initial discussion meeting 21.03.02Initial discussion meeting 21.03.02

• BP/DTIBP/DTI Photovoltaics/Molecular electronics Photovoltaics/Molecular electronics

contribution – IC Chem/ IC Physics initiativecontribution – IC Chem/ IC Physics initiative Discussions neededDiscussions needed

• Basic Technology Initiative 2Basic Technology Initiative 2ndnd call call Do programme objectives match P4 Do programme objectives match P4

philosophy?philosophy?

Department of Trade & Industry EPSRC

“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”

4 key aims1. 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

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.

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

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

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 researchCollaborative, 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%)

Min. One industrial and One research base partnerGSK, Pfizer, AstraZeneca

Pre-competitive research Support performance and versatility, SPR tuned via

synthesisAdditionality

ConvincingExploitation

ClearOverall limit 50%

Should be possible

: CombiChem Supports

: Conducting Polymers

Min. One industrial and One research base partnerMerck, Avecia, SME?, IC Physics

Pre-competitive research Scale-up, SPRs, composition

AdditionalityConvincing

ExploitationNeeds 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 BahuMMI Programme Coordinator

The Oxis PartnershipApril Croft

Faringdon RoadShippon, Abingdon

OxfordshireOX13 6LN

Tel/Fax: 01235 536766E-mail: richardbahu@compuserve.com

Richard BahuMMI Programme Coordinator

The Oxis PartnershipApril Croft

Faringdon RoadShippon, Abingdon

OxfordshireOX13 6LN

Tel/Fax: 01235 536766E-mail: richardbahu@compuserve.com