Date of Award

Fall 2023

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

First Advisor

Chuanbing Tang

Abstract

In this dissertation, the synthesis of polymers and small molecules from multicyclic compounds and the development of sustainable polymers from renewable feedstock were investigated. The antimicrobial biomaterials and sustainable polymers were characterized and their properties were discussed. In Chapter 1, the overall background and recent developments of antimicrobial biomaterials and their application were discussed. Later, sustainable polymers from renewable biomass and their synthesis methods were given. Afterward, the main research objectives of this doctoral research study were described. In Chapter 2, the synthesis of multiple charged small molecules from multicyclic compounds was discussed. These compounds were obtained by using various reactions such as Diels-Alder, catalytic esterification, and quaternization. The optimal structure requirements were discussed and Facial Amphiphilicity Index (FAI) was introduced based on the relationship between structure and antibacterial activity. For this purpose, the antibacterial efficacy against primary bacteria, and biocompatibility with mammalian cells were evaluated. In Chapter 3, the synthesis of an extended number of facially amphiphilic small molecules from bile acid derivatives was described. Antibacterial activities against a broad range of bacteria and antifungal activities against primary fungi were also investigated. Dormant phase bacterial activity along with anti-biofilm activity was provided. Lastly, the mechanistic investigation was described. In Chapter 4, the post-modification poly (glycidyl methacrylate) polymers via bicyclic naphthoic acid derivatives were described. The synthesis of multiple charged polymers was described for the understanding of FAI's influence on antibacterial activity. In addition, the structure-activity relationship based on the linker lengths between the hydrophobic core and the hydrophilic head group was investigated. For this aim, antibacterial, antibiofilm, biocompatibility, resistance, and mechanistic investigation of naphthoic acid-based polymers were examined. In Chapter 6, an innovative polyimine containing lignin-sourced polymer design was introduced. The mechanical and thermal properties of those materials were investigated. Afterward, the reprocess ability and solvent resistance were examined. Finally, in chapter 7, a summary of this dissertation research and outlook for future research in antimicrobial biomaterials and sustainable polymers were provided.

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© 2024, Leman Buzoglu Kurnaz

Available for download on Wednesday, December 31, 2025

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