Knappe, Grant2019-09-172019-09-172019-05http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/24449The synthesis of novel macromolecular geometries enables an expanded understanding of the synthesis, physics, and applications of these materials. This work explores the design and synthesis of novel geometries using the coiled-coil peptide motif as a building block. Covalent stabilization of the coiled-coil peptide motif at the top and the bottom of the assembly was pursued to generate a spherical macromolecule. The required peptides and small molecule capping molecule were prepared; however, the precise conjugation necessary to develop this geometry was not successful. Instead, it appears that the small molecule crosslinks peptides from different assemblies together. Some secondary forces to pattern/anchor the molecules during the conjugation may be necessary to synthesize the desired geometry. A novel star geometry polymer-peptide conjugate was synthesized using a grafting-from approach, again utilizing a coiled-coil peptide assembly as the base of the macromolecule. A library of ATRP-functionalized peptides was synthesized that assemble into the coiled-coil motif with ATRP initiators decorating the outside of the assembly. Extending the ATRP initiator away from the peptide, and therefore the assembly, proves to increase the stability of the assembly. Model ATRP polymerization studies were conducted on a small molecule to determine the best polymerization procedures for our target monomer. Many attempts at synthesizing the target polymer-peptide conjugate proceeded in an uncontrollable manner that was characterized unsuccessfully. Improvements to the polymerizations were made, but the synthesis of well-defined star shaped polymer-peptide conjugates was unsuccessful.Chemical engineering, Macromolecular geometries, Coiled-coil peptide motifThesis