Online lecture by Helmut Ritter on 20 February 2024, 3-4 pm

Moderation: Wolfgang Gerhartz

The development and application of some functional polymers are at the centre of the lecture. In the introduction, the term is critically examined in comparison to structural polymers. A brief look at the historical significance of plastics will be helpful. Own work will be presented that includes application perspectives. This will be followed by practical examples such as swellable polymer networks, which play a special role as superabsorbers. However, ion exchangers or carriers for peptide syntheses also belong to the group of functional polymers.

The lecture concludes with the status quo and an outlook for the future. A critical look at the environmental situation and possible improvements will also be briefly addressed.

Online lecture by Helmut Ritter on 23 November 2021, 2 pm - 3 pm

Moderation: Klaus-Dieter Jany

Life without "supramolecular interactions" is not possible

In addition to the supramolecularly structured DNA double helix, host-guest phenomena play an important role in biological processes. In drug development, attempts are also made to adapt the structure of the active ingredient to the cavity of a bio-receptor in order to achieve an optimal effect.

In recent decades, macrocycles such as crown ethers or the non-toxic cyclodextrins (CD) have been widely studied and used as host molecules in chemistry.

The lecture will focus on cyclodextrins that are technically available and non-toxic.

The focus is on polymer chemistry, but also shows the breadth of other applications. For example, the conversion of a viscous liquid into a gel can be useful in the construction industry. For example, a drug for conjunctivitis can be made water-soluble with CD and the aqueous solution can be dripped directly into the eye. The active ingredient is released in molecularly dispersed form by splitting the CD rings using the amylases present in the tear fluid.

The presentation will also show examples of how CD can recognise suitable side groups of water-soluble polymers. Colour changes can also be achieved. Finally, the path leads from NANO to MAKRO, i.e. CD can be used to create memory effects in moulded bodies on a cm scale, for example.