Domninic Adrewie, John Pojman

Frontal polymerization is a process where a self-propagating reaction in which a confined reaction zone, known as a "polymerization front," is induced by an initial stimulus (such as a thermal or light stimulus). The exothermic nature of polymerization within this front generates enough heat to raise the temperature at the reaction boundary to cause unreacted monomer to polymerize. Although numerous studies have explored the coupling between thermodynamics and rapid chemical kinetics in these systems and successfully accounted for experimentally observed thermo-chemical instabilities, far fewer have examined the role of mechanical forces that emerge during fabrication. Experimental evidence, however, suggests that local volume changes driven by the competing influences of thermal expansion and chemical shrinkage can cause substantial deformation or even failure in the final component. In this work a thiol-ene gel system is used to explore the effect of mechanical forces (Compression and torsion) on front kinetics. Gels are unique because they can effectively suppress bubble formation during frontal polymerization, which enhances structural integrity and supports efficient propagation of the polymerization front. Furthermore, the inherent versatility of gels permits the fabrication of diverse geometries prior to initiation, broadening their applicability across multiple domains.

Jean Fotie, Cavanaugh Bergles

Our research group recently identified a lead compound exhibiting promising in vitro anticancer activity against multiple skin cancer cell lines, including A375, SK-MEL-28, A431, and SCC-12. The N1-phenylbenzene-1,2-diamine derivative, designated JFSC-1, demonstrated antiproliferative activity at micromolar concentrations (A431: IC₅₀ = 5.0 µM; SCC-12: IC₅₀ = 2.9 µM; SK-MEL-28: IC₅₀ = 4.9 µM; A375: IC₅₀ = 6.7 µM) and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in SCC-12 and SK-MEL-28 cells. Mechanistic studies revealed apoptosis induction through downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax, cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP.1

The anticancer activity of this lead molecule was further validated using dose–response studies across the NCI 60-cell-line panel, comprising leukemia, melanoma, non-small cell lung, colon, CNS, ovarian, renal, prostate, and breast cancer cell lines. These results provided a strong foundation for continued validation of the compound’s anticancer potential and guided the development of a comprehensive structure–activity relationship through the synthesis and biological evaluation of analogs.

In this presentation, we describe the design and development of new JFSC-1 analogs aimed at enhancing anticancer potency and selectivity, as well as improving pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.

SEBASTIAN OLOO, Graca Vicente, Broderick Wong

Hydrazine-inserted, unsymmetric bis(difluoroboron) chromophores provide a versatile platform for expanding the structural and functional diversity of BODIPY-based fluorophores. In this work, aromatic ring-fused BOPPY and BOPYPY dyes were synthesized through a modular condensation of formylated tetrafluoroisoindole with hydrazine derivatives, followed by boron co-ordination. The resulting tetrafluorinated bis-BF₂ scaffolds enable systematic investigation of regioselective reactivity through nucleophilic aromatic substitution and palladium catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Distinct substitution patterns are observed depending on the nucleophile identity highlighting the role of electronic and structural factors in directing functionalization. Photophysical studies reveal strong visible absorption, large Stokes shifts and structure dependent emission behavior arising from differences in heterocycle composition and conjugation. These results demonstrate a robust synthetic strategy for late-stage diversification of bis-boron fluorophores and provide insight into how controlled regioselectivity and molecular design influence fluorescence properties in advanced dye systems.

John Pojman

Materials used for art have had a slow evolution.  Before the Renaissance, egg whites and other animal products were used for hold pigments to the surface.  The Masters used linseed oil-based paints.  No new medium was developed until the advent of acrylic pains in the 1950s.  Modified natural polymers, such as nitrocellose, allowed the development of durable cylinders for the Ediphone while 79 rpm records will still made from shellac until the 1950s.  We will explore these developments and a new medium developed by the speaker, “QuickCure Clay”, which doesn’t dry out and won’t harden until heated on the surface with a heat gun.

Ashley Williams, Alexandra Aucoin, Patrick Bunton, Laurence Rongy, John Pojman

Coatings are essential for most materials, providing benefits such as protection, waterproofing, and corrosion resistance. Thin layer acrylate coatings are typically used in various applications due to their versatility, rapid curing rate, and ability to be applied in thin layers. Frontal polymerization (FP) of thin layer acrylates creates cure-on-demand coatings with long pot lives, which prevents the need for additional cure times, extensive mixing, and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). FP is an innovative type of polymerization reaction that occurs in a localized, self-propagating manner in the form of a “front” that moves across the material. This process occurs when a polymerization reaction is initiated at a specific point (most often by a heat source) and then spreads outward through the material. The front continues to propagate through the liquid monomer solution, leaving polymer in its wake. In frontal polymerization, fluid flows are primarily produced due to the significant temperature gradients generated by the rapidly propagating exothermic reaction front. This can significantly impact front dynamics, often distorting the front shape, altering front velocity, and inducing instabilities. Particle imaging is used to investigate fluid flows produced by FP in thin layer acrylate coatings. Particle imaging is a non-destructive imaging technique that uses fluorescent tracer particles which follow the fluid flow. Using this method allows for a better und