Organic synthesis and polymer chemistry are significantly overlapped. Along with my training as a polymer chemist, I’ve been involved in many organic synthesis projects, including making functionalized monomers for polymer synthesis. I’ve also gotten quite a lot of experience with low molecular weight hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon surfactant synthesis. Example organic chemistries and chemical processes that I can help you with.

• Anionic, cationic, amphoteric and non-ionic surfactant synthesis
• Fluorocarbon surfactant (fluorosurfactant) synthesis
• Michael addition chemistry
• Alcohol ethoxylation
• Amidation and sulfonamide synthesis
• Esterification, including phosphate esters
• Functionalized monomer synthesis
• Alkylation and arylation
• Chlorination
• Acylation
• Protection and deprotection reactions
• C-C bond formation
• Metal oxide surface modification
• Functional group addition
• Reductions
• Oxidation (chlorine, peroxide, etc.)
• Functional group interconversion
• Oleum sulfonation
• And many others

Molecular synthesis is just the first step toward fully commercializing a new or improved chemical product. The bigger challenge is often the work-up step to convert the crude product to a finished good.

I can also support process development work, such as phase separation, distillation, filtration, centrifugation, etc., as well as assist with quality assurance and regulatory compliance, as an integrated approach to the product development process.

Formulation chemistry is as much an art as it is a science. There are very few colleges that offer this as a formal academic discipline, despite the wide range of formulated products in the market, and the large number of chemists employed to create them. Formulation technology is largely learned on the job. Success when formulating new products, or reformulating existing products, therefore, depends on industry know-how, proven methodology and broad, practical experience. I have over 20 years of industrial formulation experience in areas such as:

• Fire suppressants and flame retardants
• Oilfield and pipeline products
• Paints, coatings and repellants
• Cleaners and other household products
• Reinforced Plastics and elastomers
• And many others

Despite the variety of applications, most formulation efforsts have common elements, specifically Design of Experiment (DOE) tools, including Response Surface, Factorial, Mixture and Taguchi designs. Formulation technology goes beyond the data analysis, however. Chemical intuition, testing methodology, quality control and assurance, and practical production insight are also needed. The advantage that I offer is that I have precisely this combination of creative skills. Please contact me if I can be of help to you!