Adam Matzger

Our research program utilizes organic synthesis and coordination chemistry to make polymers and organized assemblies. Targets are chosen for their potential to have novel properties and methodology development is a critical component of all efforts. Two major research thrusts are:

Controlling crystal polymorphism and multicomponent crystallization. The ability of molecules to crystallize in more than one arrangement in the solid state has profound implications for a variety of phenomena including solid state reactivity and pharmaceutical performance. We are developing techniques to control the process of crystallization in a general fashion with the goal of making materials with improved functionality.  One of our key approaches exploits polymers as phase directors. Focus areas include pharmaceuticals, explosives, and organic electronic materials. Combinatorial materials chemistry plays a vital role in these efforts as do advanced analytical techniques including X-ray microdiffraction, thermal analysis, and Raman spectroscopy.  

Porous materials. Coordination polymers with high levels of porosity are being intensively investigated. New synthetic methods pioneered in the group are leading to materials with unprecedented structural properties. Both fundamental studies on processes such as gas adsorption, supramolecular isomerism, and host-guest chemistry are conducted alongside applications in gas (hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane) storage and separations in liquids. Key techniques applied to characterize materials include X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and adsorption analysis

Representative Publications

Pfund, L. Y.; Price, C. P.; Frick, J. J.; Matzger, A. J. "Controlling Pharmaceutical Crystallization with Designed Polymeric Heteronuclei" J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2015, 137, 871-875.

Dutta, A.; Wong-Foy, A. G.; Matzger, A. J. "Coordination copolymerization of three carboxylate linkers into a pillared layer framework" Chem. Sci., 2014, 5, 3729-3734.

Guo, P.; Wong-Foy, A. G.; Matzger, A. J. "Microporous Coordination Polymers as Efficient Sorbents for Air Dehumidification" Langmuir, 2014, 30, 1921-1925.

Landenberger, K. B.; Bolton, O. J.; Matzger, A. J. "Two Isostructural Explosive Cocrystals with Significantly Different Thermodynamic Stabilities" Angew. Chemie Int. Ed., 2013, 52, 6468-6471.

Bolton, O.; Simke, L. R.; Pagoria, P. F.; Matzger, A. J. "High Power Explosive with Good Sensitivity: A 2:1 Cocrystal of CL-20:HMX" Cryst. Growth. Des., 2012, 12, 4311-4314.

Koh, K.; Wong-Foy, A. G.; Matzger A. J., "A Porous Coordination Copolymer with over 5000 m2/g BET Surface Area" J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 4184-4185.

Lpez-Mejas, V.; Kampf, J. W.; Matzger, A. J. "Polymer-Induced Heteronucleation of Tolfenamic Acid: Structural Investigation of a Pentamorph" J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 4554-4555.

Research Areas(s)

• Energy Science
  Materials Chemistry
  Organic Chemistry
  Organometallic Chemistry
  Sensor Science
  Surface Chemistry
  Sustainable Chemistry
  Polymers/Organic Materials

Award(s)

• Akron ACS Award 2015
• Imes and Moore Faculty Award, 2012
• Beckman Foundation Young Investigator Award, 2003
• 3M Nontenured Faculty Award
• Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award  

Fellowships

• American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow, 2011
• Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, 2005