Mike Talley Email and Phone Number

I work on post-polymerization functionalization of commercial polymers for plastic upcycling. I use a wide variety of spectroscopic and thermal methods to analyze reaction efficiency as well as polymer characterization. I'm also collaborating with a wide variety of groups within the Center for Plastics Innovation at the University of Delaware. I synthesize starting materials and perform organic reactions for several research groups in the CPI.In addition, I also work on more classical cross-coupling reactions in the Mary Watson lab. Specifically, I study stereospecific nickel catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of allylic alcohol derivatives.

Methodology in synthetic chemistry

Organic Chemistry Teaching AssistantAssist professor during lectureGrade tests and homeworkHold recitation sectionsHolding office hours for additional instruction

Synthesizing substrates for testing. Synthesizing heterobimetallic catalysts. Presenting current scientific literature to research group.

Collecting samples for drug testing. Testing samples for illicit substances. Operating machinery. Recording results from tested samples.