Research - Catalytic Polymerizations Research Group

Research is oriented towards synthesis of tailor-made polymers with defined chain length, molar mass distribution, branching of chain, end-groups, polymer topology and polymer stereoregularity using the methods of living/controlled polymerizations.

Catalyst development and synthesis of novel polyolefin based materials is investigated.

Functionalized branched polyolefins

Introduction of functional groups in polyolefins prepared by chain-walking catalysts to prepare materials for novel applications. E.g. construction of nanoparticles (carriers, reactors), reinforcing of brittle 3D printing matrixes.

Reactive and Functional Polymers 2025, 216, 106425. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2025.106425.

RSC Applied Polymers 2025, 3 (5), 1165-1176, 10.1039/D5LP00138B. DOI: 10.1039/D5LP00138B.
Polymer 2023, 285, 126314. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2023.126314.
European Polymer Journal 2019, 115, 193-200. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2019.03.029.

Living/Controlled catalytic polymerizations of olefins

Preparation of tailor-made polyolefins by chain-walking polymerizations of olefins to control molar mass and its distribution, branching degree, stereoregularity and polymer topology.

Preparation of block copolymers, morphology control. Kinetic and mechanistic investigation of polymerization.

Polymer 2023, 285, 126314.
Polymer 2019, 179, 121619.
Journal of the American Chemical Society 2019, 141 (39), 15586-15596.

Polym. Chem. 2018, 9 (10), 1234-1248.
Polym. Int. 2018, 67 (7), 946-956.
J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55 (15), 2440-2449.
J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54 (19), 3193-3202.
Polym. Chem. 2012, 3 (3), 658-667.
Polymer 2011, 52, 275-281. DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2010.11.029
Polym. Chem. 2010, 1 (7), 1078-1085. DOI: 10.1039/c0py00072h
Polymer 2009, 50, 5016-5023.DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2009.08.030
Eur. Polym. J. 2005, 41(2), 303-312. DOI:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2004.09.013

Catalytic synthesis of polyester by copolymerization of epoxides with CO2 and anhydrides

Salphen-Co(III) complexes catalyzed copolymerization of epoxides with CO₂. Polymer 2015, 63, 52-61.
Mundil, R.; Hošťálek, Z.; Šeděnková, I.; Merna, J., Macromol. Res. 2015, 23, 161-166.
Alternating copolymerization of epoxides with anhydrides initiated by organic bases. Eur. Polym. J. 2017, 88, 433-447.
Zinc complexes chelated by bifunctional ketiminate ligands: Structure, reactivity and possible applications in initiation of ROP and copolymerization of epoxides with carbon dioxide. Organomet. Chem. 2015, 794, 237-246.

Polymerizations of cyclic monomers

ROP of cyclic amides, esters and ethers for engineering plastics and biodegradable materials.

Collaboration with:

Aleš Růžička, Libor Dostál and Roman Jambor, University of Pardubice

Olejník, R.; Bažantová, J.; Růžičková, Z.; Merna, J.; Hošťálek, Z.; Růžička, A.
Inorg. Chem. Commun. 2015, 55 (0), 161-164.
Kampova, H.; Riemlova, E.; Klikarova,J.; Pejchal, V.; Merna, J.; Vlasak,P.; Svec,P.; Ruzickova,Z.; Ruzicka,A., J. Organomet. Chem. 2015, 778, 35-41.
Chlupaty, T.; Merna, J.; Ruzicka, A.,Catal. Commun. 2015, 60, 110-113.
Olejnik, R.; Padelkova, Z.; Mundil, R.; Merna, J.; Ruzicka, A.,Appl. Organomet. Chem. 2014, 28,405-412.
Olejnik, R.; Padelkova, Z.; Fridrichova, A.; Horacek, M.; Merna, J.; Ruzicka, A.,
J. Organomet. Chem. 2014, 759, 1-10.
Dostal, L.; Jambor, R.; Cisarova, I.; Merna, J.; Holecek, J. Appl. Organometal. Chem. 2007, 21(8), 688-693. doi: 10.1002/aoc.1226
Merna J., Chromcova D., Brozek J., et al., Eur. Polym. J., 2006, 42 , 1569-1580. doi:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2006.01.003

Research topics

Functionalized branched polyolefins

Living/Controlled catalytic polymerizations of olefins

Catalytic synthesis of polyester by copolymerization of epoxides with CO2 and anhydrides

Polymerizations of cyclic monomers