Research topics

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.

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.
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., 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 

Catalytic synthesis of special and engineering polymers

Preparation of engineering plastics like syndiotactic polystyrene or cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs).
Synthesis of poylsilanes for use in optoelectronic applications and nanolitography  by metallocenes catalyzed dehydrocoupling of silanes as an alternative to traditional but hazardous Wurtz coupling. Collaboration with:Dr.Milan Erben,  University of Pardubice and Dr. Jiří Pinkas, Czech Academy of Science
Carvalho, M. F. N. N.;  Galvão, A. M.;  Kredatusová, J.;  Merna, J.;  Pinheiro, P. F.; Margarida Salema, M. Inorg. Chim. Acta 2012.
Varga, V.;  Horáček, M.;  Bastl, Z.;  Merna, J.;  Císařová, I.;  Sýkora, J.; Pinkas, J. Catal. Today 2012, 179 (1), 130-139.
Horáček, M.; Merna, J.; Gyepes, R.; Sýkora, J.; Kubišta, J.; Pinkas, J.Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 2011, 76, 75-94.  doi:10.1135/cccc2010133
Erben, M.;  Merna, J.;  Hermanova, S.;  Cisarova, I.;  Padelkova, Z.; Dusek, M. Organometallics 2007, 26, 2735-2741.  Doi 10.1021/Om070098r