Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Ph.D. University of Missouri, 1967
Contact Information
Office: PS 229
Phone: (561) 297-2107
Email: carraher@fau.edu
Synthesis of Poly(ether Esters) from Reaction of Alpha-Cyano-4-Hydroxycinnamic Acid and Group IVB Metallocenes, J. Macromol. Sci., A, 53, 328-334, 2016, , C. Carraher, M. Roner, M. Ayoub, R. Crichton, A. Moric-Johnson, L. Miller, K. Black.
Group IVB Metallocene Poly(ether Ester) Polymers Containing Alpha-Cyano-4-Hydroxycinnamic Acid That Act As Self-Matrix Materials In MALDI MS, J. Macromol. Sci. A, 53, 317-327, 2016, C. Carraher, M. Roner, M. Ayoub, R. Crichton, K. Black.
Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Preliminary Cancer Cell Line Results for Polymers Derived from Reaction of Titanocene Dichloride and Various Poly(ethylene Glycols), J. Macromol. Sci. A, 53, 394-402, 2016, C. Carraher, M. Roner, L. Reckleben, K. Black, J. Frank, R. Crichton, F. Russell, A. Moric-Johnson, L. Miller.
Synthesis of Organotin Polyamine Ethers Containing Thiamine (Vitamin B1) and Preliminary Ability to Inhibit Select Cancer Cell Lines, J. Inorganomet. Polym., 25, 1414-1424, 2015, C. Carraher, M. Roner, R. Lambert, L. Arroyo, L. Miller.
Control of Breast Cancer Using Organotin Polymer, International Journal of Polymeric Materials, 64, 800-814, 2015, C. Carraher, M. Roner, K. Shahi, A. Moric-Johnson, L. Miller, G. Barot, A. Battin, N. Trang, N. Sookdeo, Z. Islam.
Fellow-American Chemical Society (2010), Polymer Chemistry (2010; first class), Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering (2000, first class), American Institute of Chemists (1975); Outstanding Chemist in Southwest USA (1992); Outstanding Scientist and Engineer (Engineer and Scientist Affiliate Societies Council 1981); Sigma Xi Research Award (1992); PC/PMSE Award (1995); Polymer Chemistry Distinguished Award (2016); Distinguished Researcher Reward Award-Allied Technologies (2002). In numerous Who’s Who and other recognition publications.
Invited speaker to various groups including Chemical Congress and NATO Institute.
Outstanding Alumni University of Missouri-Kansas City and Sterling College.
Introduction to Polymer Chemistry won the Outstanding Textbook Award given by the American Library Association in 2007.
Education- Founder and Co-chair of Polymer Education Committee; Founder and on board of IPEC which influences over one-half million students and teachers yearly; Chaired the first American Chemistry Society standardized examination in polymer chemistry; author of the best-selling text book for undergraduate students (Introduction to Polymer Chemistry) and best-selling text book for graduate students (Polymer Chemistry); worked for inclusion of polymers in the guidelines of the American Chemical Society.
Member of Committee on Professional Training that approves and accredits over 660 colleges and universities; Board of ACS divisions of Polymer Chemistry and Polymeric Materials (1973-present);
Science Advisor to Sen. George McGovern (1972-1975).
During his career he has held administrative posts including chair of a science division, department chair, assistant vice-president, and dean.
Chair and Co-chair of over 20 international symposia.
Pioneered the area of metal-containing polymers contributing to the presence today of a book series by Wiley and the Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials. Research contributions have been widespread and include both synthesis and the development of tools that assist the characterization of these materials. In the area of synthesis developed a number of new synthetic techniques including those related to the interfacial polymerization technique that was pioneered by Paul Morgan and Charles Carraher over the past forty years. Today, the interfacial technique is used to produce the polycarbonates whose uses include CDs. It is also used to produce Aramids or aromatic nylons employed in a number of areas including tire cords. Synthesized a number of organotin polyethers some are employed to help protect poly(vinyl chloride) as it is being fabricated. Thus, each of us interact with one of his inventions daily as we get our drinking water. Developed a process to collect the uranyl ion, the natural water soluble form of uranium, at very low concentrations. This is employed to collect uranium from deep mining operations. Developed processes that include commercial dyes in metal-containing polymers producing materials that moderate laser effects. Some of these materials distribute the effects of lasers allowing materials containing small amounts of the polymeric dyes to withstand destruction. Synthesized Group IV B metallocene, Group V A, platinum and organotin polymers to fight various bacteria, cancers and viruses including the synthesis of the initial water-soluble organotin and Group IVB metallocene polymers. These water-soluble polymers are effective at inhibiting a wide variety of cancer cell lines including pancreatic cancer cell lines. He also holds patents on materials that selectively inhibit Candida albicans (US Pat. 5,043,463) the microorganism responsible for yeast infections and on materials that inhibit methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (US Pat. 5,840,760). Also developed materials that assist in the germination of sawgrass seeds to replenish the Florida Everglades and that increase food crops for third world countries. Some of these materials also show good inhibition of a wide variety of viruses including the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) responsible for herpes infections in one out of five adolescents and adults, and the reovirus ST3 virus, responsible for many of the “colds” we have. Efforts were also aimed at the analysis of hard to characterize materials including mass spectroscopy, thermal analysis, solubility, and elemental analysis. Developed a working TG-MS that eventually was commercialized. Also worked for the past 40 years in what is now known as Green Chemistry with sucrose, lignin, cellulose and other natural materials and in the synthesis of thermally stable materials retaining total weight to 1,000 C and high temperature superconductive materials.
