Publications

At UC Berkeley

39. Chemically Circular Poly(Orthoester) Elastomers Synthesized by Halogen-Bond Donor Catalyzed Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerization

Z. Siddiqi, B. A. Abel Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2026, 148, e1570414.

38. Atomic-Scale Imaging Reveals Polar-π Interactions in Two-Dimensional Molecular Superlattices

Y. J. Lee, G. L. Butterfoss, X. Luo, D. Prendergast, N. P. Balsara, R. N. Zuckermann, B. A. Abel, X. Jiang J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2026, 148, 13, 13713-13724.

37. Molecular Weight-Controlled Cationic Polymerization of Tetrahydrofuran Using a Squaramidinium Hydrogen-Bond Donor Catalyst

J. J. W. Roan, Z. Siddiqi, B. A. Abel J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2026, 148, 4, 4397–4405.

36. Controlled Cationic Polymerization of Tetrahydrofuran using a Squaramidinium Hydrogen-Bond Donor Catalyst

J. J. W. Roan, Z. Siddiqi, B. A. Abel Under Review [ChemRxiv] 2025.

35. Chemically Circular Poly(orthoester) Elastomers via Immortal Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerization

Z. Siddiqi, B. A. Abel [ChemRxiv] 2025.

34. Three-dimensional Crystals Assembled by Linear Oligopeptoids

Y. J. Lee, P. Ercius, X. Luo, G. L. Butterfoss, T. Yu, J. Zhang, D. Prendergast, A. Minor, N. P. Balsara, R. Zuckermann, B. A. Abel, X. Jiang Nano Letters 2025, 25, 11940-11946.

33. In-situ 4D-STEM Imaging of the Orientation of Lamellar Clusters in Polymer Crystallization

M. Chen, K. C. Bustillo, Y. J. Lee, C. Ophus, J. Ciston, B. A. Abel, X. Jiang, N. P. Balsara, A. M. Minor Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2025, 46, 22, e00450.

32. Crystalline Peptoid Nanofibers with a Single-Unit Cell Cross Section

Y. J. Lee, M. Seidler, X. Luo, G. L. Butterfoss, T. Yu, B. Rad, S. Xuan, C. Zhu, D. Prendergast, N. P. Balsara, B. A. Abel, R. N. Zuckermann, X. Jiang J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, 147, 31, 27390–27402.

31. Key Intermediate Nanostructures in the Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Polypeptoids Revealed by Cryo-TEM

Y. J. Lee, X. Luo, M. Seidler, T. Yu, D. Prendergast, R. N. Zuckermann, N. P. Balsara, B. A. Abel, X. Jiang Macromolecules 2025, 58, 8, 3795.

30. Retrobiosynthesis of Unnatural Lactams via Reprogrammed Polyketide Synthase

N. Lee, M. Schmidt, C. Li, C. J. Filbin, S. Klass, et al. Nature Catalysis 2025, 8, 389.

29. Introduction: The Future of Plastics Sustainability

B. A. Abel, G. W. Coates Chem. Rev. 2025, 125, 1255.

28. Unveiling Nanostructure Design in Ion-Containing Polymers Using Cryo-TEM

Y. J. Lee, M. Seidler, X. Luo, D. Prendergast, R. N. Zuckermann, N. P. Balsara, B. A. Abel, X. Jiang Microscopy and Microanalysis 2024, 30, 1754.

27. Evaluating Cryo-TEM Reconstruction Accuracy of Self-Assembled Polymer Nanostructures

X. Luo, M. Seidler, Y. J. Lee, T. Yu, R. N. Zuckermann, N. P. Balsara, B. A. Abel, D. Prendergast, X. Jiang Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2024, 2400589.

Prior to UC Berkeley

26. Ultra-High Molecular Weight Poly(Dioxolane): Enhancing the Mechanical Performance of a Chemically Recyclable Polymer

H. G. Hester, B. A. Abel, G. W. Coates J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 8800–8804.

25. Relationship Between Ion Transport and Phase Behavior in Acetal-Based Polymer Blend Electrolytes Studied by Electrochemical Characterization and Neutron Scattering

J. Lee, K. W. Gao, N. J. Shah, R. L. Snyder, B. A. Abel, L. He, S. C. M. Teixeira, G. W. Coates, N. P. Balsara Macromolecules 2022, 55, 11023–11033.

24. Multifunctional Catalysts for Ring-Opening Copolymerizations

C. A. L. Lidston, S. M. Severson, B. A. Abel, G. W. Coates ACS Catalysis 2022, 12, 11037.

23. Complete Electrochemical Characterization and Limiting Current of Polyacetal Electrolytes

Y. Choo, R. L. Snyder, N. J. Shah, B. A. Abel, G. W. Coates, N. P. Balsara J. Electrochem. Soc. 2022, 169, 020538.

22. Chemically Recyclable Thermoplastics from Reversible-Deactivation Polymerization of Cyclic Acetals

^‡B. A. Abel, ^‡R. L. Snyder, G. W. Coates Science 2021, 373, 783-789.

21. Exploring the Ion Solvation Environment in Solid-State Polymer Electrolytes through Free-Energy Sampling

S. Sundararaman, D. M. Halat, Y. Choo, R. L. Snyder, B. A. Abel, G. W. Coates, J. A. Reimer, N. P. Balsara, D. Prendergast Macromolecules 2021, 18, 8590-8600.

20. Modifying Li+ and Anion Diffusivities in Polyacetal Electrolytes: A Pulsed-Field Gradient NMR Study of Ion Self-Diffusion

D. M. Halat, R. L. Snyder, S. Sundararaman, Y. Choo, K. W. Gao, Z. J. Hoffman, B. A. Abel, et al. Chem. Mater. 2021, 33, 4915-4926.

19. Improved Li+ Transport in Polyacetal Electrolytes: Conductivity and Current Fraction in a Series of Polymers

R. L. Snyder, Y. Choo, K. W. Gao, D. M. Halat, B. A. Abel, S. Sundararaman, D. Prendergast, J. A. Reimer, N. P. Balsara, G. W. Coates ACS Energy Lett. 2021, 5, 1886–1891.

18. Bifunctional Catalysis Prevents Inhibition in Reversible-Deactivation Ring-Opening Copolymerizations of Epoxides and Cyclic Anhydrides

^‡C. A. L. Lidston, ^‡B. A. Abel, G. W. Coates J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 147, 20161–20169.

17. Achieving Uniform Lithium Electrodeposition in Cross-Linked Poly(ethylene oxide) Networks: “Soft” Polymers Prevent Metal Dendrite Proliferation

S. Stalin, H. E. N. Johnson, P. Biswal, D. Vu, Q. Zhao, J. Yin, B. A. Abel, Y. Deng, G. W. Coates, L. A. Archer Macromolecules 2020, 53, 5445–5454.

16. Miscible Polyether/Poly(ether-acetal) Electrolyte Blends

K. W. Gao, W. S. Loo, R. L. Snyder, B. A. Abel, Y. Choo, A. Lee, S. C. M. Teixeira, B. A. Garetz, G. W. Coates, N. P. Balsara Macromolecules 2020, 53, 5728–5739.

15. Mechanism-Inspired Design of Bifunctional Catalysts for the Alternating Ring-Opening Copolymerization of Epoxides and Cyclic Anhydrides

^‡B. A. Abel, ^‡C. A. L. Lidston, G. W. Coates J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 12760–12769.

14. Microscopic Origins of Caging and Equilibration of Self-Suspended Hairy Nanoparticles

X. Liu, B. A. Abel, Q. Zhao, S. Li, S. Choudhury, J. Zheng, L. A. Archer Macromolecules 2019, 52, 8187–8196.

13. Enabling Room-Temperature Mechanochromic Activation in a Glassy Polymer: Synthesis and Characterization of Spiropyran Polycarbonate

Y. Vidavsky, S. J. Yang, B. A. Abel, I. Agami, C. E. Diesendruck, G. W. Coates, M. N. Silberstein J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 10060–10067.

12. Amphoteric, Sulfonamide-Functionalized “Polysoaps”: CO₂-Induced Phase Separation for Water Remediation

P. D. Pickett, C. R. Kasprzak, D. T. Siefker, B. A. Abel, M. A. Dearborn, C. L. McCormick Macromolecules 2018, 21, 9052–9059.

11. Synthesis of Polyisobutylene Bottlebrush Polymers via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

B. Yang, B. A. Abel, C. L. McCormick, R. F. Storey Macromolecules 2017, 19, 7458–7467.

10. Aqueous RAFT Synthesis of Glycopolymers for Determination of Saccharide Structure and Concentration Effects on Amyloid β Aggregation

P. Das, D. N. Dean, A. L. Fogel, F. Liu, B. A. Abel, C. L. McCormick, E. Kharlampieva, V. Rangachari, S. E. Morgan Biomacromolecules 2017, 18, 3359–3366.

9. Aqueous RAFT at pH zero: Enabling Controlled Polymerization of Unprotected Acyl Hydrazide Methacrylamides

E. A. Hoff, B. A. Abel, C. A. Tretbar, C. L. McCormick, D. L. Patton Polym. Chem. 2017, 8, 4978–4982.

8. “One-Pot” Aminolysis/Thiol-Maleimide End-Group Functionalization of RAFT Polymers: Identifying and Preventing Michael Addition Side Reactions

B. A. Abel, C. L. McCormick Macromolecules 2016, 49, 6193–6202.

7. Mechanistic Insights into Temperature-Dependent Trithiocarbonate Chain-End Degradation during the RAFT Polymerization of N-Arylmethacrylamides

B. A. Abel, C. L. McCormick Macromolecules 2016, 49, 465–474.

6. RAFT Polymerization of “Splitters” and “Cryptos”: Exploiting Azole-N-Carboxamides as Blocked Isocyanates for Ambient Temperature Post-Polymerization Modification

E. A. Hoff, B. A. Abel, C. A. Tretbar, C. L. McCormick, D. L. Patton Macromolecules 2016, 49, 554–563.

5. Tunable pH- and CO₂-Responsive Sulfonamide-Containing Polymers by RAFT Polymerization

B. A. Abel, M. B. Sims, C. L. McCormick Macromolecules 2015, 48, 5487–5495.

4. High Molecular Weight and Low Dispersity Polyacrylonitrile by Low Temperature RAFT Polymerization

J. D. Moskowitz, B. A. Abel, C. L. McCormick, J. W. Wiggins J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 54, 553–562.

3. Antimicrobial Peptide Mimicking Primary Amine and Guanidine Containing Methacrylamide Copolymers Prepared by RAFT Polymerization

S. E. Exley, L. C. Paslay, G. Sahukhal, B. A. Abel, T. D. Brown, C. L. McCormick, S. Heinhorst, V. Koul, V. Choudhary, M. O. Elasri, S. E. Morgan Biomacromolecules 2015, 16, 3845–3852.

2. Antimicrobial Poly(methacrylamide) Derivatives Prepared via Aqueous RAFT Polymerization Exhibit Biocidal Efficiency Dependent upon Cation Structure

L. C. Paslay, B. A. Abel, T. D. Brown, V. Koul, V. Choudhary, C. L. McCormick, S. E. Morgan Biomacromolecules 2012, 13, 2472–2482.

1. Guanidine-Containing Methacrylamide (Co)polymers via aRAFT: Toward a Cell-Penetrating Peptide Mimic

N. J. Treat, D. Smith, C. Teng, J. D. Flores, B. A. Abel, A. W. York, F. Huang, C. L. McCormick ACS Macro Lett. 2011, 1, 100–104.

Book Chapters

1. Stimuli-Responsive Polymers via Controlled Radical Polymerization

J. D. Flores, B. A. Abel, D. Smith, C. L. McCormick. In Monitoring Polymerization Reactions: From Fundamentals to Applications; W. F. Reed, A. M. Alb, Eds.; John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 2013.

Patents

1. Catalysts and Methods for Epoxide-based Polymerizations

G. W. Coates, B. A. Abel, C. A. L. Lidston. US Patent 11,260,379, March 1, 2022.