We report a simple and quick route for the preparation of high-quality, nearly monodisperse $Bi_2Te_3$, $Sb_2Te_3$, and $Bi_xSb_{2-x}-Te_3$ nanocrystallites. The reactions of bismuth acetate or antimony acetate with Te in oleic acid result in pure phase of $Bi_2Te_3$ or $Sb_2Te_3$ nanoparticles, respectively. Also, ternary $Bi_xSb_{2-x}Te_3$ nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using the same method. The size and morphology of the nanoparticles were controlled by varying the stabilizing agents. The as-prepared nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and high-resolution transmission electron microscope using an energy dispersive spectroscopy.

Nanocarbon supported Fe/$TiO_2$ composite catalysts were prepared using CNTs (carbon nanotubes) and $C_{60}$ (fullerene) as nanocarbon sources by a modified sol-gel method. The Fe/$TiO_2$-nanocarbon composites were characterized by the BET surface area, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and UV-vis spectra. In comparison with non-nanocarbon doped Fe/$TiO_2$ composites, the nanocarbon supported Fe/$TiO_2$ composites had higher absorption ability with a larger specific surface area, and showed higher photocatalytic activity during the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light. The reasons for the obvious increase of photocatalytic activity indicated that the photoactivity not only benefits from nanocarbon introduced, but also relates to the cooperative effect of the Fe as a dopant.

A series of N(2)-benzothiazolyl substituted tetrahydroindazoles has been synthesized via cyclic ${\beta}$ keto esters. Optimum reaction condition was found as acidic toluene and effect of higher acidity towards substituted hydrazines in situ was described. Synthesized compounds have been achieved as single isomer and characterized by using 1D and 2D NMR spectral reports. Antimicrobial screening was carried out for the synthesized compounds along with a series of N(2)-pyridyl tetrahydroindazoles.1 The results of the in vitro antimicrobial screening studies revealed that compounds 13, 16 against Staphylococcus aureus, 11 against Escherichia coli, 10-12, 16 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 12 against Klebsiella pneumoniae recorded almost two-fold better activity compared to the standard drug used.

We investigated the separation of nitrogen heterocyclic compound (NHC) contained in a model coal tar fraction comprising four kinds of NHC [indole (In), quinoline (Q), iso-quinoline (iQ), quinaldine (Qu)], three kinds of bicyclic aromatic compound (BAC) [1-methylnaphthalene (1MN), 2-methylnaphthalene (2MN), dimethylnaphthalene (DMN) mixture with ten structural isomers (DMNs; regarded as one component)], biphenyl (Bp) and phenyl ether (Pe) by liquid membrane permeation (LMP). A batch-stirred tank was used as the permeation unit. An aqueous solution of saponin and n-hexane were used as the liquid membrane and the outer oil phase, respectively. Yield and selectivity of individual NHC was much larger than that of BAC, Bp and Pe. Increasing the initial mass fraction of the saponin to the membrane solution ($C_{sap,0}$) and the initial volume fraction of O/W emulsion to total liquid in a stirred tank (${\phi}_{OW,0}$) resulted in deteriorating the yield of individual NHC, but increasing the stirring speed (N) resulted in improving the yield of each NHC. With increasing $C_{sap,0}$, the selectivity of each NHC based on DMNs increased. Increasing ${\phi}_{OW,0}$ and N resulted in decreasing the selectivity of individual NHC based on DMNs. At an experimental condition fixed, the sequence of the yield and selectivity in reference to DMNs for each NHC was Q > Qu = iQ > In. Furthermore, we compared LPM method with methanol extraction method in view of the separation efficiency (yield, selectivity) of NHC.

Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry using isotope dilution method has been established as a primary method for the measurement of cortisol in human serum. Verification of this method was accomplished by the participation in Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance-Metrology in Chemistry (CCQM) pilot study. Two levels of cortisol certified reference materials were prepared and certified by the established method. They were used as sample materials for the proficiency testing. The expanded uncertainty in the measurement of cortisol in human serum was approximately 1.2% at 95% confidence level. The results of the proficiency testing showed a good precision among the participants, but some bias to the certified values. This means that commercial field laboratories should keep traceability chain to SI unit through available reference measurement procedures and/or available reference materials.

Microwave-assisted Michael reaction between EMME and various amines such as diphenylamine, 4-methyl-N-phenylbenzenamine, N-phenylnaphthalen-1-amine, dihexylamine, diisopropylamine, and 4-nitrobenzenamine were described. Solvent-free conditions on alumina as solid support in the presence of $K_2CO_3$ catalysts gave moderate to good yields (55 - 93%) of diethylmalonate analogues having enamine moieties under focused microwave irradiation.

Several triterpenoid saponins from root of Pulsatilla koreana Nakai (Ranunculaceae) were studied and their biological activities were reported. It is difficult to analyze triterpenoid saponins using HPLC-UV due to the lack of chromophores. So, evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) is used as a valuable alternative to UV detection. More recently, a charged aerosol detection (CAD) has been developed to improve the sensitivity and reproducibility of ELSD. In this study, we developed and validated a novel method of high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a charged aerosol detector for the simultaneous determination of four triterpenoid saponins: pulsatilloside E, pulsatilla saponin H, anemoside B4 and cussosaponin C. Analytes were separated by the Supelco Ascentis$^{(R)}$ Express C18 column (4.6 mm ${\times}$ 150 mm, 2.7 ${\mu}m$) with gradient elution of methanol and water at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min at $30^{\circ}C$. We examined various factors that could affect the sensitivity of the detectors, including various concentrations of additives, the pH of the mobile phase, and the CAD range. Linear calibration curves were obtained within the concentration ranges of 2 - 200 ${\mu}g$/mL for pulsatilloside E, anemoside $B_4$ and cussosaponin C, and 5 - 500 ${\mu}g$/mL for pulsatilla saponin H with correlation coefficient ($R^2$) greater than 0.995. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.04 - 0.2 and 2 - 5 ${\mu}g$/mL, respectively. The validity of the developed HPLC-CAD method was confirmed by satisfactory values of linearity, intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision. This method could be successfully applied to quality evaluation, quality control and monitoring of Pulsatilla koreana.

The lyotropic mesomorphism of lamellar liquid crystalline phase was examined by observing the swelling behavior of Distearoylphosphatidylcholine(DSPC) in glycerin and panthenol without water. The lyotropic mesomorphism was examined by using DSC, XRDs and Cryo-SEM. Increase of two polar solvents under non-hydrous condition showed distinctive differences in the lyotropic mesomorphism from forming different anisotropic structures with DSPC. Glycerin did not affect to the crystalline region of lamellar phase, whereas typical swelling mesomorphism was shown in the noncrystalline region. In contrast, panthenol showed some effect on the crystalline region, but common swelling mesomorphism was found in the non-crystalline region. In this case, the isopropyl and propyl groups in panthenol were the main factor to affect to the lipophilic domain in the crystalline region of lamellar phase. Also, it was found that the formation of well-arranged lamellar structure only by introducing glycerin and panthenol as a solvent without water, was possible. These results were confirmed by examination of the swelling mesomorphism of liquid crystal membrane triggered by introducing the two polar solvents.

Regioselective perfluorinated [3+2] cycloadducts and 1,2-adducts have been prepared by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between benzaldoxime NH-nitrone and perfluorinated alkene, perfluoro-2-methyl-2-pentene. Although the cycloaddition reaction is carried out at room temperature, the corresponding perfluorinated compounds are effectively produced in a high yield. In particular, the methoxy-substituted adducts (4 and 7a) show the self-assembled structure by intermolecular interactions. These derivatives were characterized by IR, $^1H$ and $^{19}F$ NMR, and the absolute structure of perfluorinated adducts was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

The synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles coated by Gd-chelate (GdL@Au) is described, where L is a conjugate of DTPA (DTPA = diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N",N"-pentaacetic acid) and 4-aminothiophenol. These particles are obtained by the replacement of citrate from the gold nanoparticle surfaces with gadolinium chelate (GdL). The average size of GdL@Au is 12 nm with a loading of GdL reaching up to $1.4{\times}10^3$ per particles, and they demonstrate very high r1 relaxivity (${\sim}10^4mM^{-1}s^{-1}$) and the r1 relaxivity per [Gd] is as high as $10mM^{-1}s{-1}$. Here, we also describe the use of bimodality of this contrast agent (CA) as a highly efficient CT contrast agent based on gold nanoparticles (GNPs) that overcome the limitations of iodine based contrast agent. The MTT assay performed on this CAs reveals the cytotoxicity as low as that for Omniscan$^{(R)}$ in the concentration range required to obtain intensity enhancement in the in vivo MRI study.

A novel poly(safranine)-modified electrode has been constructed for the determination of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in natural water sample. The electrochemical behavior of poly(safranine) film electrode and its electrocatalytic activity toward 4-NP were studied in detail by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and adsorptive linear stripping voltammetry (LSV). All experimental parameters were optimized and LSV was proposed for its determination. In optimal working conditions, the reduction current of 4-NP at this poly(safranine)-modified electrode exhibited a good linear relationship with 4-NP concentration in the range of $8.0{\times}10^{-8}$ to $4.0{\times}10^{-5}mol\;L^{-1}$. The detection limit was $3.0{\times}10^{-8}mol\;L^{-1}$. The high sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor were demonstrated by its practical application for the determination of trace amounts of 4-NP in natural water and fruit samples.

$^1H-^{15}N$ heteronuclear dipolar coupling solid-state NMR experiments on lipid bilayer or bicelle samples are very useful for the structural studies of membrane proteins. However, to study these biological samples using solid-state NMR, a specific probe with high efficiency and high capability is required. In this paper, we describe the optimized design, construction, and efficiency of a 400 MHz wide-bore $^1H-^{15}N$ solid-state NMR probe with 5-mm solenoidal rf coil for high power, multi-pulse sequence experiments, such as 2D PISEMA or 2D SAMMY.

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are emerging contaminants in the aquatic environment. Many pharmaceuticals are not completely removed during wastewater treatment, leading to their presence in wastewater treatment effluents, rivers, lakes, and ground water. Here, we developed analytical methods for monitoring ten pharmaceuticals from surface water by LC/ESI-MS/MS. For sample clean-up and extraction, MCX (mixed cation exchange) and HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges were used. The limits of detection (LOD) in distilled water and the blank surface water were in the range of 0.006 - 0.65 and 1.66 - 45.05 pg/mL, respectively. The limits of quantitation (LOQ) for the distilled water and the blank surface water were in the range of 0.02 - 2.17 and 5.52 - 150.15 pg/mL, respectively. The absolute recoveries for fortified water samples were between 62.1% and 125.4%. Intra-day precision and accuracy for the blank surface water were 2.9% - 24.1% (R.S.D.) and -16.3% - 16.3% (bias), respectively. In surface wastewater near rivers, chlortetracycline and acetylsalicylic acid were detected frequently in the range of 0.017 - 5.404 and 0.029 - 0.269 ng/mL, respectively. Surface water near rivers had higher levels than surface water of domestic treatment plants.

Second-order rate constants ($k_N$) have been measured spectrophotometrically for Michael-type reactions of 1-(X-substituted phenyl)-2-propyn-1-ones (2a-f) with a series of alicyclic secondary amines in MeCN at $25.0{\pm}0.1^{\circ}C$. The $k_N$ value increases as the incoming amine becomes more basic and the substituent X changes form an electron-donating group (EDG) to an electron-withdrawing group (EWG). The Br${\o}$nsted-type plots are linear with ${\beta}_{nuc}$ = 0.48 - 0.51. The Hammett plots for the reactions of 2a-f exhibit poor correlations but the corresponding Yukawa-Tsuno plots result in much better linear correlations with ${\rho}$ = 1.57 and r = 0.46 for the reactions with piperidine while ${\rho}$ = 1.72 and r = 0.39 for those with morpholine. The amines employed in this study are less reactive in MeCN than in water for reactions with substrates possessing an EDG, although they are ca. 8 pKa units more basic in the aprotic solvent. This indicates that the transition state (TS) is significantly more destabilized than the ground state (GS) in the aprotic solvent. It has been concluded that the reactions proceed through a stepwise mechanism with a partially charged TS, since such TS would be destabilized in the aprotic solvent due to the electronic repulsion between the negative-dipole end of MeCN and the negative charge of the TS. The fact that primary deuterium kinetic effect is absent supports a stepwise mechanism in which proton transfer occurs after the rate-determining step.

Anion recognition via hydrogen-bonding interactions could be monitored with changes in UV-vis absorption spectra and in some cases easily monitored with naked eye. Urea receptors 1 and 2 connected with both an azo group and a nitrophenyl group as a signaling group for color change proved to be an efficient naked eye receptor for the fluoride ion. The anion recognition phenomena of the receptors 1 and 2 via hydrogen-bonding interactions were investigated through UV-vis absorption and $^1H$ NMR spectra.

Reactions of 2-methyl-2-chloroadamantane (1) in a variety of pure and binary solvents have been studied at various temperatures and pressures up to 80 MPa. The sensitivity (m) to changes in solvent ionizing power of the Grunwald-Winstein equation, and the activation volume (${\Delta}V^{\ddag}$) are calculated from the specific rates. An excellent linear relationship (R = 0.997) for 1, log (k/$k_0$) = $0.80Y_{Cl}$ + 0.11, and the activation volume, ${\Delta}V^{\ddag}$ = -15.2 ~ -10.2 $mL{\cdot}mol^{-1}$ were observed. These values are similar to those for solvolyses of 1-adamantyl halides over the full range of solvents, suggesting that the unimolecular mechanism involving ion pairs is rate-determining. These observations are also compared with those previously reported for the corresponding 1-adamantyl derivatives and chloroformate esters.

We demonstrate the possible application of the sandwich type surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) immunoassay using antigen-antibody binding for detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in cancer cells. In this sandwich type of SERS immunoassay, to capture antigens onto the immobilized layer of antibodies on the gold substrate we prepared the monolayer of gold nanoparticles on the APTMS-derivatized surface of a glass slide by using the SAM technique. This sandwich type of SERS immunoassay in which antigens on the substrate specifically capture antibodies on a Raman reporter (DSNB coated gold nanoparticles with R6G) could successfully detect PSA at low levels. A strong SERS spectrum of Raman reporter was observed only with a substrate in which PSA is present.

A simple and efficient method has been developed for conversion of arenecarbaldehyde-3-methylquinoxalin-2-ylhydrazones to 3-(2-methylquinoxalin-3-yl)-2-(substitutedphenyl)thiazolidin-4-ones in good yields using microwave irradiation technique on silica as solid support under solvent free conditions. The synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental microanalysis, infrared spectroscopy, $^1H$ NMR, and mass spectroscopy. All the synthesized thiazolidinones were investigated for their antimicrobial and antifungal activities. The results of the biological activities revealed that the compounds 3b, 3d, 3f and 3h exhibited excellent antibacterial activities while 3d and 3h exhibited good antifungal activity.

In this study, the orientational behavior of thermotropic liquid crystals (LC) supported on a film of protein receptors was examined. Avidin was roller printed and covalently immobilized onto the surface of gold using NHS/EDC chemistry. The orientation of nematic 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) was found to be parallel to the plane of the printed avidin surface before incubation with a solution of biotin. However, protein-receptor complexation induced a random orientation of 5CB, where protein-receptor complexes disturbed the nanoscale topography of the printed protein surface. Atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry was used to confirm printing and the specific interaction of proteins. These results demonstrate that the combination of LC and roller printing can be used to detect specific interactions between biomolecules by manipulating the orientational behavior of LC to the printed protein surfaces.

The nanocomposites of polypyrrole (PPy) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) with different composition are synthesized by the chemical oxidative polymerization method. In these composites, the MWCNTs are uniformly coated by PPy with different thickness. The electrochemical properties of the composite electrodes are investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The full cells assembled with the PPy/MWCNT composite electrodes deliver initial specific capacitances ranging from 146.3 to 167.2 F/g at 0.5 mA/$cm^2$ and exhibit stable cycling characteristics. The effect of content of MWCNT in the composite on cycling performance of the cells is also investigated.

2,3-Dichloro-1,4-naphtoquinone 1 compound was reacted with octadecanethiol 2 in two different mole ratio. Compound 3 was obtained from the reaction of 1 and 2 in 1:2 mole/mole ratio. Compounds 7 and 8 were obtained from reaction of 1 and 2 in 1:1 mole/mole ratio and known compound 9 was synthesized as by-product in this reaction. Novel compounds 5a-e were obtained from reaction of 1 and related thiols 4a-e. Known compounds 6c and 6e were synthesized as by-product in this reaction. The structures of the compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, UV-vis, FTIR, $^1H$-NMR, $^{13}C$-NMR and Mass spectroscopies.

The mechanical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)-reinforced epoxy matrix composites with different weight percentages of MWNTs have been investigated. Also, the morphologies and failure behaviors of the composites after mechanical tests are studied by SEM and TEM analyses. As a result, the addition of MWNTs into the epoxy matrix has a remarkable effect on the mechanical properties. And the fracture surfaces of MWNTs/epoxy composites after flexural strength tests show different failure mechanisms for the composites under different nanotube contents. Also, a chemical functionalization of MWNTs can be a useful tool to improve the dispersion of the nanotubes in an epoxy system, resulting in increasing the mechanical properties of the composite materials studied.

Ternary Cu/ZnO/$Al_2O_3$ catalysts were prepared by a co-precipitation method. The precursor structures were monitored during the aging. The first precipitate structure was amorphous georgeite, which transformed into the unknown crystalline structure. The transition crystalline structure was assigned to the crystalline georgeite, which was suggested with elemental analysis, IR and XRD. The final structure of precursors was malachite. The Cu surface area of the resulting Cu/ZnO/$Al_2O_3$ was maximized to be 30.6 $m^2$/g at the aging time of 36 h. The further aging rapidly decreased Cu surface areas of Cu/ZnO/$Al_2O_3$. ZnO characteristic peaks in oxide samples almost disappeared after 24 h aging, indicating that ZnO was dispersed in around bulk CuO. TOF of the prepared catalysts of the Cu surface area ranges from 13.0 to 30.6 $m^2/g_{cat}$ was to be 2.67 ${\pm}$ 0.27 mmol/$m^2$.h in methanol synthesis at the condition of $250^{\circ}C$, 50 atm and 12,000 mL/$g_{cat}$. h irrespective of the XRD and TPR patterns of CuO and ZnO structure in CuO/ZnO/$Al_2O_3$. The pH of the precipitate solution during the aging time can be maintained at 7 by $CO_2$ bubbling into the precipitate solution. Then, the decrease of Cu surface area by a long aging time can be prevented and minimize the aging time to get the highest Cu surface area.

We propose an improved solvent contact model to estimate the solvation free energies of amino acids from individual atomic contributions. The modification of the solvation model involves the optimization of three kinds of parameters in the solvation free energy function: atomic fragmental volume, maximum atomic occupancy, and atomic solvation parameters. All of these atomic parameters for 17 atom types are developed by the operation of a standard genetic algorithm in such a way to minimize the difference between experimental and calculated solvation free energies. The present solvation model is able to predict the experimental solvation free energies of amino acids with the squared correlation coefficients of 0.94 and 0.93 for the parameterization with Gaussian and screened Coulomb potential as the envelope functions, respectively. This result indicates that the improved solvent contact model with the newly developed atomic parameters would be a useful tool for the estimation of the molecular solvation free energy of a protein in aqueous solution.

A polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/Ag nanocomposites was prepared by the simultaneous thermal reduction and radical polymerization route. The in situ synthesis of the Ag/PVP nanocomposites is based on the finding that the silver n-propylcarbamate (Ag-PCB) complex can be directly dissolved in the NVP monomer, and decomposed by only heat treatment in the range of 110 to $130^{\circ}C$ to form silver metal. Silver nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution (5 - 40 nm) were obtained, which were well dispersed in the PVP matrix. A successful synthesis of Ag/PVP nanocomposites then proceeded upon heat treatment as low as $110^{\circ}C$. Moreover, important advantages of the in situ synthesis of Ag/PVP composites include that no additives (e.g. solvent, surface-active agent, or reductant of metallic ions) are used, and that the stable silver nanocolloid solution can be directly prepared in high concentration simply by dissolving the Ag/PVP nanocomposites in water or organic solvent.

The electrochemical performances of anode composites comprising elemental silicon (Si), silicon monoxide (SiO), and graphite (C) were investigated. The composite devoid of elemental silicon (SiO:C = 1:1) and its carbon coated composite showed reduced capacity degradation with measured values of 606 and 584 mAh/g at the fiftieth cycle. The capacity retention nature when the composites were cycled followed the order of Si:SiO:C = 3:1:4 < Si:SiO:C = 2:2:4 < SiO:C = 1:1 < SiO:C = 1:1 (carbon coated). A comparison of the capacity retention properties for the composites in terms of the silicon content showed that a reduced silicon content increased the stability of the composite electrodes. Even though the carbon-coated composite delivered low capacity during cycling compared to the other composites, its low capacity degradation made the anode a better choice for lithium ion batteries.

In this study, we investigated the use of liquid crystals to selectively detect the activity of enzymes at interfaces decorated with oligopeptide-based membranes. We prepared a mixed monolayer of tetra(ethylene glycol)-terminated lipids and carboxylic acid-terminated lipids at the aqueous-liquid crystal (LC) interface. The 17 amino-acid oligopeptide SNFKTIYDEANQFATYK was then immobilized onto this mixed monolayer through N-hydroxysuccinimide-activation of the carboxylic acid groups. We examined the orientational behavior of nematic 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) after conjugation of the 17 amino-acid oligopeptide with the mixed monolayer assembled at the interface. Immobilization of the oligopeptide caused orientational transitions in 5CB, with a change from homeotropic (perpendicular) to tilted alignment, which was primarily due to the reorganization of the monolayer. The orientation of the 5CB molecules returned to its homeotropic state after contacting the interface containing ${\alpha}$-chymotrypsin, which can cleave the immobilized oligopeptide. Control experiments confirmed that the enzymatic activity of ${\alpha}$-chymotrypsin triggered the ordering transitions in the LC. These results suggest that the LC can provide a facile method for selective detection of enzymatic activity.

The pure crystalline $Li_{1.1}V_{0.9}O_2$ powder has been prepared by a simple solid state reaction of $Li_2CO_3$ and $V_2O_3$ precursors under nitrogen gas containing 10 mol % hydrogen gas flow. The structure of $Li_{1.1}V_{0.9}O_2$ powder was analyzed using Xray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The stoichiometric $Li_{1.1}V_{0.9}O_2$ powder was used as anode active material for lithium secondary batteries. Its electrochemical properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and constant current methods using lithium foil electrode. The observed specific discharge capacity and charge capacity were 360 mAh/g and 260 mAh/g during the first cycle, respectively. In addition, the cyclic efficiency of this cell was 72.2% in the first cycle. The specific capacity of $Li_{1.1}V_{0.9}O_2$ anode rapidly declines as the current rate increases and retains only 30 % of the capacity of 0.1C rate at 1C rate. The crystallinity of the $Li_{1.1}V_{0.9}O_2$ anode decrease as discharge reaction proceeds. However, the relative intensity of main peaks was almost recovered when the cell was charged up to 1.5 V.

Malassezia is a pathogenic fungus that causes skin diseases, such as tinea versicolor, atopic dermatitis and fatal sepsis. We report the synthesis of a series of benzoxazole amides and evaluation of their antifungal activity against Malassezia furfur. Twelve benzoxazole amides were prepared through the cyclization of the substituted 2-hydroxy aniline with N-(bis-methylsulfanylmethylene) amides. Among the prepared compounds, the compounds 4a, 8b, 8c and 8d showed in vitro antifungal activity.

We have carried out the surface modification of photocatalytic $TiO_2$ with triethoxysilane through dehydrogenation reaction and characterized the modified photocatalyst by spectroscopic methods, such as FT-IR, solid-state $^{29}Si$ MAS NMR, XPS, and XRF, etc. We also examined photocatalytic activity of the immobilized photocatalytic titanium dioxide with triethoxysilane by decolorization reaction of dyes such as cong red and methylene blue under visible light. Dispersion test showed that the photocatalytic titanium dioxide immobilized with triethoxysilane group has kept higher dispersibility than titanium dioxide itself. No appreciable precipitation takes place even after standing for 24 h in the 4:6 mixture ratio of ethanol and water.

A new chiral catalyst was synthesized and found that it could catalyzed the asymmetric Michael reaction of ketones with nitroolefins smoothly at room temperature, giving the desired adducts in 71 - 92% yields with excellent diastereoselectivities and high enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee).

A novel polyaminopolycarboxylate ligand with many coordination sites, N,N,$N^1,N^1,N^2,N^2$-[( 2,4,6-tri(aminomethyl)-pyridine]hexakis(acetic acid) (TPHA), was designed and synthesized and its lanthanide complexes $Na_6Tb_2$(TPHA)$Cl_6{\cdot}14H_2O$, $Na_6Eu_2$(TPHA)$Cl_6{\cdot}8H_2O$, $Na_6Gd_2$(TPHA)$Cl_6{\cdot}11H_2O$ and $Na_6Sm_2$(TPHA)$Cl_6{\cdot}9H_2O$ were successfully prepared. The ligand and the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, mass, NMR and TG-DTA. The TG-DTA studies indicated that the complexes had a high thermal stability, whose initial decomposition temperature was over $270^{\circ}C$. The luminescence properties of the complexes in solid state were investigated and the results suggested that $Tb^{3+}$ and $Eu^{3+}$ ions could be sensitized efficiently by the ligand, especially the Tb(III) complex displayed a very strong luminescence intensity (> 10000) and only displayed characteristic metal-centered luminescence. Also, the correlative comparison between the structure of ligand and luminescence properties showed how the number of the coordination atoms of ligand can be a prominent factor in the effectiveness of ligand-to-metal energy transfer.

Novel $H_8$-binaphthol-based chiral receptors appended with an uryl moiety (2a) and a guanidinium moiety (2b) have been designed and synthesized for the enantioselective recognition of 1,2-amino alcohols via reversible imine formation. The selectivities ($K_R/K_S$ = 9.8 ~ 19.4) of 2b in imine formation with 1,2-amino alcohols are higher than those of 2a ($K_R/K_S$ = 1.8 ~ 4.5). Similar efficiency trend have been observed in the conversion of L-amino acids to D-amino acids, i.e., the efficiency of the receptor 2b (D/L ratio: 4.3 ~ 10.1) is superior to 2a (D/L ratio: 4.0 ~ 8.7).

The $CO_2-CH_4$ reaction catalyzed by Ni/silicon wafers was kinetically studied by using a photoacoustic technique. The catalytic reaction was performed at various partial pressures of $CO_2$ and $CH_4$ (50 Torr total pressure of $CO_2/CH_4/N_2$) in the temperature range of 500 - $650^{\circ}C$ in a static reactor system. The photoacoustic signal that varied with the $CO_2$ concentration during the catalytic reaction was recorded as a function of time. Under the reaction conditions, the $CO_2$ photoacoustic measurements showed the as-prepared Ni thin film sample to be inactive for the reaction, while the $CO_2/CH_4$ reactions carried out in the presence of the sample pre-treated in $H_2$ at $600^{\circ}C$ were associated with significant time-dependent changes in the $CO_2$ photoacoustic signal. The rate of $CO_2$ disappearance was measured from the $CO_2$ photoacoustic signal data in the early reaction period of 50 - 150 sec to obtain precise kinetic data. The apparent activation energy for $CO_2$ consumption was determined to be 6.9 kcal/mol from the $CO_2$ disappearance rates. The partial reaction orders, determined from the $CO_2$ disappearance rates measured at various $PCO{_2}'S$ and $PCH{_4}'S$ at $600^{\circ}C$, were determined to be 0.33 for $CH_4$ and 0.63 for $CO_2$, respectively. Kinetic data obtained in these measurements were compared with previous works and were discussed to construct a catalytic reaction mechanism for the $CO_2-CH_4$ reaction over Ni/silicon wafer at low pressures.

The Indium modified mesoporous zeolite AlMCM-41 were synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) techniques. The Knoevenagel condensation of aldehyde with malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate was carried out at reflux condition in ethanol by using heterogeneous In/AlMCM-41 catalyst. This method is fast, efficient, easy work-up and eco-friendly to afford the corresponding Knoevenagel adducts. The catalyst was recovered and reused for several cycles with consistent activity.

Regioselective perfluorinated isoxazolidine (5 and 7), isoxazoline (9) and 1,2-addition products (6 and 8) having a long alkyl chain functionality have been prepared by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between a 1,3-dipole (NH-nitrone or nitrile oxide) and dipolarophile (perfluoro-2-methyl-2-pentene or styrene), respectively. Interestingly, unusual extended conjugated form of isoxazoline adduct (10) was obtained by dehydrofluorinated reaction from the corresponding perfluorinated isoxazoline adduct (9) which was derived from cycloadition between the perfluorinated long alkyl nitrile oxide 1,3-diplole and styrene olefin. This synthetic methodology of heterocyclic compound having a long alkyl chain functionality is useful for the designing of synthetic strategy and potential self-assembled monolayers (SAM) application. These derivatives were characterized by IR, $^1H$ and $^{19}F$ NMR, and MASS analysis.

The effects of boronic acid on the fluoride-selective chemosignaling behavior of a merocyanine dye were investigated. In the presence of phenylboronic acid (PBA), N-methylquinolinium-based merocyanine dye displayed fluoride-selective chromogenic signaling behavior over other commonly coexisting anions in the micromolar concentration range. Signaling is produced by a fluoride-induced displacement of the dye from its complex with PBA, resulting in a significant chromogenic signal for the fluoride ion. This signaling was successfully analyzed using a ratiometric analysis of the UV-vis absorption in response to changes in fluoride ion concentration. A PBA substituted with an electron withdrawing group was found to exhibit a more pronounced signal. Polymer-bound PBA also exhibited useful fluoride-selective signaling behavior.

The $[Ru(tpy)_2]Cl_2$ (tpy:2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) complex was synthesized and its structure was confirmed by $^1H$-NMR and elemental analysis. Its binding mode toward DNA was compared with the well-known $[Ru(bpy)_3]Cl_2$ (bpy:2,2-bipyridyl), using isotropic absorption, linear dichroism(LD) spectroscopy, and an energy minimization study. Compared to $[Ru(bpy)_3]^{2+}$, the $[Ru(tpy)_2]^{2+}$ complex exhibited very little change in its absorption pattern, especially in the MLCT band, upon binding to DNA. Furthermore, upon DNA binding, both Ru(II) complexes induced a decrease in the LD magnitude in the DNA absorption region. The $[Ru(tpy)_2]^{2+}$ complex produced a strong positive LD signal in the ligand absorption region, which is in contrast with the $[Ru(bpy)_3]^{2+}$ complex. Observed spectral properties led to the conclusion that the interaction between the ligands and DNA bases is negligible for the $[Ru(tpy)_2]^{2+}$ complex, although it formed an adduct with DNA. This conclusion implies that both complexes bind to the surface of DNA, most likely to negatively charged phosphate groups via a simple electrostatic interaction, thereby orienting to exhibit the LD signal. The energy minimization calculation also supported this conclusion.

Tyrosinase ubiquitously existing from microorganisms to animals and plants is known to be the most critical and rate limiting enzyme during melanin biosynthesis. In order to develop new tyrosinase inhibitor we have synthesized 14 diphenyl ether compounds possessing hydroxyl, bromo, and nitro groups in the structure. Among the compounds prepared, 18 and 19 have shown much stronger inhibition of tyrosinase monophenolase function than arbutin used as a positive control. Both compounds 18 and 19 possess para-hydroxyphenyl moiety in their structure, which might reinforce the importance of p-hydroxyphenyl group in the tyrosinase inhibitory process. In the DPPH radical scavenging activity test, none of the compounds even 18 and 19 showed significant antioxidant activity. The results suggest that elaborate adjustment of diphenyl ether analogues with proper substituents have potential to be developed as new skin whitening agents working on the tyrosinase function.

Evidences have proved the versatile role of sulfur atom in supramolecular chemistry. $^1$Presence of S atom in the molecule usually results in the specific structural properties of molecules. In the present study, $S{\cdots}arene$, $N{\cdots}arene$, $CH{\cdots}{\pi}$, $CH{\cdots}S$ and $CH{\cdots}N$ type of weak interactions stabilize the conformation and self assembly of symmetrical as well as dissymmetrical molecules.

A novel spherical carbon composite material, in which nanosized disordered carbons are dispersed in a soft carbon matrix, has been prepared and investigated for use as a potential anode material for lithium ion batteries. Disordered carbons were synthesized by ball milling natural graphite in air. The composite was prepared by mixing the ball-milled graphite with petroleum pitch powder, pelletizing the mixture, and pyrolyzing the pellets at $1200^{\circ}C$ in an argon flow. The ballmilled graphite consists of distorted nanocrystallites and amorphous phases. In the composite particle, nanosized flakes are uniformly distributed in a soft carbon matrix, as revealed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments. The composite is compatible with a pure propylene carbonate (PC) electrolyte and shows high rate capability and excellent cycling performance. The electrochemical properties are comparable to those of hard carbon.

Three cobalt-iron Prussian Blue Analogues (PBAs) nanotubes contained with different alkali metal cations of K, Rb or Cs, respectively, were prepared by using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)/ethanol-water micelles as soft templates. The products were characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron micrograph (SEM), which confirmed the composition of the substances and their unique nanotube structures. Furthermore, the formation mechanism of the PBAs nanotubes was discussed and provided useful insight for further synthesis of nanotubes of other Prussian blue analogues.

$^{31}P$ NMR and ESI-MS studies of $Cu^{2+}$ binding to Fenitrothion (FN) were performed by experimentally and theoretically. The calculated $^{31}P$ NMR chemical shifts for FN-$Cu^{2+}$ complexes are in good agreement with experimental chemical shifts in order, and the results present an important information for organophosphorus pesticide metal complexes. ESI-MS and low energy CID MS/MS experiments of FN-$Cu^{2+}$ complexes combined with accurate mass measurements give insight into the metal localization and allow unambiguous identification of fragments and hydrolysis products.

Pyridine dicarbonitriles have been synthesized good yields via a one-pot multi.component reaction of aldehyde, malononitrile, and thiol in the presence of sodium silicate as a catalyst in ethanol.

Highly monodisperse polystyrene (PS) nanospheres were fabricated by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization in water using styrene, 2,2'-azobis(2-methyl propionamidine) dihydrochloride (AIBA), and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP). The size and distribution of the PS nanospheres were systematically investigated in terms of initiator concentration, stabilizer concentration, reaction temperature, reaction time, and reactant concentration. With increasing AIBA initiator concentration, PS particle sizes are raised proportionally, and can be controlled from 120 to 380 nm. Particle sizes were reduced with increasing PVP concentration. This decrease occurs because a high PVP concentration leads to a large number of primary nuclei in the early stage of polymerization. When the reaction temperature increased, the sizes of the PS particles decrease slightly. The particles grew quickly during the initial reaction stage (1-3 h) and the growth rate became steady-state after 6 h. The PS sizes approximately doubled when the reactant (styrene, PVP, azo-initiator) concentrations were increased by a factor of eight.

The geometries and isomerization of the alkylidene silylenoid $H_2C$ = SiLiF as well as its insertion reactions with R-H (R = F, OH, $NH_2$) have been systematically investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+$G^*$ level of theory. The potential barriers of the three insertion reactions are 97.5, 103.3, and 126.1 kJ/mol, respectively. Here, all the mechanisms of the three reactions are identical to each other, i.e., an intermediate has been formed first during the insertion reaction. Then, the intermediate could dissociate into the substituted silylene ($H_2C$ = SiHR) and LiF with a barrier corresponding to their respective dissociation energies. Correspondingly, the reaction energies for the three reactions are -36.4, -24.3, and 3.7 kJ/mol, respectively. Compared with the insertion reaction of $H_2C$ = Si: and R-H (R = F, OH and $NH_2$), the introduction of LiF makes the insertion reaction occur more easily. Furthermore, the effects of halogen (F, Cl, Br) substitution and inorganic salts employed on the reaction activity have also been discussed. As a result, the relative reactivity among the three insertion reactions should be as follows: H-F > H-OH > H-$NH_2$.

In order to search new inhibitors against farnesyl protein transferase (FPTase), a series of 2,3-bis-benzylidenesuccinaldehyde derivatives (1-29) were synthesized and their inhibition activities ($pI_{50}$) against FPTase were measured. From based on the reported results that the inhibitory activities of dimers 2,3-bis-benzylidenesuccinaldehydes were higher than those of monomers cinnamaldehydes, 3D-QSARs on FPTase inhibitory activities of the dimers (1-29) were studied quantitatively using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) methods. The statistical qualities of the optimized CoMFA model II ($r^2{_{cv.}}$= 0.693 and $r^2{_{ncv.}}$= 0.974) was higher than those of the CoMSIA model II ($r^2{_{cv.}}$ = 0.484 and $r^2{_{ncv.}}$ = 0.928). The dependence of CoMFA models on chance correlations was evaluated with progressive scrambling analyses. And the inhibitory activity exhibited a strong correlation with steric factors of the substrate molecules. Therefore, from the results of graphical analyses on the contour maps and of predicted higher inhibitory active compounds, it is suggested that the structural distinctions and descriptors that contribute to inhibitory activities ($pI_{50}$) against FPTase will be able to applied new inhibitor design.

A series of O,O-dialkyl-1-phenoxyacetoxy-1-methylphosphonate analogues (1~22) as a new class of potent inhibitors of pyruvate dehydrogenase were synthesized and 3D-QSARs (three dimensional qantitative structure-activity relationships) models on the pre-emergency herbicidal activity against the seed of cucumber (Cucumus Sativa L.) were derived and discussed quantitatively using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indeces analysis (CoMSIA) methods. The statistical values of CoMSIA models were better predictability and fitness than those of CoMFA models. The inhibitory activities according to the optimized CoMSIA model I were dependent on the electrostatic field (41.4%), the H-bond acceptor field (26.0%), the hydrophobic field (20.8%) and the steric field (11.7%). And also, it was found that the optimized CoMSIA model I with the sensitivity to the perturbation ($d_q{^{2'}}/dr^2{_{yy'}}$ = 0.830) and the prediction ($q^2$ = 0.503) produced by a progressive scrambling analyses were not dependent on chance correlation. From the results of graphical analyses on the contour maps with the optimized CoMSIA model I, it is expected that the structural distinctions and descriptors that subscribe to herbicidal activities will be able to apply new an herbicide design.