Calixpyrroles and related macrocycles are non-planer synthetic anion receptors that have attracted considerable attentions in recent years. Although the synthesis of calix[4]pyrrole (known as meso-octamethylporphyrinogen) was reported more than 100 years ago, the anion binding properties were first discovered in 1996. The simple calix[4]pyrroles can be synthesized in single step in high yield by condensation of pyrrole with acetone. The compounds showed preferential binding for halide anions including fluoride, phosphate, carboxylate, and chloride in organic media. Efforts to improve the anion affinity of calix[4]pyrrole and to enhance its selectivity have led to the synthesis of a variety of new calixpyrrole derivatives. Among the various modifications, introduction of straps on one side of the calix[4]pyrroles are the most effective. Incorporation of aromatic rings other than pyrroles also exhibited interesting binding behaviour. Introduction of signalling units as part of the strapping element enable to detect the anions on chromogenic or fluorogenic fashion. Finding of the anion transport properties across the membrane and cytotoxic effects of the calix[4]pyrroles open new window for calixpyrrole-related research. The polymer-incorporated systems have also been employed as anion complexants in solvent-solvent extraction. These old, yet easy-to-make macrocycles have well advanced more recently with the discovery of the ion-pair complexation properties. In this review, the synthetic developments and anion binding properties of calixpyrroles for the last decades will be discussed and will cover the advances in calixpyrrole chemistry.

Under mild conditions and without any additional organic solvent, synthesis of carbamatoalkyl naphthols could be carried out in the present of two halogen-free Br${\phi}$nsted acidic ionic liquids, 3-methyl-1-(4-sulfonic acid)butylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate and N-(4-sulfonic acid)butylpyridinium hydrogen sulfate. A wide range of aromatic aldehydes easily undergo condensation with $\beta$-naphthol and methyl or benzyl carbamate to afford the desired products of good purity in excellent yields. The present methodology offers several advantages such as a simple procedure with an easy work-up, short reaction times, and excellent yields. The catalysts could be recycled and reused for several times without substantial reduction in their catalytic activities.

We report the complexation behavior of calix[4]arenemonoquinone-triacid (CTAQ), which is an electroactive and water-soluble receptor for calcium ion. UV-visible and NMR spectroscopic studies revealed that CTAQ in aqueous media forms 1:2 as well as 1:1 (metal ion:CTAQ) stoichiometric complexes with $Ca^{2+}$, $Sr^{2+}$, and $Ba^{2+}$ ions. The nonlinear fitting of titration curves based on UV-visible absorption spectra showed that the binding constants of CTAQ for $Ca^{2+}$ ion are 4 $({\pm}2){\times}10^6\;M^{-1}$ for 1:1 and 1.4 $({\pm}0.5){\times}10^{11}\;M^{-2}$ for 1:2 complex. NMR conformational studies and the titration curves corroborate that the $Ca^{2+}$:CTAQ complex in aqueous solution is not present in the form of merely 1:1 one, being consistent with UV-visible spectrophotometric results. The Monte Carlo simulation supports the presence of a stable conformer of 1:2 complexes in which a $Ca^{2+}$ ion is interposed between two CTAQs at the global minimum. This is the first model of 1:2 stoichiometric complex of calix[4]arene and alkaline earth ions in aqueous media.

A potentiometric sensor based on the Schiff base $(N^2E,N^{2'}E)-N^2,N^{2'}$-bis(thiophen-2-ylmethylene)-1,1'-binaphthl-2,2'-diamine has been synthesized and explored as an ionophore PVC-based membrane sensor selective for the silver ($Ag^+$) ion. Potentiometric investigations indicate a high affinity of this receptor for the silver ion. Seven membranes have been fabricated with different compositions, with the best performance shown by the membrane with an ionophore composition (w/w) of: 1.0 mg, PVC: 33.0 mg, DOA: 66.0 mg in 1.0 mL THF. The sensor worked well within a wide concentration range of $1.0{\times}10^{-2}$ to $1.0{\times}10^{-7}$ M, at pH 5, at room temperature (slope 57.4 mV/dec.), and with a rapid response time of 9 s; the sensor also showed good selectivity towards the silver ion over a huge number of interfering cations, with the highest selectivity coefficient for $Hg^{2+}$ at -3.7. Thus far, the best lower detection limit was $4.0{\times}10^{-8}$ M.

We have determined the urea concentration in an aqueous solution using Raman spectroscopy by incorporating a Teflon tube as an effective intensity correction standard as well as sample container. A non-overlapping Teflon band was used as the reference peak to correct Raman intensity variations that occasionally resulted from changes in laser power. To increase the sensitivity, we positioned a copper reflector inside the Teflon tube to maximize the collection of Raman scattering. The obtained accuracy using Raman spectroscopy was 0.53 mM, close to the range of accuracy of previous NIR studies (0.15-0.52 mM).

A method based on the TMS derivatives and acidic hydrolysis was developed for the simultaneous determination of free and conjugated steroidal hormones in surface water. A silylation of five natural and two synthetic steroidal hormones was achieved with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide/$NH_4I$ (1000:3) under catalysis of dithioerythritol for 60 min at $80^{\circ}C$. TMS derivatives of the steroid hormones containing multifunctional groups offer a single derivative product under this condition. The accuracy of the analytes was in the range of 87 to 110% at a concentration of 20 and 50 ng/L with relative standard deviations of less than 10%. The method detection limit was in the range of 0.01 to 0.02 ng/L for surface water. Natural steroidal hormones were detected in a concentration range of 0 to 1.03 ng/L in free form and 0 to 14.6 ng/L in conjugated form, respectively. We found that most of the natural hormonal steroids exist in conjugate forms (43 to 100%) in river water.

Three kinds of organometallic compounds (chromium acetylacetonate, magnesium acetate and vanadyl acetylacetonate) were used as transition metal precursor, titanium n-butoxide and multi-walled carbon nanotube as titanium and carbon precursor to prepare metal oxide-CNT/$TiO^2$ composites. The surface properties and morphology of metal oxide-CNT/$TiO^2$ composites were by Brauer-Emett-Teller (BET) surface area measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The photocatalytic activity of prepared metal oxide-CNT/$TiO^2$ composites was determined by the degradation effect of methylene blue in an aqueous solution under irradiation of visible light.

Design and synthesis of new 3,4-diarylpyrazole-1-carboxamide derivatives are described. Their antiproliferative activity against A375 human melanoma cell line was tested and the effect of substituents on the diarylpyrazole scaffold was investigated. The pharmacological results indicated that most of the synthesized compounds showed moderate activity against A375, compared with Sorafenib. On the other hand, compounds Ia, Ie, IIb, and IIh were more potent than Sorafenib. In addition, compound IIa was equipotent to Sorafenib. Among all of these derivatives, compound IIb which has diethylamino and phenolic moieties showed the most potent antiproliferative activity against A375 human melanoma cell line. Virtual screening was carried out through docking of the most potent compound IIb into the domain of V600E-b-Raf and the binding mode was studied.

A dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet (DLLME-SFO) has been developed as a new approach for the extraction of trace copper in water and beverage samples followed by the determination with flame atomic absorption spectrometry. In the DLLME-SFO, 8-hydroxy quinoline, 1-dodecanol, and methanol were used as chelating agent, extraction solvent and dispersive solvent, respectively. The experimental parameters related to the DLLME-SFO such as the type and volume of the extraction and dispersive solvent, extraction time, sample volume, the concentration of chelating agent and salt addition were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factor for copper was 122. The method was linear in the range from 0.5 to $300\;ng\;mL^{-1}$ of copper in the samples with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9996 and a limit of detection of $0.1\;ng\;mL^{-1}$. The method was applied to the determination of copper in water and beverage samples. The recoveries for the spiked water and beverage samples at the copper concentration levels of 5.0 and $10.0\;ng\;mL^{-1}$ were in the range between 92.0% and 108.0%. The relative standard deviations (RSD) varied from 3.0% to 5.6%.

This study examines the effects of a carbon coating on the electrochemical performances of $LiFePO_4$. The results show that the capacity of bare $LiFePO_4$ decreased sharply, whereas the $LiFePO_4$/C shows a well maintained initial capacity. The Li ion diffusivity of the bare and carbon coated $LiFePO_4$ is calculated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) to determine the correlation between the electrochemical performance of $LiFePO_4$ and Li diffusion. The diffusion constants for $LiFePO_4$ and $LiFePO_4$/C measured from CV are $6.56{\times}10^{-16}$ and $2.48{\times}10^{-15}\;cm^2\;s^{-1}$, respectively, indicating considerable increases in diffusivity after modifications. The Li ion diffusivity (DLi) values as a function of the lithium content in the cathode are estimated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The effects of the carbon coating as well as the mechanisms for the improved electrochemical performances after modification are discussed based on the diffusivity data.

New green host materials, 9-phenyl-3-(4-(1-phenyl-1H-benzo[d] imidazol-2-yl)phenyl)-9H-carbazole (3a) and 9-(naphthyl-2-yl)-3-(4-(1-phenyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)phenyl)-9H-carbazole (3b), have been designed and synthesized by attaching the electron transporting benzimidazole moiety to the hole transporting carbazole unit. These compounds have similar HOMO, LUMO levels and band-gap characteristics compared with CBP (4,4'-di(N-carbazolyl)biphenyl). The fabricated green phosphorescent OLED with this 3a host shows much better device performances compared to CBP-based one. The current and power efficiency is enhanced at least by 60 percent at a given constant luminance of 1000 cd/$m^2$.

This study examined In-Zn-Sn-O (IZTO) films deposited on glass substrates by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering with various substrate temperatures. The structural, electrical, optical properties were analyzed. Xray diffraction showed that the IZTO films prepared at temperatures > $150^{\circ}C$ were crystalline which adversely affected the electrical properties. Amorphous IZTO films prepared at $100^{\circ}C$ showed the best properties, such as a low resistivity, high transmittance, figure of merit, and high work function of $4.07{\times}10^{-4}\;{\Omega}$, 85%, $10.57{\times}10^{-3}\;{\Omega}^{-1}$, and 5.37 eV, respectively. This suggests that amorphous IZTO films deposited at relatively low substrate temperatures ($100^{\circ}C$) are suitable for electrode applications, such as OLEDs as a substitute for conventional crystallized ITO films.

The lithium ion diffusion coefficients of bare, carbon-coated and Cr-doped $LiFePO_4$ were obtained by fitting the discharge curves of each half cell with Li metal anode. Diffusion losses at discharge curves were acquired with experiment data and fitted to equations. Theoretically fitted equations showed good agreement with experimental results. Moreover, theoretical equations are able to predict lithium diffusion coefficient and discharge curves at various discharge rates. The obtained diffusion coefficients were similar to the true diffusion coefficient of phase transformation electrodes. Lithium ion diffusion is one of main factors that determine voltage drop in a half cell with $LiFePO_4$ cathode and Li metal anode. The high diffusion coefficient of carbon-coated and Cr-doped $LiFePO_4$ resulted in better performance at the discharge process. The performance at high discharge rate was improved much as diffusion coefficient increased.

Kinetic studies of the reactions of N-methyl-Y-${\alpha}$-bromoacetanilides with substituted X-benzylamines have been carried out in dimethyl sulfoxide at $25.0^{\circ}C$. The Hammett plots for substituent X variations in the nucleophiles (log $k_N$ vs ${\sigma}_X$) are slightly biphasic concave upwards/downwards, while the Bronsted plots (log $k_N$ vs $pK_a$) are biphasic concave downwards with breakpoints at X = H. The Hammett plots for substituent Y variations in the substrates (log $k_N$ vs ${\sigma}_Y$) are biphasic concave upwards/downwards with breakpoints at Y = H. The cross-interaction constant $\rho_{XY}$ values are all negative: $\rho_{XY}$ = -0.32 for X = Y = electron-donating; -0.22 for X = electron-withdrawing and Y = electron-donating; -1.80 for X = electron-donating and Y = electronwithdrawing; -1.43 for X = Y = electron-withdrawing substituents. Deuterated kinetic isotope effects are primary normal ($k_H/k_D$ > 1) for Y = electron-donating, while secondary inverse ($k_H/k_D$ < 1) for Y = electronwithdrawing substituent. The proposed mechanisms of the benzylaminolyses of N-methyl-Y-${\alpha}$-bromoacetanilides are a concerted mechanism with a five membered ring TS involving hydrogen bonding between hydrogen (deuterium) atom in N-H(D) and oxygen atom in C = O for Y = electron-donating, while a concerted mechanism with an enolate-like TS in which the nucleophile attacks the ${\alpha}$-carbon for Y = electronwithdrawing substituents.

The electrode reaction of $Eu^{3+}$ in a LiCl-KCl eutectic melt has been re-examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV). In this work, for the first time, the kinetic details of a $Eu^{3+}/Eu^{2+}$ redox system have been completely elucidated, along with the thermodynamic property, through a curve fitting applied to experimental CV data, which were obtained in a wide scan rate range of 0.5 to 10 V/s. The simulated results showed an excellent fit to all experimental CV data simultaneously, even though the curve fittings were performed within a large dynamic range of initial transfer coefficient values, formal potentials, and standard rate constants. As a result, a proper formal potential, transfer coefficient, and standard rate constant for the $Eu^{3+}/Eu^{2+}$ redox system were successfully extracted using the CV curve fitting.

For the prolonged delivery and sustained release rates of low molecular weight drugs, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles containing the drug SKL-2020 have been investigated. On increasing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentration (from 0.2% to 5%), the size of microparticles decreased (from $48.02{\mu}m$ to $10.63{\mu}m$) and more uniform size distribution was noticeable due to the powerful emulsifying ability of PVA. A higher drug loading (from 5% to 20%) caused a larger concentration gradient between 2 phases at the polymer precipitation step; this resulted in decreased encapsulation efficiency (from 34.19% to 25.67%) and a greater initial burst (from 61.71% to 70.05%). SKL-2020-loaded PLGA microparticles prepared with different fabrication conditions exhibited unique release patterns of SKL-2020. High PVA concentration and high drug loading led to an initial burst effect by rapid drug diffusion through the polymer matrix. Since PLGA microparticles enabled the slow release of SKL-2020 over 1 week in vitro and in vivo, more convenient and comfortable treatment could be facilitated with less frequent administration. It is feasible to design a release profile by mixing microparticles that were prepared with different fabrication conditions. By this method, the initial burst could be repressed properly and drug release rate could decrease.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), an anticancer agent was covalently attached to the recently developed sorbitol-based G8 transporter, and the conjugate (7) with FITC was found to have an affinity toward mitochondria and to readily cross BBB to gain an entry into mouse brain. Measured by $IC_{50}$, the conjugate (9) without the fluorophore showed enhanced cytotoxic activity toward two types of multidrug-resistant cell lines. These results strongly suggest that the sorbitol-based G8 transporter can be utilized as a good CNS delivery vector.

ZnO nanorods were grown by hydrothermal method. Two kinds of seed layers, Au film and island seed layers were prepared to investigate the effect of seed layer on ZnO nanorods. The ZnO nanorod on Au island seed layer has more unifom diameter and higher density compared to that of ZnO nanorod on Au film seed layer. The ZnO nanorods on Au island seed layer were annealed at various temperatures ranging from 300 to $850^{\circ}C$. The pinholes at the surface of the ZnO nanorods is formed as the annealing temperature is increased. It is noted that the pyramid structure on the surface of ZnO nanorod is observed at $850^{\circ}C$. The intensity of ZnO (002) diffraction peak in X-ray diffraction pattern and intensity of near band edge emission (NBE) peak in photoluminescence (PL) are increased as the ZnO nanorods were annealed at the temperature of $300^{\circ}C$.

We report the first vibrational band assignment of imidazole trimer (IMT) solvated in helium nanodroplets. Several congested vibrational bands of imidazole (IM) clusters were obtained in the frequency region of $3513-3515\;cm^{-1}$ and vibrationally resolved due to the extremely low temperature (0.37 K) and very weak solutesolvent interaction environments of helium droplets. The unambiguous free NH band assignment was achieved with an aid of pick-up oven temperature dependence and vibrational transition moment angle (VTMA) experiments as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The band at $3514.3\;cm^{-1}$ is attributed to the free NH stretching mode of linear IMT clusters, easily formed by the dipole-dipole interactions of IM in ultracold helium nanodroplets.

The energetics and transition state (TS) structures of the reactions of six substrates, $R_1R_2P$(=O or S)Cl-type where $R_1=R_2$=Me and/or MeO, with ammonia in acetonitrile are theoretically investigated at the level of CPCM-MP2/6-31+G(d) and CPCM-MP2/6-311+G(3df,2p). The degrees of distortion of TS from the ideal trigonal bipyramidal pentacoordinate, ${\Delta}{{\delta}}_{{\neq}b}$ for a backside and ${\Delta}{{\delta}}_{{\neq}f}$ for a frontside attack, are calculated. The results of calculation suggest that the feasibility of a frontside attack for P=S is greater than that for P=O system when the two ligands, $R_1$ and $R_2$, becomes larger. The experimental and calculated results of anilinolyses of $R_1R_2P$(=O or S)Cl-type show the consistent tendencies.

The first example of lead compound from $Pb(NO_3)_2$ and $H_3L$ N-heterocyclic ligand $(H_3L\;=\;(HO_2C)_2(C_3N_2)(C_3H_7)CH_2(C_6H_4)(C_6H_3)CO_2H)$, $[Pb_4(L')_4]{\cdot}5H_2O$ 1 (L' = OOC$(C_3H_7)(C_3N_2)CH_2(C_6H_4)(C_6H_3)COO)$, has been obtained under hydrothermal condition by decarboxylation, and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TGDTA, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 possesses a rare two-dimensional upper-lower offset terrace-like layer structure. In 1, crystallographic distinct Pb(II) ion adopts five-coordination geometry, and two lattice water molecules occupy the voids between 2-D layers. Results of solid state fluorescence measurement indicate that the emission band 458 nm may be assigned to $\pi^*-n$ and $\pi^*-\pi$ electronic transitions within the aromatic systems of the ligand L', however, the emission bands centred at 555 nm, 600 nm and 719 nm may be derived from phosphorescent emission ($\lambda_{excitation}$ = 390 nm).

A series of 5-indolylpyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidinones (4a-h) were obtained by multi-component reaction of 3-formylindole (1), thiobarbituric acid/barbituric acid (2) and thiourea/urea (3) under microwave irradiation in dry media. Secondly, grinding together neat reactants also gave the titled compounds in good yields. All the synthesized compounds have been characterized on the basis of elemental analyses and spectral data (IR, $^1H$ NMR and Mass). Representative compounds were also evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusarium oxysporum, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at different concentrations. Some of the compounds showed promising activity.

We report fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of the CHBr molecule generated via pyrolysis of $CH_3Br$ in a molecular beam experiment. The 193 nm attenuation cross sections were estimated from the reduction of the CHBr signal as a function of the excimer laser fluence. The derived 193 nm absorption cross section for CHBr [$(3.24{\pm}0.59){\times}10^{-17}\;cm^2$] is slightly higher than the absorption cross section previously determined for CHCl [$(2.6{\pm}0.8){\times}10^{-17}\;cm^2$], but the difference is within the estimated uncertainties in the measured cross section.

An improved convergent and economical method has been developed for the synthesis of erlotinib, a 4-anilinoquinazoline and an EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. The final two steps for the formation of this 4-anilinoquinazoline from suitable 2-aminobenzonitrile intermediate and 3-ethynylaniline were modified and were performed in a simple one-pot reaction. The ring-closing mechanism for the formation of erlotinib from the suitable formamidine intermediate and 3-ethynylaniline was investigated and determined to proceed via the formation of phenyl benzamidine intermediate rather than involving Dimroth rearrangement reported earlier. The new benzamidine intermediate was isolated for the first time and characterized.

Four esters of succinic and maleic acid were synthesized, separated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). A comparison of matrix materials showed that 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,6-DHB) yielded a greater ionization efficiency than 2,5-DHB prior to TLC separation. The location of each ester sample on the TLC plate was estimated by comparing the developed plate with a duplicate plate that had been visualized by immersion in a $KMnO_4$ solution. Generally, mass spectra obtained from the $KMnO_4$-visualized plate were relatively poor. Reproducible mass spectra with high peak abundance were difficult to obtain using the 2,6-DHB matrix from crude synthetic esters extracted from the TLC plates. Significant improvements in both reproducibility and sensitivity were realized by using pencil lead as the MALDI matrix. The current methodology will be beneficial to organic chemists since it can provide a guideline for simple and rapid characterization of small organic compounds.

This study investigates a root cause of the improved rate performance of $LiFePO_4$ after metal doping to Fesites. This is because the metal doped $LiFePO_4$/C maintains its initial capacity at higher C-rates than undoped one. Using $LiFePO_4$/C and doped $LiFe_{0.97}M_{0.03}PO_4$/C (M=$Al^{3+}$, $Cr^{3+}$, $Zr^{4+}$), which are synthesized by a mechanochemical process followed by one-step heat treatment, the Li content before and after chemical delithiation in the $LiFePO_4$/C and the binding energy are compared using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results from AAS and XPS indicate that the low Li content of the metal doped $LiFePO_4$/C after chemical delithiation is attributed to the low binding energy induced by weak Li-O interactions. The improved capacity retention of the doped $LiFePO_4$/C at high discharge rates is, therefore, achieved by relatively low binding energy between Li and O ions, which leads to fast Li diffusivity.

Conducting polyaniline-poly($\varepsilon$-caprolactone) polymer composites were synthesized via in situ deposition techniques. By dissolving different weight percentages of poly($\varepsilon$-caprolactone) (PCL) (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%), the oxidative polymerization of aniline was achieved using ammonium persulfate as an oxidant. FTIR, UV-vis spectra, and X-ray diffraction studies support a strong interaction between polyaniline (PANI) and PCL. Structural morphology of the PANI-PCL polymer composites was studied using scanned electron microscopy (SEM) and transmittance electron microscopy (TEM), and thermal stability was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. The temperature-dependent DC conductivity of PANI-PCL polymer composite films was studied in the range of 305-475 K, which revealed a semiconducting behavior in the transport properties of the polymer films. Conductivity increased with the increase of PCL in below critical level, however conductivity of the polymer film was decreased with increase of PCL concentration higher than the critical value.

The curvature dependence of the physisorptions of $H_2$ on graphene surface and their barrier to the chemisorptions has been studied. The graphene with steeper curvature can adsorb $H_2$ stronger due to the more $sp^3$ character of the carbon. However, for the negative curvature, the binding strength of the physisorption and the barrier to the chemisorptions are determined by steric repulsion as well as the $sp^3$ character.

Conductive carbon films were prepared at room temperature by unbalanced magnetron sputtering (UBMS) on silicon substrates using argon (Ar) gas, and the effects of post-annealing temperature on the structural, tribological, and electrical properties of carbon films were investigated. Films were annealed at temperatures ranging from $400^{\circ}C$ to $700^{\circ}C$ in increments of $100^{\circ}C$ using a rapid thermal annealing method by vacuum furnace in vacuum ambient. The increase of annealing temperature contributed to the increase of the ordering and formation of aromatic rings in the carbon film. Consequently, with increasing annealing temperature the tribological properties of sputtered carbon films are deteriorated while the resistivity of carbon films significantly decreased from $4.5{\times}10^{-3}$ to $1.0{\times}10^{-6}\;{\Omega}-cm$ and carrier concentration as well as mobility increased, respectively. This behavior can be explained by the increase of sp2 bonding fraction and ordering $sp^2$ clusters in the carbon networks caused by increasing annealing temperature.

The electronic absorption and surface morphology evolution of two types of molecular double layer thin films, copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) layer deposited on chloro[subphthalocyaninato]boron(III) (SubPc) layer, denoted as SubPc/CuPc, and vice versa, with various thicknesses were investigated using ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Both types of double layer structures showed similar broadened absorption patterns in the UV-visible region that were consistent with the fitted spectra following simple linear combination of the single layer absorption spectra of the two materials. In contrast, the surface morphology of double layer structures was dependent on the order of deposition. For the CuPc/SubPc structures, surface morphology was characterized by elongated grains, which are characteristic of SubPc thin films, indicating that the morphological influence of the underlying CuPc layer on the subsequent SubPc layer was not large. For the SubPc/CuPc structures, however, the underlying SubPc layer acted as a morphological template for the subsequently deposited CuPc layer. It was also observed that the grain size of the CuPc layer varied according to the thickness of the underlying SubPc layer.

The complexes [Pd(bpy)(Hex-dtc)]$NO_3$ and [Pt(bpy)(Hex-dtc)]$NO_3$ (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine and Hex-dtc is hexyldithiocarbamato ligands) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic studies. The cytotoxicity assay of the complexes has been performed on chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line, K562, at micromolar concentration. Both complexes showed cytotoxic activity far better than that of cisplatin under the same experimental conditions. The binding parameters of the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated using UV-visible and fluorescence techniques. They show the ability of cooperatively intercalating in CT-DNA. Gel filtration studies demonstrated that platinum complex could cleave the DNA. In the interaction studies between the Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with CT-DNA, several binding and thermodynamic parameters have been determined, which may provide deeper insights into the mechanism of action of these types of complexes with nucleic acids.

The objective of this investigation was to develop nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) of tacrolimus by the hot homogenization technique by sonication. NLCs are commonly prepared by emulsification and lyophilization. The feasibility of fabricating tacrolimus-loaded NLCs was successfully demonstrated in this study. The developed NLCs were characterized in terms of their particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE) of tacrolimus, and morphology. Studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the NLCs in improving the penetration rate through hairless mouse skin. Tacrolimus-loaded NLCs were found to have an average size of $123.4{\pm}0.3\;nm$, a zeta potential of $-24.3{\pm}6.2\;mV$, and an EE of 50%. In vitro penetration tests revealed that the tacrolimus-loaded NLCs have a penetration rate that is 1.64 times that of the commercial tacrolimus ointment, Protopic$^{(R)}$.

Spin-coated waterborne polyurethane to protect glass surface from environmental attacks was cured by using microwave heating. The effect of microwave heating on the reaction kinetics, chemical durability, and transmittance of polyurethane was investigated. In comparison to the conventional heating the results show that the microwave heating substantially accelerates the curing process of waterborne polyurethane and the total time for the completion of the reaction is only 1/7 of that in the conventional process. The microwave cured sample showed an excellent caustic resistance compared to conventional cured one. It means that microwave heating produces dense structure during curing process. The dense structure does not affect to the transmittance in the visible region.

This work investigated the difference between $Fe^{2+}$ autoxidation-induced and Fenton-type cleavage of pBR322 plasmid DNA. $^{\cdot}OH$ generation reactions in the absence and presence of $H_2O_2$ under various conditions were also investigated. Although both the $Fe^{2+}$ autoxidation and Fenton-type reactions showed DNA cleavage and $^{\cdot}OH$ generation, there were significant differences in their efficiencies and reaction rates. The rate and efficiency of the cleavage reaction were higher in the absence of 1.0 mM of $H_2O_2$ than in its presence in 20 mM phosphate buffer. In contrast, the $^{\cdot}OH$ generation reaction was more prominent in the presence of $H_2O_2$ and showed a pH-independent, fast initial reaction rate, but the rate was decreased in the absence of $H_2O_2$ at across the entire tested pH range. Studies using radical scavengers on DNA cleavage and $^{\cdot}OH$ generation reactions in both the absence and presence of $H_2O_2$ confirmed that both reactions spontaneously involved the active oxygen species $^{\cdot}OH$, ${O_2}^{\cdot-}$, $^1O_2$ and $H_2O_2$, indicating that a similar process may participate in both reactions. Based on the above observations, a new mechanism for the $Fe^{2+}$ autoxidation-induced DNA cleavage reaction is proposed.

The addition of organic ligand (${\beta}$-diketone or heterocyclic compound) to the europium (III)-containing ionic liquid resulted in bright luminescent soft materials with the molar ratio of europium/ionic liquid (IL)/ligand being 1:3:1 that exhibit bright red light under UV lamp. The luminescent properties such as emission features and lifetime of $^5D_0$ $Eu^{3+}$ excited level are dependent on the organic ligands. The materials were characterized by FT-IR and luminescence spectroscopy. The data shows that at least parts of the ILs (carboxylic acid) are replaced with ${\beta}$-diketone ligand rather than the formation of europium complex with the molar ratio of $Eu^{3+}$:IL: ligand being 1:3:1, while no ILs could be replaced by the heterocyclic ligand such as Bpy and Phen.

A new analytical method for measurement of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) in human urine was developed. DOPA from an aqueous solution was converted into an ethoxycarbonyl (EOC) derivative. A tertbutyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS) reaction under anhydrous conditions was then attempted for analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode. A new mass spectral data on DOPA as a tri-EOC/mono-TBDMS derivative was built. This method showed good linearity (r ${\geq}$ 0.999), precision (% relative standard deviation = 3.1-9.2), and accuracy (% relative error = -7.2-8.8), with a detection limit of 0.05 ng/mL. This selective and accurate method of DOPA analysis will be useful for biochemical monitoring of various neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease in biological fluids.

The anomalous spectroscopic properties of quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (QCRM) and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (QCRT) in AOT reverse micelle were studied. The excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) occurs through the strong hydrogen bond between the -OH at position 5 and the carbonyl oxygen. Because the ESIPT can only happens in the $S_1$ state and the Franck-Condon factor involved in the $S_2\;{\rightarrow}\;S_1$ internal conversion is small, the $S_2\;{\rightarrow}\;S_o$ emission alone appears. Because the molecular planarity is improved at the interior of the micelle, the excited state intramolecular charge transfer in the $S_1$ state is extended, and the excited state is more tolerable for any quenching effects in the micelle. Therefore, an $S_1\;{\rightarrow}\;S_o$ emission was newly discovered under this micelle microenvironment. For the $S_2\;{\rightarrow}\;S_o$ emission, the quantum yields increase but the quantum yield of the $S_1\;{\rightarrow}\;S_o$ emission approximately decreases as the water concentration in the micelle increases.

$CO_2$ adsorption on mineral sorbents has a potential to sequester $CO_2$. This study used a density functional theory (DFT) study of $CO_2$ adsorption on barium oxide (BaO) in the presence of $H_2O$ to determine the role of $H_2O$ on the $CO_2$ adsorption properties on the ($2{\times}2$; $11.05\;{\AA}{\times}11.05\;{\AA}$) BaO (100) surface because BaO shows a high reactivity for $CO_2$ adsorption and the gas mixture of power plants generally contains $CO_2$ and $H_2O$. We investigated the adsorption properties (e.g., adsorption energies and geometries) of a single $CO_2$ molecule, a single $H_2O$ molecule on the surface to achieve molecular structures and molecular reaction mechanisms. In order to evaluate the coordinative effect of $H_2O$ molecules, this study also carried out the adsorption of a pair of $H_2O$ molecules, which was strongly bounded to neighboring (-1.91 eV) oxygen sites and distant sites (-1.86 eV), and two molecules ($CO_2$ and $H_2O$), which were also firmly bounded to neighboring sites (-2.32 eV) and distant sites (-2.23 eV). The quantum mechanical calculations show that $H_2O$ molecule does not influence on the chemisorption of $CO_2$ on the BaO surface, producing a stable carbonate due to the strong interaction between the $CO_2$ molecule and the BaO surface, resulting from the high charge transfer (-0.76 e).

The photoreactive prepolymers with multifunctional cinnamate and bisphenol Atype cinnamate groups that could perform photodimerization without photoinitiators were synthesized by the reaction of t-cinnamic acids (CAs) and epoxy resins. Their photocure reaction rates and the extent of reaction conversion were measured with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and these increased with the intensity of UVirradiation. The experimental data of these reaction rates showed the characteristics of nth-order kinetics reaction, and all kinetic constants of each photoreactive polymer with this equation were summarized. Although the GTR-1800-HCA and KWG1-EP-HCA with hydroxyl group substituted cinnamate showed lower reaction conversion rates and rate constant than GTR-1800-CA and KWG1-EP-CAwith an unsubstituted cinnamate group, GTR-1800-MCAand KWG1-EP-MCAwith methoxy group substituted cinnamate showed similar and higher reaction conversion rates than the former, respectively. These results were explained in terms of segmental mobility for photopolymerization by molecular interactions.

The discovery of carbohydrate-based bioactive compounds has recently received considerable interest in the drug development. This paper stresses on the application of 1-methoxy-O-glucoside as the central scaffold, whereas salicylic pharmacophores were introduced with diverse spatial orientations probing into the structural preference of an enzymatic target, i.e. protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). By employing regioselective protection and deprotection strategy, 2,6-, 3,4-, 4,6- and 2,3-di-O-propynyl 1-methoxy-O-glucosides were previously synthesized and then coupled with azido salicylate via click chemistry in forming the desired bidentate salicylic glucosides with high yields. The inhibitory assay of the obtained triazolyl derivatives leads to the identification of the 2,3-disubstituted salicylic 1-methoxy-O-glucoside as the structurally privileged PTP1B inhibitor among this bidentate compound series with micromole-ranged $IC_{50}$ value and reasonable selectivity over other homologous PTPs tested. In addition, docking simulation was conducted to propose a plausible binding mode of this authorized inhibitor with PTP1B. This research might furnish new insight toward the construction of structurally different bioactive compounds based on the monosaccharide scaffold.

$Ir(dpq/dpqx)_2$(przl-R) complexes were prepared and their electrochemical properties were investigated, where dpq, dpqx and przl-R represent 2,3-diphenylquinoline, 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline and N-phenyl-R-pyrazolonate derivatives, respectively. The iridium complexes containing dpq and dpqx as main ligands were reported to show red phosphorescence, and involvement of a pyrazolonate ancillary ligand in the iridium complexes led to high luminous efficiency for organic light-emitting diodes. In this study, we synthesized red phosphorescent iridium complexes containing a new pyrazolonate ancillary ligand and investigated the HOMOs, LUMOs and resulting electrochemical gaps of $Ir(dpq/dpqx)_2$(przl-R) by cyclic voltammetry. The emission wavelengths of the complexes at 600 - 640 nm were consistent with the gaps of 1.95 - 2.03 eV measured from reduction and oxidation potentials of the complexes.

A series of thiadiazole derivatives were synthesized with differently substituted benzoic acids which were cyclized to give differently substituted thiazolidin-4-one. Elemental analysis, IR, $^1H$ NMR, $^{13}C$ NMR and mass spectral data confirmed the structure of the synthesized compounds. The derivatives of these moieties were evaluated for anticonvulsant activity by MES model and neurotoxicity by rotarod method. The synthesized compounds showed good potential for anticonvulsant activity besides this, the compounds also showed neurotoxic effect. It was observed that compounds with $OCH_3$ at 3, 4 position of phenyl ring [5(a-l)] showed less protection against convulsions as compared to compounds having unsubstituted phenyl ring [4(a-l)].

Two new benzimidazolyl-containing complexes have been synthesized by reactions of $Cu^{II}$ salts and 1,2-bis(benzimidazolyl) benzene ($H_2bbbz$) with two different dicarboxylate ligands. When phthalate acid ($H_2pt$) was employed as secondary ligand, a 0D molecular complex Cu$(H_2bbbz)(pt){\cdot}(H_2pt)$ (1)was furnished and when the secondary ligand was instead by a linear bridging ligand of terephthalic acid ($H_2tp$) a 1D zipper-like coordination polymer $[Cu(H_2bbbz)(tp){\cdot}2(C_2H_5OH){\cdot}H_2O]_n$ (2) was obtained, suggesting the structure-direction effect of the secondary dicarbxylate ligand. The preliminary investigation on the spectral properties of the complexes was also presented.

The syntheses of DTPA-bis(amide) conjugates of phosphonated cyclohexane moieties (5a-d) and their Gd(III) complexes of the type $[Gd(L)(H_2O)]{\cdot}nH_2O$ (6a-d; L = 5a-d) are described. All new compounds have been characterized by microanalysis and spectroscopic techniques. High $r_1$ relaxivities of aqueous solutions of 6a-d are observed to be in the range of $10.7-18.3\;mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$, which compare much better than that of $Omniscan^{(R)}$ ($r_1=3.90\;mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$).

Two new phenolic glycosides were isolated from the rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.. Based on comprehensive spectroscopic analyses including IR, MS, 1D- and 2D NMR (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), their structures were elucidated as 3-hydroxyl-5-methyphenol-1-O-[${\beta}$-D-glucopyranosyl-($1{\rightarrow}3$)-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 1',3'-dimethoxyl-4-hydroxyalangifolioside (2).

The dinuclear complex 1 with cooperative hydrogen bonds can be prepared by the metal-directed reaction of Eq. (2). This work shows that the coordinated hydroxyl group trans to the secondary amino group is deprotonated more readily than that trans to the tertiary amino group and acts as the hydrogen-bond accepter. The lattice water molecules in 1 act as bridges between the two mononuclear units through hydrogen bonds. The complex is quite stable as the dimeric form even in various polar solvents. The complex exhibits a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the metal ions in spite of relatively long Cu$\cdots$Cu distance. This strongly supports the suggestion that the antiferromagnetic behavior is closely related to the cooperative hydrogen bonds.

We have demonstrated that solution-based fabrication of NiO films as HTL can be used for the construction of IOSCs. Type of solvent of NiO-solution, and annealing procedure of the active layers were optimized for obtaining a PCE of 3% of IOSC. The photovoltaic performance of NiO-based device is comparable to that of the same type of solar cell using PEDT:PSS instead of NiO. These solution-based processes can be a promising method for a mass production OSCs under ambient condition.

The reactions of 4-nitrobenzenesulfenyl chloride with substituted benzylamines proceed through three pathways, the uncatalyzed ($k_2$) and catalyzed ($k_3$) paths including solvolysis ($k_o$) by the solvent. The large value of primary normal kinetic isotope effects imply that the proton transfer occurs concurrently from benzylamine to Cl atom of the substrate. The ${\beta}_x$ and ${\rho}_x$ values for the catalyzed path, $k_3$, are greater than those for the uncatalyzed path, indicating that greater degree of bond formation in the catalyzed TS compared to the uncatalyzed TS.