The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of an extremely low frequency sinusoidal magnetic field (ELF MF) with frequency of 10 Hz and intensity of 1.8-3.8 mT on the levels of the biogenic amines dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA), and noradrenaline (NA), as well as on DA and 5-HT turnover in corpus striatum and frontal cortex of adult male Wistar rats. We found that ELF MF exposure for 14 days, 1 h daily, did not influence the level of the examined biogenic amines and metabolites, but increased the rate of synthesis (turnover) of DA and 5-HT in rat frontal cortex as compared to control, sham exposed rats. On the basis of the present results and our previous findings, extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF MF) exposure has been found to alter both turnover and receptor reactivity of monoaminergic systems, as well as some behaviors induced by these systems or their agonists and antagonists.

Developing asymmetric C-H bond activation methods in order to achieve enantiopure products is crucial for the advancement of the field and for the production of novel chiral compounds. Therefore, we tried to develop this area of organic chemistry by presenting metal catalyzed stereoselective C-H bond activation utilizing chelation-assisted tools. The first section of this study involves Rh(I) catalyzed asymmetric C-H bond activation of a series of ketones via an intermolecular procedure. By this method, we examine ortho-alkylation of aromatic ketones and β-functionalization of α-β unsaturated ketones with a series of prochiral olefins. In the second section, we present an efficient three steps method for stereoselective intramolecular C-H bond activation of indol-3-carboxaldehyde with tethered prochiral olefins. The catalytic system in both methods involves a joint chiral primary amine and Rh(I) catalyst. Chiral primary amines can serve to induce enantioselectivity as well as acting as a useful directing group which has shown appropriate coordination to the transition metal catalyst, providing high regioselectivity. / February 2017

This thesis explores the reactivity of amine-boranes with the {Rh(Xantphos)}+ fragment, with the aim of gaining mechanistic insight into the catalytic dehydropolymerisation of the amine-borane H₃B∙NMeH₂ to yield the polyaminoborane [H₂BNMeH]_n. Chapter 2 describes the synthesis of suitable Rh^III and Rh^I Xantphos precursors to be used in this investigation. Moreover, the first example of the dehydrogenative B—B homocoupling of the tertiary amine-borane H₃B∙NMe₃ to form H₄B₂•2NMe₃ is reported. The synthesis of the Rh^I precatalyst introduced in Chapter 2 entails the hydroboration of tert-butylethylene by H₃B∙NMe₃. In Chapter 3, the ability of the {Rh(Xantphos)}+ fragment to mediate this hydroboration in a catalytic manner is explored, and a mechanism is presented in which reductive elimination is proposed to be turnover-limiting. Other alkenes and phosphine-boranes are also trialled to determine the scope of the hydroboration. Chapter 4 investigates the catalytic dehydrocoupling of H₃B∙NMe₂H and H₃B∙NMeH₂ with {Rh(Xantphos)}+ to form the dehydrocoupling products [H₂BNMe₂]₂ and [H₂BNMeH]_n, respectively, and the dehydrocoupling mechanisms are shown to be similar. Both involve an induction period in which the active catalyst is formed (thought to involve N—H activation), and saturation kinetics operate during the productive phase of catalysis. H₂ is shown to inhibit the dehydrocoupling, and lead to production of shorter chain [H₂BNMeH]_n. Conversely, using THF as the dehydropolymerisation solvent instead of C₆H₅F results in longer chain [H₂BNMeH]_n. Finally, Chapter 5 presents new dicationic {Rh(Xantphos)}-based dimers, the formation of which involves loss of a phenyl group from the Xantphos ligands by P—C activation. The dimers are produced by routes involving either dehydrogenative homocoupling of H₃B∙NMe₃, or dehydrocoupling of H₃B∙NMe₂H. One of these dimers was tested as a catalyst for the dehydrocoupling of H₃B∙NMe₂H, and the reaction kinetics appear closely related those obtained using {Rh(Xantphos)}+, suggesting that the active catalysts in each system may be related.

Master of Science / Department of Chemistry / Kenneth J. Klabunde / The motivation for the preparation of gold nanoparticles includes their potential utility in sensors, nanoelectronics, and the vast basic knowledge we can gain from these novel materials. Colloids of gold nanoparticles are also one of the most stable and easiest to manipulate. Synthesizing gold nanoparticles with narrow size distribution, uniform shape, and good crystalline nature represents a significant challenge. Thiols were found to be very efficient capping ligands for the digestive-ripening process in our research group, during which a colloidal suspension in a solvent is refluxed at the solvent boiling temperature in the presence of a capping ligand to convert a highly polydispersed colloid into a nearly monodispersed one. The current thesis research focuses on using amines instead of thiols as the capping ligands, which were also found to have similar efficiency for this purpose. The major part of the work is devoted to understanding the digestive ripening of gold-amine colloids system, and the effect of the nature of the amine ligands. A noteworthy achievement of the current work is the ability to synthesize stable gold colloids with different sizes by using different amine ligands. A diverse set of instrumental techniques is used for the characterization of the gold nanoparticles.

Master of Science / Food Science Institute / J. Scott Smith / Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are cancer causing compounds formed during the cooking of meat. Previous studies show that incorporating antioxidant spices into meat as well as marinating meat with antioxidant spices reduces formation of HCAs. The purpose of this study was to determine if commercially available spices applied to the surface of meat could effectively reduce HCA formation. Two commercially available spice blends and one blend of spices with known quantities of antioxidant spices were sprinkled onto the surface of beef just prior to pan-frying. The quantities of spices used were based on the amounts customarily consumed in typical Western cooking. The results of direct application were then compared to marinating with the same types and amounts of spices. The antioxidant potential of the spices was analyzed using DPPH and total phenolics methods. Results indicated that the spices would be effective antioxidants. Low recovery rates and problems during the extraction process made results inconclusive, but suggest that further research may find that applying spices directly to the surface of meat in consumer acceptable quantities may be as effective as marinating at reducing the formation of HCAs.

Aggression ist ein facettenreiches Phänomen, das sowohl in Vertebraten als auch in Invertebraten auftritt. Trotz der weiten Verbreitung dieses Verhaltens sind die neuronalen Netzwerke, die der Aggression zugrunde liegen, noch kaum bekannt. Zahlreiche Studien weisen den biogenen Aminen eine prominente Rolle in der Modulation von Aggression zu. Das Ziel dieser Doktorarbeit war mit Hilfe des Modellorganismus Drosophila melanogaster zu der Aufschlüsselung der neuronalen Korrelate von Aggression beizutragen, insbesondere im Hinblick auf das biogene Amin Oktopamin. In Drosophila sind aggressive Interaktionen aus einer Vielzahl von offensiven und defensiven Verhaltensweisen zusammengesetzt, von denen einige bezüglich der Häufigkeit ihres Auftretens geschlechtsspezifisch sind. Um die Auswertung dieser vielseitigen Verhaltensweisen zu vereinfachen, wurde die Analyse auf einen einzigen Indikator für Aggression beschränkt: den „lunge“. Diese bemerkenswerte Verhaltensweise tritt nur im Kontext der Aggression auf und ist charakteristisch für Männchen. In Kooperation mit Andreas Eckart habe ich ein Computerprogramm entwickelt, das eine automatische Auszählung der lunges in einem vom Forscher gewählten Zeitraum durchführt. Zusätzlich erhält man u.a. Informationen über die Laufstrecke der einzelnen Tiere wie auch über ihre Größe. Dank eines weiteren von uns entwickelten Programms ist es möglich, Kämpfe zweier Drosophila Männchen unabhängig von deren Genotyp wahlweise automatisch oder halb-automatisch auszuwerten. Mit Hilfe dieser Programme wurde gezeigt, dass (1) die gemeinsame Laufaktivität der beiden Männchen mit der Anzahl aller aufgetretenen lunges korreliert und, dass (2) ein Größenunterschied von 8% ausreichend ist, um zu beeinflussen, welches Tier mehr lunges durchführt. Ebenfalls konnte festgestellt werden, dass (3) eine Nullmutation im ‚white’ Gen, welches einen ABC-Transporter kodiert, aggressives Verhalten fast vollständig unterdrückt, was teilweise auf eine visuelle Beeinträchtigung zurückzuführen ist. Außerdem führt (4) das Absenken des White-Levels in verschiedenen Bereichen des Zentralgehirns zu reduzierter Aggression; ein Effekt, der auch durch die chemische Entfernung der Pilzkörper, einer Struktur des zentralen Gehirns, hervorgerufen werden kann. Dies weist darauf hin, dass die Integrität verschiedener neuronaler Netzwerke/Gehirnbereiche erforderlich ist, um wildtypische Aggression zu ermöglichen. Zusätzlich konnte (5) anhand von Mutationen in zwei Genen der Oktopaminsynthese, die beide die Oktopamin-Konzentration zwar erniedrigen, die Tyramin-Konzentration jedoch heben bzw. senken, demonstriert werden, dass Oktopaminmangel Aggression fast vollständig zum Erliegen bringt. Wird ein lunge durchgeführt, so ist dessen Ausführung fast wildtypisch. Rettungsversuche, in denen Oktopamin- und/oder Tyramin-Konzentrationen wiederhergestellt werden, legen nahe, dass ein sehr spezifisches Muster von Oktopamin räumlich und zeitlich gewährleistet sein muss, um ein so komplexes und faszinierendes Verhalten wie die Aggression in Drosophila hervorzurufen. / Aggression is a strikingly multi-faceted phenomenon occurring in vertebrates as well as in invertebrates. Despite its omnipresence, the neuronal basis of aggressive behaviours is yet barely understood. Many studies however, imply a role for biogenic amines in aggression. This PhD project aimed at contributing to the understanding of the neuronal correlates of aggression, with a main focus on the biogenic amine octopamine, using Drosophila melanogaster as the model system. In Drosophila, agonistic encounters of males and females are composed of a variety of both offensive and defensive components, some of which are displayed more often in one sex than in the other. To simplify analysis and to standardize evaluation, I chose to focus on a single indicator of aggression: the lunge, a striking feature unique to Drosophila male aggression. By evaluating the lunge I developed in cooperation with Andreas Eckart for the first time an automated, video-based analysis of Drosophila male aggression. The present software program gives the number of lunges for each fly in a certain time interval. In addition, it provides information such as the distance the fly walked and his size among others. In combination with a second software program that we developed, aggressive interactions between two male Drosophila melanogaster of a genotype of choice can now be registered either completely automatically or if preferred semi-automatically. Using these softwares, I demonstrate that (1) body size differences of 8% and higher influence the outcome of a fight in favour of the larger male; (2) walking activity alters lunge frequency with more lunges performed by more active pairs of males; (3) flies mutant for the white gene, one member of the ABC transporter family in Drosophila, are profoundly impaired in aggression, an effect that is partially due to reduced visual performance. (4) Either knocking-down white in various brain regions or chemically ablating the mushroom body located in the central brain by deleting its neuroblast precursors diminishes aggression, indicating that integrity of various neural circuits/brain regions is required for wild-type aggression to occur. Furthermore, I show that (5) flies lacking octopamine signalling but having altered tyramine signalling display hardly any lunge. A quantitative high-speed analysis revealed that lunge execution is almost indistinguishable from wild-type males. The results from the experiments in which octopamine levels and/or tyramine levels were restored suggest that an elaborate pattern of octopamine levels in time and space is required to enable flies to express wild-type aggressive behaviour.

A influência da isomeria cis/trans na reatividade de complexos do tipo [RuCl2(DMSO)3(L)], onde L = DMSO (2;4), n-butilamina (1;3) na polimerização via metátese por abertura de anel (ROMP) foi investigada. Os complexos 1 e 2 apresentaram isomeria fac, enquanto que os complexos 3 e 4 foram trans e mer, respectivamente. Os dados cristalográficos sugerem uma conformação fac para o novo complexo 1. Os parâmetros eletrônicos e estéreos dos ligantes, medidos pelos valores de pka e θ, respectivamente, foram usados para interpretação dos resultados. Os monômeros cíclicos usados foram norborneno (NBE), norbornadieno (NBD) e diciclopentadieno (DCPD), considerando como parâmetros as razões molares monômero/complexo, temperatura, tempo de reação e estrutura geométrica. Complexos cis foram mais ativos do que os complexos trans para a polimerização de norborneno e de norbornadieno, sendo os resultados a 50 oC melhores do que os resultados a 25 oC. Na polimerização de norbornadieno, ao contrário da polimerização com norborneno, os melhores rendimentos foram obtidos com os complexos contendo os ligantes cloro trans-posicionados. Os compostos isolados foram caracterizados por analise elementar, FTIR, voltametria cíclica, espectroscopia na região do UV-vis, RMN de 1H e 13C e espectroscopia de difração de raio-x. Em adição, combinação de resultados teóricos e dados experimentais para a reação de ROMP de norborneno usando [RuCl2(PPh3)2(piperidina)] mostra a otimização estrutural das espécies envolvidas na catálise e o perfil termodinâmico de toda reação. Fatores entrópicos explicam a espontaneidade observada para a dissociação de grupos de saída, que são processos endotérmicos. Logo após a etapa determinante da velocidade, ocorre a coordenação de uma molécula de norborneno e um efeito trans-sinérgico entre este monômero e o ligante piperidina ativa a catálise. O uso de outros diazocompostos (TBDA e BDA) foi feito para analisar as influências eletrônicas e estéricas do carbeno em questão. Efeitos eletrônicos tem menos influência sobre a estrutura da espécie ativa do que os efeitos estéricos, influenciando nos rendimentos e nos dados dos polímeros formado. / The influence of cis/trans isomery on the reactivity of complexes of the type [RuCl2(DMSO)3(L)], where L = DMSO (2;4), n-butylamine (1;3) in the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) was investigated. The complexes 1 and 2 showed isomerism fac, while the complexes were 3 and 4 were trans and mer, respectively. The crystallographic data suggest a fac conformation for the new complex 1. The electronic and steric parameters from ligands, measured by pKa values and θ, respectively, were used for interpretation of the results. The cyclic monomers used were norbornene (NBE), norbornadiene (NBD) and dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), given as parameters the molar ratios monomer/complex, temperature, reaction time and geometric structure. The cis complexes were more active than the trans complex for polymerization of norbornene and norbornadiene, and the results at 50 oC better than the results at 25 oC. The polymerization of norbornadiene, unlike the polymerization of norbornene, best yields were obtained with complexes containing trans-positioned chloro ligands. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis spectroscopy, NMR 1H and 13C spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. In addition, combination of theoretical and experimental results data for ROMP reactions of norbornene using [RuCl2(PPh3)2(piperidine)] shows the structural optimization of the species involved in the catalysis and the thermodynamic profile of the whole reaction. Entropic factors explain the spontaneity observed for dissociation from both leaving groups, which are endothermic processes. Immediately after the rate-determining step occurs the coordination of a norbornene molecule and a trans- synergistic effect between the monomer and ligand piperidine actives the catalysis. The use of other diazocompostos (TBDA and BDA) was done to analyze the electronic and steric influences of the carbene in question. Electronic effects had less influence on the structure of the active species than the steric effects, influencing the yield and the data of the polymers formed.

Nesse trabalho foi desenvolvido um método de síntese quimioenzimática de organo-seleno aminas (1-((2, 3 ou 4 selenocianato)fenil)etanonas) e amidas (N-(1-(2, 3 ou 4-(etilseleno)fenil)etil)acetamida) enantiomericamente enriquecidas. Inicialmente, as organo-seleno aminas, na forma racêmica, foram sintetizadas a partir das orto-, meta- e para- aminoacetofenonas. A incorporação do átomo de selênio nas cetonas aromáticas foi realizada através da reação de selenocianato de potássio com sais de diazônio, preparados a partir das aminoacetofenonas, para levar as o, m ou p-selenocianato acetofenonas (28-65 %). Reações desses compostos com NaBH4, formaram os intermediários organo-selenoboro, que foram posteriormente alquilados com haletos de alquila de modo a formar as organo-seleno acetofenonas (1-(2, 3 ou 4-(etilseleno)fenil)etanona) (63-78 %). As Organo-seleno aminas racêmicas foram preparadas por aminação redutiva das cetonas correspondentes (39-73 %). Após desenvolvido o protocolo de síntese das organo-seleno aminas, nós estudamos a resolução cinética desses compostos através de reação de acetilação mediada por lipases. Um estudo inicial foi conduzido com a amina para substituído, como substrato modelo, de modo a buscar a lipase, solvente, temperatura, razão lipase/substrato e acilante apropriados para a resolução cinética. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, as condições ideais para se conduzir a resolução cinética foi CAL-B como biocatalisador, hexano como solvente e acetato de etila ou metóxi-acetato de etila como acilante a 30°C. Utilizando esse protocolo, as organo-seleno amidas foram preparadas com excelentes excessos enantioméricos (99 %). / In this work, we have developed a chemoenzymatic method to enantiomerically synthesize enriched organoselenium amines (1-(2, 3 or 4 -(ethylselanyl)phenyl)ethanamine) and amides (N-(1-(2, 3 or 4-(ethylselanyl)phenyl)ethyl)acetamide). Initially, the organoselenium amines, in the racemic form, were synthesized from ortho-, meta- and para- aminoacetophenones. The incorporation of the selenium atom into the aromatic ketones was achieved by the use of reaction of potassium selenocyanate and diazonium salts, prepared from aminoacetophenones, to afford selenocyanate acetophenones (28-65 %). These compounds were alkylated with alkyl halide to yield the organoselenium acetophenones (1-(2, 3 or 4-(ethylselanyl)phenyl)ethanone) (63-78 %) which were converted into their corresponding racemic organoselenium amines by reductive amination (39-73 %). After developing the protocol for the synthesis of racemic organoselenium amines, we studied the kinetic resolution of these compounds by their acetylation mediated by lipases. An initial study was carried out with the organoselenium amine para substituted, as a model substrate, in order to screen for appropriate lipase, solvent, temperature, lipase/substrate ratio and acylant. This study showed that the ideal condition to conduct the kinetic resolution was CAL-B as biocatalyst, hexane as solvent and ethyl acetate or ethyl methoxyacetate as acylant at 30°C. By using this protocol, the organoselenium amides were prepared in excellent enantiomeric excess (99 %).

A influência da isomeria cis/trans na reatividade de complexos do tipo [RuCl2(DMSO)3(L)], onde L = DMSO (2;4), n-butilamina (1;3) na polimerização via metátese por abertura de anel (ROMP) foi investigada. Os complexos 1 e 2 apresentaram isomeria fac, enquanto que os complexos 3 e 4 foram trans e mer, respectivamente. Os dados cristalográficos sugerem uma conformação fac para o novo complexo 1. Os parâmetros eletrônicos e estéreos dos ligantes, medidos pelos valores de pka e θ, respectivamente, foram usados para interpretação dos resultados. Os monômeros cíclicos usados foram norborneno (NBE), norbornadieno (NBD) e diciclopentadieno (DCPD), considerando como parâmetros as razões molares monômero/complexo, temperatura, tempo de reação e estrutura geométrica. Complexos cis foram mais ativos do que os complexos trans para a polimerização de norborneno e de norbornadieno, sendo os resultados a 50 oC melhores do que os resultados a 25 oC. Na polimerização de norbornadieno, ao contrário da polimerização com norborneno, os melhores rendimentos foram obtidos com os complexos contendo os ligantes cloro trans-posicionados. Os compostos isolados foram caracterizados por analise elementar, FTIR, voltametria cíclica, espectroscopia na região do UV-vis, RMN de 1H e 13C e espectroscopia de difração de raio-x. Em adição, combinação de resultados teóricos e dados experimentais para a reação de ROMP de norborneno usando [RuCl2(PPh3)2(piperidina)] mostra a otimização estrutural das espécies envolvidas na catálise e o perfil termodinâmico de toda reação. Fatores entrópicos explicam a espontaneidade observada para a dissociação de grupos de saída, que são processos endotérmicos. Logo após a etapa determinante da velocidade, ocorre a coordenação de uma molécula de norborneno e um efeito trans-sinérgico entre este monômero e o ligante piperidina ativa a catálise. O uso de outros diazocompostos (TBDA e BDA) foi feito para analisar as influências eletrônicas e estéricas do carbeno em questão. Efeitos eletrônicos tem menos influência sobre a estrutura da espécie ativa do que os efeitos estéricos, influenciando nos rendimentos e nos dados dos polímeros formado. / The influence of cis/trans isomery on the reactivity of complexes of the type [RuCl2(DMSO)3(L)], where L = DMSO (2;4), n-butylamine (1;3) in the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) was investigated. The complexes 1 and 2 showed isomerism fac, while the complexes were 3 and 4 were trans and mer, respectively. The crystallographic data suggest a fac conformation for the new complex 1. The electronic and steric parameters from ligands, measured by pKa values and θ, respectively, were used for interpretation of the results. The cyclic monomers used were norbornene (NBE), norbornadiene (NBD) and dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), given as parameters the molar ratios monomer/complex, temperature, reaction time and geometric structure. The cis complexes were more active than the trans complex for polymerization of norbornene and norbornadiene, and the results at 50 oC better than the results at 25 oC. The polymerization of norbornadiene, unlike the polymerization of norbornene, best yields were obtained with complexes containing trans-positioned chloro ligands. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis spectroscopy, NMR 1H and 13C spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. In addition, combination of theoretical and experimental results data for ROMP reactions of norbornene using [RuCl2(PPh3)2(piperidine)] shows the structural optimization of the species involved in the catalysis and the thermodynamic profile of the whole reaction. Entropic factors explain the spontaneity observed for dissociation from both leaving groups, which are endothermic processes. Immediately after the rate-determining step occurs the coordination of a norbornene molecule and a trans- synergistic effect between the monomer and ligand piperidine actives the catalysis. The use of other diazocompostos (TBDA and BDA) was done to analyze the electronic and steric influences of the carbene in question. Electronic effects had less influence on the structure of the active species than the steric effects, influencing the yield and the data of the polymers formed.

Sodium oxalate is one of the many organics present in Bayer liquor. Due to its limited solubility, sodium oxalate can co-precipitate with alumina trihydrate during precipitation. This can have detrimental effects on the final product quality, especially if it occurs in the initial stages of precipitation.Quaternary amine type cationic surfactants can prevent sodium oxalate co-precipitation and increase the tolerable concentration of sodium oxalate in Bayer liquor. Their action is via the inhibition of nucleation or/and the inhibition of crystal growth. This study presents work detailing the effect of quaternary amines on sodium oxalate crystal growth in Bayer liquor.A series of quaternary amines were tested and classified as strong, medium or weak crystal growth inhibitors in plant liquor. The octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide was found to be the most effective under plant conditions.Results will show that while quaternary amines inhibit crystal growth in Bayer liquor, they have no effect on crystallization in synthetic liquor. It has been postulated that the presence of certain organic molecules is required for quaternary amines to crystallization and therefore stabilize the liquor. The inhibition of oxalate crystal growth in Bayer process liquors is due to the plant organics present, and the stabilizing effect of quaternary amines is the result of an interaction between quaternary amines and plant humic material on the oxalate surface. A series of organics, anionic macromolecules and anionic surfactants, have been tested to simulate the behaviour of plant humates, and their inhibitory effect on sodium oxalate crystal growth has been measured.A method for the analysis of the strongest quaternary amine has been adopted, improved and modified in order to fulfil experimental conditions.The CMC of quaternary amines has been determined in liquor. Surface tension ++ / measurements revealed relationships between certain liquor components and quaternary amines.Adsorption isotherms of quaternary amines have been successfully generated in Bayer liquor. Investigations with quaternary amines and plant humics reveal a synergy between the two. Co-adsorption of quaternary amines and plant humates onto the oxalate surface has been found, and the effect of the components on the adsorption behaviour will be discussed. The inhibitory effect and the adsorbed amount of components have been compared. Results revealed a relationship between the amount of plant humates on the surface and the crystal growth inhibition.The nature of the adsorption has been investigated with confocal laser scanning microscopy. These results will show that humic material adsorbs at the edges and in the corners of the crystals. In the presence of quaternary amines, the humic material occupies the main crystal faces as well. The nucleation of sodium oxalate from humic solution and from a mixture of humates and quaternary amine resulted in crystals with different morphology.Fourier Transform Infrared Attenuated Total Reflection Spectroscopy investigations will present the adsorption of quaternary amine on oxalate, and will indicate that the adsorption is pH dependent.