In the present work, the results of the experimental study of reactions of ions with molecular hydrogen in the temperature range 15 - 300 K using a 22-pole ion trap apparatus are presented. The reaction of OD- with para-enriched hydrogen was studied using a combination of the 22-pole ion trap apparatus with a para-hydrogen generator. Also reactions of O- with H2, D2, and HD were studied. These reactions have a channel of water production and a channel of hydrogen or deuterium transfer. Another field of study was a sequence of reactions of oxygen hydride cations with H2 and D2 which leads to the production of H3O+ or its isotopic variant, specifically reactions OH+ with H2, H2O+ with H2, D2O+ with H2, and D2O+ with D2. This reaction chain can be followed by the electron recombination of H3O+ or its isotopologue, which has a channel of water production.

Résumé : Au cours de ce travail, nous avons effectué une étude méthodologique concernant la synthèse d'azobenzènes tétrasubstitués en position ortho pour mieux comprendre les éléments affectant leurs synthèses, généralement inefficaces, et afin d'en améliorer les rendements. Nous avons conclu que l'inefficacité de cette synthèse est causée par des effets stéréoélectroniques : l’effet stérique du substituant en position ortho, qui s’ajoute à l’effet électronique du groupement en position para. Après différentes optimisations, nous avons réussi à synthétiser un azobenzène tétrachloré et un azobenzène tétrafluoré via un intermédiaire nitrosobenzène avec de bons rendements.Le dérivé tétrafluoro azobenzène a été ensuite fonctionnalisé en introduisant une chaîne alcyne terminée par un groupement maléimide afin de permettre sa fixation sur un résidu cystéine. Les propriétés physicochimiques très intéressantes (lumière verte d'irradiation,T1/2 = 72 jours, photostable) de cette pince ont été évaluées.Parallèlement, une synthèse efficace et pratique pour générer directement la fonction hydroxyle en ortho de l'azobenzène dans des conditions douces a été développée. Nous avons synthétisé plusieurs séries en faisant varier les substituants enpositions para ou/et en ortho afin d'étudier l'influence de ces subsituants sur la régiosélectivité de cette ortho-hydroxylation. L'équation de Jaffé et ses extensions ont donné une relation linéaire avec d'excellents coefficients de détermination R2.Enfin, les azophenols ont été évalués comme des détecteurs colorimétriques d'anions. Leurs caractéristiques ainsi que le mécanisme d'interaction ont été déterminés par une inspection visuelle, des mesures UV-Visible et des expériences de RMN. / Abstract : A methodological study on the synthesis of tetrasubstituted azobenzenes has been realized. We concluded that synthesis of multisubstitued azobenzene is hardly affected by the steric hindrance in ortho position and the electronic effect of para substituents.A tetrachloro and a tetrafluoro azobenzene have been synthesized in good yields, via nitrosobenzene intermediate. The tetrafluoro derivative was then functionalized with an alkyne chain containing a maleimide group for bioconjugation to cysteine residue. Its interesting photoisomerisation properties (green light of irradiation,1/2 = 72 days, photostable) were evaluated.We also developed a practical and effective method for direct ortho-hydroxylation of azobenzenes under mild conditions. The reaction showed a very good functional groups tolerance, leading to a wide range of original azophenols in satisfying to high yields.Through Hammett-Jaffé analyses, we presented a study that correlated electronic and steric perturbations induced by substituents nature to the regioselectivity of this direct hydroxylation process.Azophenols were finally evaluated as anion sensors. Anion sensing characteristics as well as interaction mechnism were determined using visual inspection, UV-Vis and NMR spectrocopy.

No description available.

Arsenic (As) contamination is a worldwide problem, and millions of people are suffering from it. There are two major inorganic forms of As in waters: arsenate(V) and arsenite(III), and adsorption to a sorbent material may be an efficient method to handle them. In this study, we focused on As(III), the more toxic form, which predominates under reducing conditions. The As(III) removal properties of four sorbent materials: hydrotalcite, Mg−Al layered double hydroxide, amorphous aluminium hydroxide and amorphous titanium oxide, are examined from the following viewpoints: As(III) adsorption, the effects of pH, the effects of adsorbent concentration, adsorption as a function of dissolved As(III), and the effect of co-existing anions (HCO3− and PO43−). The maximum adsorption of As(III) to HT (0.1 mmol As(III)/g adsorbent), Mg-Al LDH (0.1 mmol As(III)/g adsorbent), am-Al(OH)3 (0.22 mmol As(III)/g adsorbent), and am-TiO2 (0.21 mmol As(III)/g adsorbent) occurred at pH 7.5, 7, 7, 8, respectively. At this pH, approximately 20%, 62%, 35%, and 98.3%, respectively, of the added As(III) was adsorbed. When the As(III) to sorbent ratio was increased, the adsorption was instead around 7% to am-Al(OH)3 (2.2 mmol As(III)/g adsorbent), and 46.3% to am-TiO2 (2.1 mmol As(III)/g adsorbent). These figures show that am-TiO2is the most efficient sorbent for As(III) adsorption of the four materials tested, Mg-Al LDH is second best, while HT and am-Al(OH)3 are not suitable for As(III) removal. The adsorption of As(III) to Mg-Al LDH as a function of dissolved As(III) could be adequately described by a linear equation, suggesting that As(III) adsorption to Mg-Al LDH was governed by anion exchange. As a result, the co-existing anions (HCO3- and PO43-) showed a significant influence on As(III) adsorption to Mg-Al LDH. Considering the interfering effects of co-existing anions on am-TiO2, HCO3− did not influence As(III) adsorption, while PO43- caused a slight but clear competition effect. Overall, am-TiO2 would be the best choice of these four materials in contact with As-contaminated groundwater due to its superior As(III) removal properties and the limited competition from co-existing anions on As(III) adsorption. / Alltför höga halter av arsenik (As) i vatten är ett världsomspännande problem som orsakar hälsoproblem för miljontals människor. Det finns två huvudsakliga oorganiska former av As i vatten: arsenat(V) och arsenit(III), och adsorption till ett material (s.k. ”sorbent”) kan vara eneffektiv metod för att avlägsna dem från vatten. I denna studie fokuserade vi på arsenit(III), den mer giftiga formen, vilken dominerar under reducerande förhållanden. Vi undersökte adsorptionsegenskaperna för arsenit(III) för fyra sorbentmaterial som kan vara tänkbara när det gäller arsenikrening av förorenade vatten: hydrotalkit, s.k. Mg-Al LDH (Mg-Al-skiktad dubbelhydroxid), am-Al(OH)3 (amorf aluminiumhydroxid), och am-TiO2 (amorf titandioxid). Dessa material undersöktes när det gäller följande: adsorption av arsenit(III) som funktion av pH,betydelsen av sorbentkoncentration, adsorption som funktion av löst arsenit(III) (”isoterm”), och konkurrens från samexisterande anjoner (HCO3− och PO43−). Den maximala adsorptionen av As (III) till HT (0,1 mmol As(III)/g sorbent), Mg-Al LDH (0,1 mmol As(III)/g sorbent), am-Al(OH)3 (0,22 mmol As(III)/g sorbent) och am-TiO2(0,21 mmol As(III)/g sorbent) inträffade vid pH 7,5, 7, 7, respektive 8. Vid dessa pH-värden adsorberades ungefär 20%, 62%, 35% respektive 98,3% tillsatt As(III). När kvoten mellan As(III) till sorbent ökades blev adsorptionen istället cirka 7% till am-Al(OH)3 (2,2 mmol As(III)/g sorbent) och 46,3% till am-Ti02(2,1mmol As(III)/g sorbent). Dock var adsorptionsmängden per viktsenhetsorbenthögre över hela pH-området. Dessa siffror visar att am-TiO2 är det mest effektiva av de fyra testade materialen för As(III)-adsorption, Mg-Al LDH det näst bästa, medan HT och am-Al(OH)3 är olämpliga för detta ändamål. Adsorptionen av As(III) till Mg-Al LDH som funktion av löst As(III) kunde beskrivas väl med en linjär ekvation, vilket antyder att adsorptionen av As(III) till Mg-Al LDH styrdes av anjonbyte. I konsekvens med detta hade de samexisterande anjonerna (HCO3- och PO43-) ett betydande inflytande på As(III)-adsorptionen till Mg-Al LDH. För am-TiO2 påverkade HCO3− inte As(III)-adsorptionen, medan PO43- orsakade en liten men tydlig konkurrenseffekt. Sammantaget är am-TiO2 det bästa valet av dessa fyra material i kontakt med As- kontaminerat grundvatten på grund av dess betydligt bättre förmåga att avskilja arsenit(III) och den förhållandevis blygsamma konkurrensen från andra anjoner.

No description available.

Pharmaceutical companies and FDA (Federal Drug Administration) rules rely heavily on crystalline active pharmaceutical ingredients delivered as tablets and powders in the form of neutral compounds, salts and solvates of neutral compounds and salts. About half of all drugs sold in the market are in the form of salts which are held together by ionic bonds along with some other forces. Recently, Ionic liquids (ILs) an interesting class of chemical compounds have offered potential opportunity for exploration as novel drug ionic liquid salts, particularly in the field of transdermal/topical drug delivery. Due to the multifunctional nature of these salts they could allow generation of new pathway to manipulate the transport and deposition behaviour of the drug molecule. It is this modular approach of IL that forms the basis of the research presented here, in which pharmaceutically acceptable compounds are combined with selected drugs with known problems. IL salts were generated by combining at least one drug molecule with FDA approved compounds and were assessed for physicochemical properties, skin deposition and permeation studies. Skin deposition data suggested that these systems exhibit high skin retention, which was found to correlate with the molecular weight. On the other hand, permeation data displayed an inverse relationship between flux values and molecular weight of the permeant. Similar work was extended with ILs with mixed anions containing two drugs. The benzalkonium-sulfacetamide ILs were investigated for synergism and the biological studies data display no synergistic effect. It was also illustrated that in-situ IL based ibuprofen hydrogels systems could be manipulated via IL approach for topical application. These findings suggest the potential applicability of IL based formulations for topical delivery of drugs.

Une caractéristique nutritionnelle peu connue des fromages est leur potentiel acidifiant, qui se révèle au cours du métabolisme et, à long terme, est susceptible d’induire des effets délétères sur la santé du consommateur. Malgré des conséquences physiopathologiques bien connues, très peu d’études se sont intéressées au potentiel acidifiant/alcalinisant des aliments et aucune à celui des fromages. L’objectif principal était d’évaluer d’une part le potentiel acidifiant des fromages et identifier ses déterminants au cours de la fabrication et d’autre part d’explorer des stratégies d’optimisation technologique permettant de réduire le potentiel acidifiant des fromages, tout en assurant leurs qualités gustatives. Le potentiel acidifiant a été évalué sur la base de l’indice PRAL (Potential Renal Acid Load, en tenant compte des teneurs en protéine, P, Cl, Na, K, Mg et Ca) et de la teneur en anions organiques (lactate et citrate). Dans un premier temps, l’étude du potentiel acidifiant de cinq types de fromages du commerce a permis d’établir un lien fort entre le type du fromage et son potentiel acidifiant. L’indice PRAL le plus faible est celui du fromage frais avec - 0,8 mEq/100 g, les indices les plus élevés atteignant 25,3 mEq/100 g pour le fromage à pâte pressée non-cuite (Cantal) et 28,0 mEq/100 g pour le fromage à pâte persillée (Fourme d’Ambert). Ce positionnement a ainsi permis de sélectionner un modèle fromage pour la suite des travaux : la Fourme d’Ambert. Dans une seconde phase, l’égouttage et le salage ont été identifiés comme les deux étapes technologiques déterminantes dans la génération du potentiel acidifiant du modèle fromage choisi, au cours de la transformation fromagère, suivie en milieu industriel. Ces études démontrent un déséquilibre important entre les éléments acidifiants (Cl, P, protéines) et les éléments alcalinisants majeurs (Na et Ca) du PRAL. En particulier, les Cl suivis par le P, ont exercé un très fort impact expliquant les indices élevés obtenus. Enfin, une substitution du NaCl par des sels organiques de calcium (lactate et citrate de Ca) a été testée en conditions industrielles pendant le salage à sec de la Fourme d’Ambert. Les deux sels ont montré un réel intérêt pour substituer partiellement le sel des fromages, sans affecter les propriétés sensorielles des produits finis et notamment les saveurs salée et amère. La substitution au lactate de Ca permettrait d’optimiser le potentiel acidifiant des fromages, en diminuant le PRAL et la teneur en Na et en augmentant la teneur en lactate. La substitution au citrate de Ca serait plutôt indiquée dans le cadre d’un enrichissement en Ca. En conclusion, ces études ont permis d’identifier les leviers à maîtriser pour réduire le potentiel acidifiant des fromages. L’approche adoptée a proposé la mise en application d’un concept connu principalement des nutritionnistes jusqu’ici dans les domaines de la biochimie et de la technologie alimentaires. Les perspectives d’innovation envisagées sont pertinentes avec les enjeux de santé publique actuels, en visant la réduction en Na dans les fromages et en participant à la limitation de l’acidose métabolique latente induite par les régimes occidentaux. Enfin, les retombées économiques de ces recherches sont prometteuses pour les filières fromagères. / A disregarded nutritional feature of cheeses is their acid-forming potential when ingested, associated with deleterious effects for consumers’ health. Despite the well-known pathophysiological consequences, very few studies investigated the acidifying/alkalizing potential of foods and especially, none targeted cheeses. The research project aimed on the one hand to evaluate the acid-forming potential of cheeses and identify the main key steps of the manufacture involved in this phenomenon and on the other hand to explore technological optimization strategies to reduce the acid-forming potential of cheeses, without altering their sensory properties. The acid-forming potential was evaluated on the basis of their Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) index (considering protein, P, Cl, Na, K, Mg and Ca contents) and organic anions contents (lactate and citrate). Firstly, the study of the acid-forming potential of five commercial cheeses from different cheese-making technologies established a strong link between the type of cheese and their acid-forming potential. PRAL index ranged from - 0.8 mEq/100 g for fresh cheese to 25.3 mEq/100 g for hard cheese (Cantal) and 28.0 mEq/100 g for the blue-veined cheese Fourme d’Ambert. This positioning allowed to select Fourme d'Ambert as model cheese for next steps. Secondly, draining and salting were identified as the main key steps responsible for the generation of the acid-forming potential of the model cheese, by following an industrial cheese-making process. These studies emphasized a great imbalance between acidifying elements of PRAL calculation (Cl, P and proteins elements) and alkalinizing ones (Na and Ca). Particularly, Cl followed by P elements had a strong impact on the PRAL value. Finally, the salt substitution with organic calcium salts (calcium lactate and calcium citrate) was tested under industrial conditions during the dry salting of Fourme d'Ambert cheese. Both salts showed a real nutritional interest to partially replace salt in cheese, without affecting their sensory properties and especially the salty and the bitter flavors. The salt substitution by calcium lactate could reduce the acid-forming potential of cheeses, by decreasing the PRAL and the sodium content and by increasing the lactate content. The calcium citrate substitution would rather be recommended for Ca enrichment of cheeses. As a conclusion, these studies allowed to identify technological solutions to reduce the acid-forming potential of cheeses. The adopted approach proposed the implementation of a concept, known mainly by nutritionists so far, to the biochemistry and the food technology fields. The considered prospects for innovation are relevant with the current public health issues, targeting the reduction of Na in cheeses and participating in the limitation of the Western diets induced metabolic acidosis. Finally, the economic benefits of this research are promising for cheese-making producers.

Metallpniktide und -chalkogenide erfahren zunehmend mehr Aufmerksamkeit in Chemie und Festkörperphysik. Dieses Interesse liegt unter anderem in der ungewöhnlichen Strukturchemie der Verbindungen begründet. In den Pniktogen(Pn)- bzw. Chalkogen(Q)-reichen Verbindungen dieser Systeme ist besonders häufig die Bildung der jeweiligen Oligo- oder Polyanionen bzw. Moleküle zu beobachten. Einerseits können die homoatomaren Pn–Pn- bzw. Q–Q-Bindungen zur Ausbildung niederdimensionaler Strukturmotive mit anisotropen Eigenschaften, wie bspw. Supraleitung und Metall-Halbleiter-Übergänge, führen; andererseits ergeben sich aus dem sterischen Raumanspruch der Struktureinheiten in Kombination mit den hohen Koordinationszahlen schwerer Übergangs- oder Actinoidmetalle komplexe Strukturen. Die Pn- bzw. Q-Atome treten häufig gemischtvalent auf, was zusammen mit den beschriebenen Strukturmerkmalen die enorme Variabilität und Anpassungsfähigkeit dieser Stoffsysteme widerspiegelt. Im Rahmen des ersten Teils der vorliegenden Dissertation wurde die potentielle Oligoanionenbildung in den bisher als quadratisch-planar beschriebenen Phosphidschichten von Actinoidphosphidtelluriden diskutiert. Über eine chemische Transportreaktion mit Iod ist es gelungen Kristalle des Uranphosphidtellurids UPTe und des verwandten, bisher unbekannten Diuranphosphidditelluridoxids U2PTe2O zu züchten und die Kristallstrukturen durch Einkristallröntgendiffraktometrie aufzuklären. Die Strukturen beider Verbindungen können durch eine Abfolge von [U2P2]- und [Te2]-Schichten, bzw. [U2P2]-, [U2O2]- und [Te2]-Schichten entlang [001] beschrieben werden. Die Phosphoratome in den [U2P2]-Abschnitten bilden eine Schicht parallel ausgerichteter P2-Anionen. Die Zusammenlagerung der Phosphoratome sowie die geordnete Ausrichtung der Hanteln bedingt eine Symmetriereduktion der ursprünglich tetragonal angenommenen Struktur mit fehlgeordneten Phosphoratomen hin zu einem Strukturmodell in der monoklinen Raumgruppe I11m. Bindungsanalysen im Realraum mit Hilfe des Elektronen-Lokalisierbarkeits-Indikator (ELI D) ergaben für UPTe in der monoklin verzerrten Struktur ein zusätzliches Doppelmaximum auf der gedachten Linie zwischen den Phosphoratomen P1 und P2, welches als homoatomare P–P-Bindungen interpretiert werden kann. Zudem konnte über eine Festkörpersynthese die ternäre Verbindung Thoriumphosphidtellurid ThPTe erhalten werden, deren Pulverröntgendaten ein zu UPTe analoges Strukturbild zeigt. Wenngleich die Fehlordnung in der Phosphorschicht von ThPTe experimentell nicht aufgelöst werden konnte, war es durch Raman-Spektroskopie möglich, die Existenz der P2 Hanteln sowohl in ThPTe als auch in UPTe zu belegen. Beide isotype Verbindungen können in ionischer Grenzschreibweise als A4+ + ½ P24– + Te2– (A = Th, U) formuliert werden. Im zweiten Teil der vorliegenden Dissertation wurde die vielfältige Strukturchemie neuer Selen-Halogenid-Komplexe des Iridiums insbesondere hinsichtlich ihrer Oligoselenidliganden sowie koordinativ gebundener Selenmoleküle dargelegt. Durch die Aktivierung von elementarem Iridium in Selentetrahalogenid-Schmelzen konnten erstmalig Verbindungen im System Ir–Se–Br dargestellt und die Strukturvielfalt im System Ir–Se–Cl signifikant erweitert werden. Die synthetisierten ein- bis achtkernigen Iridium(III)-Komplexe zeichnen sich durch eine bemerkenswerte Diversität ihrer Liganden aus, die von Halogenidionen, Selenmono- und Selendihalogenid-Einheiten über zyklische Selenmoleküle bis zu Oligoselenidketten reicht. Die variablen Verknüpfungsmoden dieser Liganden erweitern zusätzlich das Spektrum möglicher Komplexformen und -größen. Die kleinsten, dargestellten ternären Iridiumkomplexe a-fac-[IrBr3(SeBr2)3], m-fac-[IrBr3(SeBr2)3] und mer-[IrBr3(SeBr2)3] besitzen ausschließlich endständige Selendibromid- und Bromidliganden, die sich in ihrer Konfiguration unterscheiden. In den isotypen, zweikernigen Iridiumkomplexen [Se9(IrX3)2] (X = Cl, Br, Cl/Br) wird ein ungeladener, unter den Allotropen des Selens unbekannter Se9-Ring in Kronen-Konformation durch zwei IrX3-Moleküle stabilisiert. Der cyclo-Nonaselenligand ist der erste seiner Art, der mittels Röntgenbeugung am Einkristall charakterisiert werden konnte. Se9(IrCl1.66(1)Br1.34(1))2 repräsentiert zudem die erste quaternäre Verbindung in den Systemen M–Se–Cl–Br (M = Platinmetalle). Die ringförmigen, vier- und sechskernigen Komplexe [Ir4Se10Br16] sowie [Ir6Se8Cl30] und [Ir6Se6Cl30] zählen zu den größten Ringstrukturen unter den Chalkogen-Halogeniden der Platinmetalle. Ihre intramolekulare Verknüpfung wird unter anderem durch µ-verbrückende X–-Anionen und sehr seltene (SeX)–-Einheiten realisiert. Die verwandten [Ir6Se8Cl30]- und [Ir6Se6Cl30]-Ringe können als molekularer Ausschnitt der aus [IrCl6/2]-Oktaedern bestehenden Honigwabenstruktur von alpha-IrCl3 beschrieben werden. Die achtkernigen Iridiumkomplexe [Ir8Se28Br14] und [Ir8Se40Br10] bilden über die sechsfach-verbrückenden Se22–-Hanteln und die vierfach-verbrückenden Se42–-Ketten sehr große, ellipsoide Moleküle aus, die stark einem Ausschnitt aus der Netzwerkstruktur von Ir3Se8 ähneln. Beide Komplexe unterscheiden sich lediglich in ihren apikal koordinierenden Liganden: SeBr2-Einheiten im Fall von [Ir8Se28Br14] und ungeladene Heptaselenringe im Fall von [Ir8Se40Br10]. Die Se7-Moleküle repräsentieren ihrerseits die ersten cyclo-Heptaseleneinheiten in Boot-Konformation. An den [Ir8Se28Br14] Komplex koordinieren über Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen zusätzlich zwei Wassermoleküle. Die räumliche Anordnung der Moleküle im Festkörper von Ir8Se28Br14·2H2O stellt eine hervorragende Näherung der dichtesten Ellipsoidpackung dar.

Thirteen new dinuclear complexes of ligand 2,6-bis[(N-methylpiperazine-1- yl)methyl]-4-formyl phenol (L1) were prepared. Copper(II) and palladium(II) salts were used for the syntheses. Following compounds were prepared: [Cu2L1(CH3COO)2]ClO4, [Cu2L1(CF3COO)2(ClO4)][Cu2L1(CF3COO)2]ClO4, [Pd2L1(CH3COO)3], [Pd2L1(CF3COO)3], [Pd2L1(Cl)4]. These ones should act as anion receptors. The acetates were exchanged for phenylphosphinates in the case of the complex cation [Cu2L1(CH3COO)2]+ and the structure of [Cu2L1(phPO2H)2]ClO4 was obtained. Geometry of coordination shell of Cu2+ - ions in prepared complexes is tetragonal pyramid. The UV-VIS spectroscopy was used for study of interactions in system of the ligand - metal - anion. Interactions between the ligand and metals in oxidation state 2 were observed as well as interactions between the complex [Cu2L1(CH3COO)2]ClO4 and sodium salts.

Interactions between plant roots and soil microorganisms in the rhizosphere are critical for plant growth. However, understanding of precisely how root exudates influence the diversity and activity of rhizosphere microorganisms is limited. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of radiata pine (Pinus radiata) root exudates on rhizosphere soil microbial communities, with an emphasis on the role of low molecular weight organic anions. The study involved the development and validation of new methods for investigating rhizosphere processes in a purpose-built facility. This included development of an in situ sampling technique using an anion exchange membrane strip to collect a range of organic anions exuded from radiata pine roots grown in large-scale rhizotrons. These included tartarate, quinate, formate, malate, malonate, shikimate, lactate, acetate, maleate, citrate, succinate and fumarate. Soil microbial activity and diversity were determined using dehydrogenase activity and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Links between organic anions in root exudates and rhizosphere soil microbial community structures were investigated by comparing wild type and genetically modified radiata pine trees which were grown in rhizotrons for 10 months. As expected, there was considerable temporal and spatial variability in the amounts and composition of organic anions collected, and there were no consistent or significant differences determined between the two tree lines. Significant differences in rhizosphere microbial communities were detected between wild type and genetically modified pine trees; however, they were inconsistent throughout the experiment. The shifts in microbial communities could have been related to changes in exudate production and composition. Based on results from the main rhizotron experiment, a microcosm study was carried out to investigate the influence of selected pine root exudate sugars (glucose, sucrose and fructose) and organic anions (quinate, lactate and maleate) on soil microbial activity and diversity. Soil microbial activity increased up to 3-fold in all of the sugar and organic anion treatments compared to the control, except for a mixture of sugars and maleate where it decreased. The corresponding impacts on soil microbial diversity were assessed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and 16S rRNA phylochips. Addition of the exudate compounds had a dramatic impact on the composition and diversity of the soil microbial community. A large number of bacterial taxa (88 to 1043) responded positively to the presence of exudate compounds, although some taxa (12 to 24) responded negatively. Organic anions had a greater impact on microbial communities than sugars, which indicated that they may have important roles in rhizosphere ecology of radiata pine. In addition, a diverse range of potentially beneficial bacterial taxa were detected in soil amended with organic anions, indicating specific regulation of rhizosphere microbial communities by root exudates. This project highlighted the considerable challenges and difficulties involved in detailed investigation of in situ rhizosphere processes. Nonetheless, the findings of this study represent a significant contribution to advancing understanding of relationships between root exudates and soil microbial diversity, which will be further enhanced by refinement and application of the specific methodologies and techniques developed.