by Ming-Keung Wong. / Submission year appears as 1996. Graduation year on spine miss printed as 1996. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-78). / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Contents --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.v / List of abbreviations --- p.vi / Chapter I. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter I.1 --- Reactions of furan --- p.2 / Chapter I.1.a. --- Electrophilic substitution --- p.2 / Chapter I.1.b. --- Lithiation and alkylation --- p.2 / Chapter I.2. --- Syntheses of furans --- p.3 / Chapter I.3. --- "Syntheses of 2,3-disubstituted furans" --- p.3 / Chapter I.3.a. --- Through C3-substituent-directed lithiation --- p.4 / Chapter I.3.b. --- By molybdenum pentacarbonyl-catalyzed cyclization --- p.5 / Chapter I.3.c. --- By Ag(I) catalyzed cyclization --- p.6 / Chapter I.4. --- Syntheses of rosefuran --- p.6 / Chapter I.4.a. --- Via 2-lithio-3-methylfuran --- p.7 / Chapter I.4.b. --- By Claisen rearrangement --- p.7 / Chapter I.4.c. --- By oxidative decarboxylation with lead tetraacetate --- p.8 / Chapter I.4.d. --- By prenylation of 3-methylbut-2-enolide --- p.8 / Chapter I.4.e. --- Via 3-bromo-2-furylithium --- p.9 / Chapter I.4.f. --- By reaction of α-oxo ketone dithioacetal with dimethylsulfonium methylide --- p.10 / Chapter I.4.g. --- Via allyl alcohol --- p.11 / Chapter I.4.h. --- Via γ-keto aldehyde --- p.11 / Chapter I.4.i. --- By the transformation of 5-oxogeraniol --- p.12 / Chapter I.4.j. --- By base-catalyzed cyclization of alkynoate --- p.13 / Chapter I.4.k. --- Via 3-hydroxyketone cyclization --- p.14 / Chapter I.4.L. --- By [3+2] nitrile oxide cycloaddition --- p.15 / Chapter I.5. --- "Syntheses of 2,4-disubstituted furans" --- p.16 / Chapter I.5.a. --- By electrochemical method --- p.17 / Chapter I.5.b. --- From acyclic reagents --- p.18 / Chapter I.5.c. --- "From 2,3-disubstituted furan" --- p.19 / Chapter I.5.d. --- From p-hydroxy sulfones --- p.20 / Chapter I.6. --- "Syntheses of 2,3,4-trisubstituted furans" --- p.21 / Chapter I.6.a. --- Via tantalum-alkyne complexes --- p.22 / Chapter I.6.b. --- Via intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of oxazole alcohols --- p.23 / Chapter I.6.c. --- By using unsaturated sulfoxides --- p.24 / Chapter I.7. --- "Syntheses of 2,3,5-trisubstituted furans" --- p.26 / Chapter I.7.a. --- "From α,β-unsaturated ketone" --- p.26 / Chapter I.7.b. --- By palladium catalyzed cyclization --- p.27 / Chapter I.7.c. --- Via base-catalyzed isomerization of alkynyloxiranes --- p.28 / Chapter II. --- Results and Discussion --- p.30 / Chapter II.1 --- "Regiospecific synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted furans" --- p.30 / Chapter II. 1.a. --- "Synthesis of 2,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)furan (137)" --- p.30 / Chapter II.1.b. --- Synthesis of 2-n-hexyl-3-trimethylsilylfuran (140) and 2-benzyl-3-trimethylsilylfuran (143) --- p.35 / Chapter II.1.e. --- "Synthesis of 3-benzyl-2-N-hexylfuran (145) and 2-benzyl-3-[3,4-(methylenedioxy)]benzylfuran (153)" --- p.36 / Chapter II.2. --- Syntheses of rosefuran (4) --- p.40 / Chapter II.2.a. --- "Synthesis of rosefuran (4) from 2,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)furan (137)" --- p.40 / Chapter II.2.b. --- Synthesis of rosefuran (4) from -methyl-4-trimethylsilylfuran (158) --- p.42 / Chapter II.3. --- "Regiospecific synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted furans" --- p.44 / Chapter II.3.a. --- Synthesis of 3-trimethylsilylfuran (163) --- p.44 / Chapter II.3.b. --- Synthesis of tri(2-benzylfuran-4-yl)boroxine (165) --- p.45 / Chapter II.3.C. --- Synthesis of 2-benzyl-4-(p-tolyl)furan (166) and 2-benzyl-4-(trans-2-phenylvinyl)furan (167) --- p.46 / Chapter IL3.d. --- Synthesis of 2-benzyl-4-(trimethylsilylethynyl)furan (169) --- p.47 / Chapter IL3.e. --- "Synthesis of 2,2'-bis(benzyl)-4,4'-bifuran (174)" --- p.50 / Chapter II.4. --- "Regiospecific synthesis of 2,3,4-trisubstituted furan" --- p.51 / Chapter II.5. --- "Regiospecific synthesis of 2,3,5-trisubstituted furan" --- p.53 / Chapter III. --- Conclusion --- p.56 / Chapter IV. --- Experimental Section --- p.57 / Chapter V. --- References --- p.75 / Chapter VI. --- List of spectra --- p.79 / Chapter VII. --- Spectra --- p.81

by Zhi Zhong Song. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 158-171 (1st gp)). / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Contents --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.viii / List of Publications Based on Research Reported in this Thesis --- p.ix / List of Acronyms and Abbreviations --- p.x / Chapter Chapter I. --- The Reaction and Synthesis of Furans / Chapter I.1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter I.2. --- General Survey of Reaction of Furan --- p.2 / Chapter I.2.1. --- Electrophilic substitutions --- p.2 / Chapter I.2.2. --- Nucleophilic reactions --- p.3 / Chapter I.2.3. --- Cycloaddition reactions --- p.5 / Chapter I.2.4. --- Oxidation reactions --- p.7 / Chapter I.2.5. --- Reduction reactions --- p.9 / Chapter I.3 --- New Progress in the Synthesis of Polysubstituted Furans --- p.10 / Chapter I.3.1. --- From carbohydrates --- p.11 / Chapter I.3.2. --- The Passerini-type reaction --- p.11 / Chapter I.3.3. --- "Via γ,δ-unsaturated-β-ketoesters" --- p.12 / Chapter I.3.4. --- Via tantalum-alkyne complex --- p.13 / Chapter I.3.5. --- Via addition of carbenoids --- p.14 / Chapter I.3.6. --- Via cycloaddition of alkyne and isomunchnone --- p.15 / Chapter I.3.7. --- Via reaction of metal carbene complexes with alkynes --- p.17 / Chapter I.3.8. --- Via η2-thiophosphinito complexes of cobalt --- p.18 / Chapter I.3.9. --- Via palladium-catalyzed annelation --- p.19 / Chapter I.3.10. --- "Via α,β- and β,γ-unsaturated ketones" --- p.24 / Chapter I.3.11. --- Via allenes --- p.26 / Chapter I.3.12. --- "Via 2,5-dihydrofurans" --- p.28 / Chapter I.3.13. --- Via radical cyclization --- p.28 / Chapter Chapter II. --- "The Synthesis and Applications of 3,4-Disubstituted Furans" / Chapter II. 1. --- Introduction --- p.30 / Chapter II.2. --- "Synthesis of 3,4-Disubstituted Furans" --- p.30 / Chapter II.2.1. --- Via Diels-Alder/retro-Diels-Alder reaction --- p.30 / Chapter II.2.2. --- "Via 2-butyne-l,4-diol" --- p.31 / Chapter II.2.3. --- Via ylides --- p.31 / Chapter II.2.4. --- "Via 3,4-dimethylsulpholene" --- p.32 / Chapter II.2.5. --- Via functionalized furan ring --- p.33 / Chapter II.2.5.1. --- Via Diels-Alder/retro-Diels-Alder reaction --- p.33 / Chapter II.2.5.2. --- Via furan matathesis --- p.33 / Chapter II.2.5.3. --- Via allene --- p.34 / Chapter II.2.5.4. --- "Via 3,4-disubstituted furans" --- p.35 / Chapter II.2.5.5. --- Via 3-hydroxymethylfuran --- p.36 / Chapter II.3. --- "Some Synthetic Applications of 3,4-Disubstituted Furans" --- p.37 / Chapter II.3.1. --- "Furan-3,4-dicarboxylic acid and its ester" --- p.37 / Chapter II.3.2. --- "3,4-Alkoxyfuran" --- p.39 / Chapter II.3.3. --- "3,4-Dichloromethylfuran" --- p.41 / Chapter II.3.4. --- 4-(Trimethylsilylacetylenyl)-3-(trimethylsilyl)furan --- p.42 / Chapter II.3.5. --- "3,4-Dimethylfuran" --- p.43 / Chapter Chapter III. --- Results and Discussion / Chapter III.1. --- Aim of the Present Work --- p.45 / Chapter III.2. --- ipso-Effect of Silyl Groups --- p.45 / Chapter III.3. --- "Synthesis of 3,4-Bis(trimethylsilyl)furan (105) and Its Modification" --- p.47 / Chapter III.4. --- "Acid-catalyzed Rearrangement of 3,4-Bis(trimethylsilyl)furan (105)" --- p.48 / Chapter III.5. --- "Diels-Alder Reactions of 3,4-Bis(trimethylsilyl)furan (105)" --- p.51 / Chapter III.6. --- "Acylation Reaction of 3,4-Bis(trimethylsilyl)furan (105)" --- p.54 / Chapter III.7. --- "Iodination of 3,4-Bis(trimethylsilyl)furan (105)" --- p.56 / Chapter III.8. --- Synthesis of 4-Substituted-3-(trimethylsiIyl)furan from Palladium- and Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reaction of 4-Iodo-3-(trimethylsilyl)furan (120) --- p.57 / Chapter III.8.1. --- Introduction --- p.57 / Chapter III.8.2. --- Heck-type reaction of 4-iodo-3-(trimethylsilyl)furan (120) --- p.59 / Chapter III.8.2.1. --- General feature of Heck reaction --- p.59 / Chapter III.8.2.2. --- Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of 4-iodo-3- (trimethylsilyl)furan (120) with terminal alkenes --- p.61 / Chapter III.8.2.3. --- Mechanism of result --- p.62 / Chapter III.8.2.4. --- "Synthesis of 3-(trimethylsilyl)-5,6- bis(ethoxycarbonyl)benzo[2.3-b]furan (126) from Heck- type reaction of 4-iodo-3-(trimethylsilyl)furan (120) and ethyl acrylate" --- p.63 / Chapter III.8.3. --- Stille-type reaction of 4-iodo-3-(trimethylsilyl)furan (120) --- p.66 / Chapter III.8.3.1. --- General feature of Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl or vinyl halides with terminal alkynes (Stille-type reaction) --- p.66 / Chapter III.8.3.2. --- Palladium-catalyzed substitution of terminal alkynes with 4-iodo-3-(trimethylsilyl)furan (120): a convenient synthesis of 4-alkynyl-3-(trimethylsilyl)furan (127) --- p.67 / Chapter III.8.3.3. --- Mechanism --- p.69 / Chapter III.8.4 --- Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of organoboronic acid with 4-iodo-3-(trimethylsilyl)furan (120) (Suzuki-type reaction) --- p.70 / Chapter III.8.4.1. --- General feature of Suzuki reaction --- p.70 / Chapter III.8.4.2. --- Suzuki-type reaction of 4-iodo-3-(trimethylsilyl)- furan (120) --- p.72 / Chapter III.8.5. --- Palladium- or nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 4-iodo-3- (trimethylsilyl)furan (120) with bis(p-methoxycarbonyl)zinc and Grignard reagents --- p.73 / Chapter III.8.5.1. --- Palladium-catalyzed coupling of 4-iodo-3- (trimethylsilyl)furan (120) with bis(p- methoxycarbonyl)zinc --- p.73 / Chapter III.8.5.2. --- Nickel-catalyzed coupling of 4-iodo-3- (trimethylsilyl)furan (120) with Grignard reagents --- p.74 / Chapter III.9. --- "Regiospecific Conversion of 3,4-Bis(trimethyIsilyl)furan (105) to 3,4- Disubstituted Furans (147): A Novel Suzuki-Type Cross-Coupling of Boroxines" --- p.77 / Chapter III.9.1. --- General survey of boroxines --- p.77 / Chapter III.9.1.1. --- Introduction --- p.77 / Chapter III.9.1.2. --- Syntheses of boroxines --- p.78 / Chapter III.9.1.2.1. --- From boronic acid --- p.78 / Chapter III.9.1.2.2. --- From organolithium compounds --- p.78 / Chapter III.9.1.2.3. --- From trialkylborane --- p.79 / Chapter III.9.1.2.4. --- From trimethylborane and boric oxide --- p.80 / Chapter III.9.1.2.5. --- From dichloroborane --- p.81 / Chapter III.9.1.2.6. --- From carboxylic acid --- p.81 / Chapter III.9.1.3. --- The reactions of boroxines --- p.82 / Chapter III.9.1.3.1. --- Oxidation --- p.82 / Chapter III.9.1.3.2. --- Hydrolysis --- p.83 / Chapter III.9.1.3.3. --- Formation of complexes --- p.83 / Chapter III.9.1.3.4. --- Preparation of oxazaborolidine using trimethylboroxine --- p.85 / Chapter III.9.1.4. --- The structural feature of boroxines --- p.85 / Chapter III.9.2. --- Preparation and structural feature of tris[4-(trimethylsilyl)furan-3- yl]boroxine (144) --- p.87 / Chapter III.9.3. --- Palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-type cross-coupling reaction of tris[4- (trimethylsilyl)furan-3-yl]boroxine (144) --- p.89 / Chapter III.9.4. --- "Preparation and palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-type cross-coupling reactions of tris[4-(substituted)furan-3-yl]boroxines (145): Regiospecific synthesis of unsymmetrical 3,4-disubstituted furans (147)" --- p.93 / Chapter III.9.5. --- Mechanism of palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-type cross-coupling of boroxines --- p.98 / Chapter III.9.6. --- Iodination of boroxines --- p.99 / Chapter III. 10. --- "Regiospecific Synthesis of Furan-3,4-diyl Oligomers via Palladium- Catalyzed Self-Coupling of Boroxines" --- p.102 / Chapter III. 10.1. --- Palladium-catalyzed reactions of boroxines with ortho- bis(bromomethyl)arenes --- p.102 / Chapter III. 10.2. --- Reaction mechanism --- p.104 / Chapter III. 10.3. --- "Synthesis of furan-3,4-diyl oligomers" --- p.110 / Chapter III. 11. --- Conclusion --- p.116 / Experimental --- p.117 / References --- p.158 / Appendices / Chapter I. --- List of crystallographic data of tris[4-(trimethylsilyl)furan-3-yl]boroxine (144) --- p.172 / Chapter II. --- List of spectra --- p.177

Tsang Tsun-keung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-78). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.i / CONTENTS --- p.ii / ABSTRACT --- p.iv / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.vii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- General Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Characteristics of sesquiterpenoid furanoeudesmanes --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Examples of trans-fused natural sesquiterpenoid furanoeudesmanes --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Examples of cis-fused natural sesquiterpenoid furanoeudesmanes --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.3.1 --- Tubipofuran and 15-acetoxytubipofuran --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Examples of C9-C10 unsaturated natural sesquiterpenoid furanoeudesmanes --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2 --- Biosynthesis of Sesquiterpenoid Furanoeudesmanes --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3 --- Synthesis of Sesquiterpenoid Furanoeudesmanes --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Synthetic examples of trans-fused sesquiterpenoid furanoeudesmanes --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Synthetic examples of cis-fused sesquiterpenoid furanoeudesmanes --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.2.1 --- "Linearly fused A/B trans- and A/B cis- furo[3,2-b] and furo[2,3-b] decalin derivatives" --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.2.2 --- "(±)-14-Norfuranoeudesmane-4,5-dione" --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.2.3 --- Tubipofuran and 15-acetoxytubipofuran --- p.12 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION --- p.18 / Chapter 2.1 --- Aim of Present Work --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2 --- C ring + A ring →AC ring → ABC ring Scheme A --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Preparation of C ring in Scheme A --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Preparation of A ring in Scheme A --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Formation of B ring in Scheme A --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3 --- C ring + A ring → AC ring → ABC ring Scheme B --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Preparation of C ring in Scheme B --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Preparation of A ring in Scheme B --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Formation of B ring in Scheme B --- p.38 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- CONCLUSION --- p.51 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- EXPERIMENTAL SECTION --- p.52 / REFERENCES --- p.73 / APPENDIX --- p.79 / Chapter I --- List of X-ray Crystallographic Data / Chapter II --- List ofNMR Spectra

by Yick Chung Yan. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 109-116). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Chan Siu Hin. / "June 2005." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-195). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in English and Chinese.

Two approaches to the tricyclic core of the furanoeremophilane sesquiterpenoids are described. The first approach entails a projected Diels-Alder/retro Diels-Alder reaction of an acetylenic oxazole 64. Construction of the pivotal aldehyde 67 commenced from ketone 68. The acetyenic moiety was then introduced via a Felkin-Ahn addition of lithiopropyne to aldehyde 67. The final conversion of the cyclohexanone 83 to the acetylenic triflate 65 was unsuccessful. Attempts at addition of lithiated 2-methyloxazole 88 to ketone 83 were also unsuccessful. The second approach exploited a new annulation strategy. The aldehyde 64 was advanced to the 2, 4, 6-triisopropylbenzene sulfonylhydrazone 102 and a Shapiro reaction of 102 then provided alcohol 96. The furyl stananne 114 was readily prepared via a six-step sequence from acetylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal 106. Unification of allylic bromide 90 and stannane 114 was accomplished through a Stille cross coupling methodology and the resulting product 113 was advanced to the aldehyde 116. However, attempts at further oxidation of this aldehyde to the required acid 89 failed. An alternative furyl stananne 124 with a tert-butyldimethylsilyl substituent at the C2 position was prepared from 3-furoic acid. An analogous sequence to that used with 113 led to aldehyde 131 which was successfully cyclized with the aid of trimethylsilyl trifluromethanesulfonate and 2, 6-lutidine to the tricyclic structure 132. Oxidation of the epimeric mixture of alcohols, followed by stereoselective reduction and removal of the tert-butyldimethylsilyl group from alcohol 134, gave (±)-6β-hydroxyeuroposin (4). Oxidation experiments with 134 were shown to convert the furan in this structure to a butenolide characteristic of the eremophilenolides. / Graduation date: 2004

Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology (MTech) at Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Science, Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2011 / Aromatic polyamides (PAs) are widely used as high-performance polymers in technical applications due to their unique combination of outstanding thermal, optical, mechanical and chemical properties. Although PAs are mostly utilized where strength or heat resistance is of primary concern, they also find use in other important applications such as in NOMEX membranes for desalination of brackish water or seawater. PAs do however have some disadvantages such as high melting points, high glass transition temperatures (T 9) and a limited solubility in most organic solvents, wh.ich makes their processing difficult. Polyureas (PUs) are generally known for their excellent thermal stability and high chemical resistance due to the presence of thermally stable bonds of aromatic or heterocyclic ring systems along their backbone. Both polymer systems are poorly researched when it comes*' the introduction of furan units into the chains. The same is valid for cases where two or more different diacids or diamines are incorporated. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the influence of furan units in the polymer chains and the change in properties if the composition of starting materials is varied further. Nineteen PAs were prepared via the interfacial polymerization method and the homogeneous phase polymerization method. These polymers were prepared either with furan- or isophthalic acids in their chains and then compared with the copolymers, containing both diacids in different ratios. Products were characterized by various analytical techniques. Furanoyl-2,5-dichloride (FDC) and different amounts of isophthaloyl chloride (IPDC) - 0, 10, 30 and 50% - as the basic starting monomers were reacted individually with four diamines: m-phenylen diamine (MPD), 4,4'-diamino diphenylsulfone (DDS), 4,4'-diamino diphenylether (ODE) and 2,4-bis(4-aminophenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine (BAT) by interfacial or homogeneous polycondensation reactions. Two polyureas, starting with furanoyl-2,5-diazide (FDZ) and transformed into the diisocyanate were prepared by reaction with two diamines, namely MPD and DDS in homogeneous solution. The PAs and PUs were characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Proton NMR CH), Carbon NMR C3C), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The water up-take per polymer unit (mol water I repeat unit of the polymer) was measured. The values for 70% Relative Humidity (RH) were between 0.87 and 1 ~80 moles of water per repeat unit and for 43% RH between 0.40 and 1.35 mols.

Thesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011. / Aromatic polyamides (PAs) are widely used as high-performance polymers in technical applications due to their unique combination of outstanding thermal, optical, mechanical and chemical properties. Although PAs are mostly utilized where strength or heat resistance is of primary concern, they also find use in other important applications such as in NOMEX membranes for desalination of brackish water or seawater. PAs do however have some disadvantages such as high melting points, high glass transition temperatures (Tg) and a limited solubility in most organic solvents, which makes their processing difficult. Polyureas (PUs) are generally known for their excellent thermal stability and high chemical resistance due to the presence of thermally stable bonds of aromatic or heterocyclic ring systems along their backbone. Both polymer systems are poorly researched when it comes to the introduction of furan units into the chains. The same is valid for cases where two or more different diacids or diamines are incorporated. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the influence of furan units in the polymer chains and the change in properties if the composition of starting materials is varied further.

Chan Kin Fai. / "April 2002." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 151-157). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

"July 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.