<p>In order to understand biological processes, to treat and diagnose diseases, find appropriate vaccines and to prevent the outbreak of epidemics, it is essential to obtain more knowledge about carbohydrate structures. This thesis deals with structure and conformation of carbohydrates, analysed by NMR spectroscopy and MD simulations.In the first two papers, the structures of O-antigen polysaccharides (PS) from two different <i>E. coli</i> bacteria were determined using NMR spectroscopy. The O-antigenic PS from <i>E. coli</i> O152 (paper I) consists of branched pentasaccharide repeating units, built up of three different carbohydrate residues and a phosphodiester, whilst the repeating unit of the O-antigen from <i>E. coli</i> O176 (paper II) is built up of a linear tetrasaccharide consisting of two different monosaccharides.</p><p>In papers III and IV, the conformational analysis of different disaccharides is described. Conformational analysis was performed using NMR spectroscopy and MD simulations (paper IV). In paper III four different glucobiosides were studied using coupling constants and Karplus-type relationships. By use of specific ¹³C isotopically labelled derivatives, additional coupling constants were obtained and the number of possible torsion angles was reduced by half. In paper IV, we examine the conformations of two disaccharides that are part of an epitope of malignant cells. From NOE and T-ROE experiments, short proton-proton distances around the glycosidic linkage were estimated. Furthermore, interpretation of the extracted coupling constants using Kaplus relationships gave the values of the torsion angles. As in paper III, isotopically labelled compounds were synthesised in order to enhance the sensitivity of the analysis. Finally, MD simulations were performed and the results were compared with results from NMR data.</p>

<p>In this thesis, the chemistry of compounds containing P-Se bonds has been studied. As a new addition to this class of compounds, H-phosphonoselenoate monoesters, have been introduced and two synthetic pathways for their preparation have been developed.</p><p>The reactivity of H-phosphonoselenoate monoesters towards a variety of condensing agents has been studied. From these, efficient conditions for the synthesis of H-phosphonoselenoate diesters have been developed. The produced diesters have subsequently been used in oxidative transformations, which gave access to the corresponding P(V) compounds, <i>e.g</i>. dinucleoside phosphoroselenoates or dinucleoside phosphoroselenothioates.</p><p>Furthermore, a new selenizing agent, triphenyl phosphoroselenoate, has been developed for selenization of P(III) compounds. This reagent has high solubility in organic solvents and was found to convert phosphite triesters and H-phosphonate diesters efficiently into the corresponding phosphoroselenoate derivatives.</p><p>The selenization of P(III) compounds with triphenyl phosphoroselenoate proceeds through a selenium transfer reaction. A computational study was performed to gain insight into a mechanism for this reaction. The results indicate that the transfer of selenium or sulfur from P(V) to P(III) compounds proceeds most likely <i>via</i> an X-philic attack of the P(III) nucleophile on the chalcogen of the P(V) species. For the transfer of oxygen, the reaction may also proceed <i>via</i> an edge attack on the P=O bond.</p>

<p>According to the famous axiom known as Moore’s Law the number of transistors that can be etched on a given piece of silicon, and therefore the computing power, will double every 18 to 24 months. For the last 40 years Moore’s prediction has held true as computers have grown more and more powerful. However, around 2020 hardware manufac-turers will have reached the physical limits of silicon. A proposed solution to this dilemma is molecular electronics. Within this field researchers are attempting to develop individual organic molecules and metal complexes that can act as molecular equivalents of electronic components such as diodes, transistors and capacitors. By utilizing molecular electronics to construct the next generation of computers processors with 100,000 times as many components on the same surface area could potentially be created.</p><p>We have synthesized a range of new pyridyl thienopyridine ligands and compared the electrochemical and photophysical properties of their corresponding Ru(II) complexes with that with the Ru(II) complexes of a variety of ligands based on 6-thiophen-2-yl-2,2´-bipyridine and 4-thiophen-2-yl-2,2´-bipyridine. While the electrochemistry of the Ru(II) complexes were similar to that of unsubstituted [Ru(bpy)3]2+, substantial differences in luminescence lifetimes were found. Our findings show that, due to steric interactions with the auxiliary bipy-ridyl ligands, luminescence is quenched in Ru(II) complexes that in-corporate the 6-thiophen-2-yl-2,2´-bipyridine motif, while it is on par with the luminescence of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in the Ru(II) complexes of the pyridyl thienopyridine ligands. The luminescence of the Ru(II) com-plexes based on the 4-thiophen-2-yl-2,2´-bipyridine motif was en-hanced compared to [Ru(bpy)3]2+ which indicates that complexes of this category are the most favourable for energy/electron-transfer sys-tems.</p><p>At the core of molecular electronics are the search for molecular ON/OFF switches. We have synthesized a reversible double cyclome-tallated switch based on the Ru(tpy) complex of 3,8-bis-(6-thiophen-2-yl-pyridin-2-yl)-[4,7]phenanthroline. Upon treatment with acid/base the complex can be switched between the cyclometallated and the S-bonded form. This prototype has potentially three different states which opens the path to systems based on ternary computer logic.</p>

<p>2,6-Disubstituted spiro[3.3]heptanes were synthesized to investigate and develop synthetic methods for preparation of these compounds. Possibilities for introducing different functionalities like nitriles and sulfonamides were also investigated.</p><p> </p><p>Synthetic routes presented describe successive [2+2] cycloadditions between dichloroketene and olefins to give the sought after spiro compounds with low to moderate yields throughout the multi-step synthesis. [2+2] Cycloadditions offered low turnovers and chromatography was required for purification.</p><p> </p><p>A synthetic route with cyclisations through double substitution reactions between di-electrophiles and di-nucleophiles resulting in a 2,6-disubstituted spiro[3.3]heptane is also described. This multi-step synthesis offered higher turnover and yields and often there was no need for purification through chromatography.</p>

<p>There is a strong driving force to increase the competitiveness of the pulping industry by finding new business opportunities. In this context full utilisation of the wood raw material used in conventional pulping mills is of vital importance. One focus area is to increase the utilisation areas of lignin. LignoBoost is a new method to obtain kraft lignin of high purity.</p><p>The aim of the project was to investigate and increase the ability of LignoBoost kraft lignins to bind metals in aqueous solutions.</p><p>The metal binding property of kraft lignins was evaluated using copper (II) ions. The metal binding capacities were 1.76 mg Cu²⁺/g LignoBoost softwood kraft lignin, 0.96 mg Cu²⁺/g LignoBoost hardwood kraft lignin and 1.12 mg Cu²⁺/g condensed softwood kraft lignin. The metal binding capacities of the softwood and hardwood kraft lignins from LignoBoost were lower than expected, when compared to the metal binding capacities of other lignins found in literature. The highest copper binding capacity of a kraft lignin found in literature was almost 50 times greater than that of the LignoBoost softwood kraft lignin.</p><p> </p><p>The Mannich reaction was used to increase the nitrogen content in softwood lignin, and thereby increase its electron-donating capacity. An increase in electron-donating capacity should promote its metal binding capacity.</p><p> </p><p>The Mannich reaction occurs in the vacant ortho position of the phenolic groups of lignin, introducing an aminomethyl group at that position. The only vacant ortho position in the phenol unit for reaction is in the guaicyl unit. Softwood lignin underwent a Mannich reaction, since softwood contains a greater number of guaiacyl units than hardwoods.</p><p> </p><p>A screening of the products from this Mannich reaction on LignoBoost softwood kraft lignin was performed to optimise the reaction conditions. The reaction time, temperature, amount of formaldehyde and dimethylamine were varied. The Mannich products were evaluated by elemental analysis. The conditions giving the highest nitrogen content in the product were used further in a Mannich reaction of condensed softwood kraft lignin. The condensed softwood kraft lignin (7 g) was treated with dimethylamine (0.35 mol) and formaldehyde (0.35 mol) at 80°C for 24 hours.</p><p> </p><p>The metal binding experiment could not be carried out with Mannich-modified condensed softwood kraft lignin since the lignin dissolved in the copper solution.</p><p> </p><p>When introducing nitrogen functionalities into lignin the electron-donating capacity should increase. An increase in donor groups should promote the metal binding capacity of the lignin. A problem that occurred when introducing aminomethyl groups was an increase in solubility of the lignin. Water solubility of the lignin derivative is undesirable in the envisaged utilization area, metal binding in, for example mine deposits, from where contaminated water may be a concentrated source of heavy metals.</p>

<p>Immobilization of different bio- and organic molecules on solid supports is fundamental within many areas of science. Sometimes, it is desirable to obtain a directed orientation of the molecule in the immobilized state. In this thesis, the copper (I) catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, referred to as a “click chemistry” reaction, was explored as a means to perform directed immobilization of small molecule ligands on gold surfaces. The aim was to synthesize alkyne- and azide-terminated alkanethiols that would form well-organized self assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold from the commercially available substances orthoethylene glycol and bromo alkanoic acid. N-(23-azido-3,6,9,12,15,18,21-heptaoxatricosyl)-n-mercaptododekanamide/hexadecaneamide (n = 12, 16) were successfully synthesized and allowed to form SAMs of different compositions to study how the differences in density of the functional groups on the surface would influence the structure of the monolayer and the click chemistry reaction. The surfaces were characterized by different optical methods: ellipsometry, contact angle goniometry and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRAS). The click reaction was found to proceed at very high yields on all investigated surfaces. Finally, the biomolecular interaction between a ligand immobilized by click chemistry on the gold surfaces and a model protein (bovine carbonic anhydrase) was demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance using a Biacore system.</p>

<p>Den här högskoleavhandlingen beskriver framtagningen av en modell för en kombinerad styr- och mätutrustning. Syftet med utrustningen är att använda denna för att underlätta vidare utveckling av organisk elektronik vilket är ett av Acreo AB:s forskningsområden. Istället för att till varje ny komponent eller system utveckla ett nytt testsystem kan denna modell användas på ett generellt sätt, vilket sparar värdefull utvecklingstid. I avhandlingen presenteras först de krav som utrustningen ska uppfylla följt av några förslag på lösningar. Därefter väljs ett av förslagen och en grundläggande implementering genomförs med hänsyn mot kraven. Slutligen innehåller rapporten förslag på hur vidare arbete med modellen kan ske.</p> / <p>This bachelor thesis describes the developing of a model for combined steering and measuring equipment. The purpose is to ease further developing of organic electronics, which is one of Acreo AB’s research areas. A test system is needed for every new component or system developed. Instead of constructing a new test environment for every case this equipment will be a general solution that will save valuable developing time. This thesis will first present the requirements followed by some proposal solutions. Thereafter one proposal will be chosen and an essential implementation will be done with consideration of the requirements. Finally the thesis contains suggestions on how to further develop the model.</p>

<p>This thesis describes the design, synthesis and structure-activity relationships analysis of potential inhibitors targeting the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease. Also discussed is the disease caused by HCV infection and the class of enzymes known as proteases. Furthermore are explained why such enzymes can be considered to be suitable targets for developing drugs to combat diseases in general and in particular HCV, focusing on the NS3 protease. Moreover, some strategies used to design protease inhibitors and the desired properties of potential drug candidates are briefly examined. Synthesis of linear and macrocyclic NS3 protease inhibitors comprising a designed trisubstituted cyclopentane moiety as an <em>N</em>-acyl-(4<em>R</em>)-hydroxyproline bioisostere is also addressed, and several very potent and promising compounds are evaluated.</p> / Report code: LIU-TEK-LIC-2006:46.

<p>The aim of this study is to examine the market reaction when information about a company’s foreign direct investment is announced and how that affects the shareholder’s value. Also of interest is whether the market reacts differently depending on which country the investment is established in and which mode of entry is used. This will be achieved by using an event study approach. The selection that was used consisted of 206 companies registered on the Nasdaq OMX Nordic homepage, which had during a time period stretching from 1999 to 2009 established a foreign direct investment in the regions BRIC, Europe or the USA using the mode of organic growth, joint venture or acquisition. The units were submitted to a hypothesis test, this was done to determine if an abnormal return was attained during the event window. The event window consisted of eleven days, five days before the announcement and five days after, which includes the announcement day. The tests were performed on the units as a whole and divided into categories depending on mode of entry, region and country. The event study was accompanied by a questionnaire.</p><p>The result of the study show no statistically significant abnormal return related to the announcement of a foreign direct investment. There were however some indications of a deviation when the units were divided into region, most noticeably between the regions BRIC, which showed a steady negative development, and Europe, which showed a steady positive development. These results were however not significant.</p>

<p>För att överleva i dagens näringslivsklimat krävs en väl anpassad strategi för att hantera alla svårigheter och möjligheter som ett företag ställs inför.</p><p>Denna uppsats syftar till att undersöka den svenska energikoncernen Vattenfalls tillväxtstrategi. Konkret undersöks på vilka sätt företaget avser växa organiskt och genom förvärv, vilka marknader som skall exploateras och vilken typ av produktutveckling som sker. Vidare undersöks svenska statens ägarroll i Vattenfall.</p><p>För att besvara uppsatsens syfte har vi använt såväl primär- som sekundärdata i form av intervjuer med representanter för både Vattenfall och Svenska staten samt dokumentation i form av rapporter, analyser och direktiv. Denna data har sedan tolkats med hjälp av tillväxtteori avseende både organisk och förvärvsinriktad tillväxt samt agentteori.</p><p>Från vår data har vi kunnat dra slutsatser kring Vattenfalls strategi där företaget i nuläget står inför en större förändring från att vara inriktade på förvärvsbaserad tillväxt till en kombination där både förvärv och organisk tillväxt ingår. Denna strategi syftar till att fördubbla företagets energiproduktion fram till år 2030 och göra företaget klimatneutralt till år 2050. I ett längre perspektiv vill företaget utmärka sig som en av Europas ledande energiföretag.</p>