At the end of this thesis, the 1H and 13C {1H} NMR spectra of all the new compounds are listed in the Appendix. / Chapter 1 presents an overview of BODIPYs, including their general synthesis, properties, reactivities, and applications. The use of these compounds as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy and fluorescent sensors for metal ions is highlighted. / Chapter 2 reports the synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, photophysical propreties, and in vitro photodynamic activities of a series of symmetrical distyryl BODIPYs substituted with one to five hydrophilic oligoethylene glycol monomethyl ether chain(s). In general, these compounds are essentially non-aggregated in DMF, resulting in a strong fluorescence emission and relatively high efficiency in generating singlet oxygen. Being formulated with 0.05% Tween 80, these compounds act as efficient photosensitizers. The compound which contains five triethylene glycol monomethyl ether chains exhibits the highest photocytotoxicity with an IC50 value as low as 7 nM toward HT29 human colorectal carcinoma cells. The high photodynamic activity of this compound can be attributed to its high efficiency in generating singlet oxygen, low aggregation tendency, and high cellular uptake. In addition, this compound also has a strong and selective affinity to the endoplasmic reticulum of the cells, causing cell death mainly through apoptosis. / Chapter 3 reports a related study on a series of unsymmetrical distyryl BODIPYs. These compounds possess three triethylene glycol monomethyl ether chains and another substituent at the other styryl group. The effects of this substituent on the photophysical properties, aggregation behavior, cellular uptake, and subcellular localization have been explored. Furthermore, their in vitro photodynamic activities have also been evaluated and compared with those of symmetrical analogues reported in Chapter 2. / Chapter 4 describes a novel ratiometric near-infrared fluorescent dye based on distyryl BODIPY with a 4-dimethylaminophenylethynyl group at the 2- and 6-positions. This compound exhibits a remarkable blue-shift in its absorption and fluorescence emission positions upon protonation with trifluoroacetic acid in organic solvents or HC1 in water in the presence of 0.05% Tween 80. These changes can be made reversible upon addition of a base. / Chapter 5 describes two monostyryl BODIPYs which contain two or four water-soluble amide chains as the metal chelators. The photophysical properties of these compounds and their spectral response to various metal ions have been investigated. The results show that the compound with two amide chains can detect Zn2+ ion in MeCN. They bind in a 1:1 stoichiometry with a binding constant of 2.2 x 104 M-1 . The fluorescence emission increases remarkably in intensity and shifts substantially to the blue from 620 to 572 nm due to the inhibition of the intramolecular charge transfer. The compound which contains four amide chains can detect Cd2+ ion with a high selectivity in phosphate buffered saline. / Chapter 6 reports the synthesis and spectral properties of a silicon(IV) phthalocyanine with two axial bis(2-picolyl)amine moieties which act as the binding sites for metal ions. The effects of various metal ions on its absorption and fluorescence spectra have been examined. The results indicate that this compound shows a relatively high sensitivity to Zn 2+ ion. Moreover, the proposed binding mode and the sensing mechanism are also discussed. / This thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of several series of functional boron dipyrromethenes (BODIPYs) and a silicon(IV) phthalocyanine. Their applications as efficient photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy and selective fluorescent sensors for metal ions are also reported herein. / He, Hui. / Adviser: Dennis Kee Pui Ng. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-02, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

The rechargeable lithium ion batteries (LIB) are playing increasingly important roles in powering portal commercial electronic devices. They are also the potential power sources of electric mobile vehicles. The first kind of the cathode materials, LiXCoO2, was commercialized by Sony Company in 1980s, and it is still widely used today in LIB. However, the high cost of cobalt source, its environmental unfriendliness and the safety issue of LiXCoO2 have hindered its widespread usage today. Searching for alternative cathode materials with low cost of the precursors, being environmentally benign and more stable in usage has become a hot topic in LIB research and development. In the first part of this study, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNi0.6Mn0.35Co0.05O2) is studied as the electrode. The materials are synthesized at high temperatures by solid state reaction method. The effect of synthesis temperature on the electrochemical performance is investigated, where characterizations by, for example, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), for particle size distribution, specific surface area, and charge-discharge property, are done over samples prepared at different conditions for comparison. The electrochemical tests of the rechargeable Li ion batteries using LiNi0.6Mn0.35Co0.05 cathode prepared at optimum conditions are carried out in various voltage ranges, at different discharge rates and at high temperature. In another set of experiments, the material is adopted as anode with lithium foil as the cathode, and its capacitance is tested. In the second part of this study, the iron based cathode material is investigated. Lithium iron orthosilicate with carbon coating is synthesized at 700℃ by solid state reaction, which is assisted by high energy ball milling. Characterizations are done for discharge capacities of the samples with different carbon weight ratio coatings. / published_or_final_version / Physics / Master / Master of Philosophy