Thesis (MSc (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / There are various mercury species in the environment and their toxicity and availability relies on their chemical form and oxidation states. Inorganic and organic mercury is found to co-exist in water and body tissue of some organisms. Among them inorganic mercury has a lower toxicity than the organic mercury. Methyl mercury (CH3Hg+) is the most toxic species found in the environment because it can enter the food chain accumulating and contaminating humans. Hence the total mercury concentration does not reflect the important information and thus the needs for the development of methods for the simultaneously separating and determination of mercury species. A study of the electrochemistry of mercury and organo mercury complexes with cysteine and dithizone indicated the formation of stable complexes, which can be utilized for the determination of the species in environmental matrices. Cyclic voltammetry is used to determine the electrochemical properties of the complexes. A technique based on capillary electrophoresis and amperometric detection (CE-AD) has been developed for the speciation of mercury. This technique has the capability to detect mercury species that are electrochemically active. Using capillary electrophoresis in combination with electrochemical detection makes speciation of the complexes possible at lower than normal concentrations. For CE-AD the detection limits were 0.005 μg/L for Hg2+ and 0.4 μg/L for MeHg+. These detection sensitivities are attractive for environmental monitoring.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: See full text for abstract / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sien volteks vir opsomming

Thesis (MSc (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Please refer to full text to view abstract.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: 2,7-dimethylocta-3,5-diyne-2,7-diol forms inclusion complexes with various guests molecules, where the guest molecules are polar-ordered. A Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) search revealed ten inclusion complexes where the guest molecules were polar-ordered. Using Density Functional Theory (DFT) computational methods (in the absence of the host), we evaluated the intra-channel and lateral guest-guest interactions between the guest molecules. Two polar-ordered inclusion complexes ((1,4,7-cyclohexane-1,2,4,5,7,8-hexaoxonane)·CHCl3 and (2,4,6-(endolongifolyl)-1,3,5-trioxane)·CDCl3) were singled out in the CSD search for further studies along with 2,7-dimethylocta-3,5-diyne-2,7-diol. Synthesis of any 1,2,4,5,7,8-hexaoxonane and 1,3,5-trioxane derivatives was attempted to establish whether the polar-ordering ability extends into the family of compounds. We managed to produce three new polar-ordered inclusion complexes with 2,7-dimethylocta-3,5-diyne-2,7-diol (ClC(CH3)3, BrC(CH3)3 and IC(CH3)3), thus extending the series to six guest polar-ordered systems. We were only able to synthesise 1,4,7-cyclohexane-1,2,4,5,7,8-hexaoxonane and produce the CHCl3 inclusion complex and one new polar-ordered inclusion complex (CHBr3). Three 1,3,5-trioxanes was synthesised (the cyclohexyl, cyclohex-3-en-1-yl and cyclopentyl derivatives), which did not include any solvents. However, these 1,3,5-trioxanes also form polar-ordered crystals. These compounds and inclusion complexes were analysed by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction to determine their crystal structures. All the crystal structures could be solved and refined to adequate accuracy (except for 2,4,6-tri(cyclopentyl)-1,3,5-trioxane) with no disorder of the guest molecules (where applicable) and their polar-ordering property investigated. Due to their vast molecular differences, these compounds were studied separately by means of visual crystal structure analysis and computational modelling techniques (Density functional theory, molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics and molecular quench dynamics). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 2,7-dimetielokta-3,5-diyn-2,7-diol vorm insluitingskomplekse met verskeie molekules as gaste, waar die gas-molekules polêr georden is. 'n Cambridge Struktuur Databasis (CSD) soektog lewer tien insluitings komplekse waarvan die gas-molekules polêr georden is. Deur gebruik te maak van Digtheidsfunksionele teorie (DFT) berekeninge (in die afwesigheid van die gasheer) het ons die inter-kanaal en wedersydse gas-gas interaksies tussen die gas molekules geëvalueer. Twee polêr geordende insluitingskomplekse ((1,4,7-sikloheksaan-1,2,4,5,7,8-heksaoksonaan)·CHCl3 en (2,4,6-(endolongifolyl)-1,3,5-trioksaan)·CDCl3) is uitgesonder uit die CSD soektog vir verdere studies saam met 2,7-dimetielokta-3,5-diyn-2,7-diol. Aanslag was gemaak om enige 1,2,4,5,7,8-heksaoksonaan en 1,3,5-trioksaan derivate te sintetiseer en vas te stel of die polêre ordensvermoë oor die familie van verbindings strek. Ons het daarin geslaag om drie nuwe polêr geordende insluitingskomplekse op te lewer met 2,7-dimetielokta-3,5-diyn-2,7-diol (Cl(CH3)3, BrC(CH3)3 en I(CH3)3), en sodoende die reeks uitgebrei na ses gaste wat polêr geordende insluitingskomplekse vorm. Net 1,4,7-sikloheksaan-1,2,4,5,7,8-heksaoksonaan kon gesintetiseer word en dit lewer twee polêr geordende insluitingskomplekse (CHCl3 en CHBr3 (nuut)). Drie 1,3,5-trioksane is gesintetiseer (die sikloheksiel, sikloheks-3-een-1-iel en siklopentiel derivate) en het nie enige oplosmiddels (gaste) ingesluit nie. Nietemin vorm hiedie 1,3,5-trioksane ook polêr geordende kristalle. Hierdie verbindings en insluitingskomplekse is geanaliseer deur middel van enkelkristal X-straal diffraksie om hul kristalstrukture te bepaal. Alle kristalstrukture was opgelos en verwerk tot voldoende akkuraatheid (behalwe vir 2,4,6-tri(siklopentiel)-1,3,5-trioxane) met geen wanorde in die gas molekuul posisies nie (waar van toepassing) en hul polêre ordensvermoë is ondersoek. As gevolg van groot verskille in hul molekulêre strukture, is hierdie verbindings afsonderlik bestudeer deur middel van molekulêre modellerings metodes (Digtheidsfunksionele teorie, molekulêre meganika, molekulêre dinamika en molekulêre stakings dinamika).

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focused on the potential of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOF-MS) for the improved analysis of volatile wine constituents. Solid phase microextraction (SPME) in combination with GC×GC-TOF-MS was successfully used for the detailed investigation of the impact of three commercial Oenococcus oeni lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains on the volatile composition of Pinotage wines subjected to malolactic fermentation (MLF). Due to increased separation power and enhanced sensitivity obtained by using two orthogonal separations coupled with the structural information provided by deconvoluted TOF-MS spectra, GC×GC-TOF-MS allowed for the identification and semi-quantitative analysis of much larger numbers of compounds compared to previous studies applying one-dimensional gas chromatography. The combination of univariate and multivariate statistical assessment was used as a powerful tool for data interpretation. The obtained results contribute significantly to the understanding of the impact of MLF on the volatile composition of Pinotage wine Some compounds have been linked to MLF for the first time. Moreover, the impact of these commercial starter cultures on the composition of volatile sulfur and nitrogen compounds in the same wines was studied by one-dimensional gas chromatographic methods with headspace injection and solid supported liquid-liquid extraction together with sulfur selective detection and tandem mass spectrometry. This study demonstrated also for the time, the impact of MLF on the composition of volatile sulfur and nitrogen compounds in Pinotage wine. GC×GC-TOF-MS was further used for the evaluation of the suitability of a new phase for stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) analysis of wine volatiles. Despite instrumental complications, beneficial extraction properties of the new stir bar phase for especially more polar compounds could be demonstrated. In addition, the extraction ability of this novel phase was evaluated for the analysis of selected thiazoles in wine using heart-cutting two dimensional gas chromatography in combination with nitrogen selective detection. Advantageous extraction performance of the new stir bar phase compared to a conventional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) phase for the determined thiazoles was demonstrated. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het gefokus daarop om die potensiaal van omvattende tweedimensionele gaschromatografie gekombineer met vlugtyd massaspektrometrie (GC×GC-TOF-MS) vir die verbeterde analise van vlugtige wynkomponente te ondersoek. Soliede fase mikro-ekstraksie (SPME) in kombinasie met GC×GC TOF MS is met sukses aangewend vir ‘n ondersoek na die impak van drie kommersiële Oenococcus oeni melksuur bakteria (LAB) rasse op die samestelling van die vlugtige fraksie van Pinotage wyne wat appelmelksuurgisting (AMG) ondergaan het. As gevolg van die verbeterde skeidingsvermoë en die verhoogte sensitiwiteit wat verkry word deur twee ortogonale skeidings te kombineer, tesame met die inligting aangaande die molekulêre struktuur wat die die gedekonvoleerde TOF massaspektra verskaf, maak GC×GC-TOF-MS die identifikasie en semi-kwantitatiewe analise van aansienlik meer komponente, in vergelyking met die gebruik van een-dimensionele gaschromatografie, moontlik. Die kombinasie van monoveranderlike asook multiveranderlike statistiese evaluering is gebruik as ‘n kragtige tegniek vir data interpretasie. Die resultate wat verkry is dra tot ‘n groot mate by tot die ontrafeling en begrip aangaande die impak wat AMG op die samestelling van vlugtige komponente in Pinotage wyn het. Daar word ook vir die eerste keer aangetoon dat somminge komponente verband te hou met AMG. Aanvullend hiertoe is die impak wat hierdie kommersiële kulture (wat gebruik word om fermentasie te inisieer) op die voorkoms van swawel en stikstof bevattende vlugtige komponente het bestudeer deur gebruik te maak van een-dimensionele gaschromatografiese metodes met ‘headspace’ inspuiting en vloeistof-voeistof ekstraksie tesame met swawel en stikstof selektiewe deteksie en tandem massaspektrometrie. Hierdie ondersoek werp lig, ook vir die eerste keer, op die samestelling van vlugtige swawel en stikstof bevattende komponente in Pinotage wyn. GC×GC-TOF-MS is ook gebruik vir die evalueering van die toepaslikheid van ‘n nuwe stasionêre fase vir gebruik met roerstaaf sorptiewe ekstraksie (SBSE) vir die analisering van vlugtige komponente in wyn. Ten spyte van instrumentele komplikasies, is die voordele wat hierdie nuwe fase vir die ekstraksie van vernaamlik meer polêre komponete aangetoon. Vervolgens is die ekstraksievermoë van hierdie nuwe fase vir die analise van sekere tiasole in wyn met ‘heart-cutting’ twedimensionaly gaschromatografie in kombinasie met stikstof-selektiewe deteksie gedemonstreer. Verbeterde ekstraksie van die nuwe roerstaaf fase vir die analise van tiasole, in vergelyking met ‘n tradisionele polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fase is voorts aangetoon.

Thesis (MSc (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study comprises the synthesis and characterisation of N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of group 10 metals with the main focus on such complexes with the nucleophilic N-atom in a position further than the α-position from the carbene carbon atom. These compounds were synthesised by the initial alkylation of quinoline- and acridine derivatives followed by the oxidative addition of the resulting salts to the complexes M(PPh3)4 (M = Ni, Pd, Pt). To complete the study an investigation of the catalytic activity and stability of such compounds in C,C-coupling catalysis was conducted. The carbene ligands used differed with respect to the position of the N-atom relative to the carbene carbon atom as well as with respect to substituents. The oxidative addition of the quinolinium- and acridiniumchloride salts to Ni(PPh3)4 was initially problematic. The desired product formed only in small amounts and could not be isolated easily. However, by replacing toluene with more polar THF as solvent, the nickel complexes could be synthesised in high yield without any indication of decomposition. Oxidative addition to Pt(PPh3)4 also yielded the desired product, although a number of by-products were formed as well. The molecular structure of trans-chloro(1,3-dimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline-2-ylidene)-bis(triphenylphosphine) platinum(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate could nevertheless be determined by X-ray crystallography. The new one-N, six membered, heterocyclic carbene complexes were all unambiguously characterised by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. The carbene character of the complexes was corroborated by a large downfield chemical shift (δ 203 – 230) of the carbene carbon atoms in their 13C NMR spectra. The analyses furthermore indicated that with the exception of cis-chloro(1-methyl-3-phenyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-4- ylidene)bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) hexafluorophosphate, all the palladium, nickel and platinum complexes exhibit a trans arrangement of the PPh3 ligands. Both the cis- and the trans isomers of the complexes, chloro(1,3-dimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline-2-ylidene)- bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) tetrafluoroborate and chloro-(1,3-dimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline- 2-ylidene)bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) trifluoromethanesulphonate are, however, present in solution. The molecular structure of both isomers were determined by Xray crystallography. Crystallographic studies revealed that the new family of cationic complexes exist in a slightly distorted square planar environment with the carbene ligand orientated almost perpendicular to this plane. The metal-carbene bond lengths are insensitive to variations in the substituents on the carbene ligands and are therefore not a suitable parameter to distinguish between the strengths of these bonds. The N-heterocyclic carbene ligands with the N-atom removed from the carbene carbon atom by three bonds, exhibit a greater trans influence in the palladium complexes than those with the N-atom in the α-position. This is an indication of the better σ-donor ability of the former. A significant difference in the Ni-Cl bond lengths could, however, not be detected. The catalytic activity of the new synthesised palladium and nickel complexes in the Mizoroki- Heck and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions, were investigated. The palladium complexes tested show potential as precatalysts for the Mizoroki-Heck reaction, although relatively high temperatures were needed to effect coupling, while coupling of aryl chlorides did not occur at all. The trans-chloro(1,2-dimethyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-4-ylidene)bis(triphenylphosphine)- palladium(II) trifluoromethanesulphonate complex also displayed high activity in the C,Ccoupling of bromofluorene with arylboronic acids in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction. It even yielded high conversions in instances where sterically hindered aryl halides were used. The trans-chloro(1,2-dimethyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-4-ylidene)bis(triphenylphosphine)- nickel(II) trifluoromethanesulphonate complex catalyses the coupling of sterically hindered arylbromides as well as arylchlorides to arylboronic acids. By further optimising the reaction conditions and increasing the streric bulk of the carbene ligands, even better results in both the Mizoroki-Heck and the Suzuki-Miyaura reactions are expected. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie behels die sintese en karakterisering van N-heterosikliese karbeenkomplekse van groep 10 metale. Daar is veral gefokus op N-heterosikliese karbeenligande waarin die nukleofiele N-atoom verder as die α-posisie vanaf van die karbeenkoolstofatoom verwyder is. Die betrokke komplekse is gesintetiseer deur die alkilering van kinolien- en akridienderivate, gevolg deur die oksidatiewe addisie van die resulterende soute aan die komplekse M(PPh3)4 (M = Ni, Pd, Pt). Om die studie af te rond is die katalitiese aktiwiteit van dié komplekse in C,C-koppelingsreaksies ondersoek. Karbeenligande wat slegs een nukleofiele stikstofatoom besit en verskil ten opsigte van die posisie van dié atoom relatief tot die karbeenkoolstofatoom asook substituente aan die ligand, is gebruik. Die oksidatiewe addisie van die kinoliniumchloried- en akridiniumchloriedsoute aan Ni(PPh3)4 het aanvanklik probleme opgelewer, sodat slegs ’n klein hoeveelheid van die verlangde produk, wat moeilik isoleerbaar was, gevorm het. Deur egter ’n meer polêre oplosmiddel, THF, in plaas van tolueen te gebruik, kon die nikkelkomplekse met goeie opbrengs en sonder enige aanduiding van ontbinding, berei word. Oksidatiewe addisie aan Pt(PPh3)4 het die verlangde produk gelewer, alhoewel ’n aantal neweprodukte ook gevorm het. Ten spyte hiervan is daarin geslaag om die molekulêre struktuur van trans-chloro(1,3- dimetiel-1,2-dihidrokinolien-2-ilideen)bis(trifenielfosfien)platinum(II) trifluorometaansulfonaat kristallografies te bepaal. Die nuwe gesintetiseerde een-N, seslid, heterosikliese karbeenkomplekse is deur KMRspektroskopie, massaspektrometrie en X-straalkristallografie eenduidig gekarakteriseer. Die karbeenkarakter van die komplekse is bevestig deur die ver veldafwaartse chemiese verskuiwing (δ 203 - 230) van die karbeenkoolstofatoom in die 13C-KMR-spektra. Die analises toon ook dat, met die uitsondering van cis-chloro(1-metiel-3-feniel-1,4- dihidrokinolien-4-ilideen)bis(trifenielfosfien)palladium(II) heksafluorofosfaat, al die palladium-, nikkel- en platinumkomplekse ’n trans-rangskikking van die PPh3-ligande besit. Die cis- sowel as die trans-isomere van die palladiumkomplekse chloro(1,3-dimetiel-1,2- dihidrokinolien-2-ilideen)bis(trifenielfosfien)palladium(II) tetrafluoroboraat en chloro(1,3- dimetiel-1,2-dihidrokinolien-2-ilideen)bis(trifenielfosfien)palladium(II) trifluorometaansulfonaat, is in oplossing teenwoordig en die molekulêre struktuur van albei isomere is kristallografies bepaal. Dit is vasgestel dat al die kationiese komplekse in ’n effens verwronge vierkantvlakomgewing, met die karbeenligand byna loodreg op dié vlak, voorkom. Die metaal-karbeenbindingslengtes is onsensitief teenoor ’n variasie in die substituente gebind aan die karbeenligande en dit is nie ’n handige parameter om tussen die sterktes van dié bindings te differensieer nie. Die N-heterosikliese karbeenligande waarvan die N-atoom in ’n posisie drie bindings van die karbeenkoolstofatoom af voorkom, toon ’n effens sterker trans-invloed as die ligande met ’n α-stikstofatoom in die palladiumkomplekse. Dit is ’n aanduiding dat eersgenoemde ligande beter σ-donor eienskappe besit. Die nikkelkomplekse verskil egter nie betekenisvol ten opsigte van hul Ni-Cl bindingslengtes nie. Die katalitiese aktiwiteit en stabiliteit van die nuwe reekse palladium- en nikkelkomplekse is in Mizoroki-Heck en Suzuki-Miyaura-koppelingsreaksies ondersoek. Ofskoon relatief hoë temperature nodig is om koppeling te bewerkstellig en die komplekse nie koppeling van ’n arielchloried met butielakrilaat kataliseer nie, toon die palladiumkomplekse tóg potensiaal as prekatalisatore in die Mizoroki-Heck-reaksie. Die kompleks, trans-chloro(1,2-dimetiel-1,4- dihidrokinolien-4-ilideen)bis(trifenielfosfien)paladium(II) trifluorometaansulfonaat, toon ook uitstekende katalitiese aktiwiteit in die C,C-koppeling van bromofluoreen met arielboorsure in die Suzuki-Miyaura-koppelingsreaksie. Hierdie kompleks kataliseer selfs die koppeling van steries gehinderde arielhaliede met arielboorsure. Die kompleks trans-chloro(1,2-dimetiel- 1,4-dihidrokinolien-4-ilideen)bis(trifenielfosfien)nikkel(II) trifluorometaansulfonaat, bemiddel koppeling van arielbromied-, sowel as steries gehinderde arielchloriedsubstrate aan arielboorsure. Selfs beter resultate in die Mizoroki-Heck- sowel as die Suzuki-Miyaurakoppelingsreaksies word verwag deur verdere optimalisering van die reaksiekondisies en die inbouing van groter steriese hindering in die ligande.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aimed to combine the principles of crystal engineering with the properties of cyclotriphosphazene derivatives to construct supramolecular assemblies in the solid state. The ease with which the chloro substituents on cyclotriphosphazenes can be replaced makes them ideal candidates for this study. The substituents were chosen for their ability to form either hydrogen bonding interactions or halogen bonding interactions in the solid state. The cyclotriphosphazene derivatives were co-crystallised with various small organic molecules with complementary functional groups, as well as with other cyclophosphazene derivatives. The aim was to form co-crystals or solvates with these cyclophosphazene derivatives as co-crystals contain a wealth of information regarding the forces governing the aggregation of molecules in the solid state. Cyclotriphosphazenes, with their array of substituents, could broaden the range of potential interactions governing crystalline assembly. Fifteen cyclotriphosphazene derivatives were synthesised and characterised in this study. The novel crystal structures of two cyclotriphosphazene derivatives have been elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These are 2,2-bis(4-formylphenoxy)-4,4,6,6-bis[spiro(2',2"-dioxy-1',1"-biphenylyl)]cyclotriphosphazene and hexakis(4-cyano-phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene. In the course of this study two novel polymorphs of hexakis(4-fluorophenoxy)cyclotri-phosphazene were identified and studied. The novel triclinic form undergoes an irreversible transformation to the previously reported monoclinic phase at high temperatures. The reported monoclinic phase, however, transforms to a monoclinic C phase in a single-crystal to single-crystal fashion. It is also suspected that this phase transformation is in fact reversible on cooling of the crystal to temperatures below -45 °C. One novel co-crystal structure of hexakis(4-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene with terephthalic acid was identified and characterised. However, analysis of the Cambridge Structural Database indicates that co-crystal formation with cyclophosphazenes is not a commonly occurring phenomenon. This leads to the conclusion that cyclotriphosphazenes can be used in crystal engineering as supramolecular building blocks, but their shape and size tend to inhibit the formation of co-crystals. Therefore co-crystal formers have to be chosen with great care. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die beginsels van kristalingenieurswese te kombineer met die eienskappe van siklotrifosfaseen afgeleides om sodoende supramolekulêre versamelings in die vastetoestand te bou. Die gemak waarmee die chloor substituente op die siklotrifosfaseenring vervang kan word, maak hierdie molekules ideaal vir hierdie studie. Die substituente is gekies op grond van hul potensiaal om waterstofbindings of intermolekulêre halogeenbindings in die vastetoestand te vorm. Ko-kristallisasie eksperimente is met die siklotrifosfaseen afgeleides en verskeie klein organiese molekules met komplementêre funksionele groepe uitgevoer, asook tussen die verskeie siklotrifosfaseen afgeleides met mekaar. Die doel was om mede-kristalle of solvate met hierdie siklotrifosfaseen afgeleides te vorm aangesien mede-kristalle ‘n magdom inligting bevat rakende die kragte wat die versameling van molekules in die vaste fase beheer. Die siklotrifosfaseen afgeleides wat ‘n wye verskeidenheid substituente kan dra, kan hierdeur die moontlike intermolekulêre interaksies wat die versameling in die kristallyne vaste fase beheer verbreed. In hierdie studie is vyftien siklotrifosfaseen afgeleides gesintetiseer en gekarakteriseer. Die voorheen onbekende kristalstrukture van twee siklotrifosfaseen afgeleides is in hierdie studie geïdentifiseer, naamlik 2,2-bis(4-formielfenoksie)-4,4,6,6-bis[spiro(2',2"-dioksie-1',1"-bifeniliel)]siklotrifosfaseen en heksa(4-sianofenoksie)siklotrifosfaseen. Die strukture is bepaal deur enkelkristal X-straaldiffraksie. In die loop van hierdie studie is twee voorheen onbekende polimorfs van heksa(4-fluorofenoksie)siklotrifosfaseen geïdentifiseer en bestudeer. Die nuwe trikliniese vorm ondergaan ‘n onomkeerbare faseverandering na die monokliniese vorm by hoë temperature. Die bekende monokliniese P fase ondergaan egter ‘n verdere faseverandering na ‘n monokliniese C fase. Hierdie geskied as ‘n enkel-kristal na ‘n enkel-kristal faseverandering. Daar word ook gespekuleer dat hierdie spesifieke faseverandering wel omkeerbaar is indien die kristal na -45 °C afgekoel word. Een nuwe mede-kristal tussen heksa(4-pyridieloksie)sikotrifosfaseen en 1,3-dibensoësuur is in hierdie studie geïdentifiseer en gekarakteriseer. ‘n Analise van die Cambridge Strukturele Databasis het egter aangedui dat die vorming van mede-kristalle nie ‘n alledaagse verskynsel is in sikotrifosfaseen afgeleides nie. Dit lei tot die gevolgtrekking dat sikotrifosfaseen molekules wel in kristalingenieurswese gebruik kan word as supramolekulêre boustene, maar dat die vorm en grootte van die molekules die kristallisering van mede-kristalle verhoed. Dus moet die molekules wat saam met die siklotrifosfaseen molekules gekristalliseer wil word, goed deurdink word.

Thesis (MSc (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / In this study the coordination of ligands with several coordination sites, 2-aminoazoles (2- amino-4-methylthiazole), 2-aminobenzothiazole, 2-aminobenzoimidazole and 2- aminothiazoline and a biguanidine (N-(2-methylphenyl)imidodicarbonimidic diamide) to soft metal centres [gold(I) (group 11), chromium(0) (group 6) and tungsten (0) (group 6)] was investigated. The aminoazoles have three coordination sites, an exocyclic amine nitrogen, an endocyclic imine nitrogen and an endocyclic thioether sulphur. The biguanidine ligand has three sites for deprotonation, one central amine and two imine nitrogens, and at least five sites available for nitrogen coordination.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study involved the analysis of crystallization kinetics by means of a unique and newly developed Solution crystallization analysis by laser light scattering (Scalls) technique. In the main study we compared two commercial linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) polymers (PE-1- octene and PE-1-hexene) and studied the effect of short-chain branching on the solution crystallization of these complex polymer systems. Characterization of the polymers was done by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and high-temperature gel permeation chromatography (HT-GPC). The second study involved the fractionation of a PE-1-hexene copolymer by temperature rising elution fractionation (Tref) and analyzing the solution crystallization of the different temperature fractions. This resulted in important details on the different molecular regions present in the polymer. A third additional study was done on the compatibility in polyolefin blends. Two different blends were prepared: isotactic polypropylene (iPP) – low density polyethylene (LDPE) blend and iPP – polypropylene impact copolymer (PPIC) blend. It was found that co-crystallization only occurred for the iPP - PPIC blends. Phase separation occurred for the iPP – LDPE blends, resulting in the formation of two phases for all blend compositions. Solution crystallization analysis is usually measured by the conventional Crystallization Analysis Fractionation (Crystaf) technique. In this study all crystallization data were compared with Crystaf results and a good correlation was found between the results obtained by Crystaf and Scalls. The major advantages of the Scalls technique are that, results similar to that of Crystaf can be acquired with much shorter analysis times and Scalls also allows for the measurement of solution melting of the crystallized polymer solutions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het die analise van kristallisasie kinetika behels met behulp van die unieke en nuut ontwikkelde oplossing kristallisasie analise deur laser lig verstrooiing (Scalls) tegniek. In die hoof studie het ons twee kommersïele liniêre lae-digtheid polietileen (LLDPE) polimere (PE-1-okteen en PE-1-hekseen) vergelyk en die effek van kort-ketting vertakking op kristallisasie in oplossing van hierdie komplekse polimeer sisteme bestudeer. Karakterisering van die polimere was gedoen met kern magnetiese resonans spektroskopie (KMR) en hoë-temperatuur gel permeasie kromatografie (HT-GPC). Die tweede studie het die fraksionering van ‘n PE-1-hekseen ko-polieer met behulp van temperatuurstyging eluering fraksionering (Tref) behels asook die analisering van kristallisasie in oplossing van die verskillende temperatuur fraksies. Belangrike informasie oor die verskillende molekulêre areas teenwoordig in die polimeer was verkry. ‘n Derde addisionele studie was gedoen op die versoenbaarheid in poliolefin mengsels. Twee verskillende mengsels was voorberei: isotaktiese polipropileen (iPP) – lae digtheid polietileen (LDPE) mengsel en iPP – polipropileen impak ko-polimeer (PPIC) mengsel. Daar was gevind dat ko-kristallisasie slegs in die iPP – PPIC mengsel plaasgevind het. Fase skeiding het plaasgevind in die iPP – LDPE mengsels wat tot twee fases gelei het vir alle mengsel komposisies. Kristallisasie in oplossing word gewoonlik gemeet met die konvensionele kristallisasie analise fraksionering (Crystaf) tegniek. In hierdie studie was al die kristallisasie data met Crystaf resultate vergelyk en ‘n goeie korrelasie was gevind tussen die resultate van Crystaf en Scalls. Die grootste voordele van die Scalls tegniek is dat resultate soortgelyk aan diè van Crystaf kan verkry word met baie korter analises en Scalls laat ook toe vir die meting van smeltpunt van die gekristalliseerde polimeer oplossings.