Olefin metathesis is the most powerful, versatile reaction in current use for the formation of new carbon-carbon bonds. While metathesis has been known for over 60 years, it has only recently been implemented into pharmaceutical and specialty chemical manufacturing. The slow uptake of olefin metathesis can be attributed in part to low catalyst productivity, a consequence of short catalyst lifetime. Improving catalyst activity is critical for the advancement of metathesis. This improvement can be achieved through greater understanding of the catalysts and their limitations. The ability to perform metathesis in aqueous media is desirable, but as yet largely unrealized, for the modification of water-soluble, biologically-relevant substrates. At present, high catalyst loadings are necessary even for less demanding metathesis reactions in water. The limited mutual solubility of the catalyst and substrate in water are one limitation. Examined in this thesis are more fundamental challenges associated with catalyst deactivation by water. The impact of water on catalyst productivity was assessed for both the second-generation Grubbs catalyst GII, and the phosphine-free Hoveyda catalyst HII, in ring-closing and cross-metathesis reactions. Water was shown to have a negative impact on metathesis productivity, owing to catalyst decomposition. The decomposition pathway was catalyst-dependent: GII was found to decompose through a pathway in which water accelerated abstraction of the methylidene ligand by dissociated phosphine. For HII, water was found to decompose the metallacyclobutane intermediate. A β-hydride transfer mechanism was proposed, to account for the organic decomposition products observed. Chapter 4 focuses on problems encountered during the synthesis of ruthenium catalysts, and presents improved methods. An updated method was developed for the synthesis of phenyldiazomethane, the principal source of the alkylidene ligand required in synthesis of GI. Challenges in use of the phosphine-scavenging resin Amberlyst-15 resin are discussed. Improving synthetic routes to the important first- and second-generation Grubbs catalysts will aid in expansion of olefin metathesis methodologies, particularly in the industrial context, in which batch-to-batch reproducibility is paramount.

The diploma thesis deals with the use of recycled polymers in asphalt mixtures. In the theoretical part of the thesis there is discussed the global issue of plastic waste including the experience of foreign countries, where this technology has already been introducted and used. The practical part is devoted to the proposal of using recycled plastic in asphalt mixture, description of used laboratory tests and the evaluating the effect of low-density polyethylen (LDPE) on the asphalt mixture type AC. There were performed tensile strenght tests, water resistant tests and stiffness modulus tests in the laboratory (E). The output of this work is an evaluation of measured values, processing of results and their interpretation depending on the possible use of this technology in Czech republic.

The diploma thesis deals with the use of recycled polymers in asphalt mixtures. In the theoretical part of the thesis there is discussed the global issue of plastic waste including the experience of foreign countries, where this technology has already been introducted and used. The practical part is devoted to the proposal of using recycled plastic in asphalt mixture, description of used laboratory tests and the evaluating the effect of low-density polyethylen (LDPE) on the asphalt mixture type AC. There were performed tensile strenght tests, water resistant tests and stiffness modulus tests in the laboratory (E). The output of this work is an evaluation of measured values, processing of results and their interpretation depending on the possible use of this technology in Czech republic.

At the beginning of the Master’s thesis the asphalt mixture of the type asphalt concrete and its basic properties are described. The main point of this work is to compare the functional properties of asphalt mixtures with the addition of higher amount of RAP and various rejuvenators used in the experimental section. From individual samples of asphalt mixtures taken during the laying, the control tests were carried out and the process of permanent deformation with the wheel tracking test was monitored. After that, using functional tests the properties of asphalt mixtures with conventional modified and unmodified asphalt bitumen enriched with the addition of declaring similar properties were compared.

The work consists of two parts. The first part is focused on the determination of an anti-skid properties of the test section on Vídenská street. The anti-skid properties will be measured using a pendulum tester and macrotexture will be set at the same time. Microtexture will be measured using a volumetric patch technique. In the second part we will try to gain an initial experience with design and testing of a low noise stone mastic asphalt. We will set basic characteristics and at the same time compare with a standard stone mastic asphalt. For the comparison two various bituminous binders are used. The water sensitivity, resistance against rutting and stiffness moduli are compared.

This master's thesis deals with the design of two asphalt mixtures for a wearing course containing 35 % R-material. The asphalt mixtures use a soft bitumen modified with crumb rubber (CRMB) or the unmodified soft binder itself with a penetration grade of 70/100. The work verifies the effect of crumb rubber as a bitumen modifier on the properties of the asphalt mixture with reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). At the same time, the work deals with the possibility of using higher amounts of reclaimed asphalt pavement only in combination with a softer binder without the use of rejuvenating additives. The properties of asphalt binders and mixtures are verified using suitable functional tests. Furthermore, the proposed mixtures and their results are compared from various perspectives. At the same time, the thesis in the theoretical part deals with the dosing of a reclaimed asphalt pavement into the asphalt mixture and describes the handling and use of reclaimed asphalt pavement in the Czech Republic and abroad