This diploma thesis is focused on study of polymerization of hexa-1,5-diene catalyzed by phenoxy-imine titanium dichloride (FI Ti) and methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst. Effect of monomer concentration, polymerization temperature and cocatalyst/catalyst ratio on catalytic activity, molecular weights, polydispersities and particularly microstructure of prepared poly(hexa-1,5-diene) was studied. 1H NMR spectroscopy revealed that the poly(hexa-1,5-diene) microstructure contained methylene-1,3-cyclopentane (MCP) as well as vinyl tetramethylene (VTM) units. Kinetics of this polymerization was studied. Finally, copolymer of ethene and hexa-1,5-diene possessing incorporated pendant vinyl group was prepared.

Aromatic polyimides are interesting materials since they possess outstanding key properties such as thermoxidative stability, high mechanical strength, high modulus, excellent electrical properties, and superior chemical resistance. However, their low solubility makes them difficult to characterize, process and obtain high molecular weight polymer. In this report, we synthesized a series of precursor polymers that contains Diels-Alder (DA) adducts of anthracene. Different dienophiles were tried. These precursor polymers are soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform and can be easily processed to thin films. Heating the film above 215 degree induce retro-DA reaction, which generated the fully aromatic polyimides in situ. The solid-state retro-DA reactions were monitored by ATR-FTIR and UV-Vis spectra. The fully aromatic polyimides are highly stable and their thin films are insoluble in organic solvents. Profilometry and AFM studies showed that after the thermal treatment, the films are smooth and pin-hole free, while the volumes decreased with a percentage close to the weight loss caused by retro-DA reaction. These Polymers can have a wide range of potential applications from thermal patterning polymers to organic photovoltaics.

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Chemists have always been fascinated by the cumulated diene system of allenes with its extraordinary properties such as the axial chirality of the elongated tetrahedron and a higher reactivity than non-cumulated C-C double bonds. The equilibrium geometry for an allene is linear with orthogonal pairs of substituents. An allene incorporated into a carbocyclic ring of nine or more carbon atoms is relatively unstrained. However, if the ring size is decreased, the linear perpendicular allene will be twisted and bent until, at some point, the energy gained by pi bonding in the two double bonds will be insufficient to offset the increased strain. Furthermore, ring constraints will exert torsion toward a planar arrangement of ligands. Therefore, one of the fundemantal questions is the influence of ring size on the barrier to pi bond rotation. Herein we wish to unveil a review of our research related to desperately seeking for five membered ring allenes such as, cyclopenta-1,2-diene (1) and some of its derivatives, e.g. 2, and 3. Furthermore, we will address a simple, mild and efficient method for the reduction of 1,4-benzoquinones 4 to corresponding hydroquinones 5.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The quality of gasoline may be affected by the presence of several compounds. Among them, the conjugated dienes play an important role due to the fact that their presence is strongly associated with gum formation, which may clogs the injector of automobiles and may causes damages in the petroleum derivates. The main used method for the determination of total conjugated dienes is the UOP-326 method. However, the long analysis time (from 5 to 6 hours) is the main disadvantages. The available methodologies investigated as alternative to the UOP-326 method do not solve the problem properly. The present work reports the use of multivariate models to assess the diene value (DV) in pyrolysis gasoline samples starting from voltammetric and spectrophotometric data. The calibrations were carried out using the UOP-326 method instead of diene standards. In the voltammetric model, starting from a group of 24 hydrogenated pyrolysis gasoline, the PLS (Partial Least Squares) method was used to predict the DV in an independent group of 7 samples. The deviations observed were lower than 12,2% comparing to the UOP-326 method. In a group of 24 non-hydrogenated pyrolysis gasoline samples, an independent group of 7 samples was also used to predict the DV. The deviations observed were lower than 4,1%. In the spectrophotometric approach, the PLS method was used to predict the DV in an independent group of 5 samples of hydrogenated pyrolysis gasoline (n=21). The deviations observed were lower than 11% by comparing to the UOP-326 method. In a group of 26 non-hydrogenated pyrolysis gasoline samples, an independent group of 10 samples was used to predict the DV. The deviations observed were lower than 5,7%. Comparing the voltammetric and spectrophotometric methods, the former showed more reliable results with lower RMSEP (Root Mean Square Error of Prediction) values. / A qualidade da gasolina é afetada pela presença de diversos compostos. Entre eles, os dienos conjugados possuem um importante papel devido ao fato de estarem associados à formação de goma, que forma depósitos no injetor de combustível de automóveis e diminui a qualidade dos produtos petrolíferos. O método comumente utilizado para a determinação de dienos conjugados totais é o método UOP-326. Contudo, ele apresenta como principal desvantagem o longo tempo de análise (de 5 a 6 horas). As metodologias já investigadas que visam substituir o método UOP-326 na quantificação de dienos conjugados em gasolina não resolvem adequadamente o problema. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho aborda o uso de modelos multivariados para a avaliação do valor de dienos (DV) em amostras de gasolina de pirólise a partir de dados voltamétricos e espectrofotométricos, utilizando o método UOP-326 para a calibração do sistema. No modelo voltamétrico, de um grupo de 24 amostras de gasolina de pirólise hidrogenada, utilizou-se o método PLS (Regressão por Mínimos Quadrados Parciais) para a predição do DV em um grupo independente de 7 amostras, obtendo-se desvios inferiores a 12,2% quando comparado ao método UOP-326. E em 24 amostras de gasolina de pirólise não hidrogenada, um grupo independente de 7 amostras foi utilizado para a predição do DV, obtendo desvios inferiores a 4,1%. No modelo espectrofotométrico, utilizou-se o método PLS para a predição do DV em um grupo independente de 5 amostras de gasolina de pirólise hidrogenada (n=21), obtendo-se desvios inferiores a 11% quando comparado ao método UOP-326. E em 26 amostras de gasolina de pirólise não hidrogenada, um grupo independente de 10 amostras foi utilizado para a predição do DV, obtendo-se desvios inferiores a 5,7%. Na comparação entre os métodos voltamétrico e espectrofotométrico, o primeiro mostrou-se mais confiável, apresentando valores de RMSEP (erro médio dos resíduos quadráticos de predição) inferiores para ambas as amostras.

This dissertation describes the elucidation and implementation of derivatisation in the quantification of biologically active vitamin D metabolites in limited volume serum and dry blood spot samples (DBS) using the liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analytical technique. This manuscript describes in detail the development and validation of an analytical methodology, highlighting the role derivatisation and mass spectrometry plays in the structural characterisation and quantification of vitamin D metabolites. The first chapter reviews comprehensively, the history of vitamin D biosynthesis discovery as an anti-rickets agent, the biochemistry of vitamin D, its metabolic pathway, functions in the different biological systems and the consequences of its deficiency in the body. The second chapter reviews the current methods and techniques utilised for the detection and characterization of vitamin D metabolites, with specific emphasis based on the contribution made by derivatisation and mass spectrometry. A brief introduction to derivatisation is provided, with specific focus on PTAD and Amplifex diene reagents (Cooksontype reagents) used in this study. The importance of sensitivity and selectivity of targeted analytes is described first in detail for underivatised analytes, followed by PTAD and Amplifex derivatised samples. Chapter 2 also describes the importance of vitamin D quantification using liquid chromatography, the strengths and limitations of LC-MS/MS when used in isolation and after derivatisation. Also discussed, is how combining these techniques can overcome inherent limitations in LCMS/MS and enhance analytical performance. In Chapter 3 the materials and methods used and the study design is laid out, describing a brief introduction of the routinely used clinical diagnostics assay enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a reference method and is compared to an LC-MS/MS assay, to ascertain discrepancies and agreement between both methodologies from the same volunteer samples. Chapters 3 and 4 describes the comprehensive development, optimisation and validation of the highly sensitive PTAD derivatives LC-MS/MS assay for the quantification of active vitamin D metabolites, as well as the development of method using Amplifex diene derivatisation. Also discussed, is sample preparation optimisation of DBS and Mitra micro-samples. A holistic approach was taken to the development of the methodologies to provide data from which the required analytical information can be obtained for method evaluation and statistical analysis. The validated PTAD derivatives method is applied to the quantification of vitamin D metabolites in limited volume (100 μL) clinical human serum samples from 30 volunteers compared to results obtained using the clinical diagnostics ELISA technique. In Chapter 4 data analysis is described and the results are further discussed and a conclusion made based on the findings from the study. This study envisaged that combination of limited sample volume and DBS, derivatisation and LCMS/ MS is a powerful tool in vitamin D metabolite analysis and provided evidence of a positive increase in sensitivity and selectivity between derivatised compared to underivatised samples. A 10-fold increase in signal-to-noise-ratio (S/N) was observed when comparing PTAD derivatised, and Amplifex diene derivatised versus underivatised samples. Chapter 5 presents suggested future directions and considerations in the areas of vitamin D metabolite derivatisation and DBS sampling technique analysis using LC-MS/MS research based on the results presented in this dissertation. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Pharmacology / MSc / Unrestricted

The utilization of renewable sources as alternatives for petroleum and natural gas products has immense commercial, health and global warming significance. D-Isosorbide (2) is a bifunctional, polar, chiral and rigid molecule, which is produced from renewable sources. Synthesis of new polymers containing 2 is of interest for polymers and in drug delivery. The aim of the present work is to synthesize various polymers (homo- and copolymers) containing 2 via the olefin metathesis routes, ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and acyclic-diene metathesis polymerization (ADMET). N-Phenyl-7-oxanorbornene-dicarboximide, and norbornene functionalized onto 2 were used as the monomers for ROMP. These monomers were polymerized using Grubbs’ catalysts to generate a series of homo-, co-, block and cross-linked-polymers. These polymers were characterized using GPC, NMR, and IR. In addition, ADMET polymerization of a terminal diolefinunctionalized D-isosorbide (2) was also conducted to produce ADMET polymers.

Die Möglichkeit der Synthese von Vinylaziden durch basenkatalysierte Umlagerungen von präparativ einfach zugänglichen Allylaziden wird an einer Reihe von akzeptor- und phenylsubstituierten Allylaziden sowie an substituierten 1-Azido-1H-indenen exemplarisch dokumentiert. Neben präparativen Gesichtspunkten werden auch mechanistische Details bezüglich der Isomerisierungsgeschwindigkeit und der Lage des Isomeriegleichgewichtes erörtert. Ein weiterer Aspekt der Arbeit ist die mechanistische Untersuchung der nucleophilen Addition von Stickstoffwasserstoffsäure (HN3) an akzeptorsubstituierte Allene (Michael-Addition). Durch die Übertragung dieser Synthesesequenz auf Hexa-1,2,4,5-tetraene (Diallene) lassen sich 1,4-Diazidobuta-1,3-diene erzeugen. Die thermische oder photochemische Anregung dieser Diazide führt im untersuchten Synthesebeispiel zur Bildung von zwei stabilen diastereomeren Bi-2H-azirin-2-ylen. Die Zuordnung der Konfiguration dieser Heterocyclen gelingt durch eine Einkristall-Röntgenstrukturanalyse. Thermisch oder photochemisch induzierte Valenzisomerisierungen zu Pyridazinen und Pyrimidinen, wie sie in Analogie für Bicycloprop-2-enyle als Valenzisomere des Benzols gefunden werden, spielen bei den untersuchten diastereomeren Bi-2H-azirin-2-ylen nur eine untergeordnete Rolle. Die favorisierten Reaktionen, insbesondere bei der Thermolyse, sind Epimerisierung und Fragmentierung, deren Verlauf durch kinetische Untersuchungen präzisiert wird. Ferner wird gezeigt, daß auch einfache stereoisomere 2H-Azirine einer thermischen Äquilibrierung der Konfiguration unterliegen können.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die Darstellung von Verbindungen mit offenkettiger 1,4-Diazidobuta-1,3-dien-Substruktur beschrieben. Die Synthese dieser neuartigen Verbindungen ist durch Substitutionsreaktion an geeigneten Dihalogen-Vorstufen und durch elektrocyclische Ringöffnung der bisher ebenfalls unbekannten 3,4-Diazidocyclobutene möglich. Die 1,4-Diazidobuta-1,3-diene dienten als Vorläufer zur photochemischen bzw. thermischen Darstellung von Bi-2H-azirin-2-ylen. Einen Schwerpunkt der Arbeit bildeten die Untersuchungen zur Valenzisomerisierung dieser Verbindungen.