Plasmonic resonances are characterized by enhanced optical near field and subwavelength power confinement. Light is not only scattered but also simultaneously absorbed in the metal nanostructures. With proper structural design, plasmonic-enhanced light absorption can generate nanoscopically confined heat power in metallic nanostructures, which can even be temporally modulated by varying the pump light. These intrinsic characters of plasmonic nanostructures are investigated in depth in this thesis for a range of materials and nanophotonic applications.   The theoretical basis for the photothermal phenomenon, including light absorption, heat generation, and heat conduction, is coherently summarized and implemented numerically based on finite-element method. Our analysis favours disk-pair and particle/dielectric-spacer/metal-film nanostructures for their high optical absorbance, originated from their antiparallel dipole resonances.   Experiments were done towards two specific application directions. First, the manipulation of the morphology and crystallinity of Au nanoparticles (NPs) in plasmonic absorbers by photothermal effect is demonstrated. In particular, with a nanosecond-pulsed light, brick-shaped Au NPs are reshaped to spherical NPs with a smooth surface; while with a 10-second continuous wave laser, similar brick-shaped NPs can be annealed to faceted nanocrystals. A comparison of the two cases reveals that pumping intensity and exposure time both play key roles in determining the morphology and crystallinity of the annealed NPs.   Second, the attempt is made to utilize the high absorbance and localized heat generation of the metal-insulator-metal (MIM) absorber in Si thermo-optic switches for achieving all-optical switching/routing with a small switching power and a fast transient response. For this purpose, a numerical study of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer integrated with MIM nanostrips is performed. Experimentally, a Si disk resonator and a ring-resonator-based add-drop filter, both integrated with MIM film absorbers, are fabricated and characterized. They show that good thermal conductance between the absorber and the Si light-guiding region is vital for a better switching performance.   Theoretical and experimental methodologies presented in the thesis show the physics principle and functionality of the photothermal effect in Au nanostructures, as well as its application in improving the morphology and crystallinity of Au NPs and miniaturized all-optical Si photonic switching devices. / <p>QC 20140331</p>

The super-giant Oyu Tolgoi porphyry copper-gold deposits in the South Gobi desert, Mongolia, consist of multiple discrete porphyry centers aligned within a north-northeast trending, >6.5 km long, arc-transverse mineralized corridor. The porphyries are linked to a tectono-magmatic event at ~372 Ma within a Devonian to Carboniferous volcanic arc, and U-Pb (zircon) geochronology records magmatic activity from ~390 Ma to ~320 Ma. The Oyu Tolgoi district underwent at least three discrete periods of syn- to post-mineral shortening and there is evidence for at least three unconformities within the Paleozoic sequence. Although the deposits were formed in an active orogenic environment characterized by rapid uplift, their preservation is a reflection of climactic effects as well insulation from erosion by rapid burial under mass-wasted and pyroclastic material in the volcaniclastic apron of late-mineral dacitic volcanoes. The porphyry copper-gold deposits are spatially and temporally related to medium- to high-K calc-alkaline quartz monzodiorite (~372 Ma) and granodiorite (~366 Ma) intrusive phases that comprise the Late Devonian Oyu Tolgoi Igneous Complex (OTIC). Adakite-like wholerock compositions as well as zircon grains with high CeN/CeN*, EuN/EuN* and Yb/Gd in the sample populations from syn- and late-mineral porphyry intrusions are different from younger intrusions that are not related to porphyry Cu-Au deposit formation. Moreover, mixed zircon populations within OTIC intrusions indicate that efficient assimilation of material from different host rocks by a convecting magma chamber occurred. Mafic to intermediate volcanic units evolved from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline compositions, which is interpreted to be a reflection of marine arc maturation and thickening. Felsic rock suites are dominantly high-K calc-alkaline, regardless of age. Nd-isotopic geochemistry from all suites is consistent with magma derivation from depleted mantle in an intra-oceanic volcanic arc and lead isotopic compositions indicate that the sulfides in the porphyry Cu-Au deposits are genetically linked to the Late Devonian magmas. Magma mixing, adakite-like magmatism and rapid uplift and erosion in a juvenile marine arc setting differentiate the ore-stage geologic environment at Oyu Tolgoi from other settings in active and fossil volcanic arcs.

The development of an open pit mine at the Endeavour 42 (E42) epithermal gold deposit, situated in the Junee-Narromine Volcanic Belt of the Ordovician Macquarie Arc, central New South Wales, has provided a 3D view of the structurally controlled deposit which was hitherto not available due to the paucity of outcrop in the region. Outcropping geological relationships present a complicated history of overprinting structural deformation and vein events, including the spatial characterization of the gold-mineralizing system. Host rocks consisting of interbedded sedimentary and resedimented volcaniclastic facies, trachyandesite and porphyritic andesite lavas and intrusions (coherent and autoclastic facies), intruded by a large diorite sill, were initially tilted and faulted, followed by the emplacement of multiple dyke phases along faults. Economic gold mineralization at E42 is restricted to faults, fault-hosted breccias, and veins, and was deposited over a period spanning two distinct structural regimes. Early gold-bearing veins are steeply dipping and interpreted as forming coevally along two sets of faults and dykes within a tensional stress regime. High grade fault-hosted, hydrothermally cemented breccia intervals are included temporally with early gold-bearing veins based on comparable mineralogy and steep, fault parallel orientations. Crosscutting the early steep gold-bearing vein sets are two populations of coeval inclined gold-bearing veins, dipping moderately to the southwest and northwest, respectively, which formed in a compressional stress regime with tension directed subvertically. The E42 epithermal deposit likely developed in the period of overall crustal extension, ca. 443-433 Ma, following Phase 1 of the Late Ordovician – Early Silurian Benambran Orogeny. The generation of permeability, styles of fracture propagation, and the reactivation of pre-existing planes of weakness in the rock package are key factors in the development and current geometry of the E42 gold deposit. High grade veins and faults are commonly flanked by sericite-quartz ± carbonate alteration haloes, which exhibit consistent geochemical patterns for metals and pathfinder elements, both laterally away from structures, and vertically within the deposit. Au, Ag, As, Hg, Sb, Tl, Cu, Pb, and Zn, all display increasing concentrations towards high-grade structures, as well as higher up in the epithermal system, with varying dispersion haloes.

La tesis se centra en el estudio del mecanismo de las reacciones de cicloisomerización de 1,6-eninos catalizada por complejos de oro(I). Evidencia experimental de la existencia de los intermedios propuestos se ha obtenido mediante la reacción de atrapamiento intermolecular de dichos intermedios, con alquenos, mediante la reacción de bisciclopropanación, y también por adición externa de nucleófilos. Por otra parte, la reacción de cicloadición [4 + 2] de aril eninos sustituidos fue estudiada. Esta reacción se ha utilizado como metodología clave para la síntesis de productos naturales como la familia de las picnanthuquinonas, También se ha estudiado el mecanismo de trasposición por rututa de enlace simple o doble y la formación de ciclobutenos en la reacción de 1,6-eninos aril substituidos. / This Thesis is focused on the mechanism of the cycloisomerization reaction of 1,6-enyes catalyzed by gold(I) complexes. We obtained experimental evidence for the existence of the proposed intermediates by intermolecular trapping with alkenes, through a biscyclopropanation reaction and by reaction with external nucleophiles. On the other hand, the [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of substituted aryl enynes was studied. This reaction was used in an approach for the total synthesis of natural products such as the pycnanthuquinones. We have also studied the mechanism of the simple/double cleavage rearrangement and the formation of cyclobutenes in the reaction of aryl substituted 1,6-enynes. Moreover, new silver and copper complexes were prepared and structurally characterized. The new complexes were assayed in the cycloisomerization and cyclopropanation reactions. Metal-arene interactions were also studied.

New Gold(I) Alkynophylic CatalystsAutor: Mihai RaducanDirector: Antonio M. EchavarrenResumen para TESEO en castellano: El uso de nitrilos aromáticos ricos en electrones permitió el aislamiento de nuevos catalizadores catiónicos de oro(I) estables al aire. [Au(tmbn)2](SbF6) (tmbn = 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzonitrilo), sintetizado a partir de AuCl, sirve como precursor para otros complejos de oro(I). Sólo uno o los dos ligandos tmbn pudieron ser sustituidos con ligandos fosforados, nitrogenados o carbonados y los complejos resultantes se pudieron aislar mediante cristalización. Se estudió la actividad catalítica de estos complejos en la ciclación de 1,6-eninos y reacciones relacionadas. También se han sido aislado y caracterizado catalizadores de oro conteniendo fosfatos quirales.En presencia de complejos de oro(I), los 1,6-eninos conteniendo alcoholes o éteres propargílicos sufren una migración estereoespecífica intramolecular 1,5 dando lugar a cationes de alil-oro. Estos intermedios se pueden atrapar intra- o intermolecularmente con alquenos, dienos o éteres bencílicos. Esta reacción estereoespecífica puede dar lugar a compuestos relacionados con los sesquiterpenos 4-epiglobulol, 4-aromadendreno, con los carotanes y los schinsanwilsonenos.New Gold(I) Alkynophylic CatalystsAutor: Mihai RaducanDirector: Antonio M. EchavarrenResumen para TESEO en inglés: Employing electron rich aromatic nitriles as labile ligands gold(I) catalysts were isolated as air stable solids. [Au(tmbn)2](SbF6) (tmbn = 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzonitrile), synthesized starting from AuCl, serves as a precursor for other gold(I) complexes. Only one or both of the tmbn ligands could be substituted by N, P, or C ligands and the resulting complexes could be isolated by crystallization. The catalytic activity of these complexes was studied for the cyclization of 1,6-enynes and other related reactions. Gold(I) catalysts containing chiral phosphates were also isolated and characterized. Upon activation with Au(I) cationic catalysts, 1,6-enynes with propargyl alcohols and ethers undergo stereospecific intramolecular 1,5-migration via allyl-gold cations. These intermediates were trapped inter- or intramolecularly with alkenes, dienes and benzyl ethers. This stereospecific reaction can lead to compounds, related to the sesquiterpenes 4-epiglobulol and 4-aromadendrene, the carotanes and the schinsanwilsonenes.

A precise coulonometric titration method to precisely determine gold(III) using both electrogenerated Cu(I) chloride complex KCl-Cu-EDTA in buffer medium and potentiometric fixation of equivalent titration point. The method makes it possible to perform the analysis of small quantities of Au (0,5-2mg) with the precision of 0,1%. The coulonometric analysis may be applied in the precise analysis in order to determine the quantity of Au in gold alloys and jewelry. The coulonometric procedure to prepare standard solutions of gold has also been suggested.

No description available.

This study comprises the preparation and characterisation of various novel tertiary monoand polyphosphines as well as their gold(I) complexes. The possible modes of coordination of mono-, bi- and tridentate phosphine ligands to gold(I) are summarised in Chapter One, thus serving as an introduction to coordination behaviour of the new ligands to gold(I). The synthesis and characterisation of twelve novel tertiary mono- and polyphosphines as well as the three previously known thienylphosphines, diphenyl(2-thienyl)phosphine (PS), phenyldi(2-thienyl)phosphine (PDS) and tris(2-thienyl)phosphine (PTS), are reported in Chapter Two. There are four phosphines derived from a monothiophene unit i.e., diphenyl(5-bromo-2-thienyl )phosphine (PSBr), 2,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)thiophene (PSP), phenylbis[(5-diphenylphosphino)-2-thienyl]phosphine (PDSP) and tris[(5-diphenylphosphino)- 2-thienyl]phosphine (PTSP); two from a 2,2'-bithiophene unit i.e.. diphenyl[5( 2,2'-bithienyl)]phosphine (PSS) and 5,5'-bis(diphenylphosphino )-2,2'-bithiophene (PSSP); h hi fr ') ')'. two P osp mes om a _,_ .)-,,_')"-terthiiophene um.t t..e., diipheny1[)--('_)._')'..)-,._')"-terthiieny1)]- phosphine (PSSS) and 5,5"-bis(diphenylphosphino)-2,2':5',2"-terthiophene (PSSSP); three phosphines from a 2-(2'-thienyl)pyridine unit i.e., diphenyl[5-(2'-pyridyl)-2-thienyl]phosphine (PSN), diphenyl[6-(2'-thienyl)-2-pyridyl]phosphine (PNS) and diphenyl[5-(2'{ 6'-diphenylphosphino}pyridyl)-2-thienyl]phosphine (PSNP); and one phosphine from a 2,6-bis(2'-thienyl)pyridine unit i.e., 2,6-bis[(5'-diphenylphosphino )-2'-thienyl]pyridine (PSNSP). A combination of IH, l3C and 31p NMR spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry and microanalysis is employed to establish the structures for all the compounds, while in three cases (for the ligands PSSP. PSNP and PSNSP) the structural assignment is confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The synthetic strategies used for the preparation of the phosphine ligands vary widely from a traditional reaction between a metallated thiophene and a chlorophosphine on one hand, to a Ni-catalysed coupling reaction involving phosphine-substituted heterocycles on the other. the choice depending not only on the parent heterocyclic molecule. but also on the number of phosphorus atoms present. A new synthetic methodology leading to a potentially water-soluble diphosphine ligand is also explored. Although the target compound itself is not isolated, the preparation of its precursor, 5.5'-bis(phenylphosphino )- Xl 2,2'-bithiophene (HPSSPH), represents the first example of the synthesis of a secondary phosphine containing a thiophene moiety. In Chapter Three the reactions of the mono- and diphosphine ligands PS, PDS, PTS, PSBr, PSS, PSSS.- PSN.. PNS.- PSP.' PSSP.. PSNP.. PSSSP and PSNSP with the. gold(I) precursors (such as HAuCI4, reduced in situ with thiodiglycoL and [Au{MeCNh]SbF6) are studied. The structures of the products are elucidated by means of 'n and 31 p NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as X-ray crystallography in the case of [CIAuPSS], [CIAuPNS], [CIAu(PDS)2], [CIAu(PS)3] and [Au2(~-PSNh](SbF 6)2. Neutral complexes containing twocoordinate gold(I) are obtained for all the ligands, having general formulae [ClAuP] and [CIAu(~-PP)AuCI] , where P and PP represent a mono- and a diphosphine respectively. Isolation of neutral complexes with three-coordinate gold(I) proved more difficult and is only achieved for the complexes [CIAuP2] (P = PS, PDS, PTS and PSN) and [CIAu(~PP)] n (PP = PSP and PSSSP). A 31 p NMR study of the behaviour of complexes in solution shows the complexes with three-coordinate gold to be very labile with respect to dissociation of the third ligand. The complex [CIAu(PS)3], where gold(I) exhibits a coordination number intermediate between 3 and 4 in the solid state (as shown by the Xray crystallographic analysis), is serendipitously obtained from a reaction of [CIAu(PPh3)] and PS in a I :1 molar ratio. Both mono- and dinuclear complexes with two-coordinate gold(I) are formed when the monophosphines PSN and PNS are reacted with suitable precursors (viz. [CIAuPNS] and [Au{MeCNh]SbF6). The mononuclear complexes are of formula [Au(r{Ph]SbF6, as confirmed by IH and 3lp NMR and IR spectroscopy. In the case of the dinuclear complexes. [AU2(~-PhJX2 (P = PSN. X = SbF6: P = PNS. X = PF6), bridging is achieved via the phosphorus atom and nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring 1n both ligands. This coordination mode is consistent with the IH and 31 p NMR data for both complexes. and it is also confirmed by an X-ray structure determination of the former complex. The diphosphine ligands PSSP, PSNP and PSNSP tend to produce insoluble polymeric products when reacted with cationic gold(I) precursors. while the diphosphines PSP and PSSSP allow discrete species (e.g. [Au{r!'-PSSSP}z]PF6 and [Au2 {~-PSP hHPF6 }z ) to be isolated under similar conditions. None of the gold(I) complexes synthesised in this work displays any evidence of the thiophene ring being one way or the other coordinated to the metal, XII Chapter Three concludes with a short description of the luminescence properties of a selection of gold(I)-phosphine complexes both in solution and in the solid state. Our results confirm the previously established trend that complexes containing three-coordinate gold(I) tend to luminesce. They also show, for the first time, that a dinuclear complex with no metal-metal interaction, and where each gold atom is coordinated to one phosphorus and one nitrogen donor atom i.e., [Au2(Il-PSN)2](SbF6L exhibits luminescent properties. The results of the cytotoxic testing of a number of mono- and diphosphines (PS, PDS, PTS, PSS, PSSS, PSSP, PSSSP, PSNSP and dppe) as well as of some heterocyclic compounds and the gold(I ) complexes [CIAuPSS] and (CIAu(Il-PP)AuCI] (PP = PSSP and dppe) against two cell lines are presented in Chapter Four. The complex [CIAuPSS] shows great potency against the HepG2 (liver cancer) cell line, far exceeding that of the known cytotoxic agent, [Cl.Autu-dppej.Auf'l]. For the other cell line. A549 (lung cancer), the cytotoxicity measurements are compared for 'in the dark' and under DVA light conditions. The results show that application of DVA light generally increases the cytotoxic properties of the compounds tested. Although there appears to be a link between the phototoxic properties of a compound and its photosensitising ability (a photophysical property of thienylphosphine ligands and their gold(I ) complexes, reported at the beginning of Chapter Four) , it is not yet possible to establish a quantitative correlation between the two. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000

No description available.

No description available.