An alternative approach to conventional geometric based computer aided design systems is presented. Within this new approach manufacturing modes are used as the primary input to the design process. By directly actuating a simulation of machine tools and displaying the response of the material to this machine action, manufacturing constraints are captured at the design stage. Both manufacturing and design data can be generated concurrently, leading to a reduction in prototyping development lead times. Geometric and physical models of the manufacturing process are combined through the development of an interaction rule base to form a manufacturing simulation of the bending and forming process. These interaction rules interpret interactions of the geometric models and automatically generates constraints information required by the finite element engine, which performs the physical modelling task, and allows it to be fully embedded. Design trials are presented in which designers successfully used the design by manufacturing simulation approach to design metallic fastenings significantly faster than the traditional computer aided design approach.

Yeung Yeung = 電化學堆積法產生的金屬聚集物之內部結構 / 楊陽. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text in English; abstracts in English and Chinese. / Yeung Yeung = Dian hua xue dui ji fa chan sheng de jin shu ju ji wu zhi nei bu jie gou / Yang Yang. / Acknowledgement --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / 摘要 --- p.iv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Mechanisms of Metallic Deposition and Dendrite Formation of Electro-chemical Deposition (ECD) / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2 --- Electrochemical Growth on the Cathode --- p.6 / Chapter 2.3 --- Dendritic Formation --- p.13 / Chapter 2.4 --- Conclusion --- p.14 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- "Studies of ""Ramified"" Structures Obtained by Electro-chemical Deposition (ECD)" / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.16 / Chapter 3.2 --- Experimental Setup --- p.17 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results and Discussions --- p.21 / Chapter 3.4 --- Dendrite Obtained by Using Very Thin Cells --- p.38 / Chapter 3.5 --- Dendritic Aggregates Obtained by Using Other Cations --- p.44 / Chapter 3.6 --- Conclusion --- p.53 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Electro-chemical Deposition of metallic Crystals Using Low Potential Difference / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.57 / Chapter 4.2 --- Experimental Setup --- p.58 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and Discussions --- p.60 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusion --- p.68 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Electro-chemical Deposition in a Vertical Cell / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.70 / Chapter 5.2 --- Background Theory --- p.71 / Chapter 5.3 --- Experimental Setup --- p.74 / Chapter 5.4 --- Results and Discussions --- p.76 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion --- p.84 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Interesting Metallic Aggregates Obtained by Electro-Chemical Deposition / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.87 / Chapter 6.2 --- Aggregates Obtained from Thin Gap ECD --- p.87 / Chapter 6.3 --- Dendrites Formed from ECD in Bulk Solutions --- p.92 / Chapter 6.4 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.93 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Future Outlook --- p.95

Lam, Pui Chi. / Thesis submitted in: November 2006. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Table of Contents --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Abstract --- p.vi / 摘要 --- p.viii / List of Compounds --- p.x / Abbreviations --- p.xiii / Chapter CHAPTER 1. --- A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO METAL AMIDES / Chapter 1.1 --- GENERAL BACKGROUND --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- OBJECTIVES OF THIS WORK --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3 --- REFERENCES FOR CHAPTER1 --- p.8 / Chapter CHAPTER 2. --- SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURES OF GROUP 4 METAL AMIDES / Chapter 2.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- General Background --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Common Preparation Methods for Group 4 Metal Amides --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- "An Overview on Titanium(IV), Zirconium(IV) and Hafnium(IV) Amides" --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2 --- AIMS OF OUR STUDIES --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Synthesis of the Ligand Precursor (HL1) and the Corresponding Lithium Derivative [Li(L1tmeda)] --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Synthesis and Structures of Monomeric and Dimeric Titanium(IV) Amides --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Synthesis of [Ti(L1 )Cl2(μ-Cl)2] (V and [TiL1)Ch3(THF)] (4) --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Reactivity Studies --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.2.3 --- Physical Characterization of Compounds 3 and 4 --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.2.4 --- Molecular Structures of Compounds 3 and 4 --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Synthesis and Structures of Mononuclear Zirconium(IV) and Hafnium(IV) Amides --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- Synthesis of[M(L1)3Cl] (M = Zr 5 and Hf6) --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Reactivity Studies --- p.45 / Chapter 2.3.3.3 --- Synthesis of[MCL1)3H] (M = Zr7 and Hf8) --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.3.4 --- Reactivity Studies of Compound7 --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3.3.5 --- Physical Characterization of Compound 8 --- p.51 / Chapter 2.3.3.6 --- Molecular Structures of Compound 8 --- p.53 / Chapter 2.3.3.7 --- Synthesis of [Zr(L1)3Me] (9) --- p.57 / Chapter 2.3.3.8 --- Reactivity Studies of Compound 9 --- p.58 / Chapter 2.3.3.9 --- Physical Characterization of Compound 9 --- p.59 / Chapter 2.3.3.10 --- Molecular Structure of Compound 9 --- p.60 / Chapter 2.4 --- EXPERIMENTALS FOR CHAPTER 2 --- p.64 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- General Procedures --- p.64 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Synthesis of Compounds --- p.65 / REFERENCES FOR CHAPTER 2 --- p.68 / Chapter CHAPTER 3. --- SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURES OF VANADIUM(III) AMIDO AND BENZAMIDINATO COMPLEXES / Chapter 3.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.74 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- General Background --- p.74 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- A Brief Introduction on Metal Amidinates --- p.75 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- An Overview on Vanadium(III) Amides --- p.77 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- An Overview on Vanadium(III) Amidinates --- p.82 / Chapter 3.2 --- AIMS OF OUR STUDIES --- p.85 / Chapter 3.3 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION --- p.86 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Synthesis and Structures of Dinuclear Vanadium(III) Amides --- p.86 / Chapter 3.3.1.1 --- Synthesis of[V(L1)2(μ~Cl)]2(10) --- p.86 / Chapter 3.3.1.2 --- Reactivity Studies --- p.88 / Chapter 3.3.1.3 --- Synthesis of [V(L1)2(μ-H)]2 (11) --- p.90 / Chapter 3.3.1.4 --- Physical Characterization of Compounds 10 and 11 --- p.90 / Chapter 3.3.1.5 --- Molecular Structures of Compounds 10 and 11 --- p.94 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Synthesis and Structure of Mononuclear Vanadium(III) Benzamidinate --- p.102 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- "Synthesis of [Li(L2)(tmeda)] (13) (L2 = [PhC(NSiMe3) (NC6H3Me2-2, 6)])" --- p.102 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Synthesis of [V(L2)2Cl] (14) and trans´ؤ[V(tmeda)2Cl2] (15) --- p.103 / Chapter 3.3.2.3 --- Reactivity Studies --- p.104 / Chapter 3.3.2.4 --- Physical Characterization of Compound 14 --- p.107 / Chapter 3.3.2.5 --- Molecular Structure of Compound 14 --- p.107 / Chapter 3.4 --- EXPERIMENTALS FOR CHAPTER 3 --- p.111 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- General Procedures --- p.111 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Synthesis of Compounds --- p.112 / Chapter 3.5 --- REFERENCES FOR CHAPTER 3 --- p.115 / Chapter CHAPTER 4. --- SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURES OF CHROMIUM AMIDO AND BENZAMIDINATO COMPLEXES / Chapter 4.1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.122 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- General Background --- p.122 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- An Overview on Chromium(III) Amides --- p.122 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- An Overview on Chromium(II) Amidinates --- p.125 / Chapter 4.2 --- AIMS OF OUR STUDIES --- p.129 / Chapter 4.3 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION --- p.130 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Synthesis and Structures of A Monomeric Chromium(III) Amide and A Chromium(II) Benzamidinate --- p.130 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Synthesis of[Cr(L1)3] (16) --- p.130 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- Synthesis of [Cr(L2)2] (17) --- p.132 / Chapter 4.3.1.3 --- Physical Characterization of Compounds 16 and 17 --- p.133 / Chapter 4.3.1.4 --- Molecular Structures of Compounds 16 and 17 --- p.135 / Chapter 4.4 --- EXPERIMENT ALS FOR CHAPTER 4 --- p.141 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- General Procedures --- p.141 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Synthesis of Compounds --- p.141 / Chapter 4.5 --- REFERENCES FOR CHAPTER 34 --- p.144 / APPENDIX 1 / Physical Measurements and X-Ray Crystallography --- p.147 / APPENDIX 2 / "Mass Spectra, 1'H and 13C{]H} NMR Spectra, and IR Spectra" --- p.148 / APPENDIX 3 --- p.172 / Table A-1. Selected crystallographic data for compounds 3-4 --- p.173 / Table A-2. Selected crystallographic data for compounds 8-9 --- p.174 / Table A-3. Selected crystallographic data for compounds 10-11 --- p.175 / Table A-4. Selected crystallographic data for compounds 14，16-17 --- p.176

Increasing energy demands world-wide must be met with more effective systems to produce, store, and distribute energy. Ideally, these systems should avoid fossil fuels and incorporate renewable technologies. To accommodate for the intermittent nature of renewable energies, a rechargeable gallium-air flow battery system for electrical grid applications is suggested. Using liquid gallium-air flow batteries could meet the rigorous world-wide demands for storage capacity, discharge duration, and durability necessary for the electrical grid. Toward this goal, a batch gallium-air battery was build and investigated. The performance of the system has been incrementally improved to a 30 hour discharge duration. Some insights into the mechanism of the gallium-air reaction was also obtained. However, recharging experiments were mostly unsuccessful. Despite the failures caused by carbonation and the separator drying, the Ga-Air system remains promising.

"The investigation through design and synthesis of metal-organic frameworks was conducted in an effort to create new types of porous crystalline solids. The supramolecular chemistry and crystal structures of six novel frameworks (1-Cd, 2Cd, 1-Cu, 2a-Cu, 2b-Cu, 3-Cu) are reported. We are targeting porous solids composed of the transition metals Cu2+ and Cd2+ with three related families of organic molecules: Ethyl 4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzoate, 4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)benzoic acid, and Ethyl 4-(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzoate. These molecular building blocks self assemble via metal coordination into coordination polymers that form a variety of 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D architectures. The networks are comprised of M•••O and M•••N bonds that coordinate into different geometrical arrangements dependent on steric hindrance and the metal ions that are used. The frameworks synthesized display porous behavior using weight measurements that are also seen to be reversible in some cases using atmospheric reuptake of guest molecules from growth solution. The uptake of rhodamine b was examined for the framework 3-Cu."

No description available.

by Cheng Pui Shan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iii / Acknowledgement --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.v / List of Compounds --- p.viii / Abbreviations --- p.xi / Chapter Chapter 1. --- A General introduction to Metal amides / Chapter 1.1 --- introduction / Chapter 1.1.1 --- General Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Metal Complexes with 2-Pyridyl Amido Ligands --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- OBJECTIVES OF THIS WORK --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- references for chapter1 --- p.5 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Group 13 metal Amides / Chapter 2.1 --- GENERAL BACKGROUND --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Common Methods for the Preparation of Group 13 Metal Amides --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- "An Overview on Aluminum(III), Gallium(III) and Indium(III) Amides" --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- An Overview on Aluminum(III) Aryloxides --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2 --- aims of our studies --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3 --- results and discussion --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Preparation of [HN(SiButMe2)(2-C5H3N-6-Me)] (HL1) and Its Lithium Derivative [LiL1(TMEDA)] --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- "Synthesis and Structures of Aluminum(III), Gallium(III) and Indium(III) Amides" / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- "Synthesis of [MCl(L1)2] (M = Al 3, Ga 4) and [In(L1)3] (5)" --- p.20 / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Physical Characterization of Compounds 3-5 --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.2.3 --- Molecular Structures of Compounds 3-5 --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Reactivity Studies --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- Physical Characterization of Compounds 6 and7 --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Molecular Structures of Compounds 6 and7 --- p.39 / Chapter 2.4 --- EXPERIMENTALS FOR CHAPTER2 --- p.47 / Chapter 2.5 --- REFERENCES FOR CHAPTER2 --- p.52 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- A Silyl´ؤlinked diamine compound and its metal complexes / Chapter 3.1 --- A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO DIAMINE COMPOUNDS --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2 --- A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO MIXED ALKALI METAL AMIDES --- p.65 / Chapter 3.3 --- AIMS OF OUR STUDIES --- p.67 / Chapter 3.4 --- SYNTHESIS AND STRUCTURES OF [Me2Si{NH(2-Py)}2] AND THE CORRESPONDING ALKALI METAL AMIDES / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Synthesis and Structure of [Me2Si{NH(2-Py)}2] (HL2) (8) --- p.68 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Synthesis and Structures of Alkali Metal Amides / Chapter i. --- Synthesis of Sodium Derivatives of8 --- p.74 / Chapter ii. --- Synthesis of a Mixed Alkali Metal Derivative of8 --- p.75 / Chapter iii. --- Attempted Metallation of 8 with KBun --- p.75 / Chapter iv. --- Physical Characterization --- p.77 / Chapter v. --- Molecular Structures --- p.80 / Chapter 3.5 --- synthesis and structure of the iron(ii) derivative [Fe(L2)Cl]2 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- An Overview on Iron(II) Amides --- p.95 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Aims of Our Studies --- p.97 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Synthesis and Structure of [FeCl(L2)]2 (14) / Chapter i. --- Synthesis and Characterization --- p.98 / Chapter ii. --- Molecular Structure --- p.99 / Chapter 3.6 --- EXPERIMENTALS FOR CHAPTER 3 --- p.102 / Chapter 3.7 --- REFERENCES FOR CHAPTER 3 --- p.106 / APPENDIX 1 / General Procedures and Physical Measurements --- p.110 / X-Ray Crystallography --- p.110 / APPENDIX 2 / Table A-1. Selected crystallographic data for compounds 3-5. --- p.113 / Table A-2. Selected crystallographic data for compounds 6´ؤ7. --- p.114 / Table A-3. Selected crystallographic data for compounds 8，10-11. --- p.115 / Table A-4. Selected crystallographic data for compounds 12-14. --- p.116

A series of group 4 metal-carboryne complexes were synthesized by the reaction of Li2C2B10H10 with dichloro group 4 metal complexes. Reaction of (eta2-C 2B10H10)ZrCl2(THF)3 with 2 equiv of [MeC(NCy)2]Li or [nPr 2NC(NPri)2]Li also effectively yielded the corresponding group-4-metal-carboryne complexes. On the other hand, treatment of C2B10H10)ZrCl2(THF) 3 with 2 equiv of tBuOK or [ tBuCOCHCOtBu]Na gave unexpected product [(eta2-C2B10H10) 2Zr(OtBu)(THF)] [Zr(OBu t)3(THF)3] or [sigma:sigma:sigma-{ tBuC(O)=CHC(tBu)(O)C 2B10H10}]Zr(eta2- tBuCOCHCOBut)(THF)2 . / Finally, the reactivities of aforementioned zirconacyclopentene and zirconacyclopentane complexes were studied. A new class of benzocarboranes and dihydrobenzocarboranes were prepared by indirect [2+2+2] cycloaddition of carboryne with two different alkynes, or with one alkene and one alkyne, mediated by Ni(II) or Fe(III). In the presence of CuCl and HMPA, zirconacyclopentenes or zirconacyclopentanes reacted with ortho-dihalobenzene reagents to generate naphthalocarborane or dihydronaphthalocarborane derivatives. A series of carborane fused cyclobutenes and cyclobutane were also prepared from zirconacyclopentenes or zirconacyclopentanes complexes mediated by Cu(II). / Next, the reactivities of Cp2Zr(mu-Cl)(mu-C2B 10H10)Li(OEt2)2 toward alkynes, alkenes and pyridines were studied. Various kinds of internal alkynes, and terminal alkenes reacted with this Zr-carboryne precursor to effectively generate the mono- insertion products zirconacyclopentene and zirconacyclopentane, respectively. Interaction of Cp2Zr(mu-Cl)(mu-C2B10H 10)Li(OEt2)2 and pyridines afforded a new kind of carboranyl zirconocene complexes via C-H activation at alpha-position of pyridines. / Subsequently, the reactivities of group 4 metal-carbroyne complexes toward unsaturated molecules were studied. Polar molecules such as azide, ketone, nitrile, carbodiimide, isocyanate, thioisocyanate, carbon disulfide, and isonitrile were inserted into the M-C bond in metal-carboryne complexes to form mono-, di-, or tri-insertion products. These metal-carboryne complexes, however, showed no reactivity toward internal alkynes and alkenes. Terminal alkynes protonated the carboryne complexes to afford neutral o-carborane. / Ren, Shikuo. / Adviser: Zuowei Xie. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 250-271). / 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 Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

A real-time dynamic feedback control system is developed. An improved PID algorithm, called the integral separated piecewise PID scheme, is used in the control system. This algorithm is able to limit the contribution of the integral component in the PID calculation to avoid integral windup. In addition, it could use different PID parameters to adapt to different segments within one punch motion cycle. Hence, the error of the punch motion, either resulting from the machine assembly or from the machine dynamics, can be compensated by tuning the velocity of the servomotor. This is a unique feature of the new press that ensures its accuracy. / Based on the novel structure, the detailed design is then carried out, which includes the mechanical design, kinematics and inverse kinematics analysis, static force analysis, parametric design and the other related designs. A calibration method based on the experiment and computer simulation is proposed for the new press, which is also useful for the parallel mechanisms. Cooperated with Guangdong Metal Forming Machine Works Co. Ltd., a 250 KN prototype has been built and tested. / In order to ensure the desirable performance, dynamic control is necessary. The thesis uses two dynamic modeling methods to study the dynamics of the press. One is the kineto-static method. It is also called D'Alembert principle which rearranges Newton's second law and transfers a dynamic problem to an equivalent static problem by adding the inertial forces and inertial torques onto the system. The model can then be analyzed easily and exactly as a static system subjected to the inertial forces and torques and the external forces. The other method is the Lagrangian method which derives the dynamic model from the energy perspective. Based on the model, the dynamics of the press is studied by means of computer simulation and is validated experimentally. / In this thesis, a controllable hybrid mechanical metal forming press is developed, which is driven by a CSM with a flywheel and a servomotor. From a mechanism point of view, it is a closed-loop 2-DOF parallel planar five-bar mechanism with four resolute joints and one prismatic joint. Thanks to the usage of the servomotor, the punch motion of the new press can be controlled by tuning the velocity of the servomotor. Accordingly, desired punch motions for different stamping processes can be obtained. In other words, the new press is flexible and controllable like the servo mechanical press and the hydraulic press. Moreover, the CSM with flywheel provides the main power during the stamping operation, and hence, it is energy efficient. In addition, it is not expensive to build, as it uses only a small servomotor. / Metal forming is one of the oldest production processes and yet, is still one of the most commonly used processes today. Everyday, millions of parts are produced by metal forming ranging from battery caps to automobile body panels. Therefore, even a small improvement may add to significant corporative gain. / The thesis also describes the trajectory planning method for the press, which is based on the combination of the inverse kinematics and cubic spline interpolation. The trajectory is optimized under multiple constraints on velocity, acceleration and jerk of the servomotor. It guarantees the new press is controllable and energy efficient. / Two typical stamping processes, drawing and forging, are taken as examples for the operations of the new press. The results of the simulation and the experiment match well. Based on the simulation and experiments, it is found that the CSM provides the main power for the metal forming operations, while the servomotor is mainly responsible for overcoming the inertia forces to realize the desired punch motion. The experiments show that the new press is energy efficient, fast, controllable and inexpensive to build. It combines the advantages of both mechanical press and hydraulic press and has a good performance. It is expected the new press will have a great potential for the metal forming industry. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / He, Kai. / "February 2008." / Adviser: Ruxu Du. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-03, Section: B, page: 1902. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 147-149). / 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, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Di-2-pyridinylmethanone (di-2-pyridyl ketone) is a well-known ligand within the family of basic building blocks for the construction of metal-organic complexes with diverse architectures and potential applications in relation to their physical and chemical properties. A systematic investigation on the generation and structure of transition metal complexes based on six ligands containing the dipyridinylmethanone moiety is reported in this thesis. Although all these ligands are known except L7, their coordination chemistry remains unexplored to date. / Ligand 2-pyridinyl-3-pyridinylmethanone (L1) is an excellent building block for the construction of infinite single-strand helical architectures with various metal salts. In the resultant helical complexes, Ll exhibits three kinds of coordination modes involving two kinds of bridging conformations, resulting in four types of single-strand helical chains. Among them is a pair of helical conformational polymorphs generated by the solvent-controlled process, in which the 21 helices of opposite chirality in one are stacked alternately to form a racemate, whereas the 41 helices in the other are assembled homochirally by inter-chain argentophilic interaction to generate a conglomerate. In a series of six isostructural 21 helical Ag(I) complexes, the pitch length corresponds not only to the size of the embedded anion but also to the manner of its fitting into the groove of the helix. In the Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes that comprise helical chains without anion embedment, the pitch lengths are dictated by the size of the metal cations. / Ligand 2-pyridinyl-4-pyridinylmethanone (L2) readily gives rise to dimeric metallacyclophanes with various Ag(I) salts, which bear close structural similarity. An ordered sequence of the coordinating ability of a series of nine polyatomic monoanions has been established on the basis of structural parameters derived from their interaction with a common disilver(I) metallacyclophane skeleton in isostructural complexes. The reactions of L2 with Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) salts give rise to supramolecular architectures assembled through weak interactions including hydrogen bonding and pi···pi stacking, in which L2 adopts various ligation modes. / Metal complexes of 3-pyridinyl-4-pyridinylmethanone (L4) exhibit a variety of structural types: single chain, ladder-like chain, (4,4) network and tetrameric unit. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Chen Xudong. / "July 2005." / Adviser: Thomas C. W. Mak. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: B, page: 3787. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 143-164). / 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, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.