Orientadores: Marco Aurélio Zezzi Arruda, Anne-Hélène Fostier / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T06:38:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lehmann_EraldoLuiz_M.pdf: 2472831 bytes, checksum: 9197e3f8344d1f42efcc6e44cd1ffe01 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Nessa Dissertação foram avaliados um sistema de injeção em fluxo com geração de hidretos acoplado a um espectrômetro de absorção atõmica com atomizador forno metálico de liga Inconel 600® (FI-HG-MF-AAS), bem como a técnica de extração assistida por micro-onda (MAE) como método de preparo de amostra para especiação de arsênio inorgânico. Para o sistema FI-HG-MF-AAS, condições brandas (pH tamponado em 4,5 e concentração de tetraidridoborato(1-) 0,1% (m/v)) foram utilizadas para que apenas a espécie Asi(III) gerasse o seu respectivo hidreto (arsano - AsH3), atingindo-se limites de detecção de 2,0 mg L e quantificação de 6,6 mg L, tornando o método adequado para uso em análises que atendam a portaria de potabilidade de água de acordo com o Ministério da Saúde e Organização Mundial da Saúde (WHO). O Asi(V) não apresentou qualquer sinal nas condições brandas, e apenas o uso de L-cisteína como pré-redutor foi eficiente para sua conversão a Asi(III). O teste de recuperação foi realizado utilizando material de referência NIST 1643e, Traços de elementos em água, com 60,45 mg L de arsênio total. O resultado mostra que Asi(III) não está presente na amostra em concentração acima do limite de detecção, e usando L-cisteína na concentração de 3% (m/v), obteve-se 60,5 mg L de Asi total, atingindo 100% de recuperação. A técnica de extração assistida por micro-onda mostrou-se eficaz para a extração de As total no material certificado de plâncton BCR414, atingindo um nível 93% de recuperação. Também se mostrou eficiente para manter as espécies de As inorgânico (Asi(III) e Asi(V)) inalteradas, sendo assim uma técnica promissora para o preparo de amostras para a análise de especiação / Abstract: In this work a Flow Injection - Hydride Generation - Metallic Furnace - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FI-HG-MF-AAS) system was evaluated, using an Incone600 ® alloy tube as a metallic oven, as well as the technique of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) for sample preparation aiming speciation of inorganic arsenic. For the FI-HG-MF-AAS system, mild conditions (buffered media at pH 4.5 and concentration of tetrahydridoborate (1-) 0.1% (m/v)) allow that only iAs(III) generates hydride (arsane - AsH3), reaching a detection limit of 2.0 m gL and limit of quantification of 6.6 mg L, making suitable for its use in analysis according to Brazilian's Ministry of Health and World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water. The inorganic As(V) did not show signal in mild conditions, and only the use of L-cysteine as pre-reducing agent was efficient in its conversion to inorganic As(III). The recovery test was carried out using reference material NIST 1643e, Trace elements in water, with 60.45 mg L of total arsenic. The result shows that inorganic As(III) is not present at concentration above the limit of detection, and using L-cysteine 3% (w/v), was obtain a total inorganic As concentration of 60.5 mg L, reaching a recovery of 100%. Microwave-assisted extraction technique was effective for the extraction of the total arsenic in certified plankton BCR414material, reaching a recovery level of 93%. Additionally, it also proved to be effective in preserving the species of unchanged inorganic arsenic, making it a promising technique for sample preparation aiming a speciation analyzes / Mestrado / Quimica Analitica / Mestre em Química

Synthesis and bulk analysis of composite ceramic oxide materials and materials with perovskite-defect structure is presented within this work. Syntheses of these advanced ceramics materials were carroed out by using of nonconventional techniques (microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis and polycondensation techniques) and by conventional mechanochemical activation followed by high temperature solid state reaction. X-Ray difraction (XRD), Rietveld analysis, scaning microscopy (SEM), microalysis EDS-SEM, thermal analysis (TG), infrared spectroscopy (IR), determination of particles size and specific surface area were used for description of synthesized products. In case of perovskite system based on La-Sr-Fe-Ti-O electrochemical properties were studied. Part of work was focused on chemical analysis of synthesized composite oxide materials and decomposition hard structured products by using of nonconventional fields.

No description available.

The research work described in this thesis, the environmentally friendly novel "Microwave Assisted Sub-Critical water (MASCW)" technology for particle engineering of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients was developed. The present novel technology MASCW process is described as green technology as water is used as the solvent medium and microwave energy as external source of heat energy for generation of a particle with different morphological and chemical properties. In MASCW process supersaturated solution of APIs is prepared by dissolving solute in water at high temperature and pressure conditions. Upon rapid and controlled cooling, based on the aqueous solubility of solute, solute/solvent concentration and dielectric constant of water rapid precipitation of API with narrow particle size distribution occurs. Using paracetamol (pca) as API moiety understanding of the mechanism of MASCW crystallisation process was investigated. The effect of different process and experimental parameters on crystallisation pathway and end product attributes were analysed. Correlation between the degree of supersaturation concentration of pca solution against temperature and pressure parameters was explained by generating binary phase diagram. Determination of polymorphic transformation pathway of pca from form I (stable) to form II metastable polymorphs in solution was analysed using Raman spectroscopy. The difference between conventional heating and subcritical treatment was explored by determining the change in the solvent dielectric constant and solubility of hydrophobic API molecule. Based on the process understanding results, this technology was further implemented to explore its application in generating phase pure stable and metastable cocrystal phase. Based on the solubility of API and cocrystal former congruent (CBZ/SAC, SMT/SAC, SMZ/SAC) and incongruent (CAF/4HBA) cocrystal pairs were selected. For the first time generation of anhydrous phase of CAF: 4HBA cocrystal in 1:1 stoichiometric ration was reported and generation of metastable cocrystal phase of CA CBZ: SAC form II was reported. The application of this technology was explored in generating phase pure metastable polymorph of paracetamol which retain higher compressibility and dissolution rate. The potential of MASCW micronisation process, theophylline is used as the model component to produce micro sized particles for pulmonary drug delivery system via dry powder inhaler (Foradil inhaler). The results demonstrate that the THF particles generated using MASCW process displayed greater aerodynamic performance compared to conventional spray-dried THF sample. In the final chapter, synthesis of inorganic biomaterial (nano crystalline hydroxyapatite) was reported for the first time and the prospects of combining API like ibuprofen (IBU) with a biologically active component like nano-crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) through hydrogen bonding was mechanistically explained using X-ray diffractometer and spectroscopic techniques.

No / A library of 53 benzimidazole derivatives, with substituents at positions 1, 2 and 5, were synthesized and screened against a series of reference strains of bacteria and fungi of medical relevance. The SAR analyses of the most promising results showed that the antimicrobial activity of the compounds depended on the substituents attached to the bicyclic heterocycle. In particular, some compounds displayed antibacterial activity against two methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) comparable to the widely-used drug ciprofloxacin. The compounds have some common features; three possess 5-halo substituents; two are derivatives of (S)-2-ethanaminebenzimidazole; and the others are derivatives of one 2-(chloromethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole and (1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methanethiol. The results from the antifungal screening were also very interesting: 23 compounds exhibited potent fungicidal activity against the selected fungal strains. They displayed equivalent or greater potency in their MIC values than amphotericin B. The 5-halobenzimidazole derivatives could be considered promising broad-spectrum antimicrobial candidates that deserve further study for potential therapeutic applications.

Developing new materials with desired properties is a vital component of emerging technologies. Functional hybrid compounds make an important class of advanced materials that let us synergistically utilize the key features of the organic and inorganic counterparts in a single composite, providing a very strong tool to develop new materials with ”engineered” properties. The research presented here, summarizes efforts in the development of facile and efficient methods for the fabrication of three- and two-dimensional inorganic-organic hybrids based on layered oxide perovskites. Microwave radiation was exploited to rapidly fabricate and modify new and known materials. Despite the extensive utilization of microwaves in organic syntheses as well as the fabrication of the inorganic solids, the work herein was among the first reported that used microwaves in topochemical modification of the layered oxide perovskites. Our group specifically was the first to perform rapid microwave-assisted reactions in all of the modification steps including proton exchange, grafting, intercalation, and exfoliation, which decreased the duration of multi-step modification procedures from weeks to only a few hours. Microwave-assisted grafting and intercalation reactions with n-alkyl alcohols and n-alkylamines, respectively, were successfully applied on double-layered Dion-Jacobson and Ruddlesden-Popper phases (HLaNb2O7, HPrNb2O7, and H2CaTa2O7), and with somewhat more limited reactivity, applied to triple-layered perovskites (HCa2Nb3O10 and H2La2Ti3O10). Performing neutron diffraction on n-propoxy-LaNb2O7, structure refinement of a layered hybrid oxide perovskite was then tried for the first time. Furthermore, two-dimensional hybrid oxides were efficiently prepared from HLnNb2O7 (Ln = La, Pr), HCa2Nb3O10, HCa2Nb2FeO9, and HLaCaNb2MnO10, employing facile microwave-assisted exfoliation and post-exfoliation surface-modification reactions for the first time. A variety of surface groups, saturated or unsaturated linear and cyclic organics, were successfully anchored onto these oxide nanosheets. Properties of various functionalized metal-oxide nanosheets, as well as the polymerization of some monomer-grafted nanosheets, were then investigated for the two-dimensional hybrid systems.

A Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC., comumente conhecida como unha de gato ou cat´s claw, é uma planta endêmica da Amazônia Peruana. Devido às suas propriedades terapêuticas, seus extratos e derivados são comercializados ao redor do mundo. As propriedades medicinais são atribuídas aos glicosídeos do ácido quinóvico, polifenois e especialmente aos alcalóides oxinólicos pentacíclicos. Assim, a mitrafilina é o principal alcalóide presente nos extratos da planta e, portanto, é o marcador químico de suas formulações comerciais. O processo de extração é uma etapa importante na padronização de seus extratos e, considerando a falta de estudos a respeito de sua influência sob o perfil fitoquímico, amostras de casca de unha de gato foram extraídas por meio de maceração dinâmica e extração assistida por micro-ondas. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a influência dos fatores envolvidos no processo extrativo a respeito de sua composição química, atividade anti-inflamatória e antioxidante. Devido ao grande número de fatores de extração a serem avaliados, um planejamento experimental do tipo Placket Burman foi selecionado e os fatores escolhidos nessa etapa foram: porcentagem de planta em solvente, temperatura e tempo de extração. Adicionalmente, através de um planejamento Box Behnken, as condições ótimas de extração foram delineadas na segunda etapa do estudo. O tempo e a porcentagem de planta em solvente foram fatores significantes para a extração assistida por micro-ondas. Entretanto, o conteúdo de mitrafilina nesses extratos foi reduzido - comparativamente ao seu conteúdo total presente nas amostras analisadas - e, portanto, mais estudos são necessários para otimizar o seu rendimento. Além disso, o extrato otimizado foi avaliado quanto à capacidade anti-inflamatória, em um teste de edema de pata induzido por carragenina e apresentou uma capacidade inibitória na concentração de 0,57 mg de mitrafilina/ Kg de rato. Por conseguinte, tais achados confirmaram a sua atividade anti-inflamatória. Os resultados obtidos a partir da extração por maceração dinâmica sugerem que o alcalóide é facilmente extraído, pois não foi afetado por nenhuma das variáveis experimentais. Adicionalmente, os extratos apresentaram maior conteúdo de mitrafilina - comparativamente aos resultados observados na extração por micro-ondas. Entretanto, devido ao menor tempo empregado na extração assistida por micro-ondas, outros estudos são necessários a fim de otimizar a extração desse alcalóide por esse método. O extrato otimizado sob as condições de maceração dinâmica foi seco em spray drying e, utilizando um planejamento de mistura do tipo simplex-centroid, o efeito de diferentes misturas de três adjuvantes foi avaliado: Dmanitol, maltodextrina e Aerosil. Embora os extratos secos com Aerosil e maltodextrina tenham prevenido a degradação de mitrafilina - quando comparado ao extrato seco sem excipiente - a secagem resultou em elevada perda no conteúdo de alcalóide e também propriedades farmacotécnicas inadequadas. Tais observações sugerem que, mesmo em condições amenas de secagem, há a degradação do alcalóide. Portanto, tais resultados reforçam a necessidade de avaliações complementares a fim de prevenir a ocorrência de tais eventos / The Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. commonly known as unha-de-gato or cat´s claw is an endemic plant from the Peruvian Amazon. Due its therapeutic properties, the crude drug and a variety of extracts are commercialized worldwide. The healing properties are attributed to the glycosides of quinovic acid, polyphenols, and especially to the pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids. Thereby, mitraphylline is the main alkaloid present in the bark extract of U. tomentosa, and therefore, is the chemical marker of commercial formulations derived from the plant. The extraction process is an important step in the standardization of plant extract and considering the lack of studies that relate the influence of extractive processes in phytochemical profile of the cat´s claw extracts, the bark samples were extracted by dynamic maceration and microwave assisted extraction. The study aimed evaluate the influence of the extraction factors on the chemical composition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts from cat \'s claw barks. Due to the wide number of possible extraction factors to be evaluated and the lack of knowledge about the importance of this factor effects on U. tomentosa extract, the Placket Burman factorial design was selected and the experimental factors chosen in this step were: % plant solvent ratio, temperature and extraction time. Through a Box Behnken planning the optimal extraction conditions of cat´s claw bark will be outlined in the second stage of this work. The time and % plant solvent ratio were significant factors for microwave assisted extraction. However, the contents extracted of mitraphylline have been reduced - compared to the total yield of the plant - and, therefore, more studies are needed to optimize the alkaloid yield. The extract from the optimized conditions, was evaluated in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, and presented inhibitory capacity in concentration of 0.57 mg of mitraphylline / kg of rat. Therefore, these findings confirm its anti-inflammatory activity. The results obtained in the extractions by dynamic maceration, suggest that the alkaloid is easily extracted and is not affected by experimental variables. In addition, compared to microwave extraction, this methodology allowed extracts with higher content of mitraphylline. However, in view of the shorter extraction time employed in microwave extraction, other reviews are needed to increase the extraction of mitraphylline, by this method. The extract optimized by the conditions under dynamic maceration was dried in spray drying and using a simplex-centroid mixture design, the effect of different mixtures of three adjuvants - D- mannitol, maltodextrin and Aerosil- were evaluated. Although dried extracts with the aid of Aerosil and maltodextrin slightly prevented the degradation of mitraphylline - as compared to the dry extract without excipient - the drying process resulted in high loss in the total content of this alkaloid and inadequate physical properties. Such observation suggests that, even under the mild drying conditions, there is degradation of the alkaloid. Therefore, these results reinforce the need for auxiliary evaluations to prevent the occurrence of such events.

A aplicação de fertilizantes aos solos é frequente devido à atual demanda mundial pela produção de alimentos e às projeções feitas para o futuro. Fertilizantes orgânicos têm sido uma opção amplamente explorada devido ao seu preço, possibilidade de reuso de resíduos agriculturais e urbanos, além do caráter sustentável. Podem ser provenientes de diversas origens como lodo de esgoto, estercos e restos de animais e vegetais submetidos a processos de compostagem. Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvido método para determinação elementar total em fertilizantes orgânicos, substratos e condicionadores de solo, e realizados estudos de fracionamento e análise de especiação em fertilizante orgânico. Assim, foi realizada a caracterização geral das amostras com fracionamento por tamanho de partícula, análises dos teores de C e N, difração de Raios-X e determinação elementar total. Para este último, foi desenvolvido método de digestão assistida por radiação micro-ondas, com análise por ICP OES. O procedimento foi otimizado para diferentes misturas ácidas, as quais foram avaliadas quanto aos erros relativos para diversos elementos em CRM de lodo de esgoto, utilizando PCA como ferramenta estatística. A mistura escolhida, constituída por 3 mL HNO3 + 1 mL HBF4 + 2 mL H2O, foi utilizada para digestão das amostras. Apenas a concentração total não traz informações a respeito da mobilidade e disponibilidade dos elementos, então estudos de fracionamento elementar também foram realizados. Na primeira abordagem foi executado fracionamento por tamanho de partícula, no qual foi observado que quanto menor o tamanho de partícula menor o teor de C e maior o teor de N, e maior a concentração de micronutrientes e contaminantes (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb e Zn), indicando que estes elementos podem estar mais associados a frações com mais características inorgânicas e maior teor de humificação (dado pela razão C/N). A segunda abordagem refere-se à associação dos elementos com diferentes componentes da matriz seguindo o procedimento de extração sequencial do BCR e extrações em etapa única para avaliar a mobilidade, sendo os extratos analisados por ICP-MS. O elemento Cr mostrou baixa mobilidade e bioacessibilidade. Cu está associado, principalmente, à fração orgânica da matriz, porém também pouco móvel. Fe e Pb também apresentaram baixa mobilidade e associados, principalmente, a óxidos da amostra. Mn e Zn mostraram alta mobilidade, sendo também associados a matéria orgânica e aos óxidos. A análise de especiação dos extratos obtidos foi realizada por SEC-ICP-MS, de modo a investigar a associação dos elementos extraídos com ácidos húmicos e fúlvicos. Nenhum sinal de Cr estava relacionado com a matéria orgânica, enquanto que os elementos Cu, Fe e Pb mostraram associação com ácidos húmicos. Mn apresentou espécies associadas a ácidos fúlvicos, enquanto que o Zn, não está associado a espécies orgânicas. / Fertilizers are frequently applied to soils due to actual global food demand and its future projections. Organic fertilizers have been extensively employed due to its price, as a reuse possibility to agricultural and urban wastes, and its sustainable character. They can be prepared from various sources, such as sewage sludge, manure and plants and animal scraps, submitted to composting process. In this work, it was developed a total elements determination method, as well as fractionating studies and speciation analysis of organic fertilizer. Thus, organic fertilizer samples were generally characterized using particle size fractionating, C and N content analysis, X-Ray diffraction and total elements determination. To the last, it was developed a sample preparation method by microwave-assisted digestion and ICP OES analysis. Digestion procedure was optimized using various acid mixtures, which were evaluated due to its relative errors related to sewage sludge CRM values, using PCA as a statistical tool. The chosen acid mixture constituted of 3 mL HNO3 + 1 mL HBF4 + 2 mL H2O was applied to samples digestion and their total elements determination. As total concentration is not enough to predict elements mobility and bioavailability, fractionation studies were conducted. The first approach was the particle size fractionation, were it was observed that the smaller the particle size the higher the micronutrients and contaminants concentration (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn), along with lower C contents and higher N contents, indicating that these elements are associated with inorganic fractions, or with highly humified compounds (due to the lower C/N ratio). A second approach refers to elements association with various matrix components, using BCR and single-step extraction procedures to investigate elements mobility and bioavailability, with ICP-MS analysis of extracts. Cr was poorly mobile and bioavailable. Cu was bound to organic fraction, but also poorly mobile and bioavailable. Fe and Pb were also weakly mobile, and were mostly associated with oxides on matrix. Mn and Zn were greatly mobile and bioavailable, and were also mainly associated with oxides on matrix. Speciation analysis of extract was performed by SEC-ICP-MS, investigating elements association with humic and fulvic acids on previous extracts. Cr could not be associated with any humic substance, as expected with previous extractions results. Cu, Fe and Pb had identifiable species associated with humic acids, while Mn was associated with fulvic acids. Zn, even though high mobile, was not associated with any organic species.

A aplicação de fertilizantes aos solos é frequente devido à atual demanda mundial pela produção de alimentos e às projeções feitas para o futuro. Fertilizantes orgânicos têm sido uma opção amplamente explorada devido ao seu preço, possibilidade de reuso de resíduos agriculturais e urbanos, além do caráter sustentável. Podem ser provenientes de diversas origens como lodo de esgoto, estercos e restos de animais e vegetais submetidos a processos de compostagem. Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvido método para determinação elementar total em fertilizantes orgânicos, substratos e condicionadores de solo, e realizados estudos de fracionamento e análise de especiação em fertilizante orgânico. Assim, foi realizada a caracterização geral das amostras com fracionamento por tamanho de partícula, análises dos teores de C e N, difração de Raios-X e determinação elementar total. Para este último, foi desenvolvido método de digestão assistida por radiação micro-ondas, com análise por ICP OES. O procedimento foi otimizado para diferentes misturas ácidas, as quais foram avaliadas quanto aos erros relativos para diversos elementos em CRM de lodo de esgoto, utilizando PCA como ferramenta estatística. A mistura escolhida, constituída por 3 mL HNO3 + 1 mL HBF4 + 2 mL H2O, foi utilizada para digestão das amostras. Apenas a concentração total não traz informações a respeito da mobilidade e disponibilidade dos elementos, então estudos de fracionamento elementar também foram realizados. Na primeira abordagem foi executado fracionamento por tamanho de partícula, no qual foi observado que quanto menor o tamanho de partícula menor o teor de C e maior o teor de N, e maior a concentração de micronutrientes e contaminantes (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb e Zn), indicando que estes elementos podem estar mais associados a frações com mais características inorgânicas e maior teor de humificação (dado pela razão C/N). A segunda abordagem refere-se à associação dos elementos com diferentes componentes da matriz seguindo o procedimento de extração sequencial do BCR e extrações em etapa única para avaliar a mobilidade, sendo os extratos analisados por ICP-MS. O elemento Cr mostrou baixa mobilidade e bioacessibilidade. Cu está associado, principalmente, à fração orgânica da matriz, porém também pouco móvel. Fe e Pb também apresentaram baixa mobilidade e associados, principalmente, a óxidos da amostra. Mn e Zn mostraram alta mobilidade, sendo também associados a matéria orgânica e aos óxidos. A análise de especiação dos extratos obtidos foi realizada por SEC-ICP-MS, de modo a investigar a associação dos elementos extraídos com ácidos húmicos e fúlvicos. Nenhum sinal de Cr estava relacionado com a matéria orgânica, enquanto que os elementos Cu, Fe e Pb mostraram associação com ácidos húmicos. Mn apresentou espécies associadas a ácidos fúlvicos, enquanto que o Zn, não está associado a espécies orgânicas. / Fertilizers are frequently applied to soils due to actual global food demand and its future projections. Organic fertilizers have been extensively employed due to its price, as a reuse possibility to agricultural and urban wastes, and its sustainable character. They can be prepared from various sources, such as sewage sludge, manure and plants and animal scraps, submitted to composting process. In this work, it was developed a total elements determination method, as well as fractionating studies and speciation analysis of organic fertilizer. Thus, organic fertilizer samples were generally characterized using particle size fractionating, C and N content analysis, X-Ray diffraction and total elements determination. To the last, it was developed a sample preparation method by microwave-assisted digestion and ICP OES analysis. Digestion procedure was optimized using various acid mixtures, which were evaluated due to its relative errors related to sewage sludge CRM values, using PCA as a statistical tool. The chosen acid mixture constituted of 3 mL HNO3 + 1 mL HBF4 + 2 mL H2O was applied to samples digestion and their total elements determination. As total concentration is not enough to predict elements mobility and bioavailability, fractionation studies were conducted. The first approach was the particle size fractionation, were it was observed that the smaller the particle size the higher the micronutrients and contaminants concentration (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn), along with lower C contents and higher N contents, indicating that these elements are associated with inorganic fractions, or with highly humified compounds (due to the lower C/N ratio). A second approach refers to elements association with various matrix components, using BCR and single-step extraction procedures to investigate elements mobility and bioavailability, with ICP-MS analysis of extracts. Cr was poorly mobile and bioavailable. Cu was bound to organic fraction, but also poorly mobile and bioavailable. Fe and Pb were also weakly mobile, and were mostly associated with oxides on matrix. Mn and Zn were greatly mobile and bioavailable, and were also mainly associated with oxides on matrix. Speciation analysis of extract was performed by SEC-ICP-MS, investigating elements association with humic and fulvic acids on previous extracts. Cr could not be associated with any humic substance, as expected with previous extractions results. Cu, Fe and Pb had identifiable species associated with humic acids, while Mn was associated with fulvic acids. Zn, even though high mobile, was not associated with any organic species.

<p>This thesis describes the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel chalcogenide antioxidants. </p><p>A computational model for the prediction of antioxidant properties of chalcogen-containing antioxidants has been developed. The model has been used to probe the relationship between geometry, chalcogen substitution and activity for a series of α-tocopherol analogues of varying ring size and chalcogen substitution. </p><p>A series of simple diaryltellurides and aryl-alkyl tellurides have been synthesised. The selenium analogue of α-tocopherol has been synthesised in eleven steps and 6.5% total yield, with formation of the selenacycle by homolytic substitution at selenium as the key step. Tentative steps have been taken towards the construction of the tellurotocopherol structure by microwave-assisted radical cyclisation methodologies.</p><p>A combination of EPR and kinetic studies has been used to assess the antioxidant characteristics of selenotocopherol. A two-phase lipid peroxidation model revealed that the selenotocopherol is not catalytically regenerable. The same model has been used to assess the cooperativity of mixtures of tellurides with α-tocopherol and an aqueous thiol. It was seen that combinations of α-tocopherol with tellurides incorporating phenols displayed synergistic properties, and the mechanistic implications of this are discussed. </p><p>DSC measurements have been used to assess the antioxidant activity of tellurides together with coantioxidants in melts of polypropylene. The tellurides display excellent activity together with thiol or a sterically hindered phenol antioxidant. In chemiluminescence studies performed at lower temperatures, the telluride mixtures still outperform commercial blends, but to a lesser extent. In a synthetic oil a telluride has demonstrated promising antioxidant properties together with a thiol or phenolic antioxidant. However, under more realistic test conditions the telluride acts instead as a prooxidant. Some tellurides have been evaluated as antioxidants in paper. Water-soluble tellurides appear to function better than lipophilic tellurides, but neither is comparable in activity to α-tocopherol.</p>