Adaptor proteins, like Tollip and Tom1, facilitate cellular cargo sorting through their ubiquitin-binding domains. Tollip and Tom1 bind to each other through their TBD and GAT domains, respectively, whereas Tollip interacts with phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PtdIns(3)P)-containing endosomal membranes. Tom1 and Tollip interaction and association with endosomes is proposed to be involved in the lysosomal degradation of polyubiquitinated cargo. Through cellular, biochemical, and biophysical techniques, we have further characterized the association of Tom1 with Tollip. Mutations in the binding interface of the Tom1 GAT and Tollip TBD complex leads to a subcellular mis-localization of both proteins, indicating that Tom1 may serve to direct Tollip to specific cellular pathways. It was determined that Tom1 inhibits the binding of Tollip to PtdIns(3)P and inhibition was reversed when mutations in the binding interface of the Tom1 GAT and Tollip TBD were present. Furthermore, it was established that, upon the binding of Tollip TBD to Tom1 GAT, ubiquitin is inhibited from binding to Tom1 GAT. It was also demonstrated that Tom1 GAT, but not Tollip TBD, can weakly bind to PtdIns(3)P. Consequently, we propose that association of Tom1 may serve to direct Tollip for involvement in specific cell signaling pathways. Gaining insight into the function of Tom1 and Tollip may lead to their use as therapeutic targets for increasing the efficiency of cargo trafficking and also for patients recovering from various cardiac injuries. / Master of Science

The N-heterocyclic carbene (NHCs) based pincer ligands field is still in its infancy after decades. They are known for their applications in organocatalysis, coordinating with transition metals and p-block elements, catalysis, and material chemistry. Among all NHCs, CCC-NHC-based on late-transition metal complexes were first developed by our group in 2005 with a unique metalation/transmetalation strategy. Our group also designed the chiral version of these CCC-NHC ligands to synthesize its metal complexes. However, their asymmetric catalytic applications were unknown. Wanting to expand on this work, we first successfully synthesized achiral CCC-NHC pincer complexes and their new catalytic application, as it is economically cheaper than directly working on developing a chiral version for catalysis. Then, different chiral CCC-NHC salts were synthesized based on different chiral arms and N-substituents on NHCs to modify their steric hindrance and electronic structure properties. These precursors were used for their enantioselective application in nucleophilic catalysis. In Chapter II, we will discuss the synthesis of the CCC-NHC pincer Ir (III) dimer complex and its first catalytic application in C−H functionalization of N-methylindoles with alpha-aryl-alpha-diazoacetates at the C-3. The best reaction conditions involve a combination of catalysts and substrates in a specific order. It resulted in the activation of the C-H bond with the formation of a new C-C bond to generate alpha-aryl-alpha-indolyl acetates with more than 99% conversion at room temperature without requiring any additives. The substrate scope and limitations of N-methyl indoles and diazoacetates were also explored. Chapter III will focus on a new modified synthetic route to synthesize and characterize chiral CCC-NHC chloride salts in a shorter synthetic route than the known one. The metalation/transmetalation of chiral CCC-NHC ligands with late transition metals and the initial attempt in asymmetric catalysis will be discussed in Chapter IV. Chapter, V, demonstrated nucleophilic catalysis of CCC-NHC precursors in benzoin condensation of aldehyde. The study started with the evaluation of fifteen different achiral bis-CCC-NHC salts based on triazole, imidazole, and benzimidazole. Further studies with chiral CCC-NHC salts also resulted in more than 99% conversion and 99% ee in benzoin products. The substrate scope of benzaldehyde with different substituents was also explored

Assemblies of granular particles suspended in a fluid-like state by interstitial liquid or upward gas flow, here referred to as granular suspensions, are critical to numerous industrial applications and natural processes. However, their inherent complexity and opacity pose significant challenges for direct measurement and analysis. Traditional invasive techniques often disrupt the flow dynamics, while optical methods are limited to transparent systems. To overcome these limitations, this study leverages advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and computational models to analyze multiphase flow dynamics in opaque systems with high spatial and temporal resolution.This work is divided into three primary investigations. First, MRI simulations are developed as a tool for comparison with experimental MRI measurements. These simulations replicate the physical principles of MRI and allow for the evaluation of imaging artifacts, measurement accuracy, and data interpretation in multiphase flow scenarios. By establishing a robust simulation framework, this work bridges the gap between theoretical and experimental studies, providing a basis for refining MRI measurements and improving comparison between simulations and measurements in complex flow systems. Next, we employ MRI to investigate the dynamics of bubble rise in dense (liquid-solid) suspensions. High-resolution two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging allows for detailed observation of bubble rise, coalescence, and deformation, as well as rise velocities under varying particle volume fractions. This study provides valuable insights into the interplay between bubble behavior and suspension properties, with implications for optimizing processes in chemical reactors, wastewater treatment, and other industries where bubble dynamics are crucial. The final investigation focuses on particle velocity distributions in granular flows within two distinct fluidized bed systems: a gas-solid bed and a liquid-solid bed, both designed for compatibility with a vertical nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer. The overarching goal is to analyze how velocity distributions in granular gases deviate from the Gaussian patterns observed in molecular systems, examining the effects of inter-particle collisions, drag forces, and energy dissipation. Using computational fluid dynamics – discrete element method (CFD-DEM) simulations alongside MRI measurements, this study bridges molecular theory with granular flow behavior, providing critical insights into the physics of confined granular systems fluidized by upward fluid flow. The concluding chapter summarizes the highlights of this study, explores potential future directions, and discusses the broader applicability of these findings. The insights gained here are relevant to a wide range of industrial systems, including fluidized bed reactors and sediment transport, as well as natural processes such as granular avalanches and particulate mixing. By combining the non-invasive imaging capabilities of MRI with advanced computational modeling, this work offers a powerful framework for understanding and optimizing multiphase flow systems across diverse contexts.

The Parkinsonian Syndrome-inducing effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on the body have been well-documented since its discovery. However, its mechanism of oxidation by monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) has been debated for just as long. Proponents of the single electron transfer (SET) pathway of oxidation faced severe critiques in that the hypothesized radical intermediates arising from the SET pathway were never directly observed. Work performed herein provides that exact evidence using biomimetics of MAO B. The first section of the dissertation will highlight the ability of one such biomimetic, 3-methyllumiflavin (3MLF), to provide a chemical model for the oxidation of -unsaturated tetrahydropyridines. Using a nontoxic analog of MPTP, 1-methyl-4-(1-methyl-1-H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1,2,3,6-tetra-hydropyridine (MMTP), reactions with 3MLF were performed under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The anaerobic studies of these reactions proved to be the key to the direct observations (by 1H NMR and EPR) of flavin-derived radical behavior. Armed with the knowledge of how to prepare reactions for the direct observation of flavin radical intermediates, studies of N-cyclopropyl substrate derivatives were subsequently conducted to gather evidence for the formation of radical substrate intermediates. If the hypothesized SET is the first step of the reaction mechanism, then the resulting aminyl radical cation could undergo a cyclopropyl ring opening. Several products derived from the substrate were observed; among them were ring-opened variations suggesting that the reaction does begin with a SET. Thermodynamically, this process is unfavorable, leading to the hypothesis that this reaction step may be better described as a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). The kinetics of this process were studied at length. Finally, to provide a more compelling argument for the fundamental reactivities, two other flavin biomimetics are investigated. Their reactions with tetrahydropyridines were put under the same scrutiny as 3MLF, leading to the conclusion that the chemistry discussed herein is not unique to 3MLF, but is much more broadly applicable to other flavin biomimetics and MAO B. / Doctor of Philosophy / First reported in 1982, Parkinsonian Syndrome related to the injection of the designer drug meperidine was linked to an impurity in the drug, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, MPTP. That compound was able to be oxidized in the brain by the enzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) to form the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). For many years, the way that oxidation occurred remained a mystery as MPTP is chemically very different than typical substrates of MAO B. One type of reaction, single electron transfer (SET), which involves the production of high-energy intermediates called radicals, was largely overlooked as it seemed chemically implausible, especially in a biological system. This dissertation will focus on providing evidence for the SET oxidation of MPTP-like molecules using a class of compounds called flavins. Flavins are biomimetics of MAO B, meaning they behave in reaction vessels the same way that MAO B behaves biologically. Evidence for the SET pathway comes primarily in two forms: nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Each of these techniques allow us to "see" exactly what species are present in solution. In the case of 1H NMR, we will be able to see the "normal" molecules, while EPR allows us to see the high energy radical species in solution. Using these techniques, several substrate and flavin analogs were investigated to uncover a universal reaction mechanism by which MPTP and related compounds are oxidized by MAO B.

Spin selective MQ-SQ correlation has been demonstrated by either selective pulses in homo-nuclear spin systems in isotropic and weakly orienting chiral media or by nonselective pulses in hetero-nuclear spin systems in strongly aligned media. As a consequence of the spin selective correlation, the coherence transfer pathway from MQ to SQ is spin state selective. This two dimensional approach enables the utilization of the passive couplings (remote couplings) to break a complex one dimensional spectrum into many sub spectra. Each sub spectrum contains fewer transitions and hence fewer couplings (active couplings). The role of the passive couplings is to displace the sub spectra and measurement of the displacements taking into account their relative tilt provides the magnitude of the passive couplings along with relative signs. Further possibility of a spin state selective MQ-SQ resolved experiment to determine very small remote couplings otherwise buried within linewidth in one dimensional spectrum has been demonstrated. The resolution of the multiple quantum spectrum in indirect dimension has also been exploited to separate the sub spectra. The technique renders the analysis of complex spectrum in isotropic system much simpler. The potentialities of the technique have also been demonstrated for discrimination of optical enantiomers and derivation of the residual dipolar couplings from very complicated spectrum. The second order spectrum in strongly aligned media restrict selective excitation, however in hetero-nuclear spin system the nonselective pulses on protons do not interact with the hetero-nuclear spins. Thus the weakly coupled part of a strongly coupled spectrum has been exploited for simplifying the second order spectrum and thereby its analysis. Thus several methodologies derived from spin selective correlation has been demonstrated. Enantiopure spectrum has been recorded from a mixture of R and S enantiomers by a novel pulse scheme called Double Quantum Selective Refocusing Experiment. The dipolar coupled methyl protons in weakly orienting media are utilized. The selective excitation of double quantum coherence reduces the three spin system into a two spin system and remote couplings are refocused which otherwise leads to broadening. The sum of passive couplings being different for the enantiomers resolution in the DQ dimension is enhanced and thereby their discrimination. Finally several decoupling schemes has been compared in the indirect dimension of HSQC experiment to resolve 13C satellite spectra otherwise buried within line width for increased confidence in determining hetero-nuclear framework information.

Half-metallic ferromagnets (HMFs), with fully spin-polarized conduction electrons, are prime candidates for optimizing spintronic devices. Many Heusler compounds (a class of ternary and quaternary intermetallics) are predicted to be HMFs, in particular Co$_{2}YZ$ (where $Y$ is usually another transition metal, and $Z$ is an s-p element). Crystal structure is controlled by thermodynamics to a large extent. Ideally, one should be able to control and optimize properties which are of interest by appropriately "tuning" the structure (e.g. annealing), but first one must understand the structure and its relation to observed physical properties. A local structural probe technique such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an essential tool for identifying and quantifying the various atomic-scale orderings. Different Heusler structure types and antisite disorders affect the material's physical properties. In this thesis, order-disorder phenomena in both bulk and thin film samples of Co$_2$Mn$_{1-x}$Si$_x$ and Co$_2$Mn$_{1-x}$Fe$_x$Si have been systematically studied using NMR. Though it is the films which are directly implemented in actual devices, studying bulk samples as model systems provides invaluable information regarding the material properties. The evolution of local atomic structure in numerous thin films has been shown to depend greatly on preparation parameters, including post-deposition annealing temperature, and specific stoichiometry. For Co$_2$MnSi films, the ideal post-annealing temperature for promoting the $L2_1$ atomic structure was found; the threshold temperature above which structure continues to become higher-ordered in the bulk, but where too much interdiffusion at the buffer interface occurs, degrading the smooth interfaces necessary for high magnetoresistance ratios. NMR also adds evidence that Co$_2$Mn$_x$Si$_{0.88}$ ($x>$1) electrodes in magnetic tunnel junctions have highest tunneling magneto-resistance because the excess Mn suppresses the formation of detrimental Co$_{Mn}$ antisites. A systematic investigation of several thermal and magnetic properties, including Sommerfeld coefficients, Debye temperatures, saturation magnetic moments, spin-wave stiffness, and magnon specific heat coefficient, were measured for selected Co$_2$-based ternary and quaternary Heusler compounds. Obtained values were compared with theoretical ones calculated using electronic band structure methods. It has been systematically shown that adding a magnon term to the specific heat has a negligible effect on the electronic contribution in all cases.

Spin dynamics simulations are used to gain insight into important magnetic resonance experiments in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, and physics. Presented in this thesis are investigations into how to accelerate these simulations by making them more efficient. Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction to the methods of spin dynamics simulation used in the rest of the thesis. The `exponential scaling problem' that formally limits the size of spin system that can be simulated is described. Chapter 2 provides a summary of methods that have been developed to overcome the exponential scaling problem in liquid state magnetic resonance. The possibility of utilizing the multiple processors prevalent in modern computers to accelerate spin dynamics simulations provides the impetus for the investigation found in Chapter 3. A number of different methods of parallelization leading to acceleration of spin dynamics simulations are derived and discussed. It is often the case that the parameters defining a spin system are time-dependent. This complicates the simulation of the spin dynamics of the system. Chapter 4 presents a method of simplifying such simulations by mapping the spin dynamics into a larger state space. This method is applied to simulations incorporating mechanical spinning of the sample with powder averaging. In Chapter 5, implementations of several magnetic resonance experiments are detailed. In so doing, use of techniques developed in Chapters 2 and 3 are exemplified. Further, specific details of these experiments are utilized to increase the efficiency of their simulation.

Thesis (DSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Examples of the use of NMR spectroscopy in the study of radical polymerization processes have been described. The studies presented have made a significant contribution to the understanding of the fundamental mechanistic processes in these polymerization systems. It is pointed out that NMR in conventional radical polymerization is of limited use due to the concurrent occurrence of all elementary reactions (initiation, propagation and termination). Conversely, for living radical polymerization, NMR has great value. In that case, the elementary reactions are somewhat more restricted to specific times of the polymerization process. This allows for example the detailed study of the early stages of chain growth in Reversible Addition-­‐Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) mediated polymerization. Two different studies are described. The first is related to the early stages of RAFT-­‐mediated polymerization. A process for which we coined the name initialization was studied via in situ 1H NMR spectroscopy. It is shown that in many cases, there is a selective reaction that converts the original RAFT agent into its single monomer adduct. A few different examples and their mechanistic interpretation are discussed. It is also shown that NMR spectroscopy can be a valuable tool for the assessment of a RAFT agent in conjunction with a specific monomer and polymerization conditions. In the second study, 15N NMR, 31P NMR and 1H NMR are used for two different types of experiments. The first is a conventional radical copolymerization in which the growing chains are trapped by a 15N labeled nitroxide to yield a stable product. In the second experiment, a similar copolymerization is conducted under nitroxide-­‐mediated conditions. The nitroxide of choice contains phosphorous, which enables the quantification of the terminal monomer in the dormant chains. Each of the experiments individually provides interesting information on conventional radical copolymerization and nitroxide-­‐mediated copolymerization, respectively. Combination of the experimental data reveals an interesting discrepancy in the ratio of terminal monomer units in active chains and dormant chains. Although not unexpected, this result is interesting and useful from a mechanistic as well as a synthetic point of view. In terms of future perspectives, it is expected that the advanced analytical techniques as described here will remain crucial in polymer science. Present developments in radical polymerization, such as investigations into monomer sequence control, rely on accurate knowledge of kinetic and mechanistic details of elementary reactions. It is expected that such detailed studies will be a main challenge for the next decade of polymer research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Voorbeelde van die gebruik van KMR-­‐spektroskopie in die studie van radikaalpolimerisasies word beskryf. Hierdie studies het ʼn beduidende bydrae gelewer tot die verstaan van die fundamentele meganistiese prosesse in hierdie polimerisasiesisteme. Dit het daarop gewys dat KMR beperkte gebruike het in konvensionele radikaalpolimerisasies as gevolg van die gelyktydige voorkoms van alle basiese reaksies (afsetting, voortsetting en beëindiging). Aan die anderkant het KMR groot waarde vir lewende radikaalpolimerisasie. In hierdie geval is die elementêre reaksies ietwat meer beperk tot spesifieke tye van die polimerisasieproses. Gedetailleerde studies kan byvoorbeeld van die vroeë stadiums van die kettinggroei in Omkeerbare Addisie-­‐Fragmentasie-­‐ KettingOordrag (OAFO)-­‐bemiddelde polimerisasie gedoen word. Twee verskillende studies is beskryf. Die eerste het betrekking op die vroeë stadiums van die OAFO-­‐bemiddelde polimerisasie. 'n Proses wat “inisialisering” genoem is, is bestudeer deur middel van in situ 1H KMR-­‐spektroskopie. Dit is bewys dat daar in baie gevalle 'n selektiewe reaksie is wat die oorspronklike OAFO-­‐agent in sy enkelmonomeeradduk verander voor polimerisasie. 'n Paar ander voorbeelde en hul meganistiese interpretasie is bespreek. Dit is ook bewys dat KMR-­‐spektroskopie 'n waardevolle hulpmiddel kan wees vir die assessering van 'n OAFO-­‐agent in samewerking met 'n spesifieke monomeer en polimerisasie toestande. In die tweede studie is 15N KMR, 31P KMR en 1H KMR gebruik vir twee verskillende tipes van die eksperiment. Die eerste is 'n konvensionele radikaalkopolimerisasie waarin die groeiende kettings vasgevang word deur 'n 15N-­‐gemerkte nitroksied om 'n stabiele produk te lewer. In die tweede eksperiment is 'n soortgelyke kopolimerisasie gedoen onder nitroksied-­‐ bemiddelde toestande. Die gekose nitroksied bevat fosfor wat die kwantifisering van die terminale monomeer in die dormante kettings moontlik maak. Elkeen van die individuele eksperimente lewer interessante inligting oor konvensionele radikale kopolimerisasie en nitroksied-­‐bemiddelde kopolimerisasie, onderskeidelik. ʼn Kombinasie van die eksperimentele data toon 'n interessante verskil aan in die verhouding van die terminale monomeereenhede in die aktiewe en sluimerende kettings. Alhoewel dit nie onverwags is nie, is die resultate interessant en van waarde vanuit 'n meganistiese-­‐ sowel as 'n sintetiese oogpunt. In terme van toekomstige perspektiewe word daar verwag dat gevorderde analitiese tegnieke soos hier beskryf, belangrik sal bly in polimeerwetenskap. Huidige ontwikkelinge in radikaalpolimerisasie, soos ondersoeke na die beheer van monomeervolgorde, maak staat op akkurate kennis van kinetiese en meganistiese besonderhede van die basiese reaksies. Daar word verwag dat sulke gedetailleerde studies ʼn uitdaging sal bied vir die volgende dekade van polimeernavorsing.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this work a robust reversed phase ion-pairing high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method has been developed for the separation, characterization and quantification of all possible [PtCl6-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 6) and [PtCl4-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 4) complex anions using UV-Vis detection. High resolution 195Pt NMR of more concentrated PtII/IV solutions served to validate the relevant species assignments, particularly those of the stereoisomer species, cis- and trans- [PtCl4Br2]2-, [PtCl2Br4]2- and mer- and fac-[PtCl3Br3]2-. Quantification of the PtII/IV species was achieved by means of IP-RP-HPLC coupled to either ICP-MS or ICP-OES, and together with the UV-Vis absorption spectra obtained by photodiode array (PDA) recording of all eluted species, allowed for the determination of the photometric characteristics (λmax and ε) of all the PtII/IV species. This data enables practical speciation studies of such PtII/IV complex anions using standard analytical equipment. The hyphenation of ion-pairing RP-HPLC to ICP-OES allows for the successful determination of the Pt to halide mole ratios of individually separated species in order to characterize these species in a novel manner. The Pt to chloride and/or Pt to bromide mole ratio of the [PtCl4]2- and the series of [PtCl6-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 6) complexes were determined using HPLC-ICP-OES based on the 177.708 nm Pt, 134.724 nm Cl and 148.845 nm Br emission lines and served as a technique for the unambiguous chemical speciation of such complexes. An increase in sensitivity of the developed method was achieved by the use of an ion-pairing reversed phase ultra high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS) method. This method proved capable of separating and characterizing the homoleptic and heteroleptic [PtIVCl6-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 6) and mono-aquated [PtIVCl5-nBrn(H2O)]- (n = 0 – 5) complex anions in well defined acidic aqueous solutions. Ion-pairing ultra high performance liquid chromatography separation based on the volatile ion-pairing reagent, tributylamine, provided adequate chromatographic resolution as well as sufficiently low background noise for high resolution ESI-Q-TOF-MS detection. The wealth of structural information contained in the mass spectra obtained for each PtIV species simplified the identification of individual species. Moreover, the general fragmentation trends encompassing a constant incremental change of 44 Da (79/81Br - 35/37Cl) resulting from the successive substitution of Cl- by Br-, in combination with the observed elution order, facilitated the relevant species assignments. The developed method enabled the relative rapid (<13 min) characterization of all 22 [PtCl6-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 6) and mono-aquated [PtCl5-nBrn(H2O)]- (n = 0 – 5) species. Quantification of each individual [PtCl6-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 6) species by means of ion-paring HPLC-UV-Vis allowed for the determination of all 17 stability constants for the PtIV chloridobromido halide exchange reaction network. Determination of the associated Gibbs free energies for each ligand exchange reaction step, o rxnK ΔG n (n = 1 - 17), together with energy conservation relationships, served to validate the accuracy of the experimentally calculated stability constants. The experimentally determined overall formation constant, or ΔGo rxn, and those calculated using the standard reaction half cell reduction potentials of [PtCl6]2- and [PtBr6]2- were in good agreement, further confirming the experimentally obtained thermodynamic parameters. The thermodynamic driving force for the PtIV chloride-bromido exchange reactions is attributed to the hydration of the halide ligands, which drives the reaction towards the bromido PtIV species in aqueous solutions, even though the chlorido PtIV complexes are energetically favoured in this reaction network. Evaluation of other metal cation halido exchange reactions shows that all metal halido complexes exhibit the F- >> Cl- > Br- > I- order of thermodynamic stability and is only inverted due to the solvation of the relevant halide ligands. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) was used to predict the thermodynamic stabilities with respect to the isodesmic reactions involving chlorido-bromido PtIV stereoisomer pairs and chlorido-bromido PtIV ligand exchange reactions of the [PtCl6-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 6) species and confirm the F- >> Cl- > Br- > I- order of thermodynamic stability as well as determining the ΔΔGo rxn within the range of 8 - 20 kJ.mol-1 to the experimentally determined ΔΔGo rxn. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tydens hierdie studie is „n robuuste “reverse-phase” ioonparing hoë-verrigting vloeistof chromatografie, RP-IP-HPLC, metode ontwikkel vir die skeiding, karakterisering en kwantifisering van alle moontlike [PtCl6-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 6) en [PtCl4-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 4) kompleks anione waar UV-Vis as detektor gebruik word. Die relavante spesies toedelings wat gemaak is, veral ten opsigte van die cis- en trans-[PtCl4Br2]2-, [PtCl2Br4]2- en mer- en fac-[PtCl3Br3]2- stereo-isomeerpare, is deur middel van hoë-resolusie 195Pt KMR van meer gekonsentreerde PtII/IV oplossings bevestig. Die PtII/IV spesies was gekwantifiseer deur die IP-RP-HPLC aan of „n ICPMS of „n ICP-OES te koppel. Daarenbowe was dit moontlik om die fotometriese eienskappe (λmax en ε) van elke individuele PtII/IV komplex anion te bepaal deur die UV-Vis absorpsie spektrum van elke elueerende spesies met PDA op te neem. Die nuwe metode wat tydens hierdie studie ontwikkel is het dit dus moontlik gemaak om sulke PtII/IV komplek sanione met standaard analitiese toerusting prakties te skei. Verder is gevind dat deur IP-RP-HPLC aan ICP-OES te koppel dit moontlik is om die Pt tot halied mol verhoudings van elke individueel geskeide spesies te bepaal en dus hierdie spesies op „n oorspronklike, nuwe manier te karakteriseer. Die Pt tot chloried en/of Pt tot bromied mol verhoudings van die [PtCl4]2- en die reeks van [PtCl6-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 6) kompleks anione, soos bepaal deur gebruik te maak van HPLC-ICP-OES, is gebasseer op die 177.708 nm Pt, 134.724 nm Cl en 148.845 nm Br emissie lyne. Hierdie metode kan gebruik word vir die eenduidige chemiese skeiding van hierdie komplekse. Die sensitiwiteit van hierdie metode was egter verder verbeter deur gebruik te maak van ioonparing “reverse-phase” ultra hoë-verrigting vloeistof chromatografie gekoppel met elektrosprei ionisasie quadropool “time-of-flight” massa spektrometrie (UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOFMS). Deur dit te doen is dit nou selfs moontlik om die homoleptiese en heteroleptiese [PtIVCl6-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 6) spesies, asook die “mono-aqauted” [PtIVCl5-nBrnH2O]- (n = 0 – 5) spesies in „n goed gedefinieërde aangesuurde waterige oplossings te skei en te karakteriseer. Die vlugtige ioon-paringsreagent, tributielamien, is vir die skeidingsproses op die IP-UHPLC gebruik om te verseker dat voldoende chromatografiese resolusie, so wel as lae genoeg agtergrondgeraas, verkry word vir hoë-resolusie ESI-Q-TOF-MS deteksie. Die rykdom informasie vervat in die massaspektrum van elke PtIV spesies het die indentifikasie van elke spesies vergemaklik. Daarenbowe het die fragmentasie tendens, aanduidend van „n konstante inkrementele verandering van 44 amu (71/81Br – 35/37Cl) weens die opeenvolgende substitusie van Cl- met Br-, tesame met die elusie volgorde, die spesies-toedelings gefasiliteer. Met hierdie nuut ontwikkelde metode is dit nou moontlik om al 22 [PtCl6-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 6) en “mono-aquated” [PtCl5-nBrnH2O]- (n = 0 – 5) spesies in „n relatiewe kort tydperk (< 13 min) te karakteriseer. Deurdat elke [PtCl6-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 6) spesies nou individueel met IP-HPLC-UV-Vis gekwantifiseer kan word, is dit moontlik om al 17 stabiliteitskonstantes vir die PtIV chloridobromido halied uitruilingsreaksienetwerk te bepaal. Die geassosieerde Gibbs vrye energie, ΔG°rxnKn (n = 0 – 17), wat vir elke stap in die uitruilingsreaksienetwerk bepaal is, tesame met die energiebewaring verhoudings, was gebruik om die akkuraatheid van die eksperimenteel bepaalde stabiliteitskonstantes te bekragtig. Verdermeer was die waarde van die algehele formasie konstante wat eksperimenteel bepaal is, ΔG°rxn, in goeie ooreenstemming met dit wat bereken is deur die standaard reaksie halfsel reduksie potensiale van [PtCl6]2- en [PtBr6]2-. Dus is die eksperimenteel verkrygde termodinamiese parameters bevestig. Die termodinamiese dryfkrag vir die PtIV chloried-bromied uitruilingsreaksies is toegereken aan die hidrasie van die halied ligande, wat in waterige oplossings die reaksie na die bromied PtIV spesies dryf, al is die chloried PtIV spesies energeties bevoordeel in hierdie reaksienetwerk. Evaluering van ander metaalkatioon- halied-uitruilreaksies wys dat alle metaal-halied komplekse die F- >> Cl- > Br- > I- orde van termodinamiese stabiliteit volg en dat hierdie volgorde slegs omgekeer sal word weens solvasie van hierdie halied ligande. Darenbowe digtheids funksionele teorie (DFT) gebruik om die termodinamiese stabiliteit met betrekking tot isodesmiese reaksies wat chloried-bromied PtIV stereoisomeer pare behels te voorspel, sowel as van chloried-bromied PtIV liganduitruilingsreaksies van die [PtCl6-nBrn]2- (n = 0 – 6) spesies, en bevestig die F- >> Cl- > Br- > I- volgorde van termodinamiese stabiliteit. Verder was dit ook moontlik om met DFT die ΔΔG°rxn tot so naby as 8 – 20 kJ.mol-1 te bereken.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Assessing the quality of fruit has become vitally important for farmers and growers. With retailers placing ever stricter requirements on fresh produce, growers have to spend a greater amount of time and effort sorting and grading their harvest. Increasingly, vendors are placing requirements not only on external factors like colour, and firmness, but on internal quality factors such as sugar content and acidity, because, although consumers buy fruit based on their external appearances, the taste of the fruit is what determines whether the consumer will buy again. Different techniques exist that probe the internal quality of fruit non-destructively. The technique most widely used today is Near Infrared Spectroscopy. This technique is powerful, but has certain limitations such as poor reliability and the need for constant recalibration. This thesis suggests an alternative method for evaluating internal fruit quality based on low-field nuclear magnetic resonance detected by superconducting quantum interference devices. It introduces the theory of SQUIDs and NMR, and evaluates the use of SQUID detected NMR spectroscopy as a method for determining the internal quality of fruit. The fabrication techniques and processes are explained in detail and a design for a SQUID detected NMR spectrometer is given. Relevant simulations and simulation results are also given. No working SQUID could be fabricated and, as such, no working NMR spectrometer was demonstrated. This thesis serves as a reference work for future research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Bepaling van die gehalte van vrugte het vir boere uiters belangrik geword. Met kleinhandelaars wat al strenger vereistes plaas op vars produkte moet boere meer tyd en inspanning bestee met die sortering en gradering van hul oes. Handelaars plaas nie net vereistes op eksterne kwaliteitsfaktore soos kleur en fermheid nie, maar begin al hoe strenger vereistes plaas op interne kwaliteitsfaktore soos suikerinhoud en suurgehalte, want, hoewel verbruikers vrugte koop op grond van hul eksterne kwaliteitsfaktore, is dit die smaak van die vrug wat bepaal of die verbruiker weer die vrug sal koop. Verskillende tegnieke bestaan wat die interne kwaliteit van vrugte op ’n nie-destruktiewe manier kan bepaal. Die mees algemene tegniek is Naby Infrarooi Spektroskopie. Hierdie tegniek is kragtig maar het sekere beperkings soos swak betroubaarheid en die noodsaaklikheid van konstante herkalibrasie. Hierdie tesis stel ’n alternatiewe metode vir die evaluering van interne vrugkwaliteit gebaseer op lae-veld kernmagnetiese resonans waargeneem deur supergeleidende kwantum inmenging toestelle voor. Dit stel die teorie van SKWITs en KMR bekend, en evalueer die gebruik van SKWIT-bespeurde KMR spektroskopie as ’n metode vir die bepaling van die interne kwaliteit van vrugte. Die fabrikasie tegnieke en prosesse word in detail verduidelik en ’n ontwerp vir ’n SWKIT opgevangde KMR spektrometer word gegee. Toepaslike simulasies en simulasie resultate word ook gegee. Geen werkende SKWIT kon vervaardig word nie en as gevolg daarvan kon geen werkende KMR spektrometer gedemonstreer word nie. Hierdie tesis dien as ’n naslaan werk vir toekomstige navorsing.