This book describes rubber nanocomposites and their applications in the automobile sector. Newly developed nanofibres and nanofinished textiles, with their novel characteristics and various applications in next-generation automobiles, are also discussed. Lastly, a comprehensive evaluation and overview of the impact of nanotechnology on the textiles in automobile industries are presented.

The origin of life is one of the biggest unsolved scientific questions. This book deals with the formation and first steps of the chemical evolution of nucleic acids, including the chemical roots behind the origin of their components from the simplest sources in a geochemical context. Chemical evolution encompasses the chemical processes and interactions conducive to self-assembly and supramolecular organization, leading to an increase of complexity and the emergence of life. The book starts with a personal account of the pioneering work of Stanley Miller and Jeffrey Bada on the Chemistry of Origins of Life and how the development of organic chemistry beginning in the 19th century led to the emergence of the field of prebiotic chemistry, situated at the frontier between organic, geo- and biochemistry. It then continues reviewing in tutorial manner current central topics regarding the organization of nucleic acids: the origin of nucleobases and nucleosides, their phosphorylation and polymerization and ultimately, their self-assembly and supramolecular organization at the inception of life.

This thesis offers a unique guide to the development and application of ultrasensitive optical microscopy based on light scattering. Divided into eight chapters, it covers an impressive range of scientific fields, from basic optical physics to molecular biology and synthetic organic chemistry. Especially the detailed information provided on how to design, build and implement an interferometric scattering microscope, as well as the descriptions of all instrumentation, hardware interfacing and image processing necessary to achieve the highest levels of performance, will be of interest to researchers now entering the field.

This book focuses on the microscopic understanding of the function of organic semiconductors. By tracing the link between their morphological structure and electronic properties across multiple scales, it represents an important advance in this direction. Organic semiconductors are materials at the interface between hard and soft matter: they combine structural variability, processibility and mechanical flexibility with the ability to efficiently transport charge and energy. This unique set of properties makes them a promising class of materials for electronic devices, including organic solar cells and light-emitting diodes. Understanding their function at the microscopic scale - the goal of this work - is a prerequisite for the rational design and optimization of the underlying materials. Based on new multiscale simulation protocols, the book studies the complex interplay between molecular architecture, supramolecular organization and electronic structure in order to reveal why some materials perform well - and why others do not. In particular, by examining the long-range effects that interrelate microscopic states and mesoscopic structure in these materials, the book provides qualitative and quantitative insights into e.g. the charge-generation process, which also serve as a basis for new optimization strategies.

This book includes chapters based on the potential uses of polysaccharides such as fibers in food and non-food applications. The complexity of their synthesis in plants, the highly multidisciplinary character of polysaccharide research, and the wide variety of applications from food to clothing to energy are addressed in this volume. The authors describe in detail how these latter grand challenges are of great importance in research, especially in the midst of enormous overpopulation and economic issues. Therefore, the volume contributes additional information to the chemical, nutritional, medical, and energy roles of these bio-based products, finding applications in diverse fields of their raw and composite forms. This volume is a useful resource for graduate students and contains themes for instructors and senior research leaders. Written by internationally renowned experts, it is aimed at workers in polymer laboratories, classrooms, and policy makers.

The generally accepted definitions of acids and bases together with the generalized definition for the solvent system introduced by the author for the description of both molecular and ionic solvents are discussed. The oxobasicity index introduced as a measure of relative oxoacidic properties of ionic melts (pIL) and methods of its determination are presented. Moreover, the oxoacidity scales of ionic melts based on alkali metal halides at different temperatures are constructed. The sequential addition method (SAM), proposed by the author to investigate the effect of oxide particle size on oxide solubilities is presented.
This book is meant for specialists developing theoretical and applied aspects of molten salt chemistry, acid-base theories and solubility phenomena. It will also be useful for those chemists who wish to extend their knowledge of physical and solution chemistry.
* First book devoted to oxoacids and oxobases
* Aimed at specialists developing theoretical and applied aspects of molten salt chemistry, acid-base theories and solubility phenomena
* The perfect handbook for beginners looking for preliminary knowledge about methods of investigation

Novel asymmetric synthetic methods are a vital strategem in the armoury of the organic chemist, particularly for those involved in the preparation or application of chiral organic molecules. this series is devoted to presenting the latest advances in the field of asymmetric synthesis, drawing contributions on emerging areas and articles providing authoritative perspectives on more developed synthetic stategies from leading researchers in the field. This volume consists of six contributions on a variety of topical areas, ranging from the preparation and application of chiral cylopentadienes, the synthesis of non-racemic amines, diketones and -keto esters and ferrocenes, to the use of biocatalysis and application of microbial methods for the synthesis of chiral molecules and fine chemicals.

This is the sixteenth annual volume of Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry, and covers the literature published during 2003 on most of the important heterocyclic ring systems.
This volume opens with two specialized reviews. The first covers 'Lamellarins: Isolation, activity and synthesis' a significant group of biologically active marine alkaloids and the second discusses 'Radical Additions to Pyridines, Quinolines and Isoquinolines'. The remaining chapters examine the recent literature on the common heterocycles in order of increasing ring size and the heteroatoms present.

Advances in Heterocyclic Chemistry, Volume 124, is the definitive series in the field-one of great importance to organic chemists, polymer chemists, and many biological scientists. Updates in this new volume include sections on the Organometallic Complexes of Azines, The Literature of Heterocyclic Chemistry, Part XV, Heterocycles Incorporating a Pentacoordinated, Hypervalent Phosphorus Atom, and Tautomerism and the Structure of Azoles: NMR Spectroscopy, amongst other related topics. Written by established authorities in the field, this comprehensive review combines descriptive synthetic chemistry and mechanistic insight to yield an understanding of how chemistry drives the preparation and useful properties of heterocyclic compounds.

Volume 11 of this series presents five timely reviews on current research on alkaloids. Chapter 1 by Paul L. Schiff, Jr. is a monumental survey of research that has been carried out over the past decade on the "Thalictrum" alkaloids. Forty-six new alkaloids are described from fifteen species of the genus "Thalictrum," as well as 116 alkaloids of known structure from thirty-six species and subspecies of the genus. The chapter includes discussions of isolation and structure elucidation, analysis, biosynthesis, cell culture, and pharmacology. Also featured are inclusive compilations of botanical sources, alkaloids by alkaloid types, and calculated molecular weights of the "Thalictrum" alkaloids.

Chapter 2 by Giovanni Appendino provides a fascinating treatment of Taxine, a collective name referring to a mixture of diterpenoid alkaloids from the yew tree (genus: "Taxus"). Taxine is responsible for the toxic properties of the yew tree that has been documented in historical and fictional literature, from Julius Caesar to Shakespeare, and from Agatha Christie to T.S. Eliot. The chapter treats the history, isolation techniques, structure elucidation, chemistry, and pharmacology of Taxine.

Chapter 3 by Mary D. Menachery surveys the alkaloids of South American Menispermaceae (moonseed family). Many different structural types are included in this family. The alkaloid-bearing plants are woody-vines, shrubs, or small trees. Several of these species possess potent curare activity. The chemistry as well as pharmacology of these alkaloids is summarized.

Chapter 4 by Russell J. Molyneux, Robert J. Nash, and Naoki Asano treats the chemistry and biological activity of the calystegines and related "nor"tropane alkaloids. These polyhydroxylated bicyclic alkaloids represent another class of compounds that inhibit glycosidases, producing profound effects in biological systems by disrupting the essential cellular function of glycoprotein processing.

Chapter 5, a related chapter by Robert J. Nash, Naoki Asano, and Alison A. Watson, reviews polyhydroxylated alkaloids that inhibit glycosidases. Topics covered include distribution, ecological significance and toxicity, isolation, synthesis, and biosynthesis.

Microencapsulations may be found in a number of fields like medicine, drug delivery, biosensing, agriculture, catalysis, intelligent microstructures and in many consumer goods. This new edition of Microencapsulation revises chapters to address the newest innovations in fields and adds three new chapters on the uses of microencapsulations in medicine, agriculture, and consumer products.

Supramolecular Chemistry, Volume 71, the latest release in the Advances in Inorganic Chemistry series presents timely and informative summaries on the current progress in a variety of subject areas within inorganic chemistry, ranging from bio-inorganic to solid state studies. This acclaimed serial features reviews written by experts in the field, serving as an indispensable reference to advanced researchers. In this volume, concise, authoritative reviews provide an up-to-date resource material for new investigators and established research personnel. Included references enable readers to pursue detail and development in each field. In addition, research chemists in other fields can use this serial to acquaint themselves with the latest experimental methods, techniques and computational applications within the field of inorganic reaction mechanisms.

This is the fourth volume in the series, aimed at those wishing to stay abreast of developments in the mechanisms and synthetic applications of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions.

This book not only introduces the chemistry and physicochemical properties of phthalonitrile resins, but also describes strategies for crosslinking and structural modification. The authors explore blends and composites of phthalonitriles with other high-performance polymers and give an outlook on the future of the field.

Platform Technologies in Drug Discovery and Validation, Volume 50, the latest release in the Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry series, provides timely and critical reviews of important topics in medicinal chemistry, with an emphasis on emerging topics in the biological sciences. Topics covered in this new volume include DELT, Oligos: ASO, siRNA, CRISPR, Micro-fluidic chemistry, High throughput screening, Kinase-centric computational drug development, Virtual Screening, Phenotypic screening, PROTACS, Chemical Biology, Fragment-based lead generation, Antibody-Drug Conjugates, Antibody-recruiting small molecules, Deuteration, and Peptides.

Considering the challenge of sustainability facing our society in the coming decades, catalysis is without any doubt a research area of major importance. In this regard, asymmetric organocatalysis, now considered a pillar of green chemistry, deserves particular attention. The first chapter of this volume examines the topic of asymmetric organocatalysis in light of radical chemistry. Recent important progress in this field has been attained by promoting the formation and harnessing the high reactivity of open-shell intermediates. Merging organocatalysis with radical chemistry has been the key to solving some longstanding bottlenecks, and has also significantly contributed to reinforcing the key role of organocatalysis in asymmetric catalysis. This chapter presents the most significant developments in this area, with a particular focus on asymmetric SOMO- and photoredox-organocatalyzed transformations. Chapter 2 focuses on quaternary ammonium salts (R4N+X-), especially chiral derivatives, and their behavior as unique catalysts in organocatalysis. Forming chiral ion-pairs capable of promoting asymmetric reactions, they also operate as unique "transporters" involved in phase transfer catalytic processes between liquid-liquid or liquid-solid systems. Furthermore, they offer unique opportunities when forming cooperative ion-paired entities R4N+X-, allowing a synergistic implication of the counter-ion X- either as Bronsted bases or Lewis bases. Specific design of such chiral catalysts in modern chemistry and better insight into their mode of activation facilitates efficient and unprecedented chemical transformations. This chapter provides an overview of the use of chiral quaternary ammonium salts in organocatalysis, emphasizing both general mechanistic aspects and the scope of this approach.

Ranunculales Medicinal Plants: Biodiversity, Chemodiversity and Pharmacotherapy comprehensively covers this order of flowering plants, detailing the phytochemistry, chemotaxonomy, molecular biology, and phylogeny of selected medicinal plants families and genera and their relevance to drug efficacy. The book carries out an exhaustive survey of the literature in order to characterize global trends in the application of flexible technologies. The interrelationship between Chinese species, and between Chinese and non-Chinese species, is inferred through molecular phylogeny and based on nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequencing. The book discusses the conflict between chemotaxonomy and molecular phylogeny in the context of drug discovery and development. Users will find invaluable and holistic coverage on the study of Ranunculales that will make this the go-to pharmaceutical resource.

This book reports on the design, synthesis and characterization of new small molecule electron acceptors for polymer solar cells. Starting with a detailed introduction to the science behind polymer solar cells, the author then goes on to review the challenges and advances made in developing non-fullerene acceptors so far. In the main body of the book, the author describes the design principles and synthetic strategy for a new family of acceptors, including detailed synthetic procedures and molecular modeling data used to predict physical properties. An indepth characterization of the photovoltaic performance, with transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS), photo-induced charge extraction, and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) is also included, and the author uses this data to relate material properties and device performance. This book provides a useful overview for researchers beginning a project in this or related areas.

This book provides an overview of polyolefine production, including several recent breakthrough innovations in the fields of catalysis, process technology, and materials design. The industrial development of polymers is an extraordinary example of multidisciplinary cooperation, involving experts from different fields. An understanding of structure-property and processing relationships leads to the design of materials with innovative performance profiles. A comprehensive description of the connection between innovative material performance and multimodal polymer design, which incorporates both flexibility and constraints of multimodal processes and catalyst needs, is provided. This book provides a summary of the polymerization process, from the atomistic level to the macroscale, process components, including catalysts, and their influence on final polymer performance. This reference merges academic research and industrial knowledge to fill the gaps between academic research and industrial processes. * Connects innovative material performance to the flexibility of multimodal polymer design processes; * Provides a comprehensive description of the polymerization process from the atomic level to the macroscale; * Presents a polyhedric view of multimodal polymer production, including structure, property, and processing relationships, and the development of new materials.

The African and Arabian Moringa Species: Chemistry, Bioactivity and Therapeutic Applications reviews the botany, socioeconomic significance and underlying chemistry of these interesting plants. The book begins by addressing the botanical and socioeconomic aspect of M. stenopetala, one of the most widely cultivated species within the genus. Next, it reviews the chemistry of the plant, with a systematic presentation covering the seed oil, various secondary metabolites, and issues relating to quality control. Final sections address the chemistry behind the reported use of the plant for the management of various diseases, highlighting potential antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anticancer properties and more. Other African and Arabian Moringa species, from their botany, to their chemical and pharmacological profiles are also included. Drawing on the author's latest research and the most current literature in the field, this book is an invaluable guide for researchers in medicinal chemistry, herbal medicine, drug discovery/development, and plant derived natural products within both industry and academic environments.

This book exclusively focuses on the science and fundamentals of polymer gels, as well as the numerous advantages that polymer gel-based materials offer. It presents a comprehensive collection of chapters on the recent advances and developments in the core science and fundamentals of both synthetic and natural polymer-based gels, and pays particular attention to applications in the various research fields of biomedicine and engineering. Key topics addressed include: polysaccharide-based gels and their fundamentals; stimuli-responsive polymer gels; polymer gels applied to enzyme and cell immobilization; chitosan-based gels for cancer therapy; natural polymeric and gelling agents; radiation dosimetry; polymeric gels as vehicles for enhanced drug delivery across the skin; transport in and through gel; and polymer gel nanocomposites and functional gels. The book's extensive and highly topical coverage will appeal to researchers working in a broad range of fields in industry and academia alike.

This book addresses a range of synthesis and characterization techniques that are critical for tailoring and broadening the various aspects of polymer gels, as well as the numerous advantages that polymer gel-based materials offer. It presents a comprehensive collection of chapters on the recent advances and developments in the science and fundamentals of both synthetic and natural polymer-based gels. Topics covered include: synthesis and structure of physically/chemically cross-linked polymer-gels/polymeric nanogels; gel formation through non-covalent cross-linking; molecular design and characterization; polysaccharide-based polymer gels: synthesis, characterization, and properties; modified polysaccharide gels: silica-based polymeric gels as platforms for the delivery of pharmaceuticals; gel-based approaches in genomic and proteomic sciences; emulgels in drug delivery; and organogels. The book provides a cutting-edge resource for researchers and scientists working in various fields involving polymers, biomaterials, bio-nanotechnology and functional materials.

In the last 10 years organic dyes, traditionally used for coloring textiles and other materials, have become increasingly important in the hi-tech industries of electronics and optoelectronics. They can be used in optical data storage, new solar cells and biomedical sensors.
Functional Dyes discusses the synthesis of these new, high-value dyes and pigments as well as their applications and performance. The chapters are arranged so that the reader logically advances from the fundamental concepts to more practical aspects of the technology in which they are used.
In providing the reader with current information on functional dye chemistry, as well as important developments within the field, Functional Dyes is a valuable information source for dye and material chemists, researchers and graduates, who want a summary of the key advances in the field over the last 10 years and an authoritative view on future developments.
* Provides a broad introduction to the science technology of the functional dye application
* Reviews recent advances on synthesis and characteristics of the functional dyes and their applications
* Is a valuable information source for dye and material chemists and researchers

Advances in Heterocyclic Chemistry, Volume 123 brings together the fields of biology and organic chemistry, highlighting the ways they increasingly intersect. This updated volume includes a section on new developments in tetrazole chemistry, a section on the synthesis and applications of thiophene derivatives as organic materials, and a synopsis of the properties and applications on heteroaromatic rings in medicinal chemistry. Written by established authorities from around the world, this comprehensive review combines descriptive synthetic chemistry and mechanistic insight to yield an understanding of how chemistry drives the preparation and useful properties of heterocyclic compounds. This definitive series in the field will be of great value to organic chemists, polymer chemists and many biological scientists.