This book discusses recent advances in theoretical-computational studies on the biosynthesis of melanin pigment (melanogenesis). These advances are being driven by the development of high-performance computers, new experimental findings, and extensive work on medical applications involving the control of pigmentation and the treatment of challenging dermatological diseases. Understanding the elementary processes involved in chemical reactions at the atomic scale is important in biochemical reaction design for effective control of the pigmentary system. Accordingly, the book focuses on the elementary steps involved in melanogenesis, which crucially affect the composition of the resulting melanin pigment by means of competitive reactions. The book also addresses reactions analogous to melanogenesis, with a focus on o-quinone reactions, which are especially important for understanding melanogenesis-associated cytotoxicity.

The book introduces the outcomes of latest research in the field of Chemical Engineering. The book also illustrates the application of Chemical Engineering principles to provide innovative and state of the art solutions to problems associated with chemical industries. It covers a wide spectrum of topics in the area of Chemical Engineering such as Transfer operations, novel separation processes, adsorption, photooxidation, process control, modelling, and simulation. The book provides timely contribution towards implementation of recent approaches and methods in Chemical Engineering Research. It presents chapters focussed on several Chemical Engineering principles and methodologies of wide multidisciplinary applicability. The intended audience of this book will mainly consist of researchers, research students, and practitioners in Chemical Engineering and allied fields. The book can also serve researchers and students involved in multidisciplinary research.

The activation of dioxygen by metal ions has both synthetic potential and biological relevance. Dioxygen is the cleanest oxidant for use in emission-free technologies to minimize pollution of the environment. The book gives a survey of those catalyst systems based on metal complexes which have been discovered and studied in the last decade. They activate molecular oxygen and effect the oxidation of various organic compounds under mild conditions. Much of the recent progress is due to a search for biomimetic catalysts that would duplicate the action of metalloenzymes. Mechanistic aspects are emphasized throughout the book. An introductonary chapter reviews the chemistry of transition metal dioxygen complexes, which are usually the active intermediates in the catalytic reactions discussed. Separate chapters are devoted to oxidation of saturated, unsaturated and aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, catechols, oxo-compounds, phosphorus, sulfur and nitrogen compounds.

There exists a large literature on the spectroscopic properties of copper(II) com- 9 pounds. This is due to the simplicity of the d electron configuration, the wide variety of stereochemistries that copper(II) compounds can adopt, and the f- xional geometric behavior that they sometimes exhibit [1]. The electronic and geometric properties of a molecule are inexorably linked and this is especially true with six-coordinate copper(II) compounds which are subject to a Jahn-T- ler effect.However,the spectral-structural correlations that are sometimes d- wn must often be viewed with caution as the information contained in a typical solution UV-Vis absorption spectrum of a copper(II) compound is limited. Meaningful spectral-structural correlations can be obtained in a related series of compounds where detailed spectroscopic data is available. In the fol- 4- lowing sections two such series are examined; the six-coordinate CuF and 6 2+ Cu(H O) ions doped as impurities in single crystal hosts.Using low tempera- 2 6 ture polarized optical spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance, a very detailed picture can be drawn about the geometry of these ions in both their ground and excited electronic states. We then compare the spectrosco- cally determined structural data with that obtained from X-ray diffraction or EXAFS measurements.

Almost thirty years ago the author began his studies in colloid chemistry at the laboratory of Professor Ryohei Matuura of Kyushu University. His graduate thesis was on the elimination of radioactive species from aqueous solution by foam fractionation. He has, except for a few years of absence, been at the university ever since, and many students have contributed to his subsequent work on micelle formation and related phenomena. Nearly sixty papers have been published thus far. Recently, in search of a new orientation, he decided to assemble his findings and publish them in book form for review and critique. In addition, his use of the mass action model of micelle has received much criticism, especially since the introduction of the phase separation model. Many recent reports have postulated a role for Laplace pressure in micellization. Although such a hypothesis would provide an easy explanation for micelle formation, it neglects the fact that an interfacial tension exists between two macroscopic phases. The present book cautions against too ready an acceptance of the phase separation model of micelle formation. Most references cited in this book are studies introduced in small group meetings of colloid chemists, the participants at which included Professors M. Saito, M. Manabe, S. Kaneshina, S. Miyagishi, A. Yamauchi, H. Akisada, H. Matuo, M. Sakai, and Drs. O. Shibata, N. Nishikido, and Y. Murata, to whom the author wishes to express his gratitude for useful discussions.

From materials science to integrated circuit development, much of modern technology is moving from the microscale toward the nanoscale. This book focuses on the fundamental physics underlying innovative techniques for analyzing surfaces and near-surfaces. New analytical techniques have emerged to meet these technological requirements, all based on a few processes that govern the interactions of particles and radiation with matter. This book addresses the fundamentals and application of these processes, from thin films to field effect transistors.

Interest in structures with nanometer-length features has significantly increased as experimental techniques for their fabrication have become possible. The study of phenomena in this area is termed nanoscience, and is a research focus of chemists, pure and applied physics, electrical engineers, and others. The reason for such a focus is the wide range of novel effects that exist at this scale, both of fundamental and practical interest, which often arise from the interaction between metallic nanostructures and light, and range from large electromagnetic field enhancements to extraordinary optical transmission of light through arrays of subwavelength holes. This dissertation is aimed at addressing some of the most fundamental and outstanding question in nanoscience from a theoretical computational perspective, specifically: (i) At the single nanoparticle level, how well do experimental and classical electrodynamics agree? (ii) What is the detailed relationship between optical response and nanoparticle morphology, composition, and environmental? (iii) Does an optimal nanostructure exist for generation large electromagnetic field enhancements, and is there a fundamental limit to this? (iv) Can nanostructures be used to control light, such as confining it, or causing fundamentally different scattering phenomena to interact, such as electromagnetic surface modes and diffraction effects? (v) Is it possible to calculate quantum effects using classical electrodynamics, and if so, how do they affect optical properties?

Reinvigorated by advances and insights the quantum theory of irreversible processes has recently attracted growing attention.

This volume introduces the very basic concepts of semigroup dynamics of open quantum systems and reviews a variety of modern applications. Originally published as Volume 286 (1987) in Lecture in Physics, this volume has been newly typeset, revised and corrected and also expanded to include a review on recent developments.

This volume contains a representative selection of the papers presented at the 10th European Workshop on Quantum Systems in Chemistry and Physics, held at Beit al Hikma, Carthage, Tunisia, from September 1st to 7th, 2005. The workshop continued the series which initiated at San Miniato, near Pisa, Italy, in 1996. The workshop's aim was to bring together chemists and physicists with a common interest in the quantum-mechanical many-body problem, in order to foster conceptual and methodological development for the understanding of the structure, dynamics and properties of atoms, molecules, and the solid state. This underpins many of the new emerging fields of science and technology: molecular engines, nanomaterials, responsive structural materials, synthetic bio-materials, drugs, and so on.

Magnetic Oxides offers a cohesive up-to-date introduction to magnetism in oxides. Emphasizing the physics and chemistry of local molecular interactions essential to the magnetic design of small structures and thin films, this volume provides a detailed view of the building blocks for new magnetic oxide materials already advancing research and development of nano-scale technologies.

Clearly written in a well-organized structure, readers will find a detailed description of the properties of magnetic oxides through the prism of local interactions as an alternative to collective electron concepts that are more applicable to metals and semiconductors. Researchers will find Magnetic Oxides a valuable reference.

The two volumes "New Developments in Polymer Analytics" deal with recent progress in the characterization of polymers, mostly in solution but also at s- faces. Despite the fact that almost all of the described techniques are getting on in years, the contributions are expected to meet the readers interest because either the methods are newly applied to polymers or the instrumentation has achieved a major breakthrough leading to an enhanced utilizaton by polymer scientists. The first volume concentrates on separation techniques. H. Pasch summarizes the recent successes of multi-dimensional chromatography in the characteri- tion of copolymers. Both, chain length distribution and the compositional h- erogeneity of copolymers are accessible. Capillary electrophoresis is widely and successfully utilized for the characterization of biopolymers, particular of DNA. It is only recently that the technique has been applied to the characterization of water soluble synthetic macromolecules. This contributrion of Grosche and Engelhardt focuses on the analysis of polyelectrolytes by capillary electopho- sis. The last contribution of the first volume by Coelfen and Antonietti sum- rizes the achievements and pitfalls of field flow fractionation techniques. The major drawbacks in the instrumentation have been overcome in recent years and the"triple F techniques" are currently advancing to a powerful competitor to size exclusion chromatography.

This book presents theoretical studies of electronic structure, optical and spectroscopic properties of a number of compounds such as porphyrins, fullerenes and heteroatomic single-wall nanotubes. The book presents new, faster calculation methods for application in quantum-chemical theory of electronic structures. It addresses issues of practical importance such as the development of materials for photosensitizers, organic LEDs and solar cells.

Reviews all known antifoam mechanisms, and discusses the appropriate practical approaches for solving foam control problems in a variety of industrial contexts. These range from crude oil production to detergent formulation.

Atomically dispersed metal cations and small polyatomic cationic structures co-ordinated to the surface of porous matrices exhibit different properties from the same cationic species contained in a bulk oxide or supported on amorphous carriers. This subject is treated to an extensive review, showing how an understanding of it is essential to the development of a new generation of solid catalysts. There are also exciting opportunities to shape the catalytic properties of the transition metal cations in microporous and mesoporous matrices. The book covers both theoretical and experimental aspects, including the distribution of framework Al atoms in Si-rich zeolites, distribution and siting of charge-exchanged metal cations, electronic, adsorptive and catalytic properties of metal cations, and correlation of metal cation structure and siting with catalytic activity.

The new edition of this classic text offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to electrochemistry. It assumes a background in chemical thermodynamics and kinetics at the level of a standard undergraduate physical chemistry course, and it is intended for use as a text for a first course in electrochemistry or as a self-study book for chemists and scientists in related fields. The clear and concise text is rich with examples from the literature illustrating theory and electrochemical applications in analytical, organic, inorganic, and organometallic chemistry. Exercises at the end of each chapter extend and amplify this approach. The book contains extensive references to books and monographs, review literature, contemporary examples of electrochemical applications and historically important papers. Extensive discussion of voltammetric methods includes chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, cyclic voltammetry and steady-state voltammetric methods. Two chapters are devoted to organic, inorganic and organometallic reactions initiated by oxidation or reduction with electroanalytical methods. Many technological applications of thermodynamics are examined, including batteries and fuel cells, corrosion, electroplating and other metal finishing techniques, reduction of ores and purification of metals, and electrochemical production of inorganic and organic chemicals. Many sections in the new edition have been reworked to improve their clarity and accuracy, and new material has been added on microelectrodes, cyclic voltammetry and organic electrosynthesis. The chapter on the mechanisms of electrode processes now incorporates applications of microelectrode methods and emphasizes thestrenths and limitations of various other voltammetric techniques.

This monograph consists of the proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on the Activation of Dioxygen and Homogeneous Catalytic Oxidation, held in College Station, Texas, March 14-19, 1993. It contains an introductory chapter authored by Professors D. H. R. Barton and D. T. Sawyer, and twenty-nine chapters describing presentations by the plenary lecturers and invited speakers. One of the invited speakers, who could not submit a manuscript for reasons beyond his control, is represented by an abstract of his lecture. Also included are abstracts of forty-seven posters contributed by participants in the symposium. Readers who may wish to know more about the subjects presented in abstract form are invited to communicate directly with the authors of the abstracts. This is the fifth international symposium that has been held on this subject. The first was hosted by the CNRS, May 21-29, 1979, in Bendor, France (on the Island of Bandol). The second meeting was organized as a NATO workshop in Padova, Italy, June 24-27, 1984. This was followed by a meeting in Tsukuba, Japan, July 12-16, 1987. The fourth symposium was held at Balatonfured, Hungary, September 10-14, 1990. The sixth meeting is scheduled to take place in Delft, The Netherlands (late Spring, 1996); the organizer and host will be Professor R. A. Sheldon.

The breadth of scientific and technological interests in the general topic of photochemistry is truly enormous and includes, for example, such diverse areas as microelectronics, atmospheric chemistry, organic synthesis, non-conventional photoimaging, photosynthesis, solar energy conversion, polymer technologies, and spectroscopy. This Specialist Periodical Report on Photochemistry aims to provide an annual review of photo-induced processes that have relevance to the above wide-ranging academic and commercial disciplines, and interests in chemistry, physics, biology and technology. In order to provide easy access to this vast and varied literature, each volume of Photochemistry comprises sections concerned with photophysical processes in condensed phases, organic aspects which are sub-divided by chromophore type, polymer photochemistry, and photochemical aspects of solar energy conversion. Volume 34 covers literature published from July 2001 to June 2002. Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage in major areas of chemical research. Compiled by teams of leading authorities in the relevant subject areas, the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, with regular, in-depth accounts of progress in particular fields of chemistry. Subject coverage within different volumes of a given title is similar and publication is on an annual or biennial basis.

Systematic investigations of the structure, mechanics, and dynamics of biological surfaces help us understand more about biological processes taking place at cell and bacteria surfaces. Presented here is a study of the role membrane-bound saccharides play in the modulation of interactions between cells/bacteria and their environments. In this thesis, membrane structures were probed perpendicular and parallel to the surface, and sophisticated planar models of biomembranes composed of glycolipids of various structural complexities were designed. Furthermore, specular and off-specular X-ray and neutron scattering experiments were carried out. This research has led to the development of several new methods for extracting information on the structure and mechanics of saccharide-rendered biomembranes from the measured scattering signals. In fact, more is now known about the influence of the saccharide structure. These results demonstrate that the study of planar model systems with X-ray and neutron scattering techniques can provide comprehensive insight into the structure and mechanics of complex biological surfaces.

This book presents an in-depth study into the utility of -bond metathesis in Group 2 mediated reactivity. A comprehensive introduction defines the state of the art in both Group 2 mediated catalysis and dehydrocoupling. Structural investigations giving rise to a range of mixed s-block metal hydrides including a remarkable dodecabimetallic decahydride are then described. Subsequent extensive mechanistic work focussing on both silicon-nitrogen and boron-nitrogen dehydrocoupling gives insights into both congeneric effects down Group 2 and ligand effects centring upon magnesium. These studies show the striking effects of these factors, as well as the electronic nature of the hydridic coupling partner. Finally, the unprecedented introduction of single-electron transfer steps into Group 2 catalytic manifolds is described. The use of the stable radical TEMPO to induce single-electron transfer to substituents bound to Group 2 centres coupled with -bond metathesis allows a novel hydrogen release from silanes.

Green Chemistry is an inventive science based on fundamental research towards the development of new sustainable chemical processes. There is a great need to create a new type of chemistry focused on a new production system, in order to prepare the younger generation to get a greener future.

The globalization pushes the chemistry community to adopt ethical issues. In this prospect Green Chemistry can achieve the approval of the society by teaching students to be confident in science and at the same time by convincing people that it is possible to attain technological development with respect and care for the environment we live in. This is why it is of foremost importance that education and fundamental research remain strictly connected, so that democracy and development can grow and progress side by side.

This book has been prepared to extend the knowledge of Green Chemistry not disregarding, however, the industrial interest. It is the result of the effort to put together and share the expertise of leading practitioners in the field of Green Chemistry.

The Interuniversity Consortium 'Chemistry for the Environment' is a non-profit organisation established in 1993 in Italy. At present it includes 31 member universities and 80 research units.

There has been a steady advance of the atomic and molecular many-body methodology over the last few years, with a concomitant development of versatile computer codes. Understanding and interpretation of electronic structural features and the associated spectroscopic properties via many-body techniques are becoming competitive with those obtained with the traditional formalisms. Since the many-body techniques are not yet a part of the repertoire of the "black-box tools" of electronic structure and spectroscopy, it seems worthwhile to take stock now of the recent progress in certain selected areas. The present volume is more in the nature of proceedings of a "Paper Symposium," rather than of one which actually took place. We did organize in Calcutta, between December 10 and 12, 1990, a small meeting on Applied Many-Body Methods to Spectroscopy and Electronic Structure, jointly organized by the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science and the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences. Several leading practitioners were invited, among which some could not come for various reasons.

The last decade has witnessed significant advances in the ability to generate short light pulses throughout the optical spectrum. These developments have had a tremendous impact on the field of chemical dynamics. Fundamental questions concerning chemical reactions, once thought to be unaddressable, are now easily studied in real-time experiments. Ultrafast spectroscopies are currently being used to study a variety of fundamental chemical phenomena. This book focuses on some of the experimental and associated theoretical studies of reactions in clusters, liquid and solid media. Many of the advances in our understanding of the fundamental details of chemical reactivity result from the interplay of experiment and theory. This theme is present in many of the chapters, indicating the pervasiveness of a combined approach for eludicating molecular models of chemical reactions. With parallel developments in computer simulation, complex chemical sys tems are being studied at a molecular level. The discussions presented in this book recount many areas at the forefront of "ultrafast chemistry." They serve the purpose of both bringing the expert up to date with the work being done in many laboratories as well as introducing those not directly involved in this field to the diverse set of problems that can be studied. I hope that this book conveys the excitement that both I and the other authors in this volume feel about the field of ultrafast chemistry. John D. Simon 1993 1.D. Simon (ed.), Ultrafast Dynamics of Chemical Systems, vii."

Advances in Quantum Chemistry presents surveys of current developments in this rapidly developing field that falls between the historically established areas of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. With invited reviews written by leading international researchers, each presenting new results, it provides a single vehicle for following progress in this interdisciplinary area.

The concept to utilize an ion-conducting polymer membrane as a solid po- mer electrolyte offers several advantages regarding the design and operation of an electrochemical cell, as outlined in Volume 215, Chapter 1 (L. Gubler, G.G. Scherer). Essentially, the solvent and/or transport medium, e.g., H O, 2 + for the mobile ionic species, e.g., H for a cation exchange membrane, is taken up by and con?ned into the nano-dimensional morphology of the i- containingdomainsofthepolymer.Asaconsequence, aphaseseparationinto a hydrophilic ion-containing solvent phase and a hydrophobic polymer ba- bone phase establishes. Because of the narrow solid electrolyte gap in these cells, low ohmic losses reducing the overall cell voltage can be achieved, even at highcurrent densities. This concept was applied to fuel cell technology at a very early stage; h- ever, performance and reliability of the cells were low due to the dissatisfying membrane properties at that time. The development of per?uoro sulfonate and carboxylate-type membranes, in particular for the chlor-alkali process, directly fostered the further development of proton-conducting membranes and, as a consequence, also the progress in this type of fuel cell technology (polymer electrolyte fuel cell, PEFC)

The two volumes "New Developments in Polymer Analytics" deal with recent progress in the characterization of polymers, mostly in solution but also at sur faces. Despite the fact that almost all of the described techniques are getting on in years, the contributions are expected to meet the readers interest because either the methods are newly applied to polymers or the instrumentation has achieved a major breakthrough leading to an enhanced utilization by polymer scientists. The first volume concentrates on separation techniques. H. Pasch summarizes the recent successes of multi dimensional chromatography in the characteriza tion of copolymers. Both, chain length distribution and the compositional het erogeneity of copolymers are accessible. Capillary electrophoresis is widely and successfully utilized for the characterization of biopolymers, particular of DNA . It is only recently that the technique has been applied to the characterization of water soluble synthetic macromolecules. This contribution of Grosche and Engelhardt focuses on the analysis of polyelectrolytes by capillary electophore sis. The last contribution of the first volume by Coelfen and Antonietti summa rizes the achievements and pitfalls of field flow fractionation techniques .The major drawbacks in the instrumentation have been overcome in recent years and the "triple F techniques" are currently advancing to a powerful competitor to size exclusion chromatography.