The effect of varying substituents on structure and energies of bisketenes was studied using ab initio methods. Effect of substituents on ring closing reaction of bisketenes to the corresponding cyclobutenediones was also studied using ab initio methods. One or two of the following substituents were used to study the effect of varying substituents: BH2, CH3, NH2, OH, F, AlH2, SiH3, PH2, SH, Cl. Studies were done at the Hartree-Fock (HF), Møller-Plesset (MP2), and Density Functional Theory (B3LYP) levels of theory using the 6-31G* basis set.

Exchange reactions of anions, especially ferrocyanide and carbonate, with layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were investigated in relation to the origin of life on the early Earth. The effect on ferrocyanide exchange of concentration, pH, reaction time and cations are discussed. It was found that there were two different kinds of ferrocyanide species: one was that intercalated into the layered structure, occupying a site of D symmetry within the LDHs, while in the other, the ferrocyanide group retains full O symmetry. In addition, very low concentration, ferrocyanide associated with LDH will change its FTIR absorption shape. Carbonate was much more strongly intercalated than ferrocyanide into the LDHs, probably because of the strong hydrogen bonding.

The characteristics of seventy-six calix[4]arene crystal structures derived from the Cambridge Crystallographic Database are presented. This survey is a discussion of the inter and intramolecular effects on the solid state cavity shape and molecular recognition ability of the compounds. In addition to this survey, four new calix[4]arene crystal structures are presented. The conformational characteristics of these four calixarenes are determined by a complicated array of inter and intramolecular interactions in the crystal packing.

Experimental mole fraction solubilities of benzil, thianthrene, trans-stilbene, thioxanthen-9-one, diphenyl sulfone and dibenzothiophene sulfone are determined in pure noncomplexing and complexing solvents. Predicted solubility values are calculated for benzil, thianthrene, trans-stilbene and thioxanthen-9-one using expressions derived from Mobile Order theory. Large deviations between experimental and predicted solubilities in alcohol solvents exist, therefore optimized solute - solvent association constants are determined. Previously measured thianthrene solubilities in five binary alkane + cyclohexane solvent mixtures are compared with values predicted from Mobile Order theory using the measured solubility in each of the pure solvents as input parameters. The experimental mole fraction solubility of benzil in eight binary alcohol + 1-octanol solvent mixtures are also measured and compared with predicted values.

Nitroglycerin and isoamyl nitrate have been used as nitrovasodilators since the nineteeth century. However, not until recently has it been known that these compounds were useful since they promoted the release of NO in the body. More recently, a new class of drugs, NO donors, has been developed. These include S-nitrosothiols (RSNO), sydnonimines, and nucleophilic NO adducts.

Detection of ultratrace levels of metallic ion impurities in hydrofluoric acid solutions and alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution was demonstrated using a silicon-based sensing electrode. The sensor's operation principle is based on direct measurements of the silicon open-circuit potential shift generated by the interaction between metallic ions and the silicon-based sensing surface. The new sensor can have practical applications in the on-line monitoring of microelectronic chemical processing. The detection of Ag+ content in KODAK waste water was carried out successfully by this novel sensor. Trace levels of organic impurities in the hydrofluoric acid solutions and in the cleanroom air were characterized by multiple internal reflection infrared spectroscopy (MIRIS) using an organics probe prepared directly from a regular silicon wafer.

Mixed alkyllithium / lithium alkoxide aggregates in the form (RLi)n(ROLi)m were formed by addition of corresponding alcohol compounds at different Li/O ratios. Variable temperature 13C and 6Li NMR spectroscopy were used to verify the formation of the mixed aggregates and to study their behavior in hydrocarbon solution. Spectra for the lithium n-propoxide / n-propyllithium and iso-butyllithium / lithium iso-butoxide systems each indicated at least one mixed aggregate.

I. Diels-Alder reactions of 1,2,3,4,9,9-hexachloro-1,4,4a,8a-tetrahydro-1,4-metha- nonaphthalene (16) and 1,2,3,4,9,9-hexachloro-1,4,6,7-tetrahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalene (17) toward dienophiles N-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (MTAD), N-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (PTAD) and/or N-methylmaleimide (NMM) have been examined. II. Epoxides derived from functionalized 1,4,4a,9a-tetrahydro-9,10-dioxo-1,4-methanoanthracenes (1a and 1b) undergo acid- and base-promoted intramolecular nucleophilic ring-opening to form new polycyclic alcohols. III. The title cycloalkylidenecarbene has been generated via reaction of 8-methylenepentacyclo[5.4.0.0^{2,6}.0^{3,10}. 0^{5.9}]undecan-11-one (44) with diethyl diazomethyl-phosphonate (DAMP). This species could be trapped in situ by cyclohexene, thereby affording the corresponding cycloadduct 46a and 46b.