We present a combined theoretical/experimental study to investigate the effect of selective solvent vapor annealing treatment on the obtainment of highly ordered morphologies of symmetric poly(styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer (PS-b-PMMA DBC) films loaded with compatibilized magnetic (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs). Different amounts of NPs were considered (1, 2, and 5 wt %) to study the effect of the inorganic content on the final properties of Fe3O4/PS-b-PMMA films. A precise control of the DBC nanostructure could be obtained by very simple and cost-effective fabrication steps, compatible with current industrial processes. Moreover, the modified NPs could be selectively placed into the PMMA domains of the DBC up to NP concentration of 5 wt % while preserving the corresponding DBC lamellar morphology

Benzyl alcohol derivatives were synthesized, and characterized using NMR and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. For the first time, the antibacterial activities of the synthesized compounds were examined using disc diffusion method by measuring the diameter of the zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results demonstrated that the activity was concentration dependant, and that the compounds were generally potent against P. aeruginosa. Only two of the compounds were active against S. aureus. In terms of broad spectrum activity, compound 2d (35 mm) was found to exhibit a promising efficacy which surpassed that of the standard drug (amoxicillin).The binding of compounds 2a-e to the glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase (GlcN-6-P) active-site revealed that all the synthesized compounds fitted into the GlcN-6-P active-site receptor cavity, exhibited potential hydrogen-bonding interactions with the proximal amino acid residues and aligned similar to amoxicillin. Interestingly, it has been found that the most active compound, 2d also appeared to have a relatively low binding energy (-52.8901 kcal/mol).

The synthesis of five monocarbonyl analogues of curcumin is described. In vitro anti-malarial assay of the compounds was carried out and the effect of the substituents on the aryl ring has been described. The results show that all the five compounds exhibited some reasonable activity against the chloroquine-resistant plasmodium parasite. Molecular docking studies further confirmed the observed biological activity of the compounds.

A new manganese complex was synthesised around S,S-1,2diaminocyclohexane linked ketopinic acid scaffold, and successfully utilised as a catalyst in the aldol condensation reactions of benzaldehyde with various aliphatic ketones to obtain products with excellent yield of >99%.

A complex of manganese (III) and R,R-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane linked ketopinic acid ligand was synthesized and utilised as catalyst in the aldol condensation reactions of benzaldehyde with various aliphatic ketones to furnish products with excellent yield of 99%.