Dendrimer-transition metal catalyzed oxidation and reduction reactions.

This project was launched with the aim of developing dendrimer catalysts for oxidation and reduction reactions. Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) and poly(propyleneimine) (PPI) dendrimers were of interest because of their well-established synthesis. Chapter 1 describes the fundamentals of dendrimers and provides a brief insight of their application in catalysis. In particular, examples of dendritic catalysts that have been previously employed as oxidation and reduction catalysts are presented. Chapter 2 presents the synthesis and characterization of silica-supported PAMAM dendrimers, their phosphomethylation with Ph2 PCH2OH, and their complexation to palladium complexes. Chapter 3 reports the application of the silica-supported PAMAM-Pd complexes to the oxidation of alkenes to methyl ketones under Wacker-type conditions as well as the use of tBuOOH as the oxidant in these reactions. Chapter 4 discusses the use of the above-mentioned complexes to catalyze the selective hydrogenation of dienes to monoolefins in the presence of H2 under mild reaction conditions. Chapter 5 presents our efforts in modifying PPI dendrimers with the salen moiety to give ligands that are coordinated to the metals Ti and V. Attempts at using the former complexes to promote the epoxidation of alkenes and the latter complexes to catalyze the epoxidation of olefinic alcohols are discussed

Youth participation in the fight against AIDS in South Africa: from policy to practice

Effective youth participation in social development and civic life can enhance young peoples' health and well-being. Yet many obstacles stand in the way of such involvement. Drawing on 105 interviews, 52 focus groups and fieldworker diaries, this paper reports on a study of a rural South African project which sought to promote effective youth participation in HIV/AIDS management. The paper highlights three major obstacles which might be tackled more explicitly in future projects: (i) reluctance by community adults to recognise the potential value of youth inputs, and an unwillingness to regard youth as equals in project structures; (ii) lack of support for meaningful youth participation by external health and welfare agencies involved in the project; and (iii) the failure of the project to provide meaningful incentives to encourage youth involvement. The paper highlights five psycho-social preconditions for participation in AIDS projects (knowledge, social spaces for critical thinking, a sense of ownership, confidence and appropriate bridging relationships). We believe this framework provides a useful and generalisable way of conceptualising the preconditions for effective 'participatory competence' in youth projects beyond the specialist HIV/AIDS arena