St. Ursula's convent, or, the Nun of Canada: Containing scenes from real life. (1824)

"...the first novel ever written by a native-born Canadian"

SYNTHESIS OF CYCLIC AZOBENZENE ANALOGUES FOR INCORPORATION INTO OLIGONUCLEOTIDES, PEPTIDES AND POLYMERS

(A) In recent years, considerable amount of effort has contributed towards enhancing our understanding of the new photoswitch, cyclic azobenzene, particularly from the theoretical point of view. However, the challenging part with this system was poor efficiency of its synthesis from 2,2’- dinitrodibenzyl and lack of effective methods for further modification which would be useful to incorporate this system into biomolecules as a photoswitch. We report the synthesis of cyclic azobenzene and analogues from 2,2’-dinitrodibenzyl, which would allow for further incorporation of this cyclic azobenzene into biomolecules. Reaction of 2,2’-dinitrodibenzyl with zinc metal powder in the presence of triethylammonium formate buffer (pH-9.5) gave a cyclic azoxybenzene, 11,12-dihydrodibenzo[c,g][1,2]diazocine-5-oxide. The latter compound was converted into cyclic azobenzene analogues (bromo-, chloro-, cyano-, and carboxyl) through subsequent transformations. The carboxylic acid analogue was reacted with D-threoninol to give the corresponding amide, which readily undergoes photo-isomerization upon illumination with light. Upon illumination with light at 400 nm, approximately 70% of cis- isomer of amide was isomerized to trans- isomer. It was observed that cis- to trans- isomerization reached the maximum steady state of light transmission after approximately 40 min, whereas the trans- to cis- isomerization approximately acquired in 2 h to regain full recovery of light transmission. Cyclic azobenzene phosphoramidite was synthesized from DMT-protected D-threoninol linked cyclic azobenzene. (B) In recent years, there has been considerable interest invested towards the synthesis of azobenzene analogues for incorporation into proteins. Among the many azobenzene analogues, the synthesis of bi-functional cyclic azobenzene analogues for the incorporation into proteins is relatively new. In this thesis, we report the synthesis of a cyclic azobenzene biscarboxylic acid from 4-(bromomethyl)benzonitrile. (C) Azobenzene has been widely used in the field of polymer science to study the surface morphology and surface properties of polymers. In this thesis, we report the incorporation of cyclic azobenzene into a commercial polymer 2- (hydroxyethyl)methacrylate. Samples collected after 24 h from the reaction solution showed approximately 9% of incorporation of cyclic azobenzene into polymer compared to samples collected after 10 h, which showed approximately 6% incorporation.

Lipase-Mediated Enzymatic Catalysis For The Synthesis of New Chiral Polymers

Immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica (N435) was investigated as a potential biocatalyst to generate silicone-based chiral polymers from monomers derived from the enzymatic dihydroxylation of bromobenzene. Several conditions and parameters have been investigated for this purpose and lipase transesterification preference to each of the free secondary alcohols in the chiral monomers was documented. The N435 was challenged with a series of substrates where the free alcohol moieties were systematically protected in order to study the substrate preference(s) for the transesterification reactions.

Handwritten sheet of paper detailing the cost of transporting boxes containing the Gravatt’s level

Handwritten sheet of paper detailing the cost of transporting boxes containing the Gravatt’s level from London to St. Catharines, April 1847.

Handwritten sheet of paper detailing the cost of transporting boxes containing the Gravatt’s level

Handwritten sheet of paper detailing the cost of transporting boxes containing the Gravatt’s level from London to St. Catharines. This sheet is signed by S.D. Woodruff, Jan. 11, 1847.

Hardcover recipe book containing handwritten recipes

Hardcover recipe book containing handwritten recipes. Most of the recipes are loose within the book and some of the pages have been torn out. The inner cover has the name Isabel Woodruff, May 21, 1888.

Letter containing a list of accounts for S.D. Woodruff to accept or reject

Letter containing a list of accounts for S.D. Woodruff to accept or reject. This letter is slightly water damaged. This does not affect the text. It is signed by Jarvis, Conklin and Co., n.d.

Letter containing a memorandum of the work done during Nov. 1855 by Messrs. Brown and McDonell

Letter containing a memorandum of the work done during Nov. 1855 by Messrs. Brown and McDonell. The work done includes track laying and timber in culverts. There is also a section of the road between St. Catharines and the Great Western Railway where earth has been removed, posts set and laid. This is signed by Francis Lalor, Dec. 12, 1855.

Letter containing specifications for the construction of the Port Robinson and Thorold macadamized road sent to Matthews from S.D. Woodruff

Letter containing specifications for the construction of the Port Robinson and Thorold macadamized road sent to Matthews from S.D. Woodruff (3 pages, handwritten), Aug. 25, 1855.

Envelope with a laurel wreath containing the initials W.N. on the back side

Envelope with a laurel wreath containing the initials W.N. on the back side. The envelope has a 2 cent stamp on it, but it is not addressed, n.d.

Letter containing a listing of the amounts paid for Lyons Creek

Letter containing a listing of the amounts paid for Lyons Creek. These were sent to S.D. Woodruff from Dexter Deverardo, July 10, 1857.

Chart containing the statement of amount required to complete the canal

Chart containing the statement of amount required to complete the canal, March 15, 1848.