The proposed project covers preparation and characterization of new highly efficient heterogeneous recyclable catalysts. These catalysts are based on homogeneous catalysts, which are supported on suitable carriers (polymers, magnetic nanoparticles). Catalytic efficiency and recycling will be studied at the synthesis of advanced organic intermediates. Catalytic efficiency will be verified after several fold reuse of catalysts in a batch-type reactor with respect to the possibility of subsequent application in a flow-type reactor.

The objective of the project is preparation and characterization of new, highly efficient, recoverable enantioselective catalysts. The suggestedsystems are based on chiral, optically pure imidazolidine-4-ones, their new derivatives and their complexes with transition metals and on theknown homogeneous catalysts (derivatives of proline, quinine, cyclohexan1,2-diamine,1,2-diphenylethan-1,2-diamine), which will beimmobilized on a selected polymers (substituted polyethylene gylcols, cross-linked styrene copolymers) and magnetic micro- or nanoparticlesof (Fe3O4@SiO2).The prepared catalysts will be tested in the reactions with high potential for industrial applications, such as Henry reaction, Michael addition reaction and aldolization.

Aim of the project is to follow character of economic behaviour and character of econimic relationships of small towns' inhabitants of Pardubice estate in the 16th century and 17th centuries. On the basis of analysis of debts and transactions with real estates it will focusrelationship of subjects from Pardubice estate to funds and properties. It will concentrare on investment strategies of subject and specificities of their economic behaviour, and in context also the role of other groups, f.ex. Jews, ex-estates person, and esp. institutions in these transactions. On the basis of lists of debt it will try to find out extant of social networks and economic relations of small towns inhabilitants and also villagers and burghers from subject towns. Further it will focus on intensity of credit operations and their changes in the period and the question of credit in economic and social life. On the basis of disputes about debts it will follow attitude to credit, profit and extent of social feeling os subjects. Results of the research will be presented in serval articles and monography.

Molecular sieves prepared by a recently discovered synthetic pathway using 2D zeolites as nanoscale building blocks will be investigated by means of combined experimental and theoretical approaches. These materials may or may not obey criteria for traditional solvothermal synthesis based on the correlation between framework energy and density. The research effort will be mainly focused on unique properties of ?unfeasible? molecular frameworks leading to novel functions and new technological applications. The main goal of this project is (i) to develop precise and reliable methodology for evaluating properties of these materials and (ii) to determine how these properties can be utilized in technologically important processes such as gas adsorption, separation and catalytic applications.

The proposed project focuses on the investigation of the nature of active sites in vanadia supported catalysts and their activity/selectivity in selective oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. A range of catalyst synthesis methods, including the variation of the chemical nature of the support surface, will be used to modify the nature of vanadium species and to control their relative concentration. The distribution of the vanadium species and their properties will be determined by using advanced characterization techniques comprising DR UV-Vis, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, SEM imaging, H2-TPR/O2-TPO among others. The activity of the catalysts having different distribution of the vanadium species will be determined for selective oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. By combining the catalytic data with the detailed physico-chemical characterization of the catalysts, the role (activity/selectivity) of different vanadium species will be determined. This will allow an improved design of selective oxidation catalysts for the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes in future.

The goal of this project is the design and discovery of novel nanoporous materials for adsorption, catalysis, and bio-related applications. Zeolites, ordered mesoporous molecular sieves and metal-organic-frameworks will be investigated. Research will focus on the novel class of lamellar zeolites exhibiting both micro and mesoporosity. The proposed research strategy is based on the multi-disciplinary and multi-level approach: (i) the synthesis of novel materials followed by thorough characterization of their structures and properties and also modeling; (ii) tailored material design, preparation, testing, and applications. A combination of experimental techniques (diffraction, spectroscopy, microscopy, adsorption, etc.) with theoretical approaches will allow to extract relevant information based on which the research approach can be advanced from the trial and error level to rational design followed by preparation of new materials with optimized properties.

The project deals with the modification of several classes of compounds characteristic by the presence of one or more OH groups - such as vitamins A-D, taxols, prostaglandins, carbohydrates, cyclodextrins, polysacharides and lignin that are wholly or partly converted into esters. This modification will be made using a unique technology developed and improved at parent workplace, esterification of lactide in an inert solvent or dispersion to lactates or lactyllactate. Altered properties of the thus prepared products such as higher solubility, bioavailability, lipophilicity and biodegradability of these predicted to be useful in human medicine, such as food supplements, cosmetics, hygiene products etc.

This project is focused to the synthesis of multideprotonable, hybrid and ambiphilic ligands
suitable for complexation of metal centres in generally low oxidation states. Suggested ligands
are: amidinato/guanidinato ligands combined with N-heterocyclic carbenes, hybrid neutral
ligands (betaines), non-innocent imido-amides, oligodeprotonable amidinates/guanidinates,
bis-trisamido/bis-trisimido-phosphonates/phosphinates and various amidinate, guanidinate and
carbene ligands decorated by R2B group. The use of such ligands in synthesis of coordination
compounds of main group, environmentally acceptable and catalytically applicable metals will be
the major target of the project along with its use in catalytically driven organic chemistry
transformations, and in a part in material science.

In terms of this project our pilot study of ring opening of lactides by using a mixtures of alcohols, organic solvent and a catalytic amount of volatile mineral or organic acid to appropriate esters usable in various kinds of food, cosmetic or pharma industry will be evaluated.

This project deals with the preparation of hybrid ligands suitable to stabilize d- and f-block as well as the main group metal centers in generally low oxidation states. The ligands are proposed to be the hybrid aminocarbenes, amidinates and guanidinates with adjacent coordinating group, thiaamidinates, boraamidinates, amido-amidinates or guanidinates and other derivatives of macrocyclic ligands. The metals of interest are the environmentally friendly Ca, Zn, Al, Fe, Zr, Bi and Cu, and metals with a high potential in homogenous catalysis and material applications as for example Ge, Sn, Sc, Y, La, Au, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ce, Sm, Yb and others. The stabilization of respective organometallic compounds or complexes in unusual, and often obscure, low oxidation states will be evaluated and the activity in important chemical processes tested. A quest for compounds with metals in lower oxidation state (also radical and biradicalloid species) than is
usual as for example Ca(I), Zn(I), Au(0), Bi(I and II), Al(I and II) Si(I, II and III; also for Ge, Sn and Pb) etc. will be performed.