Understanding how molecular systems self-assemble in the solid state continues to be a challenge. In this regard, H-bonding and van der Waals interactions are considered to play major roles as structure-driving entities in the construction of supramolecular arrangements. This is of particular relevance in macromolecular sciences, as multiple forms of the same polymeric composite with diverse physicochemical properties can occur depending on the preparation process applied. A new generation of composite materials combines well-established polymers with specifically designed molecular clusters, such as various dicarbolides, possessing a range of different functionalities. At first, these clusters can be considered as nanorotors conserving high amounts of mechanical energy. Second, B-H protons can form multiple H-bonds providing structural variability, and finally, the whole dicarbolide clusters, as negatively charged particles, can be involved into the formation of the grid of electrostatic forces, a framework of the resulting composite system. The proposed UNESCO/IUPAC project, a part of our current research, is focused on the application of the concept of NMR crystallography to describe segmental dynamics and packing interactions in self-assembled polymeric composites in order to disclose relations between supramolecular arrangements and physicochemical properties of a new generation of polymeric composites. Particular attention will be devoted to the optimization of various ¹¹B-¹¹B(²³Na,¹³C) correlation experiments.

For further details see our recently published paper Macromolecules 2011, 44, 3847, and our web site.

More about UNESCO/IUPAC course is available on this web site: http://www.imc.cas.cz/unesco/index.html

   Drugs with limited solubility are rather challenging in pharmaceutical sciences because they may pose the risk of insufficient exposure and poor efficacy in patients upon oral administration. A promising alternative to the traditional formulations of these drugs lies in their transformation from crystalline state into the solid dispersions in polymer matrix. The aim of our current research is to develop new types of drug-polymer dosage forms and to understand factors affecting bioavailability of the alternatively formulated active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Particular attention of the proposed UNESCO/IUPAC project will be paid to the optimization of dissolution profiles of the alternatively formulated APIs. Indispensible part of the project will be structural characterization of the prepared drug-polymer systems using advanced techniques of solid-state NMR. This project has ambitions to make progress in the field of formulations of solid drug-polymer dosage forms with tunable properties, enhanced bioavailability and improved long-term stability.

For further details see our recently published paper International Journal of Pharmaceutics 2011, 409, 62-74, and our web site .

More about UNESCO/IUPAC course is available on this web site: http://www.imc.cas.cz/unesco/index.html

   Aluminosilicate inorganic polymers (AIPs, geopolyers) have received growing industrial interest due to the low energy requirements of their manufacture and promising mechanical properties. However, undesired crystallization accompanied by the loss of mechanical properties has limited widespread application of these systems. In the recent years the problem of controlling structure of AIP systems has became seriously discussed. Over this effort, however, complete description of all factors affecting crystallization of amorphous AIPs is still missing. To fill this gap, we currently deal with the preparation and structural characterization (solid-state NMR) of a new generation of these AIP systems that are specifically modified by reactive organic fillers such as (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane and bisfenol A diglycidyl ether . The aim of the proposed UNESCO/IUPAC research project is to find optimal preparation procedure of these systems and to explore chemical environments of [AlO4]- terahedra, the rate of chemical conversion of organic monomers, location of charge-balancing counter ions including location as well as binding strength of water molecules, and the overall structure of the resulting hybrid inorganic/organic composite.

For further details see our web site .

More about UNESCO/IUPAC course is available on this web site: http://www.imc.cas.cz/unesco/index.html