Review

The literature data on the application of organosilicon compounds as water scavengers in reactions of carbonyl com- pounds is surveyed. The reactions leading to both carbon–carbon (in particular, aldol-type condensations) and carbon–nitrogen bond formation, the synthesis of iminium salts by elimination reactions and heterocyclizations are considered.

Among the wide variety of synthetic polymers with medical applications polymerising medical devices are those non-pharmaceutical medical aids which are based on monomers which can be polymerised after (or during) application to the body. The resultant polymers perform roles in wound management, repair, stabilisation and hemostasis. They can also support tissue re-growth, as well as being used for drug delivery. The synthetic systems most commonly used are based around acrylic ester chemistries, analogous to their non-medical uses as plastics and adhesives. 

The compound chlorine dioxide (ClO2), now commercially important, is not in fact a recent discovery. The gas was first produced by Humphrey Davy in 1811 when reacting hydrochloric acid with potassium chlorate. This yielded "euchlorine", as it was then termed. Watt and Burgess, who invented alkaline pulp bleaching in 1834, mentioned euchlorine as a bleaching agent in their first patent. Chlorine dioxide then became well known as a bleach and later a disinfectant.