Compounds having General Formula (I) or General Formula (II): in which R.sup.1 is chosen from C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups, optionally substituted with one or more aryl groups, substituted aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, substituted heteroaryl groups, or combination thereof; R.sup.2 is chosen from aromatic moieties, substituted aromatic moieties, heteroaromatic moieties substituted heteroaromatic moieties, and coumarin; R.sup.3 is chosen from H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups, phenyl, or substituted phenyl, wherein the aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups are optionally substituted with one or more phenyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, substituted heteroaryl groups, or combination thereof, and wherein the aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups are optionally bonded to R.sub.2 to form a ring; X is S or O; and Y is S or NH, may be used in pharmaceutical compositions that modify of biological signaling processes or as reagents for biological assays. ##STR00001##

The invention relates to novel nitrification inhibitors of formula I, which are substituted thiazolidine compounds. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I) as nitrification inhibitors, i.e. for reducing nitrification, as well as agrochemical mixtures and compositions comprising the nitrification inhibitors of formula (I).

The invention relates to novel nitrification inhibitors of formula I, which are substituted thiazolidine compounds. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I) as nitrification inhibitors, i.e. for reducing nitrification, as well as agrochemical mixtures and compositions comprising the nitrification inhibitors of formula (I).

Nanoparticles having a plurality of PVP chains covalently bonded to a surface of the nanoparticle are provided, along with their methods of formation and the RAFT agents for the polymerization of the PVP chains. RAFT agents are generally provided, along with their methods of formation and use. Methods are also generally provided for grafting a PVP polymer onto a nanoparticle. In one embodiment, the method includes: polymerizing a plurality of monomers in the presence of a RAFT agent to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle.

Nanoparticles having a plurality of PVP chains covalently bonded to a surface of the nanoparticle are provided, along with their methods of formation and the RAFT agents for the polymerization of the PVP chains. RAFT agents are generally provided, along with their methods of formation and use. Methods are also generally provided for grafting a PVP polymer onto a nanoparticle. In one embodiment, the method includes: polymerizing a plurality of monomers in the presence of a RAFT agent to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle.

Nanoparticles having a plurality of PVP chains covalently bonded to a surface of the nanoparticle are provided, along with their methods of formation and the RAFT agents for the polymerization of the PVP chains. RAFT agents are generally provided, along with their methods of formation and use. Methods are also generally provided for grafting a PVP polymer onto a nanoparticle. In one embodiment, the method includes: polymerizing a plurality of monomers in the presence of a RAFT agent to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle.

Nanoparticles having a plurality of PVP chains covalently bonded to a surface of the nanoparticle are provided, along with their methods of formation and the RAFT agents for the polymerization of the PVP chains. RAFT agents are generally provided, along with their methods of formation and use. Methods are also generally provided for grafting a PVP polymer onto a nanoparticle. In one embodiment, the method includes: polymerizing a plurality of monomers in the presence of a RAFT agent to form a polymeric chain covalently bonded to the nanoparticle.

Compounds having General Formula (I) or General Formula (II): in which R.sup.1 is chosen from C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups, optionally substituted with one or more aryl groups, substituted aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, substituted heteroaryl groups, or combination thereof; R.sup.2 is chosen from aromatic moieties, substituted aromatic moieties, heteroaromatic moieties substituted heteroaromatic moieties, and coumarin; R.sup.3 is chosen from H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups, phenyl, or substituted phenyl, wherein the aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups are optionally substituted with one or more phenyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, substituted heteroaryl groups, or combination thereof, and wherein the aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups are optionally bonded to R.sub.2 to form a ring; X is S or O; and Y is S or NH, may be used in pharmaceutical compositions that modify of biological signaling processes or as reagents for biological assays.

##STR00001##

Compounds having General Formula (I) or General Formula (II): in which R.sup.1 is chosen from C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups, optionally substituted with one or more aryl groups, substituted aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, substituted heteroaryl groups, or combination thereof; R.sup.2 is chosen from aromatic moieties, substituted aromatic moieties, heteroaromatic moieties substituted heteroaromatic moieties, and coumarin; R.sup.3 is chosen from H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups, phenyl, or substituted phenyl, wherein the aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups are optionally substituted with one or more phenyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, substituted heteroaryl groups, or combination thereof, and wherein the aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups are optionally bonded to R.sub.2 to form a ring; X is S or O; and Y is S or NH, may be used in pharmaceutical compositions that modify of biological signaling processes or as reagents for biological assays.

##STR00001##

Methods for modulating GSK-3 activity and methods for treating a GSK-3-mediated disorder in a subject in need thereof. The methods include contacting a cell expressing GSK-3 with or administering to the subject in need a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds of General Formula (I) or General Formula (II): or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts or solvates thereof.

##STR00001##