Green Solvent for Synthesis and Catalysis

Green Solvent for Synthesis and Catalysis Adnan S/OAbdul Qayyum Title Green Solvent for synthesis and catalysis: Room Temperature Ionic Liquids. Abstract This proposal describes a research project to synthesis the ionic liquids; the alternative green, non-volatile solvent to harmful volatile organic solvent and chemical industries in the future. The ionic liquids, whose properties can be predicted before their synthesis. The already known properties enable to gain required result for different applications. This has versatile the range of applications of Ionic’s liquids. The properties of I.Ls are affected by a no. of factors such as lattice energy, electrostatic potential between cation and anion, charges of ions, separation between the charges, symmetry hydrophobicity. Currently scientists are working not only on synthesis of new ionic liquids but also elevating their applications in different fields including solar cells, lubricants, green organic solvents etc. Because of significant properties attributed to these new classes of compounds, which have been classified as new compounds only a decade ago, we started studies tow ards the synthesis of ionic liquids. We attempted to prepare different types of ionic liquids. i) Imidazole based ionic liquids ii) Caffeine based ionic liquids. Introduction â€Å"The term ionic liquid implies a material that is fluid at (or close to) ambient temperature, is colorless, has a low viscosity and is easily handled.† (Sheldon) â€Å"Room temperature ionic liquids are generally salts of organic cations, e.g. tetraalkylammonium, tetraalkylphosphonium, N-alkylpyridinium, 1,3-dialkylimidazolium and trialkylsulfoniumcations.† (Sheldon) â€Å"Most basic definition of a room temperature ionic liquid is a salt that has a melting point at or near room temperature.† (Handy) â€Å"Organic salts with melting points below ambient or reaction temperature.† (Maio) â€Å"Ionic liquid is a salt with a melting temperature below the boiling point of water.† (Wilkes) Ionic liquids are defined as molten salt composed entirely of ions without any neutral molecules and having low melting point (usually ~100ËÅ ¡C) The properties of the ionic liquids are mentioned below. Problem or Need In this knowledge era, science has changed our world by discovering new methods to be the beneficial for human being but simultaneously it also pollutes our environment. Therefore these methods and chemicals have also become somehow harmful to the human beings. So this is how, these chemicals, which polluting our environment have become a problem for the common people. Organic solvents are widely used in the laboratory and industries, which are volatile and used in huge amounts, i.e. Solvents are the most damaging chemicals. That is why, our research project is about finding some green alternative to the most damaging solvents. The new alternative solvent will be non-volatile, less toxic, biodegradable, air and moisture stable and economically viable to large scale process. Objectives and Expected Significance: We have prepared project to give alternative solution to above mention problems. After synthesizing the green non-volatile, non-toxic solvent, the pollution could be reduced to great extent. Not only this, ionic liquid may have a lot of benefits and may be used as in batteries, propellants, lubricant, storage media for toxic gases, performance additives in pigments and many more. Methodology 6.1. Imidazole based ionic liquids. Room temperature ionic liquids are generally salts of organic cations, e.g. tetraalkylammonium, tetraalkylphosphonium, N-alkylpyridinium, 1, 3-dialkylimidazolium and trialkylsulfoniumcations. Imidazole has a unique property to stabilization a positive charge on nitrogen that’s why we use it as a substrate. Two nitrogens in imidazole stabilize quaternary nitrogen charge therefore the weaker the charge so it form ionic liquid which is liquid in room temperature. General reaction of imidazole based ionic liquid is 6.2. Caffeine based ionic liquids Caffeine has been chosen due analogy of its structure with imidazole. Since five membered-ring that is fused with a six membered ring possessing amide and imide moieties, must behave like imidazole which has extensively been used in the synthesis of ionic liquids. For this reaction, first we prepared alkyl caffenium halides by treated of caffeine with different alkyl halide (i.e. methyl iodide, ethyl iodide and hexyl bromide) and taken tetrahydrofuran as a solvent, alkyl caffenium halide is obtained as a white crystals. We also tried to prepared caffeine based ILs due to its similar analogy structure with imidazole. Caffeine is relatively less expensive and is easily available in abundance. ILs become cheaper and its applications enhanced due to the use of caffeine. It is reported in literature that Nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds are used to generate stable carbenes, which were then used to carry out different reactions. One of such reaction is benzoin condensation that may be carried out using carbenes. Properties of Ionic Liquids The properties of ionic liquid differ by the different combinations of cation and anion for particular applications. Some of the important properties of ionic liquids are: melting point, vapour pressure thermal stability, viscosity, high heat capacity. Due to these properties ionic liquids are widely applicable, as shown in figure 2. Melting Point Ionic liquids are defined as molten salt composed entirely of ions without any neutral molecules and having low melting point (usually ~100ËÅ ¡C). The chemical and structural composition of an ionic liquid (molten salt) depends upon its melting point. Lowering of melting point is due to the low symmetry of cation and weak intermolecular bonding. By keeping the cation constant we can also use different anions which can affect the melting point. The melting point decreases with increase in the size of anion. [3] Vapour Pressure and Thermal Stability Ionic liquid have no measureable vapour pressure due to this property it can easily separated from reaction mixture by distillation. The thermal stability of an ionic liquid is directly related to the strength of the heteroatom-carbon and heteroatom-hydrogen bonds. Ionic liquids formed from either protonation of amines or phosphanes show significantly restricted thermal stability. [3] Density There is a linear relationship between the density and the N-alkyl chain of cation. The density decreased as the N-alkyl chain increased. [3] Viscosity Ionic liquids are generally more viscous then the classical organic solvents. Cation shows some effect on the viscosity of the ionic liquid. Lower viscosities tend to be a result of small side chains that have sufficient mobility. As side chain increases due to vander waal forces viscosity increases. Temperature is another factor which affects the viscosity of ionic liquid. As temperature increases viscosity decreases. [3] Solubility Characteristics By changing the combination of cations and anions we can tune the solubility of ionic liquid. The solubility of ionic liquid can also depends upon the nature of R group. By increasing the length of alkyl chain the hydrophobicity of the cation increases, as the result its water solubility decreases. [6] Solvent Properties The most common classification used to describe a solvent is polarity of that solvent. Ionic liquids are considered as polar solvent by nature because they can dissolve and stabilize dipolar or charged solutes. [3] They have tendency to dissolve many different many other materials such as organic, inorganic and organometallic materials. [1] Table1: Comparison of ionic liquids with organic solvents. [5] Scope of Ionic liquids Ionic liquids are attractive, useful, advanced solvents that are a sight of attention by the renowned chemists for its unique and distinct properties. Its tunable components provide a wide range of successful and desire products. Figure2.IL publications (on May 27, 2009) determined from the ISI Web of Science in the last fourteen years. This is the main reason it is getting huge importance in the field of chemistry now a days. No doubt the immense research work in the field of green chemistry has been an attractive sight for the last few years. [5]By the passage of time many new cations and anions have been reported. The common cations and anions are given below Common Anions: BF4; B(CN)4; CH2CHBF3; CF3BF3; C2F5BF3; nC3H7BF3; nC4H9BF3; PF6; CF3CO2; CF3SO3; N(SO2CF3)2; N(COCF3)(SO2CF3); N(SO2F)2; N(CN)2;C(CN)3; SCN; SeCN; CuCl2; AlCl4; OH Common Cations: Timeline As soon as this project is funded, we import chemicals in first two months while start synthesizing with the available chemicals. Within a one year Insha’Allah, we will complete synthesis about 50 ionic liquids and also check their applications. Evaluation The evaluation will be conducted by PCSIR and HEJ Research institute. This evaluation will be done under the direction of Dr. Nasir-Uddin who has much experience as a professional program evaluator. He had also done the evaluation of several large-scale governmentally funded projects. All chemists already have the experience on this research topic. Every experiment will be done under the supervision of Dr. Imran Ali Hashmi, Ph. D from German on synthetic chemistry. Reference Literature Cited A review of ionic liquids towards supercritical fluid applications SedaKeskin, DefneKayrak-Talay, UgËËÅ"urAkmanâˆâ€", O ¨ nerHortac ¸su Department of Chemical Engineering, BoËËÅ"gazià ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’ci University, Bebek 34342, Ëâ„ ¢Istanbul, Turkey Received 2 August 2006; received in revised form 8 May 2007; accepted 29 May 2007 Green chemistry ionic liquid Useful reaction solvents (TCI) Physical Properties of Alcohol Based Deep Eutectic Solvents Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Robert Christopher Harris, University of Leicester, 2008 Paradigm Confirmed: The First Use of ionic Liquids to Dramatically Influence the Outcome of Chemical Reactions Organic letters, 2004, Vol. 6, no.5, 707-710 Review on the Chemical Stabilities of Ionic Liquids SubbiahSowmiah, VenkatesanSrinivasadesikan, Ming-Chung Tseng and Yen-Ho Chu * Molecules 2009, 14, 3780-3813; doi: 10.3390/molecules14093780 Ionic liquids: Innovative fluids for chemical processing AIChE Journal Volume 47, Issue 11, pages 2384–2389, November 2001 Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids. Solvents for Synthesis and Catalysis Chem. Rev. 1999, 99, 2071-2083 ACTA UniversitatisOuluensis, Johanna Kà ¤rkkà ¤inen Preparation and characterization of some ionic liquids and their use in the dimerization reaction of 2-methylpropene The Design of Polymeric Ionic Liquids for the Preparation of Functional Materials Journal of Macromolecular Science R _, Part C: Polymer Reviews, 49:339–360, 2009 Ionic Liquids: Current developments, potential and drawbacks for industrial applications LenzingerBerichte, 84 (2005) 71-85 Recent developments of task-specific ionic liquids in organic synthesis Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews Vol. 4, No. 1, March 2011, 41_54 Task-Specific Ionic Liquids James H. Davis, Jr. Chemistry Letters Vol.33, No.9 (2004) Wohler, F. Liebig. J. Ann. Pharm. 1832, 3, 249-282 Lapworth, A. J. J. Chem. Soc. 1903, 83, 995-1005 Van DenBerg, H. J. J. Mol. Cat. 1943, 51, 1-12 Suzuki et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 8432-8433 Budget 1 | Page

The Disappearing Democracy of the United States Essay -- America Polit

The Disappearing Democracy of the United States For Americans, the word â€Å"democracy† itself is strong enough to conjure up notions of a nation unhindered by an oppressive government where citizens are able to engage in the freedom of speech, press, and religious choice and practice. So powerful are American pro-Democratic sentiments that it is a common thought that any other country that does not prescribe to a liberal democracy is somehow inferior. Yet as time marches on, the feelings of superiority by American citizens become more and more unfounded. For, right before our eyes, the very notion of democracy, that Americans become braggarts about, is disappearing. While the U.S. government boasts of the freedoms it affords its citizens, it corrupts such an image through repeated non-democratic actions. While citizens cherish the affordances of a liberal democracy, many do not make the effort to support such a system; taking it for granted that no matter what, a democracy is a self perpetuating entity. In thi s paper I will argue that the liberal democracy that supposedly defines American government is a declining entity due to overt acts against the principles of democracy by the United States government and also due to the decline of civic engagement by United States citizens. The fact is, no system of government can be perpetuated if the government and its citizens do not work to keep their ideals alive and in practice. Since the inception of a democratic government in the United States’ early history, many have held that a liberal democracy should be the standard to which all other governments should attempt to emulate (CNN.com, 1). As the world’s leading super power, the United States sets an exampl... ...shi. (2002). The Acts of the Democracies. Retrieved March 2, 2003 from http://www.krysstal.com/democracy.html National Organization for Women. (2003). The Truth about George W. Bush -Domestic Policy. Retrieved March 9, 2003 from http://www.thetruthaboutgeorge.com/domestic/ News from Reality. (2001). Raping The Mountainside: Filling the Yucca Mountains with Nuclear Waste. Retrieved March 11, 2003 from http://www.hereinreality.com/yucca.html Revolutionary Worker. (2001). The Bush Plan for Vieques: Bomb Now Pull Out Later. Revolutionary Worker Online. Retrieved March 10, 2003 from http://rwor.org/a/v23/1100-99/1109/vieques.htm Schemo, Diana Jean. (2003). The Presidents Budget Proposal: Education. New York Times Online. Retrieved March 10, 2003 from http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60E17F6355C0C768CDDAB08 94DB404482

Brilliant Lies - In many ways, Susy is just like Gary. Do you agree? :: English Literature

Brilliant Lies - In many ways, Susy is just like Gary. Do you agree? In many ways, Susy is just like Gary. Do you agree? Susy Conner, and Gary Fitzgerald. Both are Brilliant liars - and seemingly total opposite gender counterparts of each other. To say however, that they are alike simply because they are liars is to place them into a frame that is far too restricting and incomplete. No, the similarities - and even differences - between Susy and Gary lie beneath the surface. It is in these more subtle ways that the two characters reveal themselves to be more alike than one would think. At the heart of Susy and Gary's personalities is that one trait that seems to set them apart from the rest of the characters of the play - ambition. Theirs is an intense, bordering on violent, ambition - a drive to succeed in life, to gain what they want - and neither have any scruples about running over everyone else to get what they want. They are not above lying to get their way, not above gaining trust and then throwing it away once they have what they want - this is shown in no clearer way than when Gary convinces Vince to support him, then throws him to the wolves at the end - "I lied. Don't get pious Vince. This place was ripe for a management buy out. These are hard times. We've got to become much more aggressive, and you know, and I know, and they know that you haven't got the guts to go in hard." This manipulation of others extends to include their extremely vengeful natures. Susy's vindictiveness in lying to Katy about Marion's sexuality (revenge for Katy telling the truth about her story - "As soon as I saw that dyke I knew you'd fall in love with her." - is mirrored by Gary's pleasure in crushing Vince after he reveals his true colours. They are cruel to an almost merciless extent - the vicious battle between the two is more than a fight in order to win the case - it is a fight for survival. Both Gary and Susy know that if they are not relentless in the pursuit for triumph, they will be crushed by the other - another characteristic that they share - the obsession for power. In a way, the struggle between these two characters is not for the compensation money - but for the sense of power that comes only from triumph. Another trait that they both share is a sense of stubborn self righteousness that somehow constantly places themselves in the role of

Death of a Salesman Essay -- essays research papers

Samuel Adams was born on September 27, 1722, Boston, Massachusetts Samuel Adams was a son to a merchant who sold things in Boston. When he graduated from Harvard College in 1740, his ideas about a useful career were not many : he did not want to become a brewer, fate (or ill luck) forced Adams into the brewery; he operated his father's malt house for a livelihood but not as a dedicated businessman, and the idea of working a Church didn’t interest Samuel Adams much either. Adams was not a good merchant like his father and didn’t like the idea of becoming one. He, however, was a very good politician. He also unlike his father, wasn’t a good businessman either. His early public office as a tax collector made people suspect him of a British agent. He made did very well with understanding tax codes and he knew the majority of merchants in Boston because of his father being a merchant. Samuel Adams was a very popular leader in his time who spent a great deal of time in the public. Adams became more involved in politics. He belonged to several patriotic clubs and was an important person in Boston town meetings. Adams did not like several laws passed by the British Parliament in the American Colonies. Those laws included the Sugar Act of 1764, the Stamp Act of 1765, and the Townshend Acts of 1767 Adams served in the Massachusetts legislature from 1765 to 1774. As its clerk, he talked a lot with other colonial leaders. Unfortunately for Samuel Adams the Parliament in 1776 didn’t all...

Kinds of research data Essay

The basic classification of research data is in terms of quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative research entails examination of numerical data by using mathematical models and statistical procedures. (Morgan, 2000). Qualitative research involves use of analysis and opinions to explain interviews and documents and understanding the phenomenon. The study requires a qualitative and some quantitative approach rather than a purely numerical one. Data Collection Approaches Data collection approaches can be primary and secondary. Both primary and secondary approaches will be utilized Extensive research will be carried out in the Library as well as on the World Wide Web. Qualitative Research Methodologies Qualitative methodology focuses on â€Å"quality† a term referring to the essence or ambience of something. Qualitative methods are used to understand complex social phenomena. In the present situation, literature survey along with interviews and questionnaires will be the key techniques used for data collection, collation and analysis. Case-Study Research Methodology. Case study in the primary research methodology employed in this study. A case study is an enquiry which uses multiple sources of evidence. It evaluates a contemporary phenomenon in real life context within the boundaries of the phenomenon and when the context is not clearly evident. Potter, (1996) has defined case study as a â€Å"realistic† methodology, which deals with solid and specific questions. Case study translates research objectives into more researchable problems, and provides rich examples, which are easy to comprehend. The significance of case studies is its revealing the meaning of a phenomenon. A peer group case study approach is considered best suited than other techniques to implement this research, as it will concentrate on an empirical, contemporary problem. It will also enable answering the questions as, â€Å"why† and, â€Å"how† to understand the underlying motivations. It will generate empirical data and interesting information specific to the phenomenon under study. Research cases offer a unique tool to testing theory by examining phenomena which are beyond the traditional statistical approaches. (Potter, 1996). Case study research is useful to the aims because the degree to which a case study produces valid and credible information is generally higher than qualitative research in a more general survey. An analysis of the Chinese and UK banking systems is proposed to be carried out with reference to the case study of Bank of China and HSBC, London. Limitations of Case Study One of the limits of case studies is the difficulty of generalizing their findings. If the case design is sound and if the researcher is careful to be explicit about the phenomenon and the context of the study, then results can be generalized.(Potter, 1996). Another limit of case studies is that they generate a lot of information that needs to be logically handled to strengthen the argument presented in order to develop credible conclusion. Research Instruments Primary data is collected for the research study to answer a specific question. Ways of collecting this kind of information includes surveys, observation or controlled experiments. Surveys are one of the most common ways to collect data, where the subject can be contacted through mail, telephone or directly in personal interviews. (Veal, 2000). It entails sending questionnaires, interviews and non-formal enquiries made to people. By carrying out interviews of a significant number of individuals a broad perspective can be provided. This research will collect data by essentially the method of interviews and questionnaires. Data Collection Method Questionnaire Survey Surveys are frequently used to obtain information about social issues. Jones (1997) has described that survey needs planned strategy to gather data. Surveys can be conducted in many ways, over the telephone, by mail or in person. Questionnaire surveys are ideal for providing complex information. Questionnaire involves a sample of the population which can range from few hundreds to few thousands depending on the research study (Veal, 2000). Questionnaire technique has been used in the study. Limitation of the questionnaires On an average the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, but a key drawback is low response rate. This will result in low level of confidence and distort the analogy of statistical information. Another weakness of questionnaire is the fact that it is a structured format and allows little room for flexibility with respect to reply by the respondents. Interview Interviews will form an interactive part of this study and will be carried out after the secondary research is done in combination with the questionnaire. When doing these interviews it will be important to keep a neutral view of the research topic, where the actual behavior instead of an intended behavior needs to be identified. Veal (2000) has described interview as a strategy to find out from people about the things, which cannot be observed directly.

A Game of Thrones Chapter Six

Catelyn Of all the rooms in Winterfell's Great Keep, Catelyn's bedchambers were the hottest. She seldom had to light a fire. The castle had been built over natural hot springs, and the scalding waters rushed through its walls and chambers like blood through a man's body, driving the chill from the stone halls, filling the glass gardens with a moist warmth, keeping the earth from freezing. Open pools smoked day and night in a dozen small courtyards. That was a little thing, in summer; in winter, it was the difference between life and death. Catelyn's bath was always hot and steaming, and her walls warm to the touch. The warmth reminded her of Riverrun, of days in the sun with Lysa and Edmure, but Ned could never abide the heat. The Starks were made for the cold, he would tell her, and she would laugh and tell him in that case they had certainly built their castle in the wrong place. So when they had finished, Ned rolled off and climbed from her bed, as he had a thousand times before. He crossed the room, pulled back the heavy tapestries, and threw open the high narrow windows one by one, letting the night air into the chamber. The wind swirled around him as he stood facing the dark, naked and empty-handed. Catelyn pulled the furs to her chin and watched him. He looked somehow smaller and more vulnerable, like the youth she had wed in the sept at Riverrun, fifteen long years gone. Her loins still ached from the urgency of his lovemaking. It was a good ache. She could feel his seed within her. She prayed that it might quicken there. It had been three years since Rickon. She was not too old. She could give him another son. â€Å"I will refuse him,† Ned said as he turned back to her. His eyes were haunted, his voice thick with doubt. Catelyn sat up in the bed. â€Å"You cannot. You must not.† â€Å"My duties are here in the north. I have no wish to be Robert's Hand.† â€Å"He will not understand that. He is a king now, and kings are not like other men. If you refuse to serve him, he will wonder why, and sooner or later he will begin to suspect that you oppose him. Can't you see the danger that would put us in?† Ned shook his head, refusing to believe. â€Å"Robert would never harm me or any of mine. We were closer than brothers. He loves me. If I refuse him, he will roar and curse and bluster, and in a week we will laugh about it together. I know the man!† â€Å"You knew the man,† she said. â€Å"The king is a stranger to you.† Catelyn remembered the direwolf dead in the snow, the broken antler lodged deep in her throat. She had to make him see. â€Å"Pride is everything to a king, my lord. Robert came all this way to see you, to bring you these great honors, you cannot throw them back in his face.† â€Å"Honors?† Ned laughed bitterly. â€Å"In his eyes, yes,† she said. â€Å"And in yours?† â€Å"And in mine,† she blazed, angry now. Why couldn't he see? â€Å"He offers his own son in marriage to our daughter, what else would you call that? Sansa might someday be queen. Her sons could rule from the Wall to the mountains of Dorne. What is so wrong with that?† â€Å"Gods, Catelyn, Sansa is only eleven,† Ned said. â€Å"And Joffrey . . . Joffrey is . . . â€Å" She finished for him. † . . . crown prince, and heir to the Iron Throne. And I was only twelve when my father promised me to your brother Brandon.† That brought a bitter twist to Ned's mouth. â€Å"Brandon. Yes. Brandon would know what to do. He always did. It was all meant for Brandon. You, Winterfell, everything. He was born to be a King's Hand and a father to queens. I never asked for this cup to pass to me.† â€Å"Perhaps not,† Catelyn said, â€Å"but Brandon is dead, and the cup has passed, and you must drink from it, like it or not.† Ned turned away from her, back to the night. He stood staring out in the darkness, watching the moon and the stars perhaps, or perhaps the sentries on the wall. Catelyn softened then, to see his pain. Eddard Stark had married her in Brandon's place, as custom decreed, but the shadow of his dead brother still lay between them, as did the other, the shadow of the woman he would not name, the woman who had borne him his bastard son. She was about to go to him when the knock came at the door, loud and unexpected. Ned turned, frowning. â€Å"What is it?† Desmond's voice came through the door. â€Å"My lord, Maester Luwin is without and begs urgent audience.† â€Å"You told him I had left orders not to be disturbed?† â€Å"Yes, my lord. He insists.† â€Å"Very well. Send him in.† Ned crossed to the wardrobe and slipped on a heavy robe. Catelyn realized suddenly how cold it had become. She sat up in bed and pulled the furs to her chin. â€Å"Perhaps we should close the windows,† she suggested. Ned nodded absently. Maester Luwin was shown in. The maester was a small grey man. His eyes were grey, and quick, and saw much. His hair was grey, what little the years had left him. His robe was grey wool, trimmed with white fur, the Stark colors. Its great floppy sleeves had pockets hidden inside. Luwin was always tucking things into those sleeves and producing other things from them: books, messages, strange artifacts, toys for the children. With all he kept hidden in his sleeves, Catelyn was surprised that Maester Luwin could lift his arms at all. The maester waited until the door had closed behind him before he spoke. â€Å"My lord,† he said to Ned, â€Å"pardon for disturbing your rest. I have been left a message.† Ned looked irritated. â€Å"Been left? By whom? Has there been a rider? I was not told.† â€Å"There was no rider, my lord. Only a carved wooden box, left on a table in my observatory while I napped. My servants saw no one, but it must have been brought by someone in the king's party. We have had no other visitors from the south.† â€Å"A wooden box, you say?† Catelyn said. â€Å"Inside was a fine new lens for the observatory, from Myr by the look of it. The lenscrafters of Myr are without equal.† Ned frowned. He had little patience for this sort of thing, Catelyn knew. â€Å"A lens,† he said. â€Å"What has that to do with me?† â€Å"I asked the same question,† Maester Luwin said. â€Å"Clearly there was more to this than the seeming.† Under the heavy weight of her furs, Catelyn shivered. â€Å"A lens is an instrument to help us see.† â€Å"Indeed it is.† He fingered the collar of his order; a heavy chain worn tight around the neck beneath his robe, each link forged from a different metal. Catelyn could feel dread stirring inside her once again. â€Å"What is it that they would have us see more clearly?† â€Å"The very thing I asked myself.† Maester Luwin drew a tightly rolled paper out of his sleeve. â€Å"I found the true message concealed within a false bottom when I dismantled the box the lens had come in, but it is not for my eyes.† Ned held out his hand. â€Å"Let me have it, then.† Luwin did not stir. â€Å"Pardons, my lord. The message is not for you either. It is marked for the eyes of the Lady Catelyn, and her alone. May I approach?† Catelyn nodded, not trusting to speak. The maester placed the paper on the table beside the bed. It was sealed with a small blob of blue wax. Luwin bowed and began to retreat. â€Å"Stay,† Ned commanded him. His voice was grave. He looked at Catelyn. â€Å"What is it? My lady, you're shaking.† â€Å"I'm afraid,† she admitted. She reached out and took the letter in trembling hands. The furs dropped away from her nakedness, forgotten. In the blue wax was the moon-and-falcon seal of House Arryn. â€Å"It's from Lysa.† Catelyn looked at her husband. â€Å"It will not make us glad,† she told him. â€Å"There is grief in this message, Ned. I can feel it.† Ned frowned, his face darkening. â€Å"Open it.† Catelyn broke the seal. Her eyes moved over the words. At first they made no sense to her. Then she remembered. â€Å"Lysa took no chances. When we were girls together, we had a private language, she and I.† â€Å"Can you read it?† â€Å"Yes,† Catelyn admitted. â€Å"Then tell us.† â€Å"Perhaps I should withdraw,† Maester Luwin said. â€Å"No,† Catelyn said. â€Å"We will need your counsel.† She threw back the furs and climbed from the bed. The night air was as cold as the grave on her bare skin as she padded across the room. Maester Luwin averted his eyes. Even Ned looked shocked. â€Å"What are you doing?† he asked. â€Å"Lighting a fire,† Catelyn told him. She found a dressing gown and shrugged into it, then knelt over the cold hearth. â€Å"Maester Luwin—† Ned began. â€Å"Maester Luwin has delivered all my children,† Catelyn said. â€Å"This is no time for false modesty.† She slid the paper in among the kindling and placed the heavier logs on top of it. Ned crossed the room, took her by the arm, and pulled her to her feet. He held her there, his face inches from her. â€Å"My lady, tell me! What was this message?† Catelyn stiffened in his grasp. â€Å"A warning,† she said softly. â€Å"If we have the wits to hear.† His eyes searched her face. â€Å"Go on.† â€Å"Lysa says Jon Arryn was murdered.† His fingers tightened on her arm. â€Å"By whom?† â€Å"The Lannisters,† she told him. â€Å"The queen.† Ned released his hold on her arm. There were deep red marks on her skin. â€Å"Gods,† he whispered. His voice was hoarse. â€Å"Your sister is sick with grief. She cannot know what she is saying.† â€Å"She knows,† Catelyn said. â€Å"Lysa is impulsive, yes, but this message was carefully planned, cleverly hidden. She knew it meant death if her letter fell into the wrong hands. To risk so much, she must have had more than mere suspicion.† Catelyn looked to her husband. â€Å"Now we truly have no choice. You must be Robert's Hand. You must go south with him and learn the truth.† She saw at once that Ned had reached a very different conclusion. â€Å"The only truths I know are here. The south is a nest of adders I would do better to avoid.† Luwin plucked at his chain collar where it had chafed the soft skin of his throat. â€Å"The Hand of the King has great power, my lord. Power to find the truth of Lord Arryn's death, to bring his killers to the king's justice. Power to protect Lady Arryn and her son, if the worst be true.† Ned glanced helplessly around the bedchamber. Catelyn's heart went out to him, but she knew she could not take him in her arms just then. First the victory must be won, for her children's sake. â€Å"You say you love Robert like a brother. Would you leave your brother surrounded by Lannisters?† â€Å"The Others take both of you,† Ned muttered darkly. He turned away from them and went to the window. She did not speak, nor did the maester. They waited, quiet, while Eddard Stark said a silent farewell to the home he loved. When he turned away from the window at last, his voice was tired and full of melancholy, and moisture glittered faintly in the corners of his eyes. â€Å"My father went south once, to answer the summons of a king. He never came home again.† â€Å"A different time,† Maester Luwin said. â€Å"A different king.† â€Å"Yes,† Ned said dully. He seated himself in a chair by the hearth. â€Å"Catelyn, you shall stay here in Winterfell.† His words were like an icy draft through her heart. â€Å"No,† she said, suddenly afraid. Was this to be her punishment? Never to see his face again, nor to feel his arms around her? â€Å"Yes,† Ned said, in words that would brook no argument. â€Å"You must govern the north in my stead, while I run Robert's errands. There must always be a Stark in Winterfell. Robb is fourteen. Soon enough, he will be a man grown. He must learn to rule, and I will not be here for him. Make him part of your councils. He must be ready when his time comes.† â€Å"Gods will, not for many years,† Maester Luwin murmured. â€Å"Maester Luwin, I trust you as I would my own blood. Give my wife your voice in all things great and small. Teach my son the things he needs to know. Winter is coming.† Maester Luwin nodded gravely. Then silence fell, until Catelyn found her courage and asked the question whose answer she most dreaded. â€Å"What of the other children?† Ned stood, and took her in his arms, and held her face close to his. â€Å"Rickon is very young,† he said gently. â€Å"He should stay here with you and Robb. The others I would take with me.† â€Å"I could not bear it,† Catelyn said, trembling. â€Å"You must,† he said. â€Å"Sansa must wed Joffrey, that is clear now, we must give them no grounds to suspect our devotion. And it is past time that Arya learned the ways of a southron court. In a few years she will be of an age to marry too.† Sansa would shine in the south, Catelyn thought to herself, and the gods knew that Arya needed refinement. Reluctantly, she let go of them in her heart. But not Bran. Never Bran. â€Å"Yes,† she said, â€Å"but please, Ned, for the love you bear me, let Bran remain here at Winterfell. He is only seven.† â€Å"I was eight when my father sent me to foster at the Eyrie,† Ned said. â€Å"Ser Rodrik tells me there is bad feeling between Robb and Prince Joffrey. That is not healthy. Bran can bridge that distance. He is a sweet boy, quick to laugh, easy to love. Let him grow up with the young princes, let him become their friend as Robert became mine. Our House will be the safer for it.† He was right; Catelyn knew it. It did not make the pain any easier to bear. She would lose all four of them, then: Ned, and both girls, and her sweet, loving Bran. Only Robb and little Rickon would be left to her. She felt lonely already. Winterfell was such a vast place. â€Å"Keep him off the walls, then,† she said bravely. â€Å"You know how Bran loves to climb.† Ned kissed the tears from her eyes before they could fall. â€Å"Thank you, my lady,† he whispered. â€Å"This is hard, I know.† â€Å"What of Jon Snow, my lord?† Maester Luwin asked. Catelyn tensed at the mention of the name. Ned felt the anger in her, and pulled away. Many men fathered bastards. Catelyn had grown up with that knowledge. It came as no surprise to her, in the first year of her marriage, to learn that Ned had fathered a child on some girl chance met on campaign. He had a man's needs, after all, and they had spent that year apart, Ned off at war in the south while she remained safe in her father's castle at Riverrun. Her thoughts were more of Robb, the infant at her breast, than of the husband she scarcely knew. He was welcome to whatever solace he might find between battles. And if his seed quickened, she expected he would see to the child's needs. He did more than that. The Starks were not like other men. Ned brought his bastard home with him, and called him â€Å"son† for all the north to see. When the wars were over at last, and Catelyn rode to Winterfell, Jon and his wet nurse had already taken up residence. That cut deep. Ned would not speak of the mother, not so much as a word, but a castle has no secrets, and Catelyn heard her maids repeating tales they heard from the lips of her husband's soldiers. They whispered of Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, deadliest of the seven knights of Aerys's Kingsguard, and of how their young lord had slain him in single combat. And they told how afterward Ned had carried Ser Arthur's sword back to the beautiful young sister who awaited him in a castle called Starfall on the shores of the SummerSea. The Lady Ashara Dayne, tall and fair, with haunting violet eyes. It had taken her a fortnight to marshal her courage, but finally, in bed one night, Catelyn had asked her husband the truth of it, asked him to his face. That was the only time in all their years that Ned had ever frightened her. â€Å"Never ask me about Jon,† he said, cold as ice. â€Å"He is my blood, and that is all you need to know. And now I will learn where you heard that name, my lady.† She had pledged to obey; she told him; and from that day on, the whispering had stopped, and Ashara Dayne's name was never heard in Winterfell again. Whoever Jon's mother had been, Ned must have loved her fiercely, for nothing Catelyn said would persuade him to send the boy away. It was the one thing she could never forgive him. She had come to love her husband with all her heart, but she had never found it in her to love Jon. She might have overlooked a dozen bastards for Ned's sake, so long as they were out of sight. Jon was never out of sight, and as he grew, he looked more like Ned than any of the trueborn sons she bore him. Somehow that made it worse. â€Å"Jon must go,† she said now. â€Å"He and Robb are close,† Ned said. â€Å"I had hoped . . . â€Å" â€Å"He cannot stay here,† Catelyn said, cutting him off. â€Å"He is your son, not mine. I will not have him.† It was hard, she knew, but no less the truth. Ned would do the boy no kindness by leaving him here at Winterfell. The look Ned gave her was anguished. â€Å"You know I cannot take him south. There will be no place for him at court. A boy with a bastard's name . . . you know what they will say of him. He will be shunned.† Catelyn armored her heart against the mute appeal in her husband's eyes. â€Å"They say your friend Robert has fathered a dozen bastards himself.† â€Å"And none of them has ever been seen at court!† Ned blazed. â€Å"The Lannister woman has seen to that. How can you be so damnably cruel, Catelyn? He is only a boy. He—† His fury was on him. He might have said more, and worse, but Maester Luwin cut in. â€Å"Another solution presents itself,† he said, his voice quiet. â€Å"Your brother Benjen came to me about Jon a few days ago. It seems the boy aspires to take the black.† Ned looked shocked. â€Å"He asked to join the Night's Watch?† Catelyn said nothing. Let Ned work it out in his own mind; her voice would not be welcome now. Yet gladly would she have kissed the maester just then. His was the perfect solution. Benjen Stark was a Sworn Brother. Jon would be a son to him, the child he would never have. And in time the boy would take the oath as well. He would father no sons who might someday contest with Catelyn's own grandchildren for Winterfell. Maester Luwin said, â€Å"There is great honor in service on the Wall, my lord.† â€Å"And even a bastard may rise high in the Night's Watch,† Ned reflected. Still, his voice was troubled. â€Å"Jon is so young. If he asked this when he was a man grown, that would be one thing, but a boy of fourteen . . . â€Å" â€Å"A hard sacrifice,† Maester Luwin agreed. â€Å"Yet these are hard times, my lord. His road is no crueler than yours or your lady's.† Catelyn thought of the three children she must lose. It was not easy keeping silent then. Ned turned away from them to gaze out the window, his long face silent and thoughtful. Finally he sighed, and turned back. â€Å"Very well,† he said to Maester Luwin. â€Å"I suppose it is for the best. I will speak to Ben.† â€Å"When shall we tell Jon?† the maester asked. â€Å"When I must. Preparations must be made. It will be a fortnight before we are ready to depart. I would sooner let Jon enjoy these last few days. Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well. When the time comes, I will tell him myself.†

Problem on Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is one of the biggest problems facing our schools and businesses today. A week rarely goes by without a reminder of the pervasiveness of sexual harassment as a social problem. Sexual harassment is a growing problem in the government agencies, schools, and the corporations of the world; however, many corporations are now adopting new anti-harassment policies. (Conta) The definition of sexual harassment is any unwanted or inappropriate sexual attention. That includes touching, looks, comments, or gestures. A key part of sexual harassment is that it is one sided and unwanted. There is a great difference between sexual arassment and romance or friendship, since those are mutual feelings of two people. Often sexual harassment makes the victim feel guilty, but it is important for the victim to remember that it is not their fault, the fault lies totally on the person who is the harasser. Many times fear is involved in sexual harassment because it isn't about physical attraction, it's about power. In fact, many sexual harassment incidents take place when one person is in a position of power over the other; or when a woman has an untraditional job such as a police officer, factory worker, business executive, or ny other traditionally male job. Typical victims of harassment are young, single, college-educated, members of a minority racial or ethnic group (if male), in a trainee position (or office/ clerical positions if male), or have an immediate supervisor of the opposite Presently, it is hard for courts and others to decide when sexual harassment has taken place because the definition of sexual harassment is much too broad. Clearing up the legal definition of sexual harassment would discourage and punish harassers and bring comfort to the victims. Here are some points to remember in deciding hen sexual harassment takes place: Sexual harassment is one-sided and * It is about power and not attraction. * Subtle sexual behavior is sometimes socially acceptable, but some would consider it offensive and want it stopped. * Moderate sexual behavior is not socially acceptable, reasonable * Severe sexual behavior is never acceptable. (Swisher 28) Sexual harassment is a major problem in public schools, colleges, and universities. Surveys on college campuses show the number of respondents reporting to have been sexually harassed ranging from 40-70 percent. Only two percent of campus harassment ases involve a professor demanding sex in return for a good grade. Most cases involve male and female students. In public schools current sexual harassment definitions are inappropriate, since bad sexual behavior of today's children isn't sexual harassment, but it is a reflection of the vulgar, violent, and the sexually explicit nature of our media and culture. When little six-year-old children get suspended from school for kissing girls on the cheek, it is not an example of sexual harassment but of political Sexual harassment is still a big problem in schools and every school district in Washington now has an antiharassment policy. Junior high or middle school has the biggest problem with sexual harassment mainly because of their immaturity and out-of-control hormones†. Says Viki Simmons of the YWCA. â€Å"Many times in high school, students don't think anything about it when harassment happens, but schools are now cracking down on it†. Simmons interview) In the business world employers are now on notice that sexual harassment will no longer be tolerated in the workplace. Claims brought against alleged harassers include wrongful termination, invasion of privacy, violation of due process and free speech rights, efamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Sexual harassment usually happens to women in low-paying jobs, or women that have to have a job in order to support themselves and children. If sexual harassment happens at work, write down a detailed description of what took place, so that it is well recorded and you don't have to think back to the incident. You should keep a note pad handy for this purpose, or write it on a napkin to help you * What actually took place and what the offender said Another way to do this is to write a letter to the harasser. Be sure to keep a copy. Tell the person clearly in the letter that his behavior toward you is unwanted. Tell the person that he will be reported if the behavior doesn't stop (Kolbert). According to the research group Catalyst, recent studies have found that 40 percent to 60 percent of woman say they have been harassed sometime in their Employers have a duty to investigate allegations of sexual harassment, and their employees have a legitimate interest in knowing what activities could result in their termination. Ever clearer definitions of sexual harassment are being implemented by more and more corporations around the country. As this happens, an ncreasing number of companies are searching for new ways of protecting themselves against allegations, adopting their own anti- harassment policies to combat this growing problem. CEO's should do a variety of things to stop sexual harassment in the work place. The most important thing is senior management makes it clear to workers that harassment in any form won't be tolerated. If top managers don' take the issues seriously, employees won't either. Managers must also understand they are responsible for their Companies need an explicit written policy on sexual harassment that is widely available in the workplace. Most consultants advise companies to do more than just post the policy on bulletin boards. They should distribute it company wide, repeatedly. Copies should be included in new employee orientation packets. Employees should have clear definitions of what sexual harassment is Many companies are now offering employee training sessions on sexual harassment, and many say that follow up training is a good idea. Training programs should include all employees, rather than just managers. The tone should be gender neutral and avoid heavy discussions on male harassment that might cause some resentment among the male employees. Many times programs aren't effective because they spend a lot of time just attacking men and not the crime. Companies need a good system to deal with complaints. A clear process for handling complaints shows that a company takes them seriously. Until 1991 it was harder for woman to make allegations of sexual harassment, since woman felt like there was nothing that they could do about it. But the highly publicized hearings of Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill in 1991 changed everything. During the fall of 1991, the subject of sexual harassment grabbed news headlines. Everyone began discussing this issue and motions ran high. Judge Clarence Thomas was nominated to be a Supreme Court Justice, which is America's highest court, and Supreme Court Justices have their jobs for life. They cannot be fired. Before a person can be made a Justice, he or she must be questioned and Judge Thomas was ounce the head of a U. S. agency called the EEOC. The EEOC makes sure everyone is treated fairly when applying for a job. It also enforces laws against sexual harassment. Anita Hill is a law professor who worked with Judge Thomas at the EEOC many years ago. A few weeks into the Congressional Questioning she came orward and accused Thomas of sexual harassment. She claimed that he used to constantly ask her for dates and spoke to her about pornographic films he had seen. Anita Hill said that she was deeply offended by these remarks but felt that she could not complain. Clarence Thomas was her boss, and she thought that her career could be Anita Hill was a very believable witness. But Judge Thomas denied her charges in the strongest possible terms. Who was telling the truth? The country was divided. But the issue was being discussed everywhere. Women from all across the nation told of their experiences with sexual harassment. And many men admitted being Finally, the senate voted to approve Judge Thomas. But the vote was close. Many senators had doubts about Thomas's character. Others did not the, Thomas's career should be destroyed because of one person's story. They said there was not enough evidence to prove there was wrongdoing. In the end, everyone agreed that sexual harassment is a serious problem everyone must become more sensitive It's important to know that men have trouble too. Women are not the only victims of sexual harassment. More and more men are being harassed in the workplace, classrooms, and locker rooms. Whoever is in the position of power tends to be the harasser. Men can be victims of both woman and other men Sexual harassment is very wide spread, but there are ways of avoiding it, such as: Keeping everything strictly on a business level. If working in the same room as the harasser, create a barrier between the two work stations with a desk or file cabinet, etc. Do not ask for personal favors or special treatment from the harasser so that he won't feel he is owed anything. Do not talk about anything personal. Sexual harassment is always wrong. No one deserves it. And it is always hurtful to the victim.