Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a carbon nanotube comprising positive and/or negative charges, the charges being carried by at least one charge-carrying group, the charge carrying group being covalently bound to the surface of the carbon nanotube, for the manufacture of a complex between the carbon nanotube and at least one charged molecule, the bond between the carbon nanotube and the charged molecule being essentially electrostatic, and the charged molecule comprising at least one negative charge if the carbon nanotube comprises positive charges and/or at least one positive charge if the carbon nanotube comprises negative charges.

Abstract: There is provided a novel compound of the general formula I in which each of R8 to R10 is hydrogen, aryl, C1-6 alkyl, trialkylsilyl or acyl; R1 to R5 are individually selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-6 alkoxy and acyloxy; R6 and R7 are H, C1-4 alkyl, trialkylsilyl or acyl; X is O or NR, and R is H or Me; in which any of the alkyl groups including alkyl groups in alkoxy, acyl and acyloxy groups may be substituted by aryl, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, hydroxyl, trialkylsiloxy or acyloxy groups; with the proviso that R2 and R3 are not both OH when R4 is H or OH, R1 and R5 are both H, and X is O. The amide compounds (X is NR) are analogues of epigallocatechin gallate or epicatechin galate, with an amide bond in place of the natural ester bond, with resistance to hydrolysis by esterase enzymes. The ester compounds (X is O) have a different hydroxylation pattern on the B ring as compared to the natural products.