The work described in this thesis demonstrates the use of supramolecular chemistry in the template-directed synthesis of porphyrin nanorings and as a tool to control conformation and topology of π-conjugated porphyrin oligomers. Particular emphasis is placed on changes to the electronic structure of these oligomers depending on their conformation. Chapter 1 gives an overview of π-conjugated porphyrin oligomers and conjugated macrocycles in general, followed by an introduction into supramolecular cooperativity and small angle X-ray scattering in solution. Chapter 2 describes advances in the synthesis, solution structure elucidation and optoelectronic properties of a fully conjugated cyclic porphyrin hexamer. The high rigidity and symmetry of this nanoring as well as its bent π-system lead to a significant decrease in its HOMO-LUMO gap. The resulting near-infrared emission was exploited in the fabrication of light emitting diodes, demonstrating the use of a bent topology for minimizing aggregation in thin films. The synthesis of a [12]porphyrin nanoring using a hexadentate template is presented in Chapter 3. The concept of Vernier templating is introduced as a general strategy for the synthesis of large monodisperse macrocycles. The nanoring is characterized and its cooperative binding to two template molecules is studied. In Chapter 4 a bidentate ligand is used in the cooperative formation of a sandwich complex beween two nanorings. Chapter 5 provides an analysis of the rigidity of the butadiyne linked porphyrin oligomers used throughout this thesis. A linear chain is significantly more flexible in solution than on a surface where it is confined within two dimensions. Analysis of the persistence length indicates that a porphyrin nanoring with more than around 20 units would not be significantly strained. The supramolecular binding of linear porphyrin oligomers to carbon nanotubes is analyzed in Chapter 6. The binding strength increases sharply with oligomer length and binding is strongest with (8,6) and (7,5) tubes. The energy level alignment in these porphyrin CNT complexes appears to be favorable for an application in photovoltaics. In Chapter 7 bisamidine-carboxylate salt bridges together with zinc-nitrogen coordination chemistry are used to access a variety of topologies in assemblies based on carboxylic acid functionalized porphyrin dimers.

This thesis describes the synthesis and investigation of novel anion templated interlocked structures which incorporate the positively charged imidazolium and triazolium binding motifs for applications in anion recognition and sensing. Chapter One introduces the fields of anion supramolecular chemistry and mechanically interlocked structures, focusing on topics of particular relevance to this thesis, including anion recognition, anion sensing and the templated synthesis of interlocked architectures. Chapter Two details the incorporation of the imidazolium motif into the axle components of anion templated rotaxane hosts to achieve selective anion recognition by virtue of their interlocked binding cavities. The effects of exploiting imidazolium motifs with contrasting hydrogen bond donor arrangements and reducing the macrocycle size on the anion recognition properties of such systems were investigated using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Chapter Three reports the work undertaken to utilise fluorescent reporter groups as stoppers in the synthesis of anion sensing rotaxanes. Imidazolium- and triazolium based systems containing either luminescent ruthenium(II) bipyridyl complexes or the organic fluorophore anthracene were prepared and their anion sensing behaviours explored using fluorescence spectroscopy. Synthetic efforts to construct suitable photo-active rotaxanes are detailed. Chapter Four describes investigations of the novel naphthalimide triazolium motif both for use in interlocked molecular motion systems, and for fluorescence sensing applications. The preparation of a naphthalimide triazolium rotaxane, capable of selective, anion-induced, uni-directional shuttling which was investigated extensively using 1H NMR spectroscopy and optically signalled by perturbations in the UV/Vis spectrum, is detailed. Preliminary research studies into the potential to exploit this motif for surface based fluorescence sensing devices are also included. Chapter Five presents research into the utilisation of acyclic receptors displaying considerable binding induced conformational changes for fluorescence anion sensing. The recognition properties of a series of imidazolium-based receptors were studied, whilst the ability of a pyrene appended analogue to signal anion complexation via changes in excimer emission is reported. The control of interpenetrated assembly formation using anion-induced conformational changes within the threading component of a pseudorotaxane is also discussed. Chapter Six provides the experimental procedures and characterisation details for the compounds synthesised in this thesis. Chapter Seven is a summary of conclusions from Chapters Two, Three, Four and Five. Supplementary information relating to titration protocols, crystallographic data and surface studies is provided in the Appendices.

This thesis explores the surface assembly of mechanically interlocked molecular architectures at gold surfaces for potential applications in molecular switches, anion sensing and stimuli (redox and optical) responsive molecular films. <b>Chapter One</b> introduces the field of mechanically interlocked molecules focusing on rotaxane and catenane surface assemblies in the form of single molecule thick self-assembled monolayers. A review of the surface-attached characteristics of mechanically interlocked molecules is given before exploring specific anion template directed strategies for their construction. The potential to incorporate both redox-active and optically-active functional groups within these mechanically interlocked molecules is also discussed. <b>Chapter Two</b> provides the experimental details and procedures employed in this thesis to characterise the molecular systems under investigation. <b>Chapter Three</b> introduces several surface characterisation techniques such as; ellipsometry, contact angle, X-ray reflectivity and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, with a particular focus of applying these tools to probe the surface co-conformation of switchable and interlocked molecules at surfaces. Electroanalytical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrical impedance spectroscopy are also introduced. <b>Chapter Four</b> details the surface assembly of a series of ferrocene containing anion templated catenane self-assembled monolayers on gold. Detailed electrochemical and angle resolved X- ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterisation elucidates the co-conformation upon surface attachment. <b>Chapter Five</b> details the anion templated surface assembly of a redox-active rotaxane self- assembled monolayer on gold. Subsequent electroanalysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterisation confirms the structural integrity of the film and a possible co- conformation at the surface is discussed. <b>Chapter Six</b> describes efforts towards constructing optically responsive hybrid d-f lanthanide containing mechanically interlocked molecules. Initial work focuses on switching characteristics of a redox switchable antennae and its ability to modulate the luminescence of a series of lanthanide complexes in solution. Subsequent surface attachment of the lanthanide complexes in the form of emissive self-assembled monolayers is also investigated.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Magister Technologiae: Chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Science at the CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY 2012 / Chirality is very important to the pharmaceutical industry as enantiomers have the same macroproperties except for their optical and pharmacological activity. Industrial research has thus focused to find the most effective resolution technique. However, our aim was to obtain more information regarding the discrimination process. In this project the structures of the hydrates of di-quininium L-malate, (2QUIN+)(L-MA2-)•2H2O and the di-quininium D-malate, (2QUIN+)(D-MA2-)•2H2O have been investigated. (-)-Quinine (QUIN) did not show selectivity between the D and L malic acid and the structure of (2QUIN+)(DL-MA2-)•2H2O was obtained. Effect of solvents was demonstrated in the study and the structure of (QUIN+)(D-MA-)•H2O) was reported. The relationship between C-O bonds of the carboxylate and carboxylic moieties and ÄpKa was explored in salt and co-crystal formation. Kinetics of absorption was conducted for the reaction of (+)-deoxycholic acid (DCA) with n-propylamine and DCA with racemic sec-butylamine. The rate constants of the reactions were determined. Kinetics of desolvation was performed on the powder samples of mixtures of DCA and sec-butylamine and DCA with di-n-butylamine. Non-isothermal methods were used where a series of TG analyses was carried out at different heating rates (2, 4, 10, 32 K min-1). The structures of DCA with n-propylamine and di-n-butylamine were elucidated. The selectivity of DCA was investigated. The host compound was found to be able to successfully resolve racemic sec-butylamine (2-BUAM) and 2-amino-3-methylbutane (MeBUAM). The structures of DCA with enantiomers of these guests are reported in the study. The structures of R-BUAM and S-BUAM were solved in different space groups while R-MeBUAM and S-MeBUAM crystallized in the same space group.

Através da abordagem bottom-up, foram desenvolvidos novos sistemas supramoleculares baseados em complexos metálicos ligados por meio do ligante conjugado, trans-1,4-bis[2-(4-piridil)etenil]benzeno (BPEB). A combinação adequada de várias espécies selecionadas, conduziu a compostos bastante interessantes que foram caracterizados por meio 1H-RNM, voltametria cíclica e de espectrometria de massa, espectroscopia eletrônica, espectroeletroquímica. Seus correspondentes filmes moleculares também foram investigados por meio de microscopia de força atômica. Um desses sistemas foi constituído por clusters triangulares de acetato de rutênio com pontes &#181;-oxo e BPEB. Nesses casos, a espectrometria de massa acoplada à técnica de dissociação induzida por colisão, foi uma ferramenta poderosa para a investigação do processo de fragmentação em fase gasosa, permitindo a caracterização de novos intermediários, bem como a avaliação das energias de ligação envolvidas nos sistemas. Uma correlação linear das energias de ligação e parâmetros eletroquímicos foi demonstrada neste trabalho. Além disso, o comportamento eletrocrômico dos clusters de BPEB suportados sobre dióxido de titânio nanocristalino, também foi explorado na elaboração de dispositivos eletrocrômicos, com ótimo desempenho em termos de mudanças ópticas, reversibilidade e reprodutibilidade. Outro tipo de sistema foi baseado em complexos de rutênio-bipiridina e BPEB. Esses complexos foram empregados com bons resultados como sensibilizadores em células fotoeletroquímicas baseadas em dióxido de titânio nanocristalino, bem como em dispositivos eletrocrômicos de mesma natureza. Finalmente, as características estruturais do BPEB mostraram ser adequadas para exploração do reconhecimento molecular dos complexos na presença de &#946;-ciclodextrina (&#946;-CD). Neste estudo, foram gerados rotaxanos por meio da automontagem coordenativa do complexo binuclear &#181;-BPEB- bis[pentacianoferrato(II)] na presença de &#946;-CD. Também foi demonstrado por meio de 1H-NMR, que a agregação do complexo de BPEB é bastante pronunciada em espectros de solução aquosa, sendo porém inibida na presença de &#946;-CD. / The bottom up approach has been applied for the development of new supramolecular systems based on metal complexes connected by the linear, conjugated bridging ligand trans-1,4-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]benzene (BPEB). The combination of the many selected species led to very interesting compounds, which have been extensively characterized by means of ESI-MS, electronic spectroscopy, 1H-NMR, cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry. Their molecular films have also been investigated by means of atomic force microscopy. One of such systems was constituted by triangular µ-oxo bridged ruthenium acetate clusters containing BPEB. In particular, mass spectrometry coupled with a collision induced dissociation technique provided a versatile tool for the investigation of their fragmentation process, allowing the characterization of novel intermediates, as well as, the evaluation of the binding energies involved in the systems. A linear correlation of the binding energies and electrochemical parameters has also been demonstrated in this work. In addition, the electrochromic behavior of the cluster-BPEB complexes supported on nanocrystalline titanium dioxide has also been exploited for the design of novel electrochromic devices, exhibiting sharp optical changes, high reversibility and great reproducibility. Another interesting type of system was based on polypyridine ruthenium(II) complexes and BPEB. Such species have been successfully employed as sensitizers in nanocrystalline titanium dioxide photoelectrochemical cells, and in photoelectrochromic devices. Finally, the suitable structural characteristics of BPEB have been explored in molecular recognition processes involving the corresponding complexes in the presence of ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD). In this study, rotaxanes have been generated by coordination self-assembly of the binuclear µ-BPEB- bis[pentacyanoferrate(II)] complex and ß-CD. It has also been shown that the aggregation of the BPEB complexes, which proceeds to a high extent in aqueous solution, can be inhibited by adding ß-CD, as deduced by means of 1H-NMR spectroscopy

A química supramolecular de porfirinas e clusters trinucleares de rutênio foi investigada sob o ponto de vista teórico-experimental. Através do desenvolvimento de uma nova metodologia baseada em ferramentas teóricas, as propriedades desses sistemas puderam ser explicadas à luz da mecânica quântica, revelando os mecanismos eletrônicos envolvidos na modificação das propriedades dos anéis porfirínicos pelos compostos de coordenação. As geometrias, a dinâmica e as estruturas eletrônicas desses sistemas foram obtidas através do desenvolvimento de novos parâmetros para campos de força empíricos, e da utilização de métodos semi-empíricos e ab initio. Essas foram utilizadas para interpretar as propriedades físico-químicas dos mesmos, como por exemplo a associação intermolecular em solução e na forma de filmes finos obtidos sobre superfícies não rugosas. O estudo teórico detalhado das estruturas eletrônicas dessas espécies comprovou que a influência supramolecular dos compostos de coordenação se dá através de orbitais de simetria &#960;, representando o principal mecanismo de ativação de anéis porfirínicos por compostos de coordenação. Essa ativação diferenciada pôde ser evidenciada experimentalmente pela aplicação dessas espécies em células fotoeletroquímicas e em sistemas de catálise com atividade citocromo P-450. / The supramolecular chemistry of porphyrins and trinuclear ruthenium clusters has been investigated by a theoretical-experimental approach. Through the development of a new methodology based on theoretical tools, their relevant properties were explained using quantum mechanics, disclosing the electronic mechanisms by which coordination compounds modify the properties of porphyrin rings. Geometries, dynamics and electronic structures of these systems have been obtained by the development of new parameters for empirical force fields, and through semiempirical and ab initio methods. They have been used to explain the physical-chemical properties as, for example, the intermolecular association in solution, and thin film formation over flat surfaces. According to the detailed theoretical study coordination compounds increase the catalytic activity of porphyrin rings via &#960;-orbital coupling, and this is the main mechanism of porphyrin activation. Such enhanced activity has been experimentally observed in photoelectrochemical devices and in the oxidation catalysis of organic substrates, providing synthetic models of cytochrome P-450 systems.

Através da abordagem bottom-up, foram desenvolvidos novos sistemas supramoleculares baseados em complexos metálicos ligados por meio do ligante conjugado, trans-1,4-bis[2-(4-piridil)etenil]benzeno (BPEB). A combinação adequada de várias espécies selecionadas, conduziu a compostos bastante interessantes que foram caracterizados por meio 1H-RNM, voltametria cíclica e de espectrometria de massa, espectroscopia eletrônica, espectroeletroquímica. Seus correspondentes filmes moleculares também foram investigados por meio de microscopia de força atômica. Um desses sistemas foi constituído por clusters triangulares de acetato de rutênio com pontes &#181;-oxo e BPEB. Nesses casos, a espectrometria de massa acoplada à técnica de dissociação induzida por colisão, foi uma ferramenta poderosa para a investigação do processo de fragmentação em fase gasosa, permitindo a caracterização de novos intermediários, bem como a avaliação das energias de ligação envolvidas nos sistemas. Uma correlação linear das energias de ligação e parâmetros eletroquímicos foi demonstrada neste trabalho. Além disso, o comportamento eletrocrômico dos clusters de BPEB suportados sobre dióxido de titânio nanocristalino, também foi explorado na elaboração de dispositivos eletrocrômicos, com ótimo desempenho em termos de mudanças ópticas, reversibilidade e reprodutibilidade. Outro tipo de sistema foi baseado em complexos de rutênio-bipiridina e BPEB. Esses complexos foram empregados com bons resultados como sensibilizadores em células fotoeletroquímicas baseadas em dióxido de titânio nanocristalino, bem como em dispositivos eletrocrômicos de mesma natureza. Finalmente, as características estruturais do BPEB mostraram ser adequadas para exploração do reconhecimento molecular dos complexos na presença de &#946;-ciclodextrina (&#946;-CD). Neste estudo, foram gerados rotaxanos por meio da automontagem coordenativa do complexo binuclear &#181;-BPEB- bis[pentacianoferrato(II)] na presença de &#946;-CD. Também foi demonstrado por meio de 1H-NMR, que a agregação do complexo de BPEB é bastante pronunciada em espectros de solução aquosa, sendo porém inibida na presença de &#946;-CD. / The bottom up approach has been applied for the development of new supramolecular systems based on metal complexes connected by the linear, conjugated bridging ligand trans-1,4-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]benzene (BPEB). The combination of the many selected species led to very interesting compounds, which have been extensively characterized by means of ESI-MS, electronic spectroscopy, 1H-NMR, cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry. Their molecular films have also been investigated by means of atomic force microscopy. One of such systems was constituted by triangular µ-oxo bridged ruthenium acetate clusters containing BPEB. In particular, mass spectrometry coupled with a collision induced dissociation technique provided a versatile tool for the investigation of their fragmentation process, allowing the characterization of novel intermediates, as well as, the evaluation of the binding energies involved in the systems. A linear correlation of the binding energies and electrochemical parameters has also been demonstrated in this work. In addition, the electrochromic behavior of the cluster-BPEB complexes supported on nanocrystalline titanium dioxide has also been exploited for the design of novel electrochromic devices, exhibiting sharp optical changes, high reversibility and great reproducibility. Another interesting type of system was based on polypyridine ruthenium(II) complexes and BPEB. Such species have been successfully employed as sensitizers in nanocrystalline titanium dioxide photoelectrochemical cells, and in photoelectrochromic devices. Finally, the suitable structural characteristics of BPEB have been explored in molecular recognition processes involving the corresponding complexes in the presence of ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD). In this study, rotaxanes have been generated by coordination self-assembly of the binuclear µ-BPEB- bis[pentacyanoferrate(II)] complex and ß-CD. It has also been shown that the aggregation of the BPEB complexes, which proceeds to a high extent in aqueous solution, can be inhibited by adding ß-CD, as deduced by means of 1H-NMR spectroscopy

A química supramolecular de porfirinas e clusters trinucleares de rutênio foi investigada sob o ponto de vista teórico-experimental. Através do desenvolvimento de uma nova metodologia baseada em ferramentas teóricas, as propriedades desses sistemas puderam ser explicadas à luz da mecânica quântica, revelando os mecanismos eletrônicos envolvidos na modificação das propriedades dos anéis porfirínicos pelos compostos de coordenação. As geometrias, a dinâmica e as estruturas eletrônicas desses sistemas foram obtidas através do desenvolvimento de novos parâmetros para campos de força empíricos, e da utilização de métodos semi-empíricos e ab initio. Essas foram utilizadas para interpretar as propriedades físico-químicas dos mesmos, como por exemplo a associação intermolecular em solução e na forma de filmes finos obtidos sobre superfícies não rugosas. O estudo teórico detalhado das estruturas eletrônicas dessas espécies comprovou que a influência supramolecular dos compostos de coordenação se dá através de orbitais de simetria &#960;, representando o principal mecanismo de ativação de anéis porfirínicos por compostos de coordenação. Essa ativação diferenciada pôde ser evidenciada experimentalmente pela aplicação dessas espécies em células fotoeletroquímicas e em sistemas de catálise com atividade citocromo P-450. / The supramolecular chemistry of porphyrins and trinuclear ruthenium clusters has been investigated by a theoretical-experimental approach. Through the development of a new methodology based on theoretical tools, their relevant properties were explained using quantum mechanics, disclosing the electronic mechanisms by which coordination compounds modify the properties of porphyrin rings. Geometries, dynamics and electronic structures of these systems have been obtained by the development of new parameters for empirical force fields, and through semiempirical and ab initio methods. They have been used to explain the physical-chemical properties as, for example, the intermolecular association in solution, and thin film formation over flat surfaces. According to the detailed theoretical study coordination compounds increase the catalytic activity of porphyrin rings via &#960;-orbital coupling, and this is the main mechanism of porphyrin activation. Such enhanced activity has been experimentally observed in photoelectrochemical devices and in the oxidation catalysis of organic substrates, providing synthetic models of cytochrome P-450 systems.

La polarisation de la lumière, bien que connue depuis fort longtemps, pourrait être plus exploitée. Cependant, de plus en plus d’entreprises de pointe dans les domaines de la sécurité et la transmission d’information commencent à l’utiliser. Une raison de la sous-exploitation actuelle de la polarisation vient des méthodes de polarisation, qui ont une transmission de la lumière limitée (généralement jusqu’à 45%). Afin d’outrepasser cette limite physique, un moyen est d’utiliser des matériaux fluorescents émettant une lumière polarisée. Cependant, la synthèse et la purification de tels matériaux sont compliquées et obtenir les deux énantiomères n’est pas toujours possible. Ce travail se concentre sur une nouvelle méthode de synthèse, plus simple, utilisant des nano-structures hybrides ou inorganiques hélicoïdale, et des luminophores organiques pouvant interagir ensemble. L’agrégation chirale des chromophores autour des structures formera ainsi des nano-objets fluorescents chiraux. Le premier chapitre explique comment la chiralité est aujourd’hui présente dans tous les domaines et à toutes les échelles, des molécules aux objets du quotidien. Nous y étudierons également l’induction de la chiralité à différentes échelles. Le second aspect de ce travail, l’interaction lumière-matière, sera également mis en avant, aussi bien concernant l’absorption que l’émission lumineuse, mais aussi en quoi l’assemblage des molécules peut affecter ces propriétés. Nous nous pencherons également sur les cas très particuliers du dichroïsme circulaire et de la luminescence circulairement polarisée. Pour finir, nous verrons quels sont les matériaux actuels existant pour obtenir ces propriétés et quels sont leurs inconvénients. Afin d’outrepasser ces défauts, nous avons choisi d’utiliser deux systèmes. Le premier, constitué de nano-hélices organiques dans une coque de silice a pour avantage d’utiliser à la fois une induction de chiralité par assemblage des chromophores organiques, mais aussi une seconde induction de la chiralité à l’échelle moléculaire. L’inconvénient étant que ce système n’est pas très robuste à un changement d’environnement. Pour résoudre cet inconvénient, nous n’avons conservé, dans un second temps, que la coque de silice afin de l’utiliser comme patron pour supporter le greffage covalent de luminophores à sa surface. Dans le second chapitre, la méthode de synthèse des nano-structures sera présentée. De même le choix des différents luminophores utilisés dans ces travaux sera justifié, et leur voie de synthèse, expliquée. Enfin, les différentes méthodes de caractérisation seront détaillées. Le troisième chapitre portera sur les résultats obtenus lors de l’intégration de chromophores non-chiraux dans les hélices hybrides, ou leur de greffage sur les structures inorganiques. Nous y verrons l’importance à la fois de l’assemblage intermoléculaire, mais aussi de l’interaction avec un environnement chiral, pour l’induction de chiralité dans le but d’obtenir dichroïsme circulaire et luminescence circulairement polarisée. Les différents chromophores utilisés y sont présentés et comparés permettant la mise en évidence des principaux facteurs aidant à l’induction de chiralité pour chaque type de structure. Enfin, un dernier chapitre s’intéressera à des systèmes plus complexes utilisant des molécules présentant en solution des propriétés chiro-optiques, ou ayant la capacité de s’agréger en nano-structures ayant de telles propriétés, et ce afin de savoir si leurs propriétés sont ajustables grâce à l’utilisation des hélices hybrides pour leur imposer une agrégation spécifique. Une dernière approche a également été étudiée, en synthétisant des quantum-dots carbonés fluorescents à partir des nano-structures hybrides. Ces quantum-dots, s’ils conservent la forme de la structure initiale, pourraient posséder un dichroïsme circulaire et une luminescence circulairement polarisée sans besoin de les complexer avec une molécule chirale. / The polarization of light, despite being known since long time, is recently at the center of renewed interest. More and more high technology companies in the fields of safety and information transmission are starting to exploit this property. One bottleneck for their use comes from the limitation in the light transmission of current methods of polarization (typically up to 45%). In order to overpass this physical limitation, one possible approach would be to use fluorescent materials emitting polarized light. However, the synthesis and purification of such materials is complex and obtaining both enantiomers is not always possible. The current work focus on a new synthetic pathway, possibly simpler and more versatile, using chiral hybrid or inorganic nano-helices and organic fluorophores interacting together. The aggregation of chromophores around the template will form chiral fluorescent nano-objects. The first chapter explains how chirality is present in many fields and at every scale, from molecules to daily objects. We will discuss the way of inducting or transferring chirality. The second facet of this work, light-matter interactions, will also be explained, concerning both absorption and emission of light, but also on how molecular assembly can affect these properties. We will study into detail the very particular case of circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence. Finally, we will see the existing systems that are used to obtain these properties and the drawback of these materials. In this work, we chose to use two systems. The first, constituted of organic nano-helices in a silica shell, has the advantage of using the organic template confined in chiral nano-space to induce chirality to the organic chromophores in interaction with them molecularly, but also through aggregation due to the confinement. The disadvantage being that this system is not robust toward environmental changes. The alternative approach is to use the silica shell as an inorganic template for the covalent grafting of fluorophores onto its surface. In the second chapter, the method for the synthesis of nano-structures is described, along with an explanation on the choice and synthesis of the chromophores used in this study. Finally, the characterization processes used are detailed. The third chapter will focus on the results we obtained when integrating achiral chromophores into hybrid helices or by grafting then onto the silica surface. We will see the importance of the intermolecular assembly and of the interaction with a chiral environment to obtain circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence through chiral induction. Various fluorophores are presented and compared allowing the understanding of the key parameters for chirality induction of each type of structure.In the last chapter, more complex systems are studied using molecules presenting chiroptical properties in solution state or having the ability to form self-assemblies showing such properties. The objective will be to tune the chiroptical properties of these chromophores, by the use of hybrid helices to force a specific organization. The last part will focus on the synthesis of fluorescent carbon based quantum dots using hybrid structures. These quantum dots, can retain the shape of the original structure and show circular dichroism or circularly polarized luminescence without needing to form a complex with an external source of molecular chirality.

Cette thèse démontre le potentiel dont dispose l’exfoliation en phase liquide du graphite dans le but d’obtenir des feuillets de graphène dispersés dans un solvant organique. Ainsi le mécanisme d’exfoliation a été étudié en profondeur, en particulier, l’influence de plusieurs paramètres (température, puissance et solvants). Le choix de ses paramètres se montre crucial dans le contrôle du procédé, et pour l’obtention des feuillets de graphène ayant une taille ciblée. Il est donc possible de fabriquer des nano-feuillets de quelques dizaines de nanomètre qui en plus possèdent des propriétés de photoluminescence.Dans le but de comprendre le mécanisme d’exfoliation en phase liquide assistée par des molécules, une nouvelle approche a été mise au point : l’approche supramoléculaire. Cette approche se base sur l’utilisation de surfactants d’un nouveau type. En effet, les molécules sélectionnées possèdent une longue chaine alkyle. Cette chaine s’adsorbe sur la surface du graphène et permet de stabiliser les feuillets lors de l’exfoliation. L’influence de la taille de la chaine alkyle de ces molécules lors de l’exfoliation a été vérifiée. De plus, ces molécules ont été équipées de différentes fonctions supramoléculaires afin qu’elles puissent former des dimères sur la surface du graphène. L’ajout de ces molécules augmente non seulement le rendement d’exfoliation mais aussi le nombre de mono-feuillets présents dans ces dispersions. Ces dispersions présentent des propriétés conductrices lorsqu’elles sont déposées sur des substrats. Une nouvelles méthode de déposition a été mise au point afin d’améliorer et d’augmenter la conductivité mais aussi le pourcentage de transparence. / This thesis demonstrates the potential of exfoliation of the graphite in the liquid phase in order to obtain graphene sheets dispersed in an organic solvent. Thus the exfoliation mechanism has been studied, in particular, the influence of several parameters (temperature, power and solvents). The choice of parameters is actually crucial for the control of the process, and to obtain graphene sheets having a targeted size. It is therefore possible to manufacture nanosheets of several tens of nanometers, which in addition exhibit photoluminescence properties.In order to understand the exfoliation mechanism in liquid phase assisted by molecules, a new approach has been developed: the supramolecular approach. This approach is based on using a new type of surfactant. Indeed, the selected molecules carry a long alkyl chain. This chain is adsorbed on the surface of graphene and can stabilize the sheets during exfoliation. The influence of the size of the alkyl chain of these molecules during exfoliation was verified. Furthermore, these molecules have been equipped with various supramolecular functions, which can form dimers on the surface of graphene. The addition of these molecules not only increases exfoliation performance but also the number of mono-layers present in these dispersions. These dispersions have conductive properties when deposited on substrates. A new deposition method was developed to enhance and increase conductivity but also the percentage of transparency.