Ces vingt dernières années, le domaine du design et de la synthèse de machines moléculaires complexes a fait d’énormes progrès,souvent inspiré par la beauté de la machinerie présente dans les systèmes vivants. Cependant, l’amplification des mouvements d’un grand nombre de machines moléculaires à des échelles de tailles largement supérieures à leurs dimensions restent un défi théorique et expérimental ambitieux et ardu. Ce travail décrit comment l’organisation de machines et moteurs moléculaires dans des réseaux polymères supramoléculaires ou covalents permet de synthétiser des matériaux dans lesquels leurs mouvements individuels nanométriques sont amplifiés jusqu’à l’échelle macroscopique. Les trois premiers chapitres décrivent l’utilisation d’une architecture de type [c2]daisy chains, une molécule capable d’effectuer des contraction/extensions similaires aux mouvements des sarcomères présents dans les muscles, dans des réseaux polymères supramoléculaires et covalents. Leur introduction dans des polymères supramoléculaires à liaisons hydrogène basées sur le motif de reconnaissance uracil:2,6-diacetylaminopyridine associé à des interactions latérales tel que les interactions π résulta en la formation de fibre supramoléculaires contractiles dont la taille et la morphologie a pu être commuté entre deux états étendus et contractés. L’incorporation de motifs uréidopyrimidinone comme connecteur supramoléculaire en revanche donna accès à des gels supramoléculaires, évoluant vers un état liquide lors de la contraction des chaines polymères. Finalement, l’inclusion de daisy chains dans un réseau polymère 3D a donné accès à un gel chimique. Ce matériau a pu être contracté et étendu à l’échelle macroscopique grâce à l’action combinée des machines moléculaires le constituant.Le quatrième chapitre est dédié à l’amélioration d’un gel contractile basé sur l’utilisation de moteurs moléculaires rotatif comme noeud de réticulation d’un réseau polymère. Une unité modulatrice, capable d’être commuté entre un état “ouvert” et “fermé”, a été introduite dans le réseau aux côtés du moteur. Le modulateur dans son état “fermé” permet aux moteurs moléculaires de contracter efficacement le réseau, tandis que dans son état ouvert il permet aux chaines de se dérouler alors que le moteur ne tourne pas, ce qui provoque l’extension du réseau qui retourne à sa taille initiale. En résumé, le travail décrit dans ce manuscrit illustre que des machines moléculaires soigneusement conçue peuvent être introduites dans des réseaux polymères, fournissant des matériaux dont les propriétés macroscopiques sont affectées par les mouvements nanoscopiques de ses constituants. Ces résultats fournissent des pistes et une base fondamentale pour l’élaboration d’une nouvelle classe de matériaux contractiles basés sur des machines moléculaires. / The last twenty years have seen tremendous progresses in the design and synthesis of complex molecular machines, often inspired by the beauty of the machinery found in biological systems. However, amplification of the molecular machines motion over several orders of magnitude above their typical length scale is still an ambitious challenge. This work describes how self-organization of molecular machines or motors allows for the synthesis of materials translating the motions of their components into a macroscopic response. The three first chapters describe the use of a [c2]daisy chains architecture, a molecule able to perform contraction/extension motions similarly to the sarcomere units of muscles, into systems such as supramolecular polymers and covalent networks. Their inclusion into hydrogen bonding supramolecular polymers based on the uracil:2,6-diacetylaminopyridine recognition motifs combined with lateral interactions such as π-stacking provided micrometric muscle-like fibers contracting and extending upon deprotonation and protonation.The incorporation of ureidopyrimidone moieties as supramolecular connectors yielded highly organized gels, which evolved to a liquidstate upon contraction of the polymer chains. Finally, covalent poly[c2]daisy chains were synthesized and investigated, notably the formation of a 3D network swelling into a gel. This material could contract and extend at the macroscopic scale upon contraction and extension of the molecular machines used as monomers. Finally, a fourth chapter is dedicated to the improvement of contractile chemical gels made by using a molecular motor as reticulating nodes. A modulating unit, able to be switched between a “closed” and an “opened” state, was introduced into the polymer network along with the motor. The locked structure in the “closed” state allowed contraction of the gel upon rotation of the molecular motors, while the “opened” state allowed unwinding of the entangled polymer chains and extension of the gel when the motor is off. Overall, the work presented in this manuscript demonstrates that carefully designed molecular machines can be incorporated into large supramolecular or covalent assemblies, providing materials which collective motions alter their macroscopic properties. These results provide valuable insights for the elaboration of a new class of muscle-like materials based on molecular machines.

L’objectif de cette thèse a été de synthétiser et de caractériser des assemblages linéaires de porphyrines reliées par des ions métalliques. Par réaction de porphyrines possédant un site de coordination externe avec des ions platine(II), des nouveaux homodimères et de nouvelles dyades ont pu être obtenus. Les mesures photochimiques et électrochimiques de ces composés ont alors permis de mettre en évidence un accroissement des interactions électroniques entre les sous-unités par rapport aux systèmes reliés par du palladium(II). Des transferts d’énergie ultra-rapides ont notamment été mis en évidence. Une série de monomères de porphyrines métallées en périphérie avec du palladium(II) ou du platine(II) ont ensuite été préparées. Pour ces molécules, les propriétés électroniques varient très peu en modifiant le complexe porté par la porphyrine. Des assemblages incorporant une unité porphyrinique difonctionnalisée ont ensuite été développés. La méthodologie utilisée a permis d’accéder à des trimères et des tétramères en solution comportant des porphyrines de nickel(II) ou de palladium(II). L’étude physico-chimique de ces composés a montré que les porphyrines interagissaient peu à travers les ions métalliques connecteurs. Enfin,des porphyrines difonctionnalisées comportant de longues chaînes alkyles ont été préparées. Comme cela a été vu grâce à la STM, certaines de ces molécules peuvent s’auto-assembler sur surface de graphite (HOPG) et ont permis de former des oligomères en présence d’ions métalliques / The goal of this thesis was to synthesize and characterize linear porphyrins assemblies linked by metal ions. The reaction of porphyrins bearing an external coordination group with platinum(II) ions led to the formation of new homodimers and new dyads. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated an increase in the electronic communication between the two subunits of the Pt-linked dimers compared to Pd-linked systems. In addition, an ultrafast energy transfer between the subunits was observed in the new dyads. Porphyrin monomers metalated at their periphery with palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes were also prepared. Trimers and tetramers were obtained by reacting porphyrins with various external coordination sites with metal ions. With porphyrins bearing additional long alkyl chains, self assembly at the solid/liquid interface was also studied by STM. In particular, addition of metal ions to these self-assembled systems on HOPG led to linear porphyrin arrays.

Analogues aux cyclotrivératrilènes et aux calix[n]arènes, les pillar[n]arènes sont composés de n unités hydroquinoliques et reliés entre elles par un pont méthylénique en position para. Ces macrocycles ont été utilisés en tant que supports fonctionnalisables afin de préparer divers nanomatériaux. Dans ce contexte, la modification chimique du pont méthylénique a été réalisée sur le pillar[5]arène afin d’obtenir un nouveau site de fonctionnalisation, à ce jour jamais exploité. L’oxydation de cette position a permis dans un premier temps de réaliser une extension de cycle par une réaction de Colvin, afin d’obtenir un macrocycle portant une triple liaison tendue. Cette particularité a permis la réalisation de cycloaddition 1,3-dipolaire de Huisgen ou chimie click sans utilisation de cuivre(I), mais également l’obtention de produits de cycloadditions [2+2] par voie thermique normalement interdites. L’introduction d’un fullerène C60 sur ce pont méthylénique a également été réalisée sans déformation de la cavité. C’est pourquoi dans un deuxième temps des [2]rotaxanes photoactifs ont pu être élaborés à partir de ce fulléropillar[5]arène. Dans un dernier temps, une nouvelle méthode de préparation des [2]rotaxanes a été développée. Par échange de bouchons activés, divers [2]rotaxanes ont pu être synthétisés, sans être limités par la nature des bouchons souhaités. A partir de cette méthode de préparation, des cristaux liquides ont pu être obtenus en substituant ces bouchons activés par des bouchons portants des groupements post-fonctionnalisables, puis en greffant des groupements cyanobiphényles. / Analogues of cyclotriveratrylenes and calix[n]arenes, pillar[n]arenes are composed of 1,4-disubstituted hydroquinone subunits linked by methylene bridges in their para positions. This macrocyclic core has been used as a compact scaffold for the preparation of nanomaterials. In this context, the chemical modification of the methylene bridge has been achieved to further functionalize the core in a way never explored so far. Firstly, oxidation of this position followed by Colvin reaction generated a strained triple bond in the macrocyclic scaffold. This particularity allowed the introduction of functional groups under copper free Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions as well as by thermal [2+2] cycloadditions normally prohibited. Insertion of [60]fullerene on the methylene bridge has been also carried out. In a second time, photoactive [2]rotaxanes have been obtained from this fulleropillar[5]arene. Finally, a new methodology for the preparation of [2]rotaxanes has been developed. By exchange of activated stoppers, various [2]rotaxanes were thus obtained and this method is not limited by the nature of the stopper. This methodology has been used to prepare new liquid crystalline rotaxane derivatives by introduction of clickable stoppers followed by the grafting of dendritic mesogenic subunits.

The work highlighted in this dissertation comprises of syntheses and characterizations of coordination driven supramolecular compounds. The synthesized complexes are characterized by IR spectroscopy, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and single crystal structure determination. Chapter 2: In this chapter we attempted to make a three dimensional self-assembled cage by the reaction between N, N’, N’’- tris(3-pyridyl)trimesic amide a tritopic donor and Pt(II) based 90° ditopic acceptor cis-(dppe)Pt(II)(OTf)2 [dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane]. It resulted in a trigonal bipyramidal structure. The cage was characterized by single crystal XRD and FT-IR spectra. Chapter 3: In this chapter we have reported the synthesis and characterization of two hereby unknown metal containing carboxylic acid ligands containing the Pt-ethynyl moiety. Also we have shown the preparation and structure analysis of a copper containing metal-organic framework incorporating one of the Pt-ethynyl containing carboxylic acid ligand. This has resulted in the formation of a very interesting hetero-metallic MOF which is quite uncommon in literature.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Stefan Bossmann / A series of methylene-bridged resorcin[4]arenes featuring electrochemically active and hydrophilic viologene-units chemically attached to their "rim"-regions have been synthesized. Depending on the choices of pendent groups (feet) and the numbers of positive charges on the "rim" (four or eight), moderate to very good solubilities in water were obtained. A fluorescent coumarin tag designed for the purpose of photophysical studies was chemically linked to the feet of some of the synthesized resorcin[4]arenes. These compounds were designed to act as guests in mycobacterial channel proteins (channel blockers). The proven host-guest interaction between resorcin[4]arenes and the mycobacterial porin MspA suggests potential application of my research in TB treatment. Both, hydrophilic nutrients and metabolites have to diffuse through the porin channels of mycobacteria because of the lack of an active transport mechanism. If these channels are successfully blocked, the mycobacteria have either to synthesize new channels, which make their outer membrane more susceptible to conventional antibiotics, or they become dormant. (3,3'-dimethyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium units are very suitable electron relays. They can be reduced stepwise to viologen monoradical cations and then to uncharged viologen diradicals which possess highly negative redox potentials, allowing them to reduce C-Cl bonds. Therefore, the deep cavitand viologen resorcin[4]arenas, are expected to bind and detoxify chlorinated hydrocarbons by reductive dechlorination. In this work, the step wise reduction process of viologen- resorcin[4]arenes and the formation of negative redox potentials of double-reduced viologen resorcin[4]arenes are demonstrated by electrochemistry studies. These results encourage future studies toward an efficient electrocatalytic system for the reductive dehalogenation of organic compounds. Besides highly charged resorcin[4]arene cavitands, the synthesis of a thiol-footed resorcin[4]arene was also attempted. The product was used for gold nanoparticle binding studies. The results of the photochemistry measurements provided a proof-of-concept for using the emission of gold nanoparticles in chemical sensors after covering their surfaces with thiol-footed resorcin[4]arenes. Two heterocylic resorcin[4]arene cavitands were synthesized for DNA-intercalation studies. The results of the photochemical measurements suggested binding between DNA and the heterocyclic resorcin[4]arenes and provided proof-of-principle for potential drug applications of this type of macrocycle.

Le développement de procédés catalytiques pour la valorisation chimique du dioxyde de carbone (CO2), suscite un intérêt grandissant en termes de chimie du carbone et de développement durable. Les travaux de cette thèse portent sur l’étude de la synthèse de carbonates cycliques à partir du couplage du CO2 avec des époxydes. De nombreux catalyseurs ont été développés dont les sels d’ammoniums fournissant le nucléophile nécessaire pour initier la réaction par ouverture de l’époxyde. Notre projet propose une nouvelle approche qui consiste à augmenter la nucléophilicité du catalyseur via une chimie hôte-invité dans laquelle des récepteurs moléculaires de type cavitands viennent sélectivement encapsuler les cations ammoniums, libérant ainsi l’anion nucléophile pour une meilleure réactivité. Notre système catalytique, testé à 1 bar de CO2, a notamment démontré tout son potentiel par l’activation accrue de sels de tétraméthylammonium initialement inactifs. Des expériences effectuées sous une pression de CO2 de 10 bar, ont permis d'étudier l’influence de la structure des cavitands et de montrer qu’une double activation était possible grâce à la conception de cavitands comportant des fonctions acides de Brönsted et des propriétés d’encapsulation optimales. Une application à la catalyse hétérogène a finalement été initiée par l’immobilisation des ammoniums ou des cavitands sur des supports à base de silice pour profiter des avantages de tels procédés. / The utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a key component in organic transformations has recently drawn much attention as a greener alternative to fossil fuel based resources. The objectives of this work aim at studying the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from the coupling of CO2 with epoxide. Numerous catalysts have been proposed for this reaction among which the ammonium halides providing the nucleophile to initiate the reaction by opening the epoxide. Herein, we propose a new approach based on host-guest chemistry, to improve catalytic reactivity by increasing the nucleophilicity of the halide anion. For this purpose, cavitand molecular receptors able to bind quaternary ammonium ions are used, releasing the anionic nucleophile for the initial epoxide ring-opening reaction. At CO2 atmospheric pressure, our catalytic systems demonstrated a great potential by the dramatic activation of tetramethylammonium halides, whereas when used alone, these catalysts had never shown any activity. The influence of the cavitand structure was investigated through experiments run under 10 bar of CO2 pressure, and revealed that a double activation was possible with cavitand bearing Brönsted acidic hydroxyl functions and optimal recognition properties. The heterogeneization of such catalytic systems was finally studied with the grafting of either ammoniums or cavitands on silica based materials.

Une grande partie des chimistes puisent leur inspiration auprès de la biologie. C’est le cas des chercheurs en chimie supramoléculaire, qui travaillent sur l’élaboration de récepteurs moléculaires synthétiques capables d’effectuer des reconnaissances moléculaires envers des substrats d’intérêt biologiques. Le but est ainsi de mimer l’activité des protéines naturelles, en vue d’applications cliniques.L’unité cyclotribenzylène (CTB) est une structure de symétrie C3 qui possède des propriétés complexantes intéressantes. Un CTB relié à une deuxième unité complexante par trois bras espaceurs constitue la famille des hémicryptophanes. Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons travaillé sur l’élaboration de récepteurs moléculaires basés sur cette unité CTB. Dans un premier temps nous avons développé une nouvelle méthode de synthèse d’hémicryptophane énantiopurs à l’échelle du gramme en vue d’effectuer des reconnaissances stéréosélectives de neurotransmetteurs chiraux. Nous avons ensuite développé des récepteurs CTB et hémicryptophanes combinant la chiralité du CTB et du groupement binaphtol. La configuration absolue des unités chirales ont été déterminées par une méthode de corrélation chimique. Ces récepteurs ont été utilisés pour réaliser des expériences de reconnaissance stéréosélective de saccharide et de bonnes diastéréosélectivités ont été obtenues. Enfin, nous avons travaillé sur l’élaboration d’une voie de synthèse d’hémicryptophanes fluorescents capables de subir des excitations bi-photoniques dans le but d’effectuer des expériences de suivi dans l’espace et dans le temps de substrats d’intérêt biologiques en milieu in-vivo. / Biology is an inspiration for chemists. Especially for the field of supramolecular chemistry, which one of the aim is to develop synthetic molecular receptors capable of molecular recognition to biological substrates, to mimic the activity of natural proteins for clinical applications.Cyclotribenzylene unit (CTB) is a C3-symmetry structure which present interesting recognition properties. When a CTB is connecting to another molecular unit by three spacers arms, it forms an hemicryptophane receptor. During this thesis, we worked on elaboration receptors based on CTB unit. First, a new way of enantiopure hemicryptophane synthesis on gram scale has been developed for stereoselective recognition of chiral neurotransmitters. Then receptors based on chirality of CTB and binaphthol unit has been developed. Assignment of absolute configuration of chiral unit was determined by a chemical correlation. Stereoselective recognition of carbohydrates by these receptors revealed good diastereoselectivity. Finally, a synthetic pathway leading to fluorescent hemicryptophanes was developed for bi-photonic excitation in order to realize in-vivo experiments of tracking biological substrates.

Three distinct aspects, disorder, polymorphism and co-crystal formation have been addressed in molecular crystals in terms of intra- and intermolecular interactions involving halogens, weak hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions. A basic introductory chapter highlights the importance of these three aspects followed by a foreword to the contents. Chapter 1 employs in situ cryo-crystallization techniques to study the crystal and molecular structures of compounds which are liquids at room temperature. Section 1.1 deals with the crystal structure analyses of low melting chloro- and bromo-substituted anilines which reveal both the importance of hydrogen bonds and weak interactions involving different halogens. The halogen⋅⋅⋅halogen interactions are compared with fluorine and iodine substituted compounds to bring out the relevance of both size and polarizability characteristics. Section 1.2 describes the crystal structures of benzyl derivative compounds utilizing the concept of in situ cryo-crystallization. This analysis brings out the correlation between acidity of benzyl derivative compounds with its preference of either a (sp2)C-H⋅⋅⋅π or (sp3)C-H⋅⋅⋅π interactions in the crystal packing. Chapter 2 consists of two sections dealing with the preference of halogen⋅⋅⋅halogen interactions in supramolecular chemistry. Section 2.1 discusses a statistically large number of crystal structures in halogen substituted benzanilide compounds. It reveals the importance of hetero halogen F⋅⋅⋅X (Cl, Br), homo halogen X⋅⋅⋅X (F, Cl, Br, I), C-X⋅⋅⋅π and C-H⋅⋅⋅F interactions in terms of their directionality and preferences to complement a primary N-H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bond in directing the three-dimensional supramolecular assembly. Section 2.2 deals with solvent induced polymorphism which highlights the role of weak interactions in two case studies. The preference and directionality of C-H⋅⋅⋅F and Cl⋅⋅⋅Cl interactions lead to dimorphic modifications in case of 3-chloro-N-(2-fluorophenyl)benzamide whereas in case of 2-iodo-N-(4-bromophenyl)benzamide the interactions are through C-H⋅⋅⋅π and I⋅⋅⋅I contacts. Further, the analysis is supported using morphological evidence, DSC (Differential scanning calorimetry) and Powder X-ray diffraction data. Chapter 3 has three sections, concentrating on disorder and its consequence in crystal structures. Section 3.1 discusses the apparent shortening of the C(sp3)–C(sp3) bond analysed via a variable temperature X-ray diffraction study in racemic 1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diyl diethyl bis(carbonate). Variable temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that the shortening is entirely due to positional disorder and not due to thermal effects. A supercell formation at T≤150 K depicts the formation of a Z'= 2 structure. Section 3.2 deals with crystal structure analysis of Ethyl-4-(2-fluorophenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate which clarifies the discrepancy in the higher value of the residual electron density in the literature in terms of positional disorder of fluorine at ortho sites. The existence of fluorine atom at the para position on the phenyl ring of another isomeric molecule leads to disorder induced conformational polymorphism through the involvement of the ethyl group. The static disorder of ethyl group which is associated with only one molecule (Z′=2) could be resolved at 120 K. This supports the results of the previous section (3.1). Section 3.3 reports crystal structure analysis of disordered fluorine in benzanilide compounds. The preference of interactions involving fluorine in either ortho sites or meta sites could be one of the reasons for the positional disorder of both possible sites. With one of the structure showing high Z′ value due to differences in the occupancy of disordered fluorine atom. CSD (Cambridge Structural Database) analysis indicates that the percentage of disorder in halogenated crystal structures having halogen atom at either ortho site or meta site decreases from fluorine to iodine. Further, the analysis points out that the disorder in fluorine containing compounds is mostly localized at the fluorine position whereas for other halogenated disordered structures, the disorder appears at other parts of the molecule. Chapter 4 discusses co-crystal formation and analysis of intermolecular interactions. It consists of two sections. Section 4.1 discusses co-crystal formation of nicotinamide with benzoic acid and seven other derivatives by changing the functional group at different positions of benzoic acid. Hydroxyl (-OH) group at 4/3-postion of benzoic acid prefers phenol⋅⋅⋅pyridine synthon when at 2-position it prefers acid⋅⋅⋅pyridine synthon. The preference of amide anticatemer over dimer synthon is supported by additional C-H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds. In case of 3,5-dinitro-2-hydroxy benzoic acid, the disorder in hydroxyl (-OH) group at ortho site leads to salt formation. Section 4.2 describes co-crystal study of adenine and thymine (AT) as free nucleobases. This result reveals the formation of AT (2:1) complex with both Hoogsteen and “quasi-Watson-Crick” hydrogen bonds. The hydrogen bonded bases using the Hoogsteen and the “quasi-Watson-Crick” interactions generate a hexagonal supramolecular motif. Four water molecules are located inside the hexagonal void of this complex. A high temperature study on the same crystal shows that at 313K, one of the water molecules escapes from the lattice resulting in the small change in unit cell parameters. However, the space group remains the same and the hexagonal void remains unaltered. With further increase in temperature, the crystal deteriorates irreversibly which clearly brings out the importance of water molecule in the molecular recognition of adenine-thymine complex. Chapter 5 discusses crystal structure analysis of trans-atovaquone (antimalarial drug), its new polymorph form including one stereoisomer (cis) and five other derivatives with different functional groups. Based on the conformational features of these compounds and the characteristics of the nature of hydrogen bonding and other weak intra and intermolecular interactions, docking studies with cytochrome bc1 complex provide valuable insight into the atomistic details of protein-inhibitor interactions. The docking results reveal that atovaquone and its derivatives, owing to their nature of hydrogen bond and the propensity towards the formation of weaker hydrogen bonds involving the chlorine atom as well appear as good candidates for drug evaluation.

Stepwise covalent synthesis of large molecules is often time consuming and laborious and thus generally ends in a low yield of the target product. It is also difficult to achieve a large desired product where the controlling force is a non-directional weak interaction. Instead, by utilizing stronger metal-ligand directional coordination bonding approach, one can easily prepare the desired large molecules using appropriate molecular units. Further attractive feature of this approach is the incorporation of functional groups into final structures to make the assemblies functional. It is found that symmetrical polypyridyl and rigid linkers have been used widely in the construction of finite supramolecules of Pd (II) and Pt(II). Flexible linkers are rarely used since they are less predictable in self-assembly and have a tendency to form undesired polymer. However, flexible linkers may generate pseudo rigid assemblies that can distort their shapes to obtain a more thermodynamically stable conformation for host-guest interactions. Similarly, use of non-symmetric or ambidentate linkers is not explored much. These linkers may generate a mixture of several linkage isomeric products and thus difficult to monitor the reaction. Moreover, isolation of these products in pure form is also a challenging task. On the other hand, recent research revealed that porous polyacetylene organic compounds are suitable sensors for the detection of electron deficient nitroaromatics, which are the chemical signatures of many commercial explosives. Possibility of discrete supramolecules as sensors for these explosives is very less studied. The main thrusts of the present investigation are to incorporate flexible and nonsymmetrical linkers in the construction of finite discrete assemblies of Pd/Pt; and to design appropriate π-electron rich supramolecules as sensors for the detection of electron deficient nitroaromatics. Chapter 1 of this thesis gives a brief introduction to the supramolecular chemistry. It also gives a brief introduction to the design principle of metal-ligand coordination driven selfassembly approach towards the generation of large architectures. Chapter 2 reports the synthesis of a series of two-dimensional supramolecular architectures via coordination driven self-assembly of Pt/Pd containing ditopic acceptors and non-symmetrical donor ligands. The use of non-symmetrical donor ligands in coordination driven self-assembly is a challenging task because they may generate a mixture of isomers due to different connectivity of the non-symmetric (ambidentate) linkers. But in all the cases exclusive formation of a single linkage isomer was established. Na-nicotinate was treated with [cis-(dppf)Pd(OTf)2] to yield [(dppf)3Pd3(L3)](CF3SO3)3(H2O)2(MeOH)7(Et2O) as the single linkage isomeric triangle. An analogous treatment using Na-isonicotinate instead of Na-nicotinate yielded a mixture of single isomeric square and triangle with the later one as the major product in solution. Further extension of this study using cis-(tmen)Pd(NO3)2 instead of [cis-(dppf)Pd(OTf)2] also showed the formation of a mixture of square and triangle [tmen = N,N,N’,N’- tetramethylethane-1,2-diamine]. Surprisingly, in both the cases square was the product which was crystallized exclusively in solid state though triangle was the major component in solution. The square-triangle equilibria in both the cases were studied by diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) and variable temperature multinuclear NMR. Moreover, this chapter reports the incorporation of amide functionality into a Pt(II) nanoscopic molecular rectangle via self-assembly of an organometallic “clip” and a non-symmetric amide ligand. Chapter 3 presents synthesis of several metallamacrocycles via coordination driven selfassembly using Pd/Pt-P bonding interaction as driving force instead of much widely used Pd/Pt-N bonding interaction. It is also established that Pd/Pt-P bonding interaction is indeed better than the widely used Pd/Pt-N interaction. Several macrocycles were also synthesized by the combination of several Pd containing 90° angular subunits and a bisimidazole ditopic flexible donor. In this case also the bonding interaction between the imidazole and Pd(II) was found to be stronger than the interaction between pyridyl donor and Pd(II). Chapter 4 describes synthesis of several new Pt2 and Pt3 shape selective organometallic linkers incorporating ethynyl functionality. The Pt2 molecular clip was assembled with several linear dipyridyl linkers to prepare a series of molecular rectangles. In one case N, N’-bis(4-pyridylidene)ethylenediamine was used as donor to create a N4 pocket in the macrocycle. This rectangle was fluorescent in nature and showed efficient fluorescence quenching in solution upon binding of hard transition metal ions (Fe3+, Cu2+ and Ni2+) into the N4 pocket. The non-responsive nature of the fluorescence quenching upon addition of soft metal ions (Zn2+ and Cd2+) containing d10 configuration makes it an interesting example of sensor for transition metal ions. The Pt3 linkers were used in combination with organic clip-type linkers to prepare a series of molecular prisms by [2 + 3] self-assembly (Scheme 1). Incorporation of ethynyl functionality helped to make the resulting supramolecules π-electron rich and luminescent in nature. Possibility of these supramolecules as sensors for the detection of electron deficient nitroaromatics (TNT and picric acid), which are the chemical signatures of explosives has been explored. A complementary approach was also used to prepare trigonal prism using organic tritopic donor and the Pt2 molecular clip. Chapter 5 presents the design and self-assembly of two new flexible supramolecular nanoballs. These assemblies incorporate two flexible tritopic amide/ester based building blocks and were prepared in excellent yields (96-97%) via coordination driven selfassembly. The first one was resulted from the reaction of four equivalents of a new tritopic ester ligand N, N', N''-tris(4-pyridylmethyl) trimesic ester with three equivalents of C4 symmetric Pd(NO3)2. The second analogous structure was obtained by the selfassembly of the flexible N, N', N''-tris(3-pyridylmethyl)trimesic amide and Pd(NO3)2. The assemblies were characterized with multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis and TGA. The ester based ball showed the inclusion of NEt4 + in solution. This chapter also describes the exclusive formation of a Pt(II) trigonalbipyramidal (TBP) cage upon the treatment of a Pt(II) 90° acceptor with a new tripodal flexible ligand containing ester functionality. The formation of Pt(II) TBP cage in this case is due to the flexibility of the donor arms of the ligand due to the presence of flexible ester functional group. In continuation of this work, a rigid tripodal ligand 1,1,1-tris(4-pyridyl)COOR with an ester cap [where R = Ph-CH(C2H5)] was assembled with cis-(PEt3)2Pt(OTf)2 to yield a somewhat unusual double-square cage by [4 + 6] self-assembly.

(FOR FIGURES REFER THE MAIN PDF FILE) Supramoleculr chemistry, aptly termed by Lehn as the study of molecular sociology, is the chemistry of the intermolecular bond, focusing on the structures and functions of “supermolecules” –chemical system formed by the association between two or more molecular components. While interrelated, this discipline forges beyond the domain of traditional molecular chemistry, which seeks to master the manipulation of the covalent bond between atoms and uncover the principle that governs the structures and properties of molecular species. Supramolecular chemistry assayas to blend the comprehensive resources of molecular chemistry with designed control of the intermolecular interactions to engineers supramolecular with features as well defined as those of the constituent molecular themselves. Not surprisingly, it has been stated that supramoleculars are to molecules and the intermolecular bond what molecules are to atoms and the covalent bond. In the realm of molecular crystals, the focus of supramolecular chemistry and indeed, the scope of the present thesis coverings with that of a rather recent, but rapidly emerging scientific discipline, namely crystal engineering. Coined nearly four decades ago in connection with photodimerization reaction in crystalline cinnamic acids, the term” crystal engineering” has since then broadened its expanse considerably and is, at present, most appropriately defined as“the understanding of intermolecular interactions in the context of crystal packing and the utilization of such understanding in the design of new solids with desired physical and chemical properties”. It would be befitting to remark that it is very pursuit (and more often than not, the elusive target) of being able to make functional solids by design that has allowed crystal engineering to evolve from an object of mere Scientific curiosity to a subject of tremendous utilization value. No proof for this assertion might be greater than that which lies in the fervent efforts put forth by pharmaceutical companies in understanding and controlling drug polymorphism, especially in the wake of the contemporary legal implications attendant with observing such a phenomenon. Polymorphism in molecular crystals results from the possibility of at least two different arrangements of the molecular of a given compound in the solid state and has therefore often been regarded as the” dark side” of crystal engineering. On one hand, polymorphism presents itself as an important probe in the study of structure-property relationship and allows elucidation of the varied macroscopic properties of the same molecule self-assembled in different crystalline environments. On the other hand, the phenomenon poses an implicit complication when predicating the product of a crystallization process forms the goal of a crystal engineering project. This is particularly true in case of crystal structure prediction (CSP) from the molecular structure of a given compound, where the experimentally obtained polymorphic modification may be a kinetic form and therefore, need not correspond to the one ranked lowest in energy from the computational studies. Indeed, this dichotomy between a thermodynamically and a kinetically controlled crystallization process reflects the underlying uncertainty associated with judging the outcome of a crystallization event. In this concept of a supramolecular synthon has been postulated to assimilate both thermodynamic and kinetic alternative, and therefore provide a working model for heuristic crystal design. By analogy with corey’s definition of a molecular synthon, a supramolecular synhon has been described” a structural unit within a supramolecule which can be formed and/or assembled by known or conceivable synthetic operations involving intermolecular interactions”. Being entirely probabilistic in nature, the robutness and thus, the transferability of a particular synthon to a designed crystal is assessed from a systermatic evolution of its recurrence in crystal structures of representative molecules. The Cambridge Structural Database (CSD), which announced the inclusion of the 500000th crystal structures in its archives last year, provides an invaluable cache of experimentally determined structures and the foundation for crystal design in this regard. The practically of the supramolecular synthon approach, now almost synthymous with crystal engineering, has been demonstrated not only in the successful design of a number of functional solids, but also in its possible application in CSP as a knowledge-based alternative. Irrespective of the approach, a basic paradigm can however be constructed from any crystal engineering strategy, viz. construct the molecular building blocks and assemble these, with a prior knowledge of the possible non-covalent interactions, in a manner that leads to the desired crystal structure. This premise will form the central theme of the present thesis, entitled “From molecular to supramolecular: Probing solid state self –assemblies of conformatonally locked polycyclitos and structural siblings”. The dissertation will deal with the nuances of the self-assemblies of four classes of structurally related crystalline polycyclie compounds, all fashioned from a prototypical rigid trans-decalin backbone derived from commonly available aromatic precursors like naphthalene and anthracene. The thesis will be presented in four chapters, each based on one of the four functional make-ups present in the molecular under study. • Chapter 1.Relating intramolecular O-H…Ohydrogen bondigs to conformational locking: Design and self-assemblies of crystalline polyclitols. • Chapter 2.Preferences of supramolecular assemblies towards competing inter- and intramolecular O-H…O hydrogen bonds: A case study in crystalline acyldervaeives of conformarionally locked polyclitols. •Chapter 3.Synthesis of novel polyhydroxylated flustrates: Probing fluorine interactions in a conformatonally constructed environment. • Chapter 4. Strength vs.accessiblity: Universe the patterns of self-recognition in designer conformationally locked aminoacohols. A brief overview of each chapter is presented below. The first chapter of the thesis investigates the supramolecular chemistry of an O-H…O Hydrogen Bond formed between hydroxyl groups that have been constrained to occupy spatiality invariant position in the crystal structure of a polycyclitol (a portmanteau word derived from polycyclic cyclitol). Having been constructed on a grid trans-decalin carbocyclic backbone, the polycyclitols under study 1-6 are conformatonally locked and destined to exhibit an axial rich disposition of the hydroxyl groups, so that the OH functionalities in 1,3-relationship are automatically brought into a favorable geometry for the formation of intramolecular O-H…O hydrogen bonds. Working within this paradigm, which was formulated both logically and on the basis of the observed H-bonding patterns in the crystal structures of several conformationally locked polyols, we were able to demonstrate that intramolecular H-bonding between 1,3-syndisxial OH groups can be used as a tool to preordain the position of the intermolecular O-H…O-bond donors and accepts in the specially crafted polycyclitols 1-3. this observation not only simplified a qualitative visualization of the various packing patterns in 1-3, but also allowed us to propose, based on previously reported CSD analysis, the packing motifs mostlikely to converge with the experimental results. Despite its qualitative nature, the O-H…O hydrogen bonding patters, proposed for 1-3 were found to conform well with those observed experimentally for the tetrols 1 and 3, and even for the two polymorphic modifications of the hexol 2[Figure 1] The determination role played by intramolecular O-H…O bonding in the supramolecular assembly of 2, a novel bicycle C2h symmetric hexol having an all axial disposition of the six hydroxyl functionalities, prompted us to study the crystal packing of the three diastereomeric perhydro-2,3,4q,6,6,8a-naphthalenehexols 4-6. the end-to-end co-operative intramolecular O-H…O-H hydrogen bonding chain on both faces of the molecule, as observed in case of 2, through an axial-equatorial. Figure 1. (left) one of the packing modes proposed for the hexol 2. Note that the H-bonding pattern involves all donor/acceptor oxygen and incorporates infinite chains of O-H…O bonds of O-H….O bonds; (right) Molecular packing observed experimentally in the polymorph of the hexol 2 Transposition of one or more of the peripheral yhdroyl groups. With increased freedom now allowed to the OH groups in the choice of their H-bonding partners, as a compared to 2 crystal packing in the polycyclitols 4-6 evolved from the simplistic model of hydrogen bonding proposed and observed for 2,to ivoke more complex patterns of self assembly mediated through O-H…O-bonds In the second chapter, the crystal structures of four conformationally locked esters, namely tetraaccetate 7/tetrabenzoate 8 of hexol 2 and the diacetate9/dibenzoate 10 of tetrol1,have been analyzed in order to examine the preference of their supramolecular assemblies towards competing inter and intramolecular O-H…O hydrogen bonds. To this end, all the four esters under study were specially crafted on a trans-decalin backbone with the objective of relegating the O-H…O H-bond donors( in form of the 30 OH groups) to the molecular interior and having the peripheral H-bond accepters (in form of the 20 acyl groups) in 1,3-syndiaxial relationship. It was anticipated that this common design element would allow the supramolecular assembly of the easters to evolve along two possible pathway, namely one which employs intermoleculars O-H…O H-bonds (pathway 1) and the other that sacrifises those for intramolecular O-H…O H-bonds and settles for a crystal packing dictated by weak intermolecular interactions alone (pathway 2) A pure sample of 7 crystallized along pathway 1 in two enantiotropic modifications, one obtained at room temperature (form) and the other at 20 C0 (form) [Figure 2]. Behaving much like a temperature guided molecular switch, the tetraacetate 7 could be shifted reversibly between the forms response to changes in the ambient temperature. Thus, the form converted at -4 OC to the denser form, which displayed an unusual kinetic stability till 67 OC and transformed back to the form beyond this temperature. Subsequently, the close similarity between the self-assemble of the two dimonrphs of 7 and the diastereomer 11 was exploited in order to stimulated 7 to fallow the pathway 2 through preferential inhibition of pathway 1[Figure 3]. Interstingly, the nucleation inhibition 11 was obtained serendipitously a route 7 via an apparent breakdownof furst-platter rule. Unlike the tetraceatate 7, crystal packing in the tetrabenzoate 8 preferred to fallow exclusively pathway 2. The individualistic nature of the self-assemblies of 7 and 8 found to be in contrast commonalities noted in the mode of molecular assembly in 9 and 10 both of which conformed to a combination of pathway 1 and 2. A rationale for the preferred crystallization pathway of the four estes 7-10 as well as probable mechanism for the observed reversible transformation between the forms the tetracetate 7 will be put forth in this chapter. Figure 2. (Model for pathway 1) Molecular packing in the forms of the tetraacetate 7. The non-interacting hydrogen atoms have been omitted for clarity. Figure 3. (Model for pathway 2) The nucleation inhibitor 11 and form of the tetraacetate 7. The non-interacting hydrogen atoms have been omitted in the molecular packing diagram for clarity. In light of the wide ranging application of organofluorine compounds and the ambiguity that resides over the disposition of fluorine as a H-bond accepter, the third chapter utilizes three specially designed fluorinated polycyclitols 12-14 investigate the role of covalently bonded flurine in crystal structures of lesser studied aliphatic fluorous substracts and probe its capacity to engage itself in C(sp3)-F…H-X(sp3)(X=O and/or C) H-bounding, in presence of its isostere, the hydrozyl group. Conformatonality locked with well defined spatial disposition of functional groups, all the fluorinated polycyclitols 12-14 bear a fluorohydrin moiety, embedded in a rigid trans-decalin framework. In 12 and 14, it was conceived that the presence of a hydroxyl donor in a favorable 1, 3-syndiaxial relationship to a fluoro group on one side and a hydroxyl group on the other would allow an unambiguous comparison between the two isoteric functionalities (C-OH and C-F) to serve as acceptors for intramolecular hydrogen bonds (O-H…O and purported O-H…F respectively) The difluorodiol 13 was sought to serve as a control to assess the change in the C-F…H-X interactions (if any) which might be observed upon incorporating the peripheral secondary hydroxyl groups in 14. The result presented in this chapter will revel, in particular, that C(sp3) –F…H-C(sp3) hydrogen bonds, though weak and lesser investigated, can indeed be observed and supramolecular recognition motifs, involving such interactions, can be conserved even in crystal structures laden with stronger O-H…O hydrogen bonds [Figure 4}. Figure 4. (Left) Molecular packing in the difluorodiol 13, showing how four intermolecular C-H…F hydrogen bonds forms a part of a R22 H-bonding motif (encircled). This centrosymmentic supramolecular recognition unit is observed even in the molecular packing in the difluorohexol 14 (right). Non-interacting H atoms have been omitted in both diagrams for the sake of clarity. The forth chapter details an in-depth study carried out on the self-assembly of a conformationally locked aminoalchohol 15, in which the amino protons serve as mere spectators, the molecular packing in the crystal being realized through the co-operativity between O-H…N H-bonds and weak π-π stacking interaction (Figure 5b). The crystal structure of 15 was quite intriguing on three sailent grounds (a) previous studies on the supramolecular assemblies in the aminols have shown that both amino and hydroxyl protons participate in H-bonding in the crystal structures of such compounds; (b) the fact that the hydrogen atoms of the NH2 group Figure 5. (Left) Laplacian distribution map in the planes defined by (a) the double bonds, (c) O-H…N-H-bond, and (d) π-π stacking interactions in the aminoalclhol 15. Contours havse been drawn at logarithmic intervals in ▼2 ρb, eÅ-5. Solid lines indicate positive contours and dotted lines negative contours. (b) Molecular packing in 15. Non-interacting H atoms have been omitted for the sake of clarity.remain as mere bystanders in anomalous if one were to abide by the Etter’s rule; (c) the rather well-difined π-π stacking interactions in crystal structure of the aminoalcohol occurs between isolated olefinic bonds-a rarely encountered form of non-covalent interaction. Charge destiny analysis was carried out on the aminoalcoholf 15 not only to catheterize the non-covalent interactions existing in the supramolecular assembly in terms of topological features of electrol destiny at their bond critical points, but also to confirm the non-involvement of the amino H-atoms in any form of either intra- or intermoalecular hydrogen bonds beyond the criteria of mere geometry (Figure a,c,d). The maverick nature of the self-assembly of 15 was elucidated as resulting from the preference of the molecules to assemble with O-H…N H-bonds. This automatically relegated the hydrogen atoms of the tertiary amine to the interior of the conformationally locked cabocycclic scaffold, thereby making them far less accessible than the peripheral C=C bonds.