<p>This thesis presents quantum chemical calculations, applications of the response function formalism recently implemented within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) by our research group. The purpose of the calculations is to assess the performance of this perturbative approach to determining heavy atom effects on magnetic resonance parameters. Relativistic corrections can be generated by spin-orbit interactions or by scalar relativistic effects due to high velocity electrons in the atomic core region of heavy atoms. In this work, the evaluation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) parameters is considered, the nuclear shielding tensor and the indirect nuclear spin-spin coupling tensor. For series of homologous compounds, it is found that both types of corrections to these parameters are increasing in size upon substitution of a constituent atom by a heavier element, but that their relative importance is system dependent. The obtained results are compatible with the ones provided by electron correlated <em>ab initio</em> methods, and a qualitative agreement with experimentally determined parameters is overall achieved. The methodology presented in this thesis aims to be a practical approach which can be applied in the study of molecular properties of large systems.</p><p>This thesis also addresses the calculation of hyperfine coupling constants, and evaluates a novel approach to the treatment of spin-polarization in spin restricted calculations without the spin contamination associated with spin unrestricted calculations.</p>

This thesis presents quantum chemical calculations, applications of the response function formalism recently implemented within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) by our research group. The purpose of the calculations is to assess the performance of this perturbative approach to determining heavy atom effects on magnetic resonance parameters. Relativistic corrections can be generated by spin-orbit interactions or by scalar relativistic effects due to high velocity electrons in the atomic core region of heavy atoms. In this work, the evaluation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) parameters is considered, the nuclear shielding tensor and the indirect nuclear spin-spin coupling tensor. For series of homologous compounds, it is found that both types of corrections to these parameters are increasing in size upon substitution of a constituent atom by a heavier element, but that their relative importance is system dependent. The obtained results are compatible with the ones provided by electron correlated ab initio methods, and a qualitative agreement with experimentally determined parameters is overall achieved. The methodology presented in this thesis aims to be a practical approach which can be applied in the study of molecular properties of large systems. This thesis also addresses the calculation of hyperfine coupling constants, and evaluates a novel approach to the treatment of spin-polarization in spin restricted calculations without the spin contamination associated with spin unrestricted calculations. / QC 20101122

[pt] Neste trabalho, métodos analíticos baseados na fosforimetria na temperatura ambiente foram desenvolvidos para a determinação de sete compostos policíclicos aromáticos (CPA) sulfurados e nitrogenados presentes do petróleo. Mais especificamente, o objetivo foi o de fornecer ferramentas analíticas que permitissem avaliar e quantificar estes CPA em gasolina e em uma amostra ambiental (sedimento). Adicionalmente, a informação obtida através da fosforimetria mostrou potencial para permitir diferenciar amostras (por exemplo, a identificação de amostras contaminadas) por meio de perfil em três dimensões ou curvas de nível. A aplicação de técnica de varredura sincronizada e o uso do efeito externo seletivo do átomo pesado aumentaram o grau de seletividade e de discriminação entre amostras, pois induziu fosforescência de componentes específicos na amostra e melhorou a resolução espectral dos resultados. Inicialmente, foi feito um estudo das características fosforescentes das substâncias em diferentes condições experimentais, seguido da maximização do sinal fosforescente de cada uma das substâncias nas condições experimentais mais propícias para observação do sinal fosforescente. Para tal, o papel filtro, previamente tratado para redução do sinal de fundo, foi utilizado como substrato sólido para imobilização dos analitos, permitindo a observação de intensa fosforescência na temperatura ambiente. Os parâmetros de mérito das metodologias desenvolvidas para cada um dos analitos em questão foram obtidos. As faixas lineares se estenderam entre 1,0 x 10-7 e 5,0 x 10-4 mol L-1, considerando as concentrações das soluções dos analitos aplicadas no substrato. Os coeficientes de determinação (r2) obtidos ficaram sempre acima de 0,9784. Os limites de detecção absolutos (para 5 µL de amostra) foram todos na ordem do ng, mostrando a capacidade para detecção sensível em termos de massa efetiva de analito. Os testes de repetibilidade mostraram valores variando entre 12 e 18%, o que pode ser considerado satisfatório para a técnica realizada em substrato sólido. Também foram conduzidos estudos de robustez e reprodutibilidade. Alternativamente, sinais fosforescentes foram maximizados em condições experimentais secundárias do ponto de vista da magnitude de sinal, mas potencialmente relevantes do ponto de vista da seletividade. Testes de recuperação indicaram, na maioria dos casos, resultados bastante satisfatórios no caso das misturas sintéticas contendo quantidades eqüimolares de componentes (nesse caso, foram testadas várias combinações de analitos e de interferentes) ou contendo interferentes, em concentrações cinco vezes maior que a do analito de interesse. Nos casos mais críticos em termos de interferências, recursos instrumentais ou quimiométricos foram aplicados para melhorar a seletividade e possibilitar a quantificação. Os métodos desenvolvidos foram testados em amostras simuladas de gasolina, em gasolina comercial e em uma matriz ambiental (sedimento) fortificadas com os analitos de interesse. As recuperações obtidas foram bastante satisfatórias e compreendidas entre 90% e 117%. Estudos envolvendo varreduras de fosforescência total (TPS) também foram realizados, com o intuito de se obter uma impressão digital característica para cada um dos analitos. Testes de TPS em gasolina comercial indicaram a presença de pelo menos seis dos sete analitos estudados, devido à obtenção de perfis espectrais muito semelhantes aos dos padrões. Testes adicionais mostraram a capacidade de identificar contaminações (misturas) na gasolina pela adição de diesel e de querosene. / [en] In this work, analytical methods based on room-temperature phosphorimetry were developed aiming the quantification of seven polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC) containing sulfur and nitrogen present in petroleum. More specifically, the goal was to obtain analytical tool to allow the evaluation and the quantification of these PCA in sediment and gasoline. In addition, the phosphorimetric information displayed potential for the discrimination of samples (for instance, the identification of contaminated samples) by means of three dimension plots or level curves. The application of synchronized sweeping technique and the use of the selective external heavy atom effect had increased the degree of selectivity and discrimination between samples, since it induces phosphorescence from specific components of the sample and improved the spectral resolution of the results. Initially, a study of the phosphorescent characteristics of the compounds in different experimental conditions was made, followed of the signal maximization in the most appropriate experimental conditions for the observation of phosphorescence. Filter paper, previously treated for background reduction, was employed as solid substrate for the immobilization of analytes. The analytical figures of merit for each one of the methods had been obtained. The linear range varied between 1,0 x 10-7 mol L-1 and 5,0 x 10-4 mol L-1, taking into consideration the concentration of the solutions spotted on the substrate. The determination coefficient values (r2) were always above of 0.9784. The absolute limits of detection (5 µL sample) were in ng order, showing the sensitivity of the developed methods. The repeatability tests had enabled values varying between 12 and 18%, which can be considered satisfactory for solid substrate technique. Robustness and reproducibility studies were also carried out. Additionally, secondary experimental conditions, in terms of signal magnitude, were optimized since these could be relevant from the selective point of view. Recovery tests indicated, in most of the cases, satisfactory results for synthetic mixtures containing equimolar quantities of components (in these cases, several analyte/interferent combinations were tested) and containing interferents in concentrations five times higher than the one of the analytes. In the most critical cases in terms of interferences, instrumental or quimiometric approaches had been applied to improve selectivity and make the quantification possible. The developed methods had been tested in simulated gasoline samples, commercial gasoline and in a sediment sample fortified with the analytes of interest. The obtained recoveries had been considered satisfactory and within 90 and 117%. Total phosphorescence scanning (TPS) studies had been also carried out in order to get the characteristic fingerprint for each one of the compounds of interest. TPS tests in gasoline had indicated the presence of six out of seven of the studied analytes, since very similar fingerprints were obtained. Additional tests had demonstrated the capability of this procedure to detect gasoline contaminations with diesel or kerosene.

[pt] Neste trabalho foi avaliado o uso da Fosforimetria na Temperatura Ambiente em Substrato Sólido (FTASS) como técnica analítica aplicável na determinação de dois derivados da β-carbolina (harmane e harmine). Como suporte sólido foi utilizado o papel de filtro de baixo sinal de fundo. As características fosforescentes dos analitos foram estudadas em função de diversos parâmetros experimentais, que foram posteriormente otimizados visando a maximização do sinal fosforescente. Estes parâmetros foram: efeito de íons de átomos pesados; uso de surfactante como modificador de superfície; pH e volume de tampão; sistema de solventes e irradiação prévia das β-carbolinas com UV. As melhores situações para ambos os analitos foram obtidas em pH natural com a adição de Tl+ e em pH básico na presença de Ag+. Após a otimização das condições experimentais relevantes, os parâmetros analíticos de mérito foram obtidos. Para o harmane, faixas lineares dinâmicas (a partir do limite de quantificação, LQ) de 0,39 - 456 ng (Ag+/pH=12) e de 8,10 - 911 ng (Tl+/pH=7,7) foram obtidas. Para o harmine, a faixa linear dinâmica, partindo do LQ, foi de 0,59 - 1244 ng (dividido em duas faixas distintas) quando Ag+/pH=9 foi empregado. Com o uso de Tl+/pH=5,1, a faixa obtida foi de 0,53 a 249 ng. A precisão do método para as duas substâncias ficou dentro do esperado para esta técnica. Também foi estudado o potencial interferente de algumas substâncias (AZT, talidomida e outros) e da matriz urina. O desempenho do método foi testado através de testes de recuperação em formulações farmacêuticas simuladas e em urina enriquecida com o(s) analito(s), sendo as recuperações encontradas dentro da faixa recomendada de 90 a 110 %. Estudos envolvendo a determinação seletiva em misturas contendo ambos os derivados da β-carbolina mostraram a viabilidade da determinação seletiva de harmine na presença de harmane usando apenas um ajuste de pH. / [en] In the present work a Solid Surface Room-Temperature Phosphorimetry (SSRTP) based analytical method was developed aiming the determination of two â-carbolines derivatives (harmane and harmine). A low background filter paper was employed as solid support. The phosforimetric characteristics of the analytes were studied as function of several parameter, afterwards optimized aiming the maximization of phosphorescence. Among the studied parameters were the effect of heavy atom ions; the use of surfactants as substrate surface modifier; pH and volume of buffer; solvent system and the previuos UV irradiation of the analytes. The best results for both analytes were achieved using Tl+ in natural pH and using Ag+ in basic pH. After optimization of the relevant experimental conditions, the analytical figures of merit were obtained. For harmane, linear dynamic ranges (starting from the limit of quantification, LQ) from 0.39 to 456 ng (Ag+/pH=12) and from 8.10 to 911 ng (Tl+/pH=7.7) were achieved. For harmine, the linear dynamic ranges, stating from LQ, were from 0.59 to 1244 ng (divided in two linear ranges) when Ag+/pH=9 was used. When Tl+/pH=5.1 was employed, linear ranges were from 0.53 to 249 ng. The precision of the method was in accordance with the values expected for this technique. The potential interferent effect of some substances (AZT, thalidomide and others) as well as the effect of urine matrix were also studied. The performance of the method was evaluated by recovery tests using simulated pharmaceutical formulations and analyte spiked urine samples. In both cases, recoveries within the recomended range (from 90 to 110 %) were achieved. Studies involving the selective determination of â-carbolines derivatives have indicated that the determination of harmine in the presence of harmane is feasable only by a simple sample pH adjustment.

L’utilisation de chromophores absorbant à deux photons (ADP) pour des applications en photothérapie dynamique (PDT) et en imagerie de fluorescence présente de nombreux avantages. Les propriétés non-linéaires de ces chromophores permettent notamment d’améliorer la longueur de pénétration dans les organismes vivants ainsi que la résolution. Pour des applications in-vivo la biocompatibilité de ces chromophores lipophiles doit aussi se poser. Une étude d’ingénierie pour le développement de chromophores pour la PDT-ADP en utilisant des atomes de brome comme groupe générateur d’oxygène singulet est décrite. Différents paramètres dont le nombre et la position des atomes de brome sur la chaîne carbonée, la longueur de conjugaison, la géométrie des chromophores ont été étudiés. Cette étude permet de mettre en évidence l’importance de la position des substituants bromes et de la symétrie sur le rendement de croisement inter-système.Les observations spectroscopiques faites lors de l’étude d’ingénierie ont permis de développer des chromophores pour la microscopie de fluorescence à deux photons. La biocompatibilité est apportée grâce à un polymère d’(hydroxyethyl)acrylate. Ce polymère permet de créer une coquille hydrosolubilisante covalente. Ces chromophores ont été utilisés pour faire de l’imagerie de vascularisation cérébrale de haute résolution. Une observation particulière sur un chromophore, marquage des cellules endothéliales des parois des vaisseaux sanguins intravitaux ainsi que les applications en résultant sont présentées. Des stratégies visant l’amélioration de la sélectivité des systèmes polymères/chromophores pour des applications intravitales, comme le traitement des tumeurs cancéreuses sont décrites. Une stratégie de modification des fonctions hydroxy des chaînes polymères par des groupements imidazoliums est présentée. L’étude de complexation des polymères avec l’ADN et les études spectroscopiques in-cellulo ont été réalisées. / The use of two-photon absorbing (TPA) chromophore for applications in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and fluorescence imaging provides many advantages. The non-linear properties make it possible to increase both observation depth in animals and 3D resolution. Nevertheless, for in-vivo applications, improving bio-compatibility of these inherently lipophilic chromophore is a challenge. The development of new chromophores for PDT-TPA using a molecular engineering approach using bromide substituents as singlet oxygen generators is described. Parameters like position and number of bromide, the conjugated length and chromophore symmetry are studied. The study shows the importance of bromide atom position and of the symmetry on the inter system crossing efficiency. During the engineering study, spectroscopic observation and rationalization permit to envision the design of new chromophores for two photon laser scanning fluorescent microscopy. Bio-compatibility of these chromophores is provided by (hydroxyethyl)acrylate polymer, which provides a covalent water-soluble shell. These chromophores are used to make high resolution image of cerebral vascularization. One of these chromophores shows intravital specific interaction with endothelial cells in blood vessels. Some applications of the chromophore are described. Strategies to increase the intravital selectivity of polymer/chromophores units towards cancer cells and tumor are presented. A modification of hydroxyl function by imidazolium group is described. This new chromophore is evaluated towards its complexation properties with DNA and in cellulo spectroscopic studies.

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