Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit portent sur la (co)polymérisation syndiosélective du styrène catalysée par des complexes de métaux du Groupe 3. La première partie est consacrée à l’optimisation des performances catalytiques de systèmes neutres de type {Cp/Flu}. Une série de précurseurs ansa-lanthanidocènes a été synthétisée et testée en homopolymérisation du styrène et en copolymérisation styrène-éthylène. Il a été montré que la nature de la substitution du motif fluorényle, la nature du centre métallique ainsi que les conditions de polymérisation ont une influence significative sur la productivité des catalyseurs. En conditions optimisées, des productivités maximales de 4,500 kg(sPS)·mol⁻¹·h⁻¹ et 5,430 kg(sPSE)·mol⁻¹·h⁻¹ ont été obtenues, démontrant la robustesse sans précédent de ces systèmes catalytiques en conditions extrêmes (Tpolym jusqu’à 140 °C et charge en monomère > 100,000). De nouveaux co- et terpolymères styrène-myrcène et styrène-myrcène-éthylène contenant des séquences de polystyrène syndiotactique ont également été synthétisés. La deuxième partie de ce travail porte sur le développement de nouveaux catalyseurs cationiques. Très peu des composés ciblés ont été isolés de par la réactivité déroutante entre les pro-ligands et les précurseurs ou la faible stabilité thermodynamique des produits. De plus, les productivités catalytiques des composés qui ont été isolés se sont avérées assez faibles. / The work presented in this thesis manuscript focuses on the syndioselective (co)polymerization of styrene catalyzed by Group 3 catalysts. The first part is dedicated to the optimization of the catalytic performances of neutral {Cp/Flu} systems. A series of new allyl ansa-lanthanidocenes was synthesized and explored in styrene and styrene-ethylene (co)polymerizations. It is shown that the substitution of the fluorenyl moiety as well as the nature of the metal center and the polymerization conditions exert a strong influence on the catalyst productivity. Under optimized conditions, maximum productivities of up to 4,500 kg(sPS)·mol⁻¹·h⁻¹ and 5,430 kg(sPSE)·mol⁻¹·h⁻¹ were achieved, highlighting the unprecedented robustness of those catalytic systems under drastic conditions (Tpolym up to 140 °C and monomer : catalyst ratios > 100,000). New styrene-myrcene(-ethylene) co- and terpolymers containing syndiotactic polystyrene sequences were also synthesized. The second part of the study was focused on the development of new cationic catalysts. Only a short series of compounds was successfully isolated among the targeted ones, because of unclear reactivity of pro-ligands and metal precursors and/or low thermodynamic stability of the products. The new isolated compounds were also used in styrene homopolymerization affording unexpectedly poor performances.

Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most important polymers in the plastic sector due to its inexpensive cost as well as many preferred properties. Its international market is expected to achieve $28.2 billion by 2019. Although PS has a high calorific value of 87 GJ tonne-1, there is no a practical method to manage its waste but landfill. As a result, the PS debris in the oceans has reached 70% of the total plastic debris. This issue is considered as the main economical and environmental drivers of converting polystyrene waste into renewable chemical feedstocks. The aim of this work is to develop a catalyst for converting PS into renewable chemicals under mild conditions. We introduce FeCu/Alumina with excellent catalytic activity to fully degrade polystyrene with 66% liquid yield at 250 °C. The GC/MS confirmed that the primary products are in the gasoline range. Next, we present the bimetallic FeCo/Alumina and successfully we have obtained 100% PS conversion and 90% liquid yield with maintaining the products selectivity. Later, the tri-metallic FeCuCo/Alumina was synthesized and showed 100% PS conversion and 91% liquid yield. Surprisingly, ethylbenzene was the major product in which 80 wt. % was achieved with excellent reproducibility. Furthermore, the real waste Styrofoam was thermally and catalytically degraded at 250 °C. Interestingly, a high styrene content of 78 wt. % was recovered after 30 minutes of the reaction under mild conditions. Keeping in mind that a good balance between acidity and basicity is required to convert PS into aromatic under mild reaction conditions catalytically. Finally, the performance of the catalysts was compared to literature reports and showed novel liquid yields. In conclusion, we have synthesized cheap, easy to scale up, and efficient catalysts to fully degrade PS into high liquid yields of aromatics with excellent selectivity.

Rhomboids are a family of intramembrane serine proteases that cleave transmembrane protein substrates within the lipid membrane. They are involved in a wide range of biological processes, including signal transduction, parasite invasion, bacterial quorum sensing and apoptosis. While previous X-ray crystal structures and functional studies have provided some detailed insights into the mechanism of intramembrane hydrolysis, it is still not clear how the transmembrane substrate can gain access into the active site from the lipid environment. While several modes of action have been suggested, one hypothesis proposes a lateral movement of the fifth transmembrane helix, causing a displacement that would allow transmembrane substrates to enter the rhomboid active site. A powerful method that has the potential to yield insights into rhomboid dynamics is solution NMR; however, the large size of rhomboid protease samples has complicated conventional methods typically used to assess protein structure and dynamics. ¹⁹F NMR could allow the study of rhomboid conformational dynamics by providing a simplified spectrum with high sensitivity to changes in local chemical environments. In this thesis various methods of ¹⁹F incorporation were evaluated for utility in studying rhomboid conformational dynamics, focusing on the GlpG rhomboid from E. coli. First, GlpG samples were prepared with ¹⁹F incorporated into tryptophan sidechains, and 1D ¹⁹F NMR spectra were acquired. While spectra with decent spectral dispersion were obtained, the assignment process was complicated by low signal-to-noise, and multiple changes in the spectrum introduced by the mutation. Chemoselective labelling of cysteine residues with probes containing a trifluoromethyl group was also investigated and found to give rise to well resolved ¹⁹F NMR spectra with promising characteristics. In addition, protocols for incorporation of trifluoromethyl-phenylalanine using unnatural amino acid incorporation at introduced amber codon sites were also explored, since one of the long-term goals of this work is to study ¹⁹F-labelled GlpG in its native lipid environment. For this purpose, some protocol development was also performed to introduce GlpG into lipid nanoparticles using styrene maleic acid co-block polymers. However, low expression yields of trifluoromethyl-phenylalanine-labelled GlpG and the large size of the lipid nanoparticles are not yet compatible with solution NMR. Nonetheless, this thesis lays the groundwork for further development of these samples to allow the future study of conformational exchange of GlpG in native lipid membranes.

No description available.

With the aim to develop and characterize a functionalized highly magnetic polymer carrier of micrometer size and of a narrow particle size distribution that will be suitable for biological application, hypercrosslinked microspheres were prepared. Simultaneously, the relation between structure and properties of product was observed. Condition of dispersion polymerization were optimized to obtain starting monodisperse poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) [P(St-DVB)] microspheres. The P(St-DVB) microspheres of different degree of crosslinking were prepared and effect of some polymerization parameters such as type of solvent, initiator, concentration and mode of DVB addition on morphology, size and particle size distribution were investigated. The starting microspheres were hypercrosslinked to obtain microporous inner structure. Hyperosslinked particles had very large specific surface area (> 1000 m2/g) and a high content of micropores (ca. 0.6 ml/g). First, P(St-DVB) microspheres were chloromethylated using three different chloromethylation agents to regulate their porous properties. Hypercrosslinking was achieved by the addition of stannic chloride as a catalyst and by increasing a temperature. The hypercrosslinked microspheres were then functionalized with sulfo- or aminogroups. The functional groups captured precipitated iron oxide inside the porous structure of the microspheres and also served as a reactive site for intended immobilization of the protein. A solution of ferrous and ferric chloride was imbibed under vacuum into the porous structure and the iron oxide was precipitated by an aqueous ammonia solution. Finally, the magnetic functionalized hypercrosslinked micropsheres were integrated into a biosensor for qualitative detection of ovalbumin.

Cette étude est centrée sur la synthèse et la préparation de zéolithes modifiées par des métaux de transition avec leurs applications en catalyse sous irradiation microondes. Des travaux précédents ont montré l’intérêt de modifier des zéolithes avec des métaux de transition pour leur application sur des réactions d’oxydation et d’utiliser les microondes afin d’augmenter les vitesses de réaction. Dans cette thèse, nous avons étudié deux types de structure zéolithique (MEL et FAU) dopés par des métaux de transition (Co, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni, Cr) à différentes concentrations. Une étude classique de caractérisation a permis d’augmenter la connaissance sur la préparation de zéolithes modifiées et de comprendre leur influence sur l’activité catalytique. La réaction d’oxydation partielle du styrène pour la production du benzaldéhyde a été choisie comme réaction modèle. La zéolithe Co-ZSM-11 a présenté la meilleure activité catalytique dans cette étude ainsi que par rapport à d’autres catalyseurs présentés dans la littérature.Les réactions d’oxydation du styrène ont été étudiées sous irradiation microondes et sous chauffage conventionnel. Aucune différence sur l’activité des zéolithes dopées n’a été observée pour les deux types de chauffage. Les faibles valeurs de permittivités et perméabilités des zéolithes dopées par des métaux de transition rendent difficile l’intensification du procédé d’obtention de benzaldéhyde à partir de l’oxydation du styrène sous microondes. Les paramètres de la réaction modèle ont été optimisés et une étude cinétique a été menée avec la zéolithe Co-ZSM-11. Enfin, le chauffage par hystérésis diélectrique a été utilisé dans la synthèse de zéolithes ZSM-11. Le temps de synthèse a été considérablement réduit (80%) par rapport au temps nécessaire sous chauffage conventionnel. / This study focuses on the synthesis and preparation of modified zeolites with transition metals and theirs applications in catalysis under microwave irradiation. Previous works have shown interest in modifying zeolites with transition metals for their application to oxidation reactions and in using microwave irradiation in order to increase the reaction rates. In this thesis, we studied two types of zeolite structure (MEL and FAU) doped with transitionmetals (Co, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni, Cr) at different concentrations. A classic characterization study has increased the knowledge on the preparation of modified zeolites and the understanding of their influence on thecatalytic activity. The styrene partial oxidation reaction for benzaldehyde production was chosen as amodel reaction. Co-ZSM-11 zeolite presented the best catalytic activity in this study and also compared to other catalysts found in the literature. The styrene oxidation reactions were studied under microwave irradiation and under conventional heating. No difference in the activity of doped zeolites was observed for both types of heating. The low values of permittivity and permeability of zeolites doped with transition metals make difficult the intensification of the benzaldehyde production process from styrene oxidation under microwave. The parameters of the model reaction have been optimized and a reaction kinetic study was carried out by using the Co-ZSM-11 zeolite. Finally, the hysteresis dielectric heating was used in the synthesis of ZSM-11. The synthesis time was significantly reduced (80%) under microwave irradiation compared to conventional heating.

La chimie du fluor a connu un essor considérable ces dernières années en raison des caractéristiques remarquables de cet halogène et de l'influence qu'il exerce sur les propriétés physicochimiques des molécules organiques l'incorporant. De nombreuses molécules fluorées sont désormais utilisées comme médicaments ou en agriculture. Au laboratoire, nous nous sommes intéressés au développement de nouvelles stratégies directes et efficaces pour incorporer un groupement trifluorométhyle sur une double liaison carbone-carbone. Pour cela, des procédés faisant intervenir la catalyse photoinduite ont été employés.Tout d'abord, la synthèse d'amines β-trifluorométhylées a été mise au point en utilisant des enecarbamates comme substrats de départ. Une deuxième approche a consisté à utiliser des styrènes, commerciaux ou plus facile d'accès, et d'introduire l'atome d'azote par addition concomitante du nucléophile et du groupement CF₃. Cette stratégie a été ensuite étendue à d'autres nucléophiles carbonés ou halogénés de façon obtenir une grande diversité structurale. Enfin, la réactivité inattendue des 2-vinylbenzaldéhydes nous a permis d'appliquer nos méthodologies photocatalysées à la synthèse de phthalanes, composés présents dans un grand nombre de produits naturels ou biologiquement actifs. / Over the past decade, organic fluorine chemistry has attracted wide interest due to the unique nature of this halogen which modifies the physicochemical properties of molecules. Numerous fluorinated compounds are nowadays used in medicine and crop science. These features have stimulated the development of new strategies for the efficient introduction of fluorine, especially the trifluoromethyl group into organic molecules. Among the contemporary methods, visible-light photoredox trifluoromethylation of alkenes is an efficient and attractive strategy. This first aim was to develop a methodology giving rise to original β-trifluoromethylamines. We could efficiently perform a photocatalyzed α-β-difunctionalization of enecarbamates through a three-component reaction between enecarbamates, Togni reagent, and a nucleophile: alcohol, cyanide or azide. Another approach uses styrenes, which are commercially available compounds or easily accessible. The nitrogen atom was introduced by concomitant addition of a CF₃ group and an azido or amino function. The second project of my PhD was to extend this methodology to aromatic or heteroaromatic nucleophiles leading to the formation of 1,1 diarylalkane derivatives, which are present in many biologically active products. Changing the nucleophilic partner to halogen (chlorine, bromine or iodine) is also very effective. Finally, the photoredox-mediated process has been applied to the synthesis of 1,3-dihydroisobenzofurans, commonly named phthalans and their nitrogen analogs: 1,3-isoindolines.

Improvement properties of building materials are essential. In this dissertation thesis, the main concern had been on synthesizing a new resin to improve the properties of concrete and brick. Solvent-based polymers have been used for many years to improve the quality of building materials. In contrast to solvent-based polymers, water-based emulsion polymers are one of the available solutions that have been used to improve the quality of building materials. Several advantages can be enumerated for water-based emulsion polymers such as lower volatile organic compounds (VOC), easier application, lower carbon dioxide emissions in the production, and fossil resource preservation. Water-based emulsion polymers are synthesized from simple homopolymers to copolymers with various monomers and additives. In this research, the synthesis and characterization of water-based acrylic styrene emulsion copolymer had been the main concern. Acrylic monomers could develop the qualities such as thermoplasticity, water solubility, and a longer lifespan of the polymer, while styrene monomers will impart water resistance and stiffness properties. In this research, the first step had been the synthesis of a water-based emulsion copolymer. Furthermore, considering the importance of biodegradability of the synthesized copolymer, the research followed by the replacement of ingredients such as emulsifiers with higher biodegradability characteristics with eco-friendly by-products, i.e. reducing the microplastic hazards. As a result, the copolymer could be decomposed better, and consequently, problems with the release of microplastics will be reduced. The synthesized water-based acrylic styrene emulsion copolymer was characterized by FTIR, DSC, and TGA. The FTIR results confirmed successful emulsion polymerization of acrylic styrene copolymer. DSC results confirmed the formation of an amorphous thermoplastic type of copolymer with a single glass transition temperature. The TGA result also confirms a single decomposition temperature. The film formation was carried out using a film applicator to evaluate the film formation properties. The substitution of the superseded emulsifiers (both anionic and nonionic) did not alter the characteristics of the synthesized copolymer, while some of the qualities such as water absorbance of the dried copolymer are improved (a water absorption test was carried out). To improve the quality of both synthesized emulsion copolymers (with conventional and superseded emulsifiers), the nanocomposite of the emulsion copolymer was prepared (Cloisite 30B at a concentration of 0.2 to 1 %). The synthesized nanocomposite showed better water resistance in the coating application in contrast with emulsion copolymer. The next stage of the research has been concentrated on the application of the synthesized water-based emulsion copolymer to building materials (concrete and brick). The synthesis copolymer has been applied as a coating on the surface of the concrete and bricks. Moreover, the synthesis copolymer was used as one of the ingredients in the mixture of the concrete. The promising results for the coating improved when the synthesis polymer was modified with nanoparticles (Cloisite 30B at a concentration of 1 % weight of the latex). Incorporating the synthesized copolymer in the mixture of concrete caused decreasing in the density of concrete by 4 % ( via air voids formation mechanism). However, water absorption was improved when synthesized copolymer was mixed with the concrete. The synthesized copolymer and the nanocomposite is a suitable coating for the concrete and brick. Furthermore, this copolymer is a suitable water-based coating with improved properties in building materials.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / In this thesis we describe the synthesis of several carbonyl complexes of molybdenum and tungsten, compounds (Cl-ClO). The compounds Cl- C4 are zero valent carbonyl complexes containing N-base ligands prepared by following a common synthetic procedure. Compounds Cl and C2 were metal pentacarbonyl of 3-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl) pyridine while C3 and C4 are metal tetracarbonyl complexes of 3, 5- dimethylpyrazole, (M=Mo, W). The compounds C5-C10 are divalent metal carbonyl complexes. Compounds CS and C6 were 3,5-dimethylpyrazole dibromotricarbonyl metal complexes prepared from the dibromotetracarbonyl metal dimers at room temperature while the compounds C7 and C8 were cyclopentadienyl halogenoaryltricarbonyl complexes prepared from the cyclopentadienyl metal dimers. Compounds C9 and ClO were prepared from cyclopentadienyl metal dimers by reacting the [CpM(C0)3r anion with CCl4 to obtain [CpM(C0)3Cl] and further reacted with 3-(1- methylpyrrolidin-2-yl) pyridine. All the compounds, Cl-ClO, were characterized by the standard analytical techniques such as FTIR, 1H, 13C NMR; and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Compound C4 was characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structure is depicted as having a distorted octahedral geometry around the metal centre. The compounds Cl-ClO were then tested towards the epoxidation of selected cyclic and straight chain alkenes. The substrates used were cis-cyclooctene (Cyg), 1-octene (C8) cyclohexene (Cy6), 1-hexene (C6) and styrene (Sty). The epoxidation reactions were carried out at a temperature of 55 °C using tertbutylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant and dichloroethane (DCE) as the solvent. The metal carbonyl complexes were pre-activated by first reacting them with the oxidant TBHP to obtain the metal-oxo complexes which are the active compounds for epoxidation reactions. The products were analyzed using GC techniques. The compounds, Cl-ClO showed a promising activity towards epoxidation reactions owing to the high conversions obtained by these compounds. For example, conversions of 81% (1-octene), 90% (cis-cyclooctene) were obtained by compound C5, 87% (cis-cyclooctene-compound C3, 95% (cis-cyclooctene-compound · C7) and 69% (ciscyclooctene- compound C4) for an average period of 24 h. The divalent metal carbonyl complexes showed a higher activity but with poor selectivity towards the expected epoxides compared to the zero valent metal carbonyl complexes.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is the most widely used thermoplastics in 3D printing for making models, prototypes, patterns, tools and end-use parts. However, there is a lack of systematic understanding of the mechanical properties of 3D printed ABS components, including orientation-dependent tensile strength, creep, and fatigue properties. These mechanical properties are critically needed for design and application of 3D printed components. The main objective of this research is to systematically characterize key mechanical properties of 3D printed ABS components, including tensile, creep, and fatigue properties. Additionally, the eff ects of printing orientation on the mechanical prop- erties are investigated. There are two research approaches employed in the thesis: rst, experimental investigation of the tensile, creep, and fatigue properties of the 3D printed ABS components; second, laminate based finite-element modeling of tensile test to understand the stress distributions in different printing layers. The major conclusions of the thesis work are summarized as follows. The tensile test experiments show that the 0 printing orientation has the highest Young's modulus, 1.81 GPa, and ultimate strength, 224 MPa. The tensile test simulation shows a similar Young's modulus as the experiment in elastic region, indicating the robustness of laminate based finite element model. In the creep test, the 90 printing orientation has the lowest k value of 0.2 in the plastics creep model, suggesting the 90 is the most creep resistant among 0 , 45 , and 90 printing orientations. In the fatigue test, the average cycle number under load of 30 N is 3796 revolutions. The average cycle number decreases to 128 revolutions when the load is below 60N. Using the Paris Law, with the crack size of 0.75 mm long and stress intensity factor is varied from 352 to 700 MN -m^3/2 , the predicted fatigue crack growth rate is 0.0341 mm/cycle.