L'Urotensine II est un peptide vasoactif que l'on retrouve chez toutes les espèces étudiées. Elle présente une partie N-terminale linéaire variable selon l'espèce et une partie C-terminale hexocyclique constante et responsable de l'activité. Parmi les ligands développés, le Palosuran, un inhibiteur sélectif du récepteur de l'Urotensine II, présente un intérêt dans le traitement de l'insuffisance rénale du patient diabétique voire dans certaines pathologies ischémiques. Dans la première partie de ce travail de thèse, une série de composés à noyau pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine a été développée, tout d'abord, par analogie aux structures brevetées par Takeda puis sur le modèle du Palosuran.<br />La Mélatonine est une hormone à noyau indolique produite pendant la nuit par la glande pinéale et qui présente de nombreuses propriétés dont la plus importante est la synchronisation de l'horloge biologique avec le cycle jour-nuit. L'Agomélatine, analogue mélatoninergique à noyau naphtalénique développé par les Laboratoires Servier pour le traitement de la dépression, est un agoniste des récepteurs MT1 et MT2 et un antagoniste du récepteur 5HT2c. C'est sur ce modèle, qu'ont été développés des ligands à noyau pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine par substitution des sommets 2, 4 et 6, soit par alkylation, soit par couplages palladiés. La ramification de la chaîne latérale de l'Agomélatine ayant conduit à des composés actifs, il a été envisagé la synthèse d'analogues possédant la même chaîne en série pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine d'une part puis imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine d'autre part.

xxi, 199 p. ： ill. (some col.) / Mimicking the simplicity and efficiency of Nature in the synthesis and design of non-covalent receptors for ions in solution has piqued the interest of the chemical community since the mid 20th century. Until recently most of that focus has been on the binding, sensing, or remediation of inorganic cations instead of their anionic counterparts. With the realization of the role anions play in biological function or dysfunction, the development of selective probes for these highly solvated and elusive targets has become an important goal in the chemical and biological communities. Concurrently the optoelectronic properties of planar extended π-systems have been exploited in the development of novel light absorbing and emitting organics and carbon-rich materials with tunable optical outputs. While many of these compounds exhibit desirable sensor properties, their insolubility and non-specificity has hindered the inclusion of these materials in probes for biologically relevant substrates. This body of research seeks to combine our knowledge of supramolecular structure-function relationships with novel extended aromatic topologies to yield highly specific probes for anions in competitive media that exhibit discrete, tunable outputs upon interaction with their target substrates. Chapter I provides a brief overview of phenylacetylene topologies as they have been used in supramolecular assemblies and sensor design, with an emphasis on their use in anion-directed complexes. Chapter II focuses on our choice of specific arylethynylpyridine architectures upon which we can build a modular synthetic scheme to access working receptors. Chapter III encompasses the synthesis of urea and sulfonamide derivatives of phenylethynylpyridine and binding studies with these receptors and halide salts in organic media. Chapters IV and V focus upon the optoelectronic properties of these receptors, the tunability of their outputs and how we utilized their behavior in aqueous media to develop in vitro sensors for halides. This chapter concludes with recent results regarding their self-assembly on the micro-scale. This dissertation contains my previously published and co-authored work. / Committee in charge: Victoria DeRose, Chairperson; Michael Haley, Co-Advisor; Darren Haley, Co-Advisor; Shih-Yuan Liu, Member; David Schmidt, Outside Member

The β-acyloxyalkyl radical rearrangement has been known since 1967 but its mechanism is still not fully understood, despite considerable investigation. Since the migration of a β-trifluoroacetoxy group generally proceeds more rapidly and with more varied regiochemistry than its less electronegative counterparts, this reaction was studied in the hope of understanding more about the subtleties of the mechanism of the β- acyloxyalkyl radical rearrangement. The mechanism of the catalysed rearrangement of Nalkoxy- 2(1H)-pyridinethiones was also explored because preliminary studies indicated that the transition state (TS) for this process was isoelectronic with TSs postulated for the β-acyloxyalkyl radical and other novel rearrangements. ¶ A kinetic study of the rearrangement of the 2-methyl-2-trifluoroacetoxy-1-heptyl radical in solvents of different polarity was undertaken using a radical clock method. Arrhenius equations for the rearrangement in each solvent were: hexane, log10[kr (s-1)] = 11.8±0.3 – (48.9±0.7)/ θ; benzene, log10[kr (s-1)] = 12.0±0.2 – (43.7±0.8)/ θ; and propionitrile, log10[kr (s-1)] = 11.9±0.2 – (42.0±0.3)/ θ. Rate constants at 75˚C were: hexane, kr = 2.9 × 104; benzene, kr = 2.8 × 105; and propionitrile, kr = 4.0 × 105 s-1. The equilibrium constant for the reversible rearrangement at 80°C in benzene was 15.1 <K < 52.9. ¶ A regiochemical study with oxygen-labelled radicals revealed that trifluoroacetoxy group migration occurs with 66-83% label transposition (3,2 shift). The proportion of 3,2 shift is decreased by polar solvent, high temperature and low concentration of the reducing agent. Results of labelling experiments were consistent with cooperative 1,2 and 3,2 shifts, the former having Ea 9.5 kJmol-1 higher than the latter in benzene solution. ¶ An esr study of nine β-oxygenated radicals revealed that the temperaturedependent equilibrium conformation is controlled by a balance between steric and stereoelectronic effects. The influence of the latter is increased by electron-attracting β- substituents. Barriers to C α–C β rotation in β-oxyethyl radicals are approximately the same as for the propyl radical. Consequently, there is no significant through-space interaction between the β-substituent and the unpaired electron. ¶ Experimental results were consistent with a mechanism involving a combination of polarized 1,2 and 3,2 concerted shifts. The results may also be rationalised by the intermediacy of a contact ion pair, as well as combinations of the three options. ¶ The rearrangement of N-alkoxy-2(1H)-pyridinethiones is catalysed by oxidants, Lewis acids and protic acids. Pseudo first order kinetics are observed and there are moderate solvent effects. The migration of a 1,1-dideuteroallyl group occurs almost exclusively in a 1,4 sense. Migration of an enantiomerically enriched 1-phenylethyl group proceeds with predominant retention of configuration in chloroform, but with virtual racemisation in acetonitrile. Migrating groups do not become diffusively free during the rearrangement. Substituents which stablise positive charge at C1 migrate more rapidly. The bulk of evidence indicates that a catalyst activates the pyridinethione for rearrangement by promoting aromatisation. Mass-spectrometric analysis of an isolated intermediate and kinetic results are consistent with an intermolecular mechanism.

Since the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) as the bacterial agent causing tuberculosis, the permanent eradication of this disease has proven challenging. Although a number of drugs exist for the treatment of tuberculosis, 1.7 million people still die every year from this infection. The current treatment regimen involves lengthy combination therapy with four different drugs in an effort to combat the development of resistance. However, multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains are emerging in all parts of the world. Therefore, new drugs effective in the treatment of tuberculosis are much-needed. The work presented in this thesis was focused on the early stages of drug discovery by applying different hit identification and hit expansion strategies in the exploration of two new potential drug targets, glutamine synthetase (GS) and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR). A literature survey was first carried out to identify new Mtb GS inhibitors from compounds known to inhibit GS in other species. Three compounds, structurally unrelated to the typical amino acid derivatives of previously known GS inhibitors, were then discovered by virtual screening and found to be Mtb GS inhibitors, exhibiting activities in the millimolar range. Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine analogues were also investigated as Mtb GS inhibitors. The chemical functionality, size requirements and position of the substituents in the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine hit were investigated, and a chemical library was designed based on a focused hierarchical design of experiments approach. The X-ray structure of one of the inhibitors in complex with Mtb GS provided additional insight into the structure–activity relationships of this class of compounds. Finally, new α-arylated fosmidomycin analogues were synthesized as inhibitors of Mtb DXR, exhibiting IC50 values down to 0.8 µM. This work shows that a wide variety of aryl groups are tolerated by the enzyme. Cinnamaldehydes are important synthetic intermediates in the synthesis of fosmidomycin analogues. These were prepared by an oxidative Heck reaction from acrolein and various arylboronic acids. Electron-rich, electron-poor, heterocyclic and sterically hindered boronic acids could be employed, furnishing cinnamaldehydes in 43–92% yield.

Η σύνθεση και ο χαρακτηρισμός πλειάδων των μετάλλων μετάπτωσης σε ενδιάμεσες οξειδωτικές βαθμίδες αποτελεί σήμερα έναν από τους κύριους ερευνητικούς στόχους πολλών επιστημονικών ομάδων παγκοσμίως εξαιτίας των εφαρμογών που βρίσκουν σε διάφορα επιστημονικά πεδία, όπως στη βιοανόργανη χημεία, στην επιστήμη των υλικών, στη μοριακή φυσική και ηλεκτρονική, και στη θεωρητική χημεία. Οι πλειάδες αυτές περιέχουν πολλές φορές έναν ασυνήθιστα μεγάλο αριθμό ασυζεύκτων ηλεκτρονίων στη θεμελιώδη κατάσταση και παρουσιάζουν εξαιρετικό ενδιαφέρον από μαγνητικής απόψεως. Αυτό συμβαίνει γιατί μια υψηλή τιμή spin στη θεμελιώδη κατάσταση είναι αναγκαία (άλλα όχι ικανή) συνθήκη ώστε αυτού του είδους οι σύμπλοκες ενώσεις να εμφανίζουν το φαινόμενο του μονομοριακού μαγνητισμού (single-molecule magnetism). Στην παρούσα Εργασία μελετήθηκε το σύστημα αντίδρασης μαγγάνιο/2-πυριδυλομεθανόλη (hmpH), παρουσία ή απουσία κυανικών ιόντων (OCN-) και κάτω από βασικές συνθήκες, το οποίο οδήγησε στην απομόνωση και το δομικό (μέσω κρυσταλλογραφίας ακτίνων-Χ σε μονοκρυστάλλους) και μαγνητοχημικό χαρακτηρισμό των πλειάδων [Mn7(OH)3(OCN)3(hmp)9](ClO4)2 (1), [Mn16O8(OMe)4(OCN)4(O2CMe)12(hmp)6(MeOH)2] (2), [Mn18O14(O2CMe)18(hmp)4(hmpH)2(H2O)2] (3) και [Mn18O14(O2CEt)18(hmp)4(hmpH)2(H2O)2] (4). Οι πλειάδες 1-4 είναι μικτού-σθένους (ΙΙ/ΙΙΙ). Το σύμπλοκο 1 αποτελεί ένα νέο μέλος μιας μεγάλης οικογένειας επταπυρηνικών συμπλόκων με το δομικό πυρήνα τους να περιλαμβάνει έξι ιόντα Mn διευθετημένα κυκλικά γύρω από ένα έβδομο κεντρικό ιόν Mn2+. Τα σύμπλοκα 2, 3 και 4 αποτελούν παραδείγματα υψηλής πυρηνικότητας και συμμετρίας πλειάδων του Mn, με αισθητικά όμορφες δομές και ενδιαφέρουσες μαγνητικές ιδιότητες. / The synthesis and characterization of polynuclear metal complexes (clusters) containing paramagnetic 3d-metal ions in intermediate oxidation states have gained intense interest due to the applications of these compounds in several fields of science, such as bioinorganic chemistry, materials science, molecular physics and electronics, and theoretical chemistry. Such high nuclearity transition metal clusters are one of the growing research subjects in Molecular Magnetism, given the fact that they often possess a fairly large ground-state spin value, which is one of the necessary requirements for a molecule to be able to exhibit the phenomenon of single-molecule magnetism. In the present work, we studied the general reaction system manganese/2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (hmpH), in the presence or absence of cyanate ions (OCN-), under basic conditions, which has led to the isolation, and structural (through single-crystal X-ray crystallography) and magnetochemical characterization of the compounds [Mn7(OH)3(OCN)3(hmp)9](ClO4)2 (1), [Mn16O8(OMe)4(OCN)4(O2CMe)12(hmp)6(MeOH)2] (2), [Mn18O14(O2CMe)18(hmp)4(hmpH)2(H2O)2] (3) and [Mn18O14(O2CEt)18(hmp)4(hmpH)2(H2O)2] (4). All complexes 1-4 are mixed-valent (II/III). Complex 1 is a new member of a growing family of heptanuclear clusters with a core consisting of six Mn ions arranged in a ring around a seventh central Mn2+ ion. Complexes 2, 3 and 4 are examples of high-nuclearity and high-symmetry Mn clusters with aesthetically pleasing structures and interesting magnetic properties.

The thesis work delineates the rational design and successful syntheses of platinum (II) complexes for achieving light promoted dual action anticancer properties. The research work focuses on the syntheses, elaborate characterization including crystallization and mechanistic aspects of photodegradation processes. Theoretical studies were done to elucidate the properties of the excited states. The interaction of active Pt (II) species with DNA is also explored. The cellular studies include evaluation of the photo-induced cytotoxicities, mode of cell death, nature of reactive oxygen species (ROS), quantification of cellular Pt content and cellular and sub-cellular localization of the complexes. Chapter I provides an overview of the hallmarks of cancer and the current anticancer treatment modalities. It outlines the evolution of platinum based chemotherapeutic drugs, their mechanism of action and associated disadvantages. It also depicts the resurgence of metal complexes as photosensitizers for photoactivated chemotherapy, a selective tripartite strategy which permits light induced tumor destruction. Detailed literature reports of potential transition metal complexes showing light induced generation of ROS and controlled delivery of multiple drugs in tumor microenvironment are presented. The key challenges are the delivery and controlled activation of the clinically approved platinum (II) drugs. These prime objectives of the present investigation are depicted as a concluding segment of this introductory chapter. Chapter II includes the syntheses, characterization, evaluation of visible light induced cytotoxicity and interaction with DNA of novel ferrocenyl terpyridine appended platinum (II) complexes. Detailed mechanistic investigations revealed the important role of ferrocene in light triggered generation of reactive oxygen species. The effect of extensive conjugation on the photophysical properties of the complexes were also rationalized from theoretical calculations. The alteration in DNA binding affinities of the complexes on incorporation of a ferrocene unit in the platinum (II)terpyridines is also reflected. The work is the first report of the remarkable photocytotoxicity of platinum(II) complexes in visible light with nominal dark toxicity. Chapter III deals with novel ferrocenyl terpyridyl platinum(II) complexes having tumor targeting biotinylated acetylides which were synthesized for achieving selective photocytotoxicity only in cancer cells. An interesting observation was the red light promoted release of biotinylated acetylide ligands from platinum centre thereby generating mono-functional Pt(II) species. The possible covalent interactions of these platinum(II) species with DNA were also explored. These biotin complexes exhibit preferential cellular uptake in BT474 breast cancer cells over HBL-100 breast normal cells resulting in targeted photocytotoxicity in visible light. Chapter IV rationalizes design, syntheses and extensive characterization of 2-(phenylazo)pyridine based platinum(II) catecholates containing photosensitizers. The O^O donor ligand was chosen to release the more cytotoxic bi-functional platinum(II) species based on the prior knowledge of the labile Pt-O bonds. Interestingly, we observed glutathione triggered release of the catecholates imparting dual action anticancer properties to the molecules. Detailed mechanistic aspects indicated a possible reduction of the metal coordinated azo bond by cellular glutathione. The excellent photocytotoxicity in HaCaT and MCF-7 cells, cellular ROS generation and apoptosis, cellular Pt content and localization of these complexes are discussed. Chapter V addresses the advantages of navigating the platinum(II) complexes to mitochondrial DNA instead of genomic DNA. BODIPY appended platinum(II) catecholates were synthesized and the BODIPY core was modified to fine-tune the photophysical properties. The visible light induced growth inhibitory effects of the complexes and the mechanism of cell death in light exposed cells are explored. The novelty of this work is the mitochondria targeted remarkable photocytotoxicity as well as cellular imaging properties of the complexes making them ideal candidates for developing platinum based theranostic agents. Chapter VI presents the syntheses, characterization of unprecedented platinum(II) complexes of curcumin for dual action DNA crosslinking and photochemotherapeutic activities. The important feature of these Pt(II) prodrugs is the photorelease of curcumin from Pt(II) centre which results in controlled delivery of two potential anticancer agents. The visible light induced cytotoxicities of the complexes in HaCaT, BT474, T47D, Hep3B and HPL1D cells, their effect on the various cellular events, the interaction of the complexes with DNA and their cellular distribution in light and dark are explored. The appropriate references are provided at the end of each chapter and allocated as superscripts in the main text. The synthesized complexes are denoted by bold-faced numbers. Crystallography data of the complexes that are structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography are given in CIF format in the enclosed CD (Appendix-I). Due acknowledgements are provided for mentioned literature reports. Any omission is purely unintentional and is deeply regretted. INDEX WORDS: Platinum(II) complexes • Crystal structure • Visible light induced cytotoxicity • Cellular imaging • Photochemotherapeutic agents • DNA crosslink.

Le motif biaryl contenant la pyridine représente une structure omniprésente dans la chimie organique et médicinale. Ainsi, le développement de méthodes fiables de synthèse est continuellement désiré. Traditionnellement, les cycles azotés biarylés sont efficacement synthétisés par des réactions de couplage croisé catalytique. Cependant, la pyridine peut être difficilement fonctionnalisée en position C-2 compte tenu de sa déficience en électrons. Cette propriété limite son utilisation en tant que partenaire nucléophile dans les réactions de couplage croisé. Par exemple, dans le couplage de Suzuki-Miyaura, l’acide 2-pyridyle boronique est connu pour son instabilité. À l’inverse, les organométalliques du 2-pyridyle sont peu réactifs pour faire des réactions de substitution aromatique électrophile. La synthèse des pyridines 2-substituées est par conséquent un défi qui reste difficile à relever. La première partie de ce mémoire est consacrée au développement récent des méthodes pour résoudre les problèmes de couplage avec des nucléophiles 2-pyridyles. En particulier, les approches classiques comme le couplage modifié de Suzuki-Miyaura, l’activation de liaison C-H des composés pyridinium N-activés, et l’arylation directe du cycle pyridine sont présentées. De plus, les approches alternatives qui utilisent la partie pyridine comme partenaire électrophile dans la réaction couplage avec les réactifs organométalliques sont également discutées. Dans la deuxième partie de ce mémoire, une méthode de couplage croisée entre des esters de sulfonate de 2-pyridyles et des organolithiens est rapportée. Une variété de pyridines 2-substituées a été synthétisées avec succès en faisant réagir des sulfonates de pyridine avec des organolithiens (aryl, alkane, heteroaryle lithium) à basse température. La méthode permet également de s’affranchir de l’utilisation d’un quelconque métal de transition. Des études mécanistiques montrent que le processus impliquant les composés lithiés s’apparente à une réaction de substitution nucléophile aromatique. Cependant, le mécanisme diffère lorsque la réaction met en jeu des réactifs de Grignard, où un processus de couplage entre deux ligands d’un intermédiaire σ-sulfurane peut être impliqué. / Biaryl compounds containing the pyridine moiety represent a ubiquitous structure in both organic and medicinal chemistry. Therefore, finding new and reliable approaches for their synthesis is still of interest. Traditionally, azine containing biaryls are efficiently synthesized via transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. However, due to its π-deficient nature, pyridine cannot be easily functionalized at the C-2 position to serve as nucleophile partner. For examples, in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction, 2-pyridyl boronates are well known for their instability. 2-Pyridyl organometallics undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution poorly. Thus, the synthesis of 2-substituted pyridines remains a challenging task. The first part of the thesis focuses on the recent methods to address the coupling issues of 2-pyridyl nucleophiles in cross-coupling reactions. Of note, the classical methods including Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions, C-H activation of N-activated pyridinium species, and direct coupling reaction of pyridine are presented. Alternative approaches using the pyridine moiety as an electrophilic entity in the coupling with organometallic reagents are also discussed. In the second part of the thesis, a transition metal-free desulfinative cross-coupling reaction of 2-pyridyl sulfonates with organolithium reagents is reported. A variety of 2-substituted pyridines were successfully synthesized in good yields, by treatment of neopentyl 2-pyridyl sulfonates and phenyl 2-pyridyl sulfonate with aryl, alkyl, and heteroaryl-lithium reagents at low temperature. Mechanistic studies showed that the coupling reaction with lithium reagents undergoes an SNAr pathway. However, a ligand coupling process of a σ-sulfurane intermediate may be involved in the reaction with Grignard reagents to form the biaryl.

Με σκοπό τη μελέτη της χημείας ένταξης του υποκαταστάτη δι-2,6-(2-πυριδυλοκαρβονυλο) πυριδίνη (dpcp) με μέταλλα μετάπτωσης 3d, παρασκευάστηκαν οι τετραπυρηνικές πλειάδες [Cu4(N3)2{pyCO(OMe)pyCO(OMe)py}2(MeOH)2](ClO4)∙2MeOH (1∙2MeOH) και [Co4(N3)2(NO3)2{pyCO(OMe)pyCO(OMe)py}2]∙0.5MeOH (2∙0.5MeOH), η εξαπυρηνική πλειάδα [Ni6(CO3)(N3)6{pyCOpyC(O)(OMe)py}3(MeOH)2(H2O)][Ni6(CO3)(N3)6 {pyCOpyC(O)(OMe)py}3(MeOH)3](ClO4)2 (3∙1.8MeOH) και η διπυρηνική πλειάδα [Fe2{pyCO(OMe)py(Η)CO(OMe)py}2(MeO)2](ClO4)2∙(4∙MeOH). Στην συνέχεια μελετήθηκε η χημεία ένταξης του ίδιου υποκαταστάτη με μέταλλα 3d και 4f και παρασκευάστηκαν τα ετερομεταλλικά διπυρηνικά σύμπλοκα [ΜIILnIII{pyCOH(OEt)pyCOH(OEt)py}3](ClO4)2∙EtOH (5-16∙EtOH) με ΜΙΙ = CuΙΙ, CoΙΙ, NiΙΙ, ZnΙΙ, MnΙΙ, FeΙΙ [LnΙΙΙ = GdΙΙΙ (5 - 10), TbΙΙΙ (11 – 16) αντίστοιχα]. Όλα τα σύμπλοκα χαρακτηρίστηκαν κρυσταλλογραφικά, τα σύμπλοκα 4, 10 και 16 χαρακτηρίστηκαν με φασματοσκοπία Mössbauer ενώ τα σύμπλοκα 1 – 10 χαρακτηρίστηκαν μαγνητικά. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, οι μαγνητικές μελέτες των συμπλόκων 1 – 3, 5 και 10 έδειξαν σιδηρομαγνητικές αλληλεπιδράσεις ενώ εκείνες των συμπλόκων 4, 6, 7 και 9 έδειξαν αντισιδηρομαγνητικές αλληλεπιδράσεις. Προκειμένου να μελετηθεί σε βάθος η οικογένεια των βασικών καρβοξυλικών αλάτων του σιδήρου [Fe3O(O2CR)6(H2O)3]A, παρασκευάστηκαν δύο σειρές αυτών των συμπλόκων με R = CCl3, CHBr2, CH2F, CH2Cl, C(OH)Ph2, H, Ph, (CH2)3Cl, Me, CHMe2, Et και CMe3. Στην πρώτη σειρά συμπλόκων (17 - 28) το αντισταθμιστικό ιόν (Α) είναι ClO4-, ενώ στη δεύτερη (29 - 40) είναι NO3-. Η προσπάθεια απομόνωσης του ανάλογου με R = CF3 ήταν άκαρπη και για τα δύο αντισταθμιστικά ιόντα και οδήγησε σε ένα τετραπυρηνικό σύμπλοκο [Fe4O2(O2CCF3)8(H2O)6] (41) με δομή τύπου «πεταλούδας». Πραγματοποιήθηκαν μετρήσεις Mössbauer σε στερεά δείγματα και για τις δύο σειρές και οι ισομερείς μετατοπίσεις και οι τετραπολικές αλληλεπιδράσεις διαφέρουν μεταξύ 0.51 – 0.54 mms-1 και 0.36 – 0.76 mms-1 αντίστοιχα. Μετρήσεις Mössbauer και σε διαλύματα αυτών έδειξαν τη σταθερότητά τους και σε διάλυμα, με εξαίρεση το σύμπλοκο 29 (R = Cl3C, Α = NO3-) που οδήγησε σε σύμπλοκο τύπου «πεταλούδας». Το υψηλής συμμετρίας σύμπλοκο [Fe3O(O2CPh)6(py)3](ClO4)∙py (42) έχει μελετηθεί στο παρελθόν κρυσταλλογραφικά αλλά και με μετρήσεις ανελαστικής σκέδασης νετρονίων IINS και είχε προταθεί ύπαρξη του μαγνητικού φαινομένου Jahn-Teller σε πολύ χαμηλές θερμοκρασίες. Θέλοντας να εξακριβωθεί εάν η μαγνητική συμμετρία σχετίζεται με την πραγματική, πραγματοποιήθηκαν κρυσταλλογραφικές μετρήσεις μεταβλητής θερμοκρασίας στο εργαστήριο ΒΜ01Α του ESRF. Τα αποτελέσματα των πειραματικών μετρήσεων έδειξαν ότι η πραγματική συμμετρία παραμένει ίδια. Στη συνέχεια από μετρήσεις μαγνητικής επιδεκτικότητας ac, παρατηρήθηκε η ύπαρξη μαγνητικών φαινομένων χαλάρωσης υπό την επίδραση ασθενών μαγνητικών πεδίων. / Seeking to study the coordination chemistry of the ligand di-2, 6-(2-pyridylcarbonyl) pyridine (dpcp) with 3d transition metal ions, the tetranuclear complexes [Cu4(N3)2{pyCO(OMe)pyCO(OMe)py}2(MeOH)2](ClO4)∙2MeOH (1∙2MeOH) and [Co4(N3)2(NO3)2{pyCO(OMe)pyCO(OMe)py}2]∙0.5MeOH (2∙0.5MeOH), the hexanuclear complex [Ni6(CO3)(N3)6{pyCOpyC(O)(OMe)py}3(MeOH)2(H2O)][Ni6(CO3)(N3)6{pyCOpyC(O) (OMe)py}3(MeOH)3](ClO4)2 (3∙1.8MeOH) and the dinuclear complex [Fe2{pyCO(OMe)py(Η)CO(OMe)py}2(MeO)2](ClO4)2∙(4∙MeOH) were synthesized. In addition, in order to study the coordination chemistry of the same ligand with mixed 3d transition metal ions and 4f lanthanide ions, the heterometallic dinuclear complexes [ΜIILnIII{pyCOH(OEt)pyCOH(OEt)py}3] (ClO4)2∙EtOH (5-16∙EtOH) were synthesized, with ΜΙΙ = CuΙΙ, CoΙΙ, NiΙΙ, ZnΙΙ, MnΙΙ, FeΙΙ [LnΙΙΙ = GdΙΙΙ (5 - 10), TbΙΙΙ (11 – 16) respectively]. All complexes were structurally characterized and complexes 4, 10 and 16 were characterized by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Magnetic properties measurements of complexes 1-3, 5 and 10 indicated the existence of ferromagnetic interactions, while those of 4, 6, 7 and 9 indicated the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions. For the in depth study of the family of basic iron (III) carboxylates [Fe3O(O2CR)6(H2O)3]A, two series of complexes were prepared with R = Cl3C, CHBr2, CH2F, CH2Cl, C(OH)Ph2, H, Ph, Cl(CH2)3, Me, CHMe2, Et and Me3C. For the former series (17 - 28) the counteranion (A-) is ClO4- and for the latter (29 - 40) is NO3-. Attempts to prepare the respective trifluoroacetate (R = CF3) complexes were unsuccessful and the reaction system lead to the tetranuclear “butterfly” complex [Fe4O2(O2CCF3)8(H2O)6] (41), irrespective of whether perchlorates or nitrates were used as counteranions. Mössbauer studies revealed very similar isomer shifts for all complexes in the region of 0.51 – 0.54 mms-1, and variable quadrupole splittings, ranging from 0.36 to 0.76 mms-1. Mössbauer studies of the complexes were carried out in frozen MeCN solutions in order to assess their stability in solution and they proved to be stable in MeCN solutions, except complex 29 (R = Cl3C, Α = NO3-), which dissociated to a butterfly-type complex. The high-symmetry cluster [Fe3O(O2CPh)6(py)3](ClO4)∙py (42) has been structurally characterized and its Inelastic Incoherent Neutron Scattering studies have been reported. These studies suggested the existence of a magnetic Jahn-Teller effect at lower temperatures. Seeking to study if there is any correlation between magnetic and structural symmetry, we undertook variable-temperature crystallographic studies on ESRF BM01A beamline. With the results of these data we concluded that the symmetry of the crystal remained. Moreover, we have discovered that this complex exhibits magnetic relaxation phenomena under weak magnetic fields, observed by ac magnetic susceptometry.

Les maladies tropicales négligées causées par les protozoaires kinétoplastidés du genre Leishmania et Trypanosoma représentent une menace pour près d’un demi-milliard de personnes en zone intertropicale, entrainant jusqu’à 50 000 décès par an. Parmi les molécules en développement clinique pour traiter ces pathologies, le fexinidazole est une prodrogue appartenant à la famille des 5-nitroimidazoles et qui exerce son action anti-infectieuse via une étape de bioactivation catalysée par des nitroréductases (NTR) parasitaires, enzymes dont le co-facteur est une flavine. Afin d’identifier de nouveaux nitrohétérocycles antiparasitaires substrats des NTR, une petite chimiothèque d’imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines synthétisées au laboratoire a subi un criblage in vitro ayant conduit à l’identification d’une molécule Hit, à la fois active sur Leishmania donovani et Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Ce composé a servi de point de départ à un travail de pharmacomodulation, dans un premier temps en position 8 du cycle imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine : l’introduction de groupements variés à l’aide de réactions de couplage pallado-catalysées de Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira et Buchwald-Hartwig ou des réactions de SNAr, a permis de mettre en lumière plusieurs composés « tête de série » au profil biologique nettement amélioré. Dans un second temps, le travail de pharmacomodulation entrepris a été étendu aux positions 2, 3 et 6 du cycle imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine en vue de compléter les données de relations structure-activité, d’étudier en particulier l’impact du potentiel rédox et d’optimiser les paramètres physico-chimiques et pharmacocinétiques in vitro des meilleurs composés. / The kinetoplastids of the Leishmania and Trypanosoma genus are the causative agents of neglected tropical diseases that threaten nearly half a billion people in the intertropical zone, resulting in 50 000 deaths per year. Among the molecules in clinical development to treat these pathologies, fexinidazole is a prodrug belonging to the 5-nitroimidazoles family, which exerts its anti-infectious action via a bioactivation step catalyzed by parasitic nitroreductases (NTR), enzymes whose cofactor is a flavin. In order to identify novel nitroheterocycles as parasitic NTR substrates, a small chemical library of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines synthesized by our laboratory was screened in vitro, leading to the identification of a Hit molecule active both on Leishmania donovani and Trypanosoma brucei brucei. This compound served as a starting point for a pharmacomodulation work, initially in position 8 of the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine ring: the introduction of various chemical groups using the pallado-catalyzed coupling reactions of Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira and Buchwald-Hartwig, or SNAr reactions, highlighted several "lead" compounds with a significantly improved biological profile. In a second step, the pharmacomodulation work was extended to positions 2, 3 and 6 of the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine ring in order to complete the structure-activity relationship data, to study in particular the impact of the redox potential and to optimize the physicochemical and in vitro pharmacokinetic parameters of the best compounds in order to initiate the study of their in vivo activity on a trypanosomiasis mouse model.