A síntese e caracterização de sistemas hetero-híbridos gerados a partir da 3,6-bi-2-piridil-1,2,4,5-tetrazina (bptz) e interações com ouro nanoparticulado são abordados nesta tese. O bptz foi estudado por meio de métodos espectroscópicos e teóricos, focalizando principalmente o efeito SERS associado à adsorção em nanopartículas de ouro. O mecanismo de transferência de carga para metais macroscópicos foi transposto para a condição nanoparticulada, envolvendo ligações químicas entre bptz e as nanopartículas. Os complexos estudados possuem fórmula geral [LmRu(µ-bptz)RuLm]Xn, com “L” indicando os ligantes periféricos 5-cloro-1,10-fenantrolina (Clphen) ou 4’-(fenil)-2,2&#8217:6&#8217,2&#8221-terpirdina (ptpy) e “X” os contra-íons. Foram investigadas suas espectroeletroquímicas eletrônica e SERS, e as mudanças de perfil vibracional foram modeladas, incorporando o mecanismo de transferências de carga entre complexo e o ouro, além dos mecanismos ressonantes e eletromagnéticos / The synthesis and investigation of heterohybrid systems encompassing 3,6-bi-2-pyridyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (bptz) and its ruthenium complexes associated with gold nanoparticles are dealt with in this thesis. Bptz was characterized by spectroscopic and theoretical techniques, focusing on its SERS spectra after the adsorption onto nanoparticles. The charge transfer mechanism in the SERS spectra of macroscopic metals was transposed to the nanoparticle condition, assuming the formation of chemical bonds between bptz and the nanoparticles. Complexes of general formula [LmRu(µ--bptz)RuLm]Xn, “L” the peripheric ligants 5-chlorine-1,10-phenantroline or 4’-(phenyl)-2,2&#8217:6&#8217,2&#8221-terpyrdine (ptpy), and “X” counter-ions were also investigated, with special emphasis on their electronic and SERS spectroelectrochemistry. The changes in the vibrational profiles were successfully explained by the occurrence of charge transfer between the adsorbed complex and gold, in addition to the electromagnetic and resonance mechanisms.

This thesis describes the design, synthesis and reactivity of bimetallic complexes of doubly-pillared Schiff-base calixpyrrole ligands. Chapter One introduces the oxygen reduction reaction in light of the global energy scenario at present and in the future. Compounds and materials known to catalyse this reaction are discussed, with particular focus on transition metal complexes of pyrrole-containing macrocycles and the ability of these compounds to act as catalysts in redox reactions. Chapter Two describes the design and synthesis of several of the macrocyclic ligands developed during this project. The wide range of metals and geometries supported by one of the ligands, H4L, are outlined and include complexes of alkali-metals (Li, K), a rare earth metal (Mg), transition metals (Pd, Fe) and an actinide (UO2 2+). Chapter Three presents the use of [Co2(L)] for the reduction of dioxygen to water. The redox behaviour of the complex and its ability to reversibly bind oxygen were evaluated. The catalytic activity of [Co2(L)] was investigated in solution by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and electrochemically by rotating ring-disk electrochemistry. In Chapter Four, the ability of [Zn2(L)] to bind anions is described. Isothermal microcalorimetry, NMR, UV-Visible spectrophotometry, and fluorophotometry were used to study the de-aggregation of the anion free complex and the subsequent anion binding event. The stability of the complexes was estimated by DFT calculations. Chapter Five outlines the synthesis of complexes of L for other transition metals relevant to small molecule activation. Chapter Six contains a conclusion and suggestions on further investigations to carry out. Chapter Seven presents the full experimental details and analytical data for this work.

Aquest treball teòric estudia l'acoblament magnètic en complexos bi- i trinuclears heterometàl·lics amb lligands pont oxamido, oxamato, ditiooxalato i anàlegs. Per calcular la seva estructura electrònica s'han usat mètodes multireferencials, en particular diferents variants del mètode DDCI, desenvolupat en el grup, i el mètode CASPT2. Per diferents sistemes binuclears coneguts de Cu(II) i Mn(II), l'acoblament magnètic i els mapes de densitat de spin calculats reprodueixen acuradament les dades experimentals. L'acoblament antiferromagnètic en aquests depèn de la transferència de càrrega del lligand al metall, lligada a l'electronegativitat dels àtoms coordinats. En els sistemes hipotètics de tipus Cu(II)-M(II)-Cu(II), on M=Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu i Zn, la magnitud de l'acoblament estimada depèn de l'electronegativitat del metall central, anant de feblement ferromagnètic pel Sc a moderadament antiferromagnètic pel Cu. Aquest treball aporta la interpretació microscòpica de l'acoblament en aquests sistemes, així com la validació i/o les limitacions dels mètodes de càlcul emprats. / This theoretical work examines the magnetic coupling in bi- and trinuclear heterometallic transition metal complexes with bridging ligands such as oxamido, oxamato, ditiooxalato and analogues. To calculate their electronic structure multireference methods have been used, including different variants of DDCI method, developed in our group, and CASPT2 method. For different Cu(II)-Mn(II) binuclear known systems, the magnetic couplings and spin density maps calculated accurately reproduce the experimental data. The antiferromagnetic coupling in these compounds depends on the charge transfer from ligand to metal, linked to the electronegativity of coordinated atoms. In the hypothetical systems of type Cu(II)-M(II)-Cu(II), where M = Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn, the magnitude of the estimated coupling depends on the electronegativity of the metal core, going from the weakly ferromagnetic for Sc to moderately antiferromagnetic for Cu. This work provides the microscopic interpretation of the coupling in these systems, as well as the validation and/or limitations of the computational methods used.

<p dir="ltr">Partial methane oxidation (PMO) to methanol is a desirable route for upgrading natural and shale gas resources to liquid chemical intermediates and has been extensively studied on Cu-zeolites. Prior work has studied the stoichiometric PMO reaction on O₂-activated Cu-zeolites, leading to several proposals for candidate O_x-bridged Cu active site structures. More recent studies have investigated the catalytic PMO reaction and have reported that Cu-chabazite (CHA) zeolites tend to exhibit the highest methane oxidation rate (per Cu) among other Cu-zeolite topologies. Multiple studies have reported that decreasing the Cu site density and increasing the framework Al density increase the selectivity towards methanol, but have proposed different mechanistic explanations. Here, we study the influence of Cu active site distribution, which was altered by varying the extraframework Cu site density and the arrangement of framework Al atoms, on the kinetic parameters governing continuous PMO. The number of redox active Cu species was quantified through linear combination fitting of XANES spectra collected under <i>in situ</i> and transient conditions after reactant (O₂) cut-off, and the Cu speciation was investigated with XAS. Total methane oxidation rates and individual product formation rates (CH₃OH, CO, CO₂), normalized per total Cu, increased with Cu density because this influenced the speciation of Cu formed during the reaction. All Cu-CHA samples showed PMO rates that were nearly first-order in CH₄ pressure, consistent with prior reports that C-H activation in CH₄ is the rate limiting step. Samples with differing framework Al arrangement, but fixed extraframework Cu density, showed formation rates of over-oxidation products (e.g., CO₂) that had different apparent reaction orders in O₂, implying differences in the Cu active sites formed during reaction. Changes to Cu oxidation states were monitored with <i>in situ</i> XAS. Samples were first subjected to an oxidative pretreatment (723 K, 5 kPa O₂) and then to catalytic PMO conditions to reach steady-state. Steady-state XANES spectra collected after O₂ was removed from the reactant stream showed the expected reduction from Cu(II) to Cu(I), and the fraction of CH₄-reducible Cu(II) sites decreased with increasing Cu content; increasing the CH₄ pressure ten-fold increased the number of CH₄-reducible sites by a factor of ~1.5. These spectroscopic and kinetic observations suggest there are a mixture of Cu site types that are present during catalysis, each with different intrinsic reactivity toward CH₄ and selectivity to CH₃OH. To rationalize these observations, a reaction mechanism is proposed for a two-site model and used to derive rate expressions that describe apparent reaction orders for the total CH₄ oxidation rate and product formation rates on Cu-CHA zeolites of varying Cu content.</p><p dir="ltr">Additional routes for CH₄ activation include partial CH₄ oxidation over Fe zeolites that convert CH₄ at ambient temperature following an activation in nitrous oxide (N₂O), or through CH₄ dehydroaromatization (DHA) to benzene over Mo zeolites under non-oxidative conditions. Prior work on PMO over Fe-zeolites has identified candidate active site structures, but the influence of zeolite structural properties on ion-exchanged Fe speciation remains unclear. This work sought to understand the interaction of Fe with the zeolite framework during solvent-assisted deposition procedures and subsequent thermal treatments. In pursuit of this objective, Fe uptake isotherms were measured, and Fe speciation was characterized with UV-Vis spectroscopy and H₂ temperature programmed reduction (H₂ TPR). Increased framework Al site pairing increased the uptake of Fe in CHA zeolites, and high temperature treatments (723 K) resulted in the formation of oligomeric Fe structures as indicated by UV-vis. In CH₄ DHA over Mo-MFI, a principal challenge is the irreversible loss of catalytic reactivity with repeated reaction-regeneration cycles, attributed to dealumination of the zeolite structure during high-temperature oxidative regeneration treatments that produce steam. CHA zeolites are known to be more resistant to dealumination than MFI, but its smaller pore structure prevents diffusion of benzene and other aromatic products leading to rapid coking. This work attempted to address the diffusion limitations for benzene in Mo-CHA by synthesizing crystals with nanoscale dimensions by incorporating a surfactant into the crystallization procedure, generating solids with a flake-like morphology.</p><p dir="ltr">The overarching strategy in this work was to influence the speciation of metal sites and complexes in zeolites by controlling the density and arrangement of anionic Al anchoring sites within the framework and the density of extraframework metal species. In the case of Cu-zeolites, the amount of Cu present on the material influences the structures that form during catalysis that influences both the rate and selectivity of catalytic PMO.</p>

This thesis reports the theoretical investigations aimed at understanding the structure, stability and properties of a few inorganic compounds. The first chapter presents an introductory overview of the theories used to solve the questions addressed in the thesis. A brief discussion of the work is also presented here. The second chapter deals with electron reservoirs which have been one of the basic motifs of single-electron device. Mononuclear vinylidene complexes of type Mn(C5H4R’)(R” 2 PCH2CH2PR "2)= C = C(R1)(H) were synthesized and reported [Venkatesan et al, Organometallics 25, 5190 (2006)] as potential electron reservoirs capable of storing and releasing electrons in a reversible fashion. These compounds have been of great interest because their red-ox chemistry (reversible oxidative coupling and reductive decoupling) is governed by the C - C bond. However slow oxidation of the mononuclear vinylidene complexes leads to undesired product. In our model compound Mn(C5H5)(PH3)2 = C = C(R1)(H), we substituted the cyclopentadienyl moiety by isolobal dianionic dicarbollyl ligand Dcab2- (C2B9H2-11 ). This simple substitution could reduce the production of undesired product. Calculations of vertical detachment energy, thermodynamic feasibility and molecular orbital analysis showed that this substitution was thermodynamically feasible and led to easy oxidation and dimerization of the parent compound accompanied with better reversibility of the reaction. The effect of substituents (R = H,Me,Ph) on Cβ atom of our model system was also analyzed. The substituent on β carbon had a great effect on the stability and reactivity of these complexes. Our comparative study between Mn(C5H5)(PH3)2 = C = C(R)(H) and Mn(Dcab)(PH3)2 = C = C(R)(H)−1 (where R = H,Me,Ph) predicted the latter to be a more potential electronic reservoir. Gas-phase observations on MAl 4- (M = Li, Na, Cu) and Li3Al-4 coupled with computations led to the conclusion that Al42− [Boldyrev and Wang et al, Science 291, 859 (2001)] is “aromatic” while Al44- is “antiaromatic” [Boldyrev and Wang et al, Science 300, 522 (2003)]. It has been reported by Pati et al [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125, 3496 (2005)] that co-ordination with a transition metal can stabilize the “antiaromatic” Al4Li4. In the first section of chapter three, it has been reported that Al4Li4 can also be stabilized by capping it with main group element like C and its isoelectronic species BH. Calculations of binding energy, nuclear independent chemical shift (NICS), energy decomposition analysis and molecular orbital analysis supported the capping induced stability, reduction of bond length alternation and increase of aromaticity of these BH/C capped Al4Li4 systems. The interaction between px and py orbitals of BH/C and the HOMO and LUMO of Al4Li4 was responsible for such stabilization. Calculations suggested that capping might introduce fluxionality in the molecule at room temperature. Al has valence electronic configuration of s2p1 and Al42− has been shown to have multiple aromaticity [Boldyrev and Wang et al, Science 291, 859 (2001)]. Analogy between electronic configuration s2pof Al and d1sof Sc/Y prompted us to explore the aromaticity of M42− clusters (M = Sc, Y ) which have been described in the second section of chapter three. Different geometries of M42− clusters (M = Sc, Y ) were explored, and the planar butterfly-like D2h geometry (two fused triangles) was found to be the most stable isomer. This is unlike the case of Al42− where D4h isomer was the most stable one as reported in the literature. In D2h geometry of M42− clusters (M = Sc, Y ), significant electron delocalization in each wing of the butterfly indicated fused d aromaticity. Atomization energy and chemical hardness supported the preference of D2h geometry over the D4h geometry. Molecular orbital analysis showed that the d-electrons were delocalized in each triangle of D2h geometry. Our interest in the search of new kinds of binuclear sandwich compounds led us to consider sandwiched metal dimers CB5H6M - MCB5H6 (M = Si, Ge, Sn) which are at the minima in the potential energy hypersurface with a characteristic M - M single bond. This work has been described in the first section of chapter four. The NBO analysis and the M - M distances ( ˚A) (2.3, 2.44 and 2.81 for M= Si, Ge, Sn respectively) indicated substantial M - M bonding. Consecutive substitution of two boron atoms in B7H7−2 by M (Si, Ge, Sn) and carbon respectively led to neutral MCB5H7, where M - H bond bent towards the carbon side of the five membered ring. Dehydrogenation of two MCB5H7 might lead to our desired CB5H6M - MCB5H6 where similar bending of M -M bond has been observed. The bending of M - M bond in CB5H6M -MCB5H6 was more than the M - H bending in MCB5H7. Molecular orbital analysis has been done to understand the bending. Larger M - M bending observed in CB5H6M - MCB5H6 in comparison to M - H bending observed in MCB5H7 was suspected to be favored by stabilization of one of the M - M π bonding MO’s. Preference of M to occupy the apex of pentagonal skeleton of MCB5H7 over its icosahedral analogue MCB10H11 has been observed. Structures of sandwiched binuclear L- M – M - L where M = Ti, Zr and L = Cp, C3B3H6 were also investigated as described in second section of chapter four. We found that these compounds having bent geometry with short M - M distance (1.87˚A for M=Ti and 2.29˚A for M=Zr) lie at the minima in the potential energy hypersurface. Bending from the linear geometry led to the stabilization of M - L antibonding interaction in L - M – M - L. Molecular orbital analysis, NBO calculations, Wiberg bond index and charge analysis suggested M2+ unit to be embedded in between two L’s in L - M – M - L. Molecules that have the ability to perform interesting mechanical motions have always been of great interest. Umbrella inversion of ammonia is one of the most interesting and well studied phenomena. This study has led to the development of the MASER. The possibility of inversion of the molecule C9H9−Li+ by the movement of Li+ through the C9H9−ring was studied earlier [Das et al, Chem. Phys. Lett. 365, 320 (2002)]. In the fifth chapter theoretical investigation on a B12 cluster has been reported, which could exhibit a through ring umbrella inversion. Calculations showed that a part of the molecule, consisting of a three membered boron ring could invert through the rest, viz., a nine membered boron ring. Using a simple model, the double well potential for the motion was calculated. The barrier for inversion was found to be 4.31 kcal/mol. The vibrational levels and tunneling splitting were calculated using this potential. It was found that the vibrational excitation to the v = 17 level caused large amplitude “inversion oscillation” of the molecule. After considering the tunneling effect, inversion rate at 298K was calculated by using transition state theory and was found to be 1.17 x 1010/s. Finally, in the last chapter the main results of the thesis have been summarized.

L’une des grandes directions de recherche dans la chimie moderne est la synthèse et l’étude denouveaux composés « commutables » capables de modifier leurs propriétés sous l’effet de stimuli extérieurs (température, lumière, champ magnétique ou électrique…). Ces systèmes peuvent stocker une information à l’échelle moléculaire. Dans ce contexte, parmi les systèmes les plus étudiés en chimie de coordination figurent les réseaux et les analogues moléculaires du bleu de Prusse. Cette thèse est dédiée à la synthèse et aux caractérisations de nouveaux analogues moléculaires du bleu de Prusse à transfert d’électron de type {Fe(µ-CN)M} (M = Fe, Mn, Co). Dans le premier chapitre sont présentées les familles de composés commutables à transfert d’électron par ordre décroissant de leur dimensionnalité, des systèmes 3D vers des systèmes discrets 0D. Le deuxième chapitre regroupe la synthèse et les caractérisations structurales, spectroscopiques, magnétiques, et électrochimiques de complexes-précurseurs de type [MII(LN5)]2+ et [FeIII(LN3/LN2)(CN)n]- (n = 2, 3) (LN5, LN3, LN2 étantdes ligands azotés penta-, tri- ou bidentes, respectivement) qui seront ensuite utilisés dans la synthèse des composés binucléaires. Le troisième chapitre présente la synthèse et les études structurales,spectroscopiques, magnétiques, optiques et électrochimiques de quatre nouveaux composés binucléaires paramagnétiques {FeIII(µ-CN)MII} (MII = Fe, Co). Enfin, le quatrième chapitre se focalise sur la synthèse et les propriétés spectroscopiques, magnétiques, photomagnétiques et électrochimiques de trois nouveaux complexes binucléaires diamagnétiques {FeII(µ-CN)CoIII} à transfert d’électron. / One of the main research directions of modern chemistry is the synthesis and study of new switchablecompounds which can change their properties under external stimuli (temperature, light, magnetic orelectric field…). These systems can store the information at the molecular level. In this contextamongst the most studied systems in coordination chemistry are the 3D networks and the molecularPrussian blue analogs. This thesis deals with the synthesis and characterizations of new{Fe(µ-CN)M} (M = Fe, Mn, Co) molecular Prussian blue analogs. In the first chapter electrontransfer compounds are described in order of decreasing of their dimensionality, from 3D to thediscrete 0D systems. The second chapter describes the synthesis and structural, spectroscopic,electrochemical and magnetic characterizations of [MII(LN5)]2+ precursors (MII = Fe, Mn, Co) and[FeIII(LN3/LN2)(CN)n]- (n = 2, 3) (LN5, LN3, LN2 - nitrogen-based penta-, tri- and bi-dentate ligands,respectively), which are used in the synthesis of the binuclear complexes. Chapter three presents thesynthesis and structural, magnetic, spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of four binuclearparamagnetic {FeIII(µ-CN)MII} complexes (MII = Fe, Co). Chapter four is focused on the synthesisand spectroscopic, magnetic, photomagnetic and electrochemical properties of three binucleardiamagnetic {FeII(µ-CN)CoIII} electron transfer complexes.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Triazenes are a class of compounds characterized by the presence of a diazoamino functional group (N=N N) showing remarkable ability to support the stereochemical requisites of a wide variety of metal transition complexes. They act as versatile ligands in coordination chemistry when deprotonated and have relevant biological and synthetic porperties. This work presents the synthesis and investigation of molecular and crystal structure of a new series of monotriazenes [3-(4-phenyldiazenyl)-1-(2-fluorophenyl)triazene (2b); 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-phenyldiazenyl)triazeno (2c), 1-(2-bromophenyl)-3-(4-phenyldiazenyl)triazene (2d); 3-(4-phenyldiazenyl)-1-(2-iodophenyl) triazene (2e); 1,3-bis-(3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoate)triazene (2g)] and substituted 1,4-bis (phenyltriazenyl)butanes, C6H5N(H)=N-N(CH2)4-N=NN(H)C6H5, [1,4-bis(4-ethyl-benzoato triazenyl) butane (5a), 1,4-bis(2-fluorophenyltriazenyl)butane (5b), 1,4-bis(2-clorophenyltriazenyl)butane (5c), 1,4-bis(2-bromophenyltriazenyl)butane (5d), 1,4-bis(2-iodophenyltriazenyl)butane (5e), 1,4-bis(4-amidophenyltriazenyll)butane (5f)]. The insertion of groups on phenyl rings attached to the triazene chains makes the environment significantly more interesting coordination providing the supramolecular array through noncovalent intermolecular interactions and self-organizatinal units of primary molecule. The metal ions used for complexation are salts of Ni2+, Cu2+ and Pd2+ and they were chosen due to the attracting biological relevance, magnetic properties, catalytic yielding. Nine metal complexes unpublished were synthesized [trans-[PdII(C6H5NNC6H4NNNC6H4Cl)2(C5H5N)2] (3c) [(PdII (R1R2C6H3NNNC6H3R1R2)(PPh3)2Cl) DMSO] [R1 = 4-C(O)OCH3, R2 = 3-OCH3] (3g) [CuII (RC6H5NNN(CH2)4NNNC6H5R)]2 [R = C2H5C(O)O (6a), R = F (6b), R = NH2C(O) (6f)], [NiII (RC6H5NNN(CH2)4NNNC6H5R)]2 [R = F (7b) R = Cl (7c) R = Br (7d) R = NH2C(O) (7f)]. The synthesis and characterization of these compounds is justified by the exploration of the reactivity, the coordinative behavior and by the understanding of the interactions between different ligands and metal centers. The structural analysis of the synthesized compounds by X-ray diffraction on single crystal in the solid state were performed for characterization of interactions in the crystal. Thus, a thorough understanding of the relationship between the crystal structure and supramolecular organization is analyzed. Besides the structural analysis of compounds, elemental analysis CHN, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopies and mass spectrometry were also carried out for characterization. The physical chemical properties were investigated through thermogravimetric analysis and magnetic susceptibility. / Triazenos são importantes membros da família de compostos nitrogenados de cadeia aberta, caracterizados por conter o grupo funcional [N═N─N] e apresentam diferentes propriedades de coordenação a metais de transição. São compostos fracamente ácidos e quando desprotonados atuam como ótimos ligantes na química de coordenação apresentando grande importância sintética e biológica. Nessa tese, foi inicialmente desenvolvida a síntese de uma série inédita de compostos triazenos monocatenados [3-(4-fenildiazenil)-1-(2-fluorofenil)triazeno (2b); 1-(2-clorofenil)-3-(4-fenildiazenil)triazeno (2c); 1-(2-bromofenil)-3-(4-fenildiazenil)triazeno (2d); 3-(4-fenildiazenil)-1-(2-iodofenil)triazeno (2e); 1,3-bis(3-metoxi-4-metilbenzoato)triazeno (2g)] e de compostos triazenos biscatenados derivados do 1,4-bis(feniltriazenido)butano, C6H5N(H)N=N-(CH2)4-N=N-N(H)C6H5, [1,4-bis(etil-4-benzoatotriazenil) butano (5a); 1,4-bis(2-fluorofeniltriazenido)butano (5b); 1,4-bis(2-clorofeniltriazenido)butano (5c); 1,4-bis(2-bromofeniltriazenido)butano (5d); 1,4-bis(2-iodofeniltriazenido)butano (5e); 1,4-bis(4-amidofeniltriazenido)butano (5f)]. A inserção de grupamentos substituintes nos anéis fenila na cadeia triazenídica tornam o ambiente de coordenação significativamente mais interessante, propiciando o aumento da ocorrência de interações intermoleculares não covalentes e impondo a auto-organização de unidades moleculares primárias no estado sólido. Os metais escolhidos para complexação foram sais de Ni2+, Cu2+ e Pd2+ em virtude de atraírem atenção como objeto de estudos relacionados com medicina, propriedades magnéticas e catálise obtendo-se como resultados deste trabalho nove complexos metálicos inéditos [trans-[PdII(C6H5NNC6H4NNNC6H4Cl)2(C5H5N)2] (3c); [(PdII(R1R2C6H3NNNC6H3R1R2)(PPh3)2Cl)·DMSO] [R1 = 4-C(O)OCH3, R2 = 3-OCH3] (3g); [CuII(RC6H5NNN(CH2)4NNNC6H5R)]2 [R = C2H5C(O)O (6a); R = F (6b); R = NH2C(O) (6f)] ; [NiII(RC6H5NNN(CH2)4NNNC6H5R)]2 [R = F (7b); R = Cl (7c); R = Br (7d); R = NH2C(O) (7f)]. A síntese, e a caracterização desses novos compostos estão relacionadas à exploração da reatividade, ao comportamento coordenativo e a compreensão das interações entre os diferentes centros metálicos e os ligantes. Efetuou-se um estudo estrutural no estado sólido para a caracterização das interações presentes nas estruturas cristalinas dos compostos sintetizados e a ferramenta utilizada foi à difração de raios X em monocristal. Dessa forma aprofundou-se a compreensão da relação entre a estrutura cristalina e sua organização supramolecular. Além do método de difração de raios X de monocristal os compostos foram caracterizados por espectroscopia de infravermelho, espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear, 1H e 13C, espectroscopia ultravioleta e visível, espectrometria de massas e análise elementar CHN. As propriedades físico-químicas foram investigadas através de análise termogravimétrica e susceptibilidade magnética.

As a human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans can cause a wide variety of disease conditions ranging from superficial to systemic infections. Many of these infections are caused by an inherent ability of the pathogen to form biofilms on medical devices resulting in high mortality. Biofilms formed by C. albicans are a complex consortium of yeast and hyphal cells embedded in an extracellular matrix and are regulated by a network of transcription factors. Here, I report the role of a novel Zn(II)2-Cys6 binuclear cluster transcription factor, ZCF32, in the regulation of biofilm formation. Global transcriptome analysis reveals that biofilm development is the most altered pathway in the zcf32 null mutant. To delineate the functional correlation between ZCF32 and biofilm development, the set of genes directly regulated by Zcf32 were determined. The data suggest that Zcf32 regulates biofilm formation by repressing the expression of adhesins, chitinases and a significant number of other GPI-anchored proteins. The data presented here establish that there is the lesser recruitment of Zcf32 on the promoters of biofilm genes in biofilm condition compared to the planktonic mode of growth. Thus, the transcription factor ZCF32 negatively regulates biofilm development in C. albicans. Candida albicans, carries an expanded family of Zn(II)2Cys6 transcription factors. A CTG clade-specific protein Zcf32 and its closely related protein Upc2, a well-conserved protein across the various fungal species, belong to this family of proteins. Unlike Upc2, Zcf32 is poorly studied in C. albicans. Here, I examined roles played by these two related transcription factors in biofilm development and virulence of C. albicans. The data show that the null mutants of each of ZCF32 or UPC2 form better biofilms than the wild-type suggesting that both of them negatively regulate the biofilm development. While acting as negative regulators of biofilm formation, these two transcription factors target a different set of biofilm genes. A mouse model of candidiasis reveals that zcf32/zcf32 was hypervirulent while upc2/upc2 shows compromised virulence compared to the wild-type. Notably, the absence of Zcf32 enhances detrimental inflammation brought about by TNFα, IFNβ, and IFNγ. upc2/upc2 failed to generate a similar feedback, instead demonstrated an elevated anti-inflammatory (IL4 and IL10) host response. Taking together, the data exhibit how a recently evolved transcription factor Zcf32 retained functional resemblance with a more ubiquitous member Upc2 but also functionally diverged from the latter in the regulation of virulence of the pathogen.

Use of metal based anticancer medication began with the clinical approval of cisplatin in 1978. Research led to the development of six platinum based drug candidates which are in use around the world. However there is a great need to develop better treatment strategies. The present work entitled “Cytotoxicity of Metal Based Anticancer Active Complexes and Their Targeted Delivery Using Nanoparticles” is an effort to prepare cytotoxic metal complexes based on platinum(IV) and copper(II) and deliver them selectively to cancer cells using a targeting ligand, biotin, with two different delivery vehicles, viz. PEGylated polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Chapter 1 provides a brief introduction to cancer and its characteristic features, followed by a short description about different treatment modalities in clinical practice. An account of the development of anticancer drugs starting from purely organic drugs to the field of metal based anticancer drugs is discussed. An overview of the available targeting strategies are discussed with specific examples. The section ends with the scope of the present work. Platinum based anticancer drugs currently in use contain platinum in the +2 oxidation state. These drugs showed side effects and are often ineffective against resistant cells, especially in the latter stages of treatment. A recent focus of metal based anticancer drug research is the development of platinum(IV) systems which shows promise to have greater activity in cancer cells in a reducing environment. Reported platinum(IV) dual drugs contain the components of “cisplatin” or an analogue along with an active organic drug. But there are no known dual drugs based on platinum(IV) that would generate a cytotoxic metal complex along with cisplatin. In Chapter 2, a bimetallic dual drug (M4) (Figure 1), the first of its kind, with components of cisplatin and copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) has been prepared (Figure 1). The components and the bimetallic complex were characterized using several spectroscopic techniques. The dual drug M4 was found to be highly cytotoxic (IC50 1.3 M) against HeLa cells and was better than cisplatin (IC50 6.8 M). The bimetallic complex turned out to be better than the mixture (IC50 7.2 M) of individual drugs which indicated possible synergism of the released cisplatin and the copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) from the dual drug. Figure 1: Structure of the platinum(IV) and copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) complexes. A novel approach towards conjugation of platinum(IV) drugs to a carrier has been developed using a malonate moiety (Figure 2). The bis(butyric acid) complex, Pt(NH3)2(OCOC3H7)2Cl2 (M1), was taken as model complex to demonstrate the conjugation strategy. The complex M4 was also conjugated to the partially PEGylated 5th generation PAMAM dendrimers. Figure 2: Schematic representation of the platinum(IV) drug conjugated PAMAM dendrimer. The cytotoxicity of M4 was reduced to a small extent on conjugation to the dendrimer. In the presence of 5 mM sodium ascorbate as a reducing agent, sustained release (40 %) of the drug was shown to occur over a period of 48 h by the drug release study. The reduction in cytotoxicity of the dendrimer conjugates could be due to incomplete release of the active drug. Unfortunately, no enhanced activity was observed with the additional targeting ligand, biotin. The drug uptake study revealed that the dendrimer conjugates were successful in entering cancer cells. There was no preferential uptake with biotin conjugated dendrimers which explained the similar cytotoxicity of dendrimer conjugates with and without biotin. Different delivery vehicles showed varied efficiency in delivering the pay load (drugs) to the cancer site. In this connection, PEGylated gold nanoparticles have shown good promise as a drug delivery vehicle. In Chapter 3, M1 and M4 are both conjugated to malonate functionalized PEGylated gold nanoparticles (30 nm). Biotin was also attached to the AuNPs for targeting HeLa cells. Figure 3: Schematic representation of the platinum(IV) drug and biotin conjugated AuNPs. The AuNPs were highly stable in water without agglomeration. There was no shift in the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) band after conjugation of the drug molecules and targeting ligands. TEM images and DLS measurements showed there was no change in particle size. Drug conjugated AuNPs were also very stable in high salt concentrations as well as over a large range of pH. AuNPs with M1 were found to be less cytotoxic than the parent drug. Biotinylated AuNPs with M1 were more potent than non-biotinylated nanoparticles and increased cytotoxicity (35 %) was observed with biotin conjugation. Surprisingly, the enhanced activity of biotinylated AuNPs could not be correlated to the drug uptake study. The cytotoxicity of the bimetallic dual drug containing AuNPs were about 10-fold less and no increased activity was observed with the biotinylated conjugates. The reduced activity of AuNPs with the bimetallic drug was due to incomplete release from the AuNPs (20 % release after 48 h). But the release kinetics was very slow and sustained which might increase in vivo activity. The unexpected lower activity of biotinylated conjugates with copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) was suggestive of interference between bis(thiosemicarbazone) complex and the biotin receptor resulting in reduced drug uptake. Copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) complexes hold very good promise as a class of non-platinum anticancer drug candidates. However, they lack selectivity towards malignant cells. Recently, CuATSM has shown hypoxia selectivity and very good cytotoxicity resulting in 64CuATSM being used in advanced stages of clinical trials for imaging hypoxic cells. In Chapter 4, a copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) complex analogous to Cu(ATSM) with a redox active cleavable disulfide linker and a terminal carboxylic acid group (CuATSM-SS-COOH) was synthesised and characterised spectroscopically. The complex was highly cytotoxic and has an IC50 value (6.9 M) similar to that of cisplatin against HeLa cells. The complex was conjugated to PEGylated gold nanoparticles by amide coupling between the acid group from the drug molecule and the amine on the AuNPs (20 nm) for smart drug delivery. The gold nanoparticles were decorated with biotin for targeted delivery to the HeLa cells. Figure 4: Schematic representation of the CuATSM-SS-COOH and biotin decorated AuNPs. The CuATSM-SS-COOH was insoluble in water but conjugation to PEGylated gold nanoparticles made it water soluble. The drug molecules and biotin conjugated AuNPs were highly stable which was confirmed by TEM and DLS measurements. Similar to the study described in the previous chapter, these AuNPs were also stable in a wide range of pH and salt concentrations. In vitro glutathione (GSH) triggered release study demonstrated substantial release of the cytotoxic agent from the AuNPs (60 %) over a period of 48 h. In vitro cell viability study with HeLa cells showed reduced cytotoxicity (IC50 15 M) of AuNPs with and without biotin containing drug conjugates relative to the parent copper complex (IC50 6.9 M). The reduction of the cytotoxicity correlated well with the released amount of the active drug from the nanoconjugates over the same time period. In vivo studies demonstrated the effectiveness of these nanoparticle carriers as suitable vehicles as they exhibited nearly four-fold reduction of tumor volume without significant loss in body weight. Moreover, the biotin targeted nanoparticle showed significant (p < 0.5) reduction in tumor volume compared to the non-targeted gold nanoparticles. Thus, this smart linking strategy Can be extended to other cytotoxic complexes that suffer from non-specificity, low aqueous solubility and toxicity. Multinuclear anticancer active complexes do not act in the same way as that of their corresponding mononuclear analogues. In the case of multinuclear platinum complexes, the activity not only depends on the active moiety but also on the spacer length between the moieties. In Chapter 5, a series of multinuclear copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) complexes were prepared and characterised using different techniques. Figure 5: General structures of binuclear copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) complexes. All the complexes showed redox activity and have a very high negative reduction potential, i.e. these compounds would not be easily reduced in the biological medium and would remain as copper(II) species. As the concentration of the reducing agents are more within cancer cells, once these complexes are inside cells they would be reduced to Cu(I). These compounds were shown to be highly lipophilic from the large log P values. Unfortunately, these binuclear complexes were less active than similar mononuclear complexes. One possible reason for the reduced cytotoxicity of these complexes could be adherence of the complexes to the cell membrane due to the high lipophilicity of these complexes. Out of five different methylene spacers between two bis(thiosemicrarbazone) moieties, the complex with a three carbon spacer was shown to be the most active against HeLa cells. The complexes with five and six methylene spacers turn out to be noncytotoxic. Further experiments are necessary to reveal the mechanism of action in these complexes. In summary, bimetallic complexes can be very active and may be a way of overcoming drug resistance in platinum based therapy. A dual drug can be delivered using a malonate moiety and a disulfide linker. Gold nanoparticles are good delivery vehicles for these dual drugs and show great potential for improvement and translation to the next stage. (For figures pl refer the abstract pdf file)