Metabolism is a subset of chemistry that allows cells to defy thermodynamic equilibrium, a fundamental process that must have been in place from the very beginning of biology. Before evolution produced efficient catalysts in the form of complex protein machinery, short metal binding peptides might have preceded modern metalloproteins. Such prebiotic, metal-binding motifs have been hypothesized to have existed through analyses of extant protein sequences. However, it is unclear how metal-binding motifs might have evolved in the harsh prebiotic environment. Here, we show how certain environments, in particular seawater-like environments rich in divalent cations and especially Mg2+, support the survival of short peptides upon extreme temperatures as high as 150 °C. Moreover, while Mg2+ does not offer the same protection from UV light, peptides are protected from both heat and irradiation when bound to a metal ion. The results suggest that specific environments rich in metal ions may be better suited for the emergence of complex systems in the path toward life. Additionally, the conditional degradation of peptides depending on their ability of binding metals might have enabled a selection mechanism that would favor the survival of metal-binding motifs which resemble the motifs found in modern proteins. These short sequences could have acted as early, simple catalysts able to facilitate a restricted set of chemical reactions, which would shape the emergence and biology of the Last Universal Common Ancestor.

No description available.

Neste trabalho sintetizaram-se novos complexos imínicos e diimínicos de Cu(II) derivados da isatina, um indol endógeno, que foram então extensivamente caracterizados por análise elementar, medidas de condutividade molar, técnicas espectroscópicas: IV, UV/Vis e EPR, e por espectrometria de massa, ESI-MS. Estes compostos apresentaram equilíbrio ceto-enólico em solução, variando a geometria ao redor do íon Cu(II), ao se alterar o pH do meio, indo de tetraédrico em meio ácido à tetragonal em meio básico. Para a elucidação do papel do cobre no mecanismo de oxidação de carboidratos pelo oxigênio molecular, realizaram-se estudos cinéticos tendo como catalisadores estes complexos de cobre. Determinou-se a uma lei cinética global mais abrangente para estas reações, incluindo uma etapa dependente do cobre (a concentrações bem baixas), seguida de outra independente do metal. As etapas no mecanismo proposto, sob condições de pseudo-primeira ordem, combinam transferência eletrônica intramolecular, com provável redução do íon de cobre pelo substrato, levando a espécies muito reativas (OH•-, O2•-, H2O2, CO2•-), responsáveis pelo processo de iniciação e propagação, e a formação de produtos carbonílicos de cadeia curta (glicolato, glicerato e formiato). Para o estudo da interação metal-carboidrato, importante para se entender melhor o papel do cobre frente a este ligante biológico, complexos de Cu(II) com monossacarídeos foram sintetizados e caracterizados por análise elementar e termogravimétrica, medidas de condutividade molar, espectroscopias UV/Vis, IV e EPR, além da espectroscopia Raman, através da qual investigou-se o modo de ligação do carboidrato ao metal em cada um destes complexos. Foram ainda preparados e caracterizados por análise elementar, medidas de condutividade molar, espectroscopias UV/Vis, IV, EPR, ESI-MS e CD dois novos complexos imínicos quirais de Cu(II), com ligantes do tipo aminocarboidrato, e que também foram utilizados para estudos biológicos. Estudos de atividade biológica foram feitos in vitro, usando as linhagens celulares tumorais promonocítica sanguínea U937 e neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y, com os complexos imínicos de cobre, principalmente aqueles derivados da isatina. As células tratadas com os complexos mais ativos sofreram apoptose, verificada por ensaios citofluorimétricos, em que os complexos agiram em diferentes fases do ciclo celular de cada linhagem (fase G1, S ou G2/M). Através da técnica citofluorimétrica foi observada também a geração de radicais livres na célula e, através de ensaios imunológicos, determinou-se a quantidade de proteínas citoplasmáticas carboniladas e glicosiladas, geradas após os tratamentos com os compostos, em diferentes tempos de incubação. De uma maneira geral, estes estudos indicaram modulação da atividade biológica, com um comportamento antiproliferativo muito diferente, indo de baixa eficácia até alta eficiência. Dentre os compostos mais ativos, pode ser observada uma especificidade diferente, tanto com relação ao tipo de célula quanto ao seu modo de ação, evidenciando sua potencial aplicação como agentes antitumorais. / In this work, novel imine and diimine copper(II) complexes with ligands derived from isatin, an endogenous indol, were synthesized, and extensively characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV/Vis, and EPR), and electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). These compounds showed a keto-enolic equilibrium in solution, with variations in the geometry around the copper ion with increasing pH, varying from a more tetrahedral configuration in acidic medium to a tetragonal one in basic solution. In order to elucidate the role of copper in the carbohydrate oxidation by molecular oxygen, kinetic studies were performed using these complexes as catalysts. A more comprehensive global rate law was determined for this process, including a copper-dependent pathway (at very low concentrations), in addition to an independent one, both influenced by alkaline medium. The proposed mechanism, under pseudo-first order conditions, combine intramolecular electronic transfer with reduction of the copper ion by the substrate, leading to the formation of intermediary reactive species (OH•-, O2•-, H2O2, CO2•-), responsible for initiation and propagation steps, and of short chain carbonylic products (glycolate, glycerate and formiate ions). To better understanding metal-carbohydrate interactions, copper(II) complexes with simple monosacharides were isolated, and characterized by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, and spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV/Vis, and EPR), besides Raman spectroscopy, used to investigate the binding mode of the carbohydrate moiety to the copper ion, in each one of these complexes. Additionally, two novel chiral imine copper(II) complexes, derived from aminocarbohydrate ligands, were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, and spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV/Vis, EPR, ESI-MS and CD), and one of them was also used in biological studies. Biological activity studies were carried out with the imine and diimine copper(II) complexes derived from isatin, verifying antiproliferative effect toward some tumor cell lines (promonocite U937 and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y). Cells treated with the most active complexes were committed by the apoptotic program, as verified by citofluorimetric assays, with the complexes interfering the cell cycle in different ways (G1, G2/M or S phase. Formation of free radicals was detected, and citoplasmatic carbonylated and glycosilated proteins inside the treated cells were determined by imunologic assays. In conclusion, these studies indicated modulation of the biological activity by the imine ligand in the copper(II) complexes, with very different antiproliferative behavior, going from undetectable activity to high efficacy. Among the most active compounds, a different specificity and action mode in both cell type could be observed, evidencing their potential application as antitumoral agents.

Neste trabalho sintetizaram-se novos complexos imínicos e diimínicos de Cu(II) derivados da isatina, um indol endógeno, que foram então extensivamente caracterizados por análise elementar, medidas de condutividade molar, técnicas espectroscópicas: IV, UV/Vis e EPR, e por espectrometria de massa, ESI-MS. Estes compostos apresentaram equilíbrio ceto-enólico em solução, variando a geometria ao redor do íon Cu(II), ao se alterar o pH do meio, indo de tetraédrico em meio ácido à tetragonal em meio básico. Para a elucidação do papel do cobre no mecanismo de oxidação de carboidratos pelo oxigênio molecular, realizaram-se estudos cinéticos tendo como catalisadores estes complexos de cobre. Determinou-se a uma lei cinética global mais abrangente para estas reações, incluindo uma etapa dependente do cobre (a concentrações bem baixas), seguida de outra independente do metal. As etapas no mecanismo proposto, sob condições de pseudo-primeira ordem, combinam transferência eletrônica intramolecular, com provável redução do íon de cobre pelo substrato, levando a espécies muito reativas (OH•-, O2•-, H2O2, CO2•-), responsáveis pelo processo de iniciação e propagação, e a formação de produtos carbonílicos de cadeia curta (glicolato, glicerato e formiato). Para o estudo da interação metal-carboidrato, importante para se entender melhor o papel do cobre frente a este ligante biológico, complexos de Cu(II) com monossacarídeos foram sintetizados e caracterizados por análise elementar e termogravimétrica, medidas de condutividade molar, espectroscopias UV/Vis, IV e EPR, além da espectroscopia Raman, através da qual investigou-se o modo de ligação do carboidrato ao metal em cada um destes complexos. Foram ainda preparados e caracterizados por análise elementar, medidas de condutividade molar, espectroscopias UV/Vis, IV, EPR, ESI-MS e CD dois novos complexos imínicos quirais de Cu(II), com ligantes do tipo aminocarboidrato, e que também foram utilizados para estudos biológicos. Estudos de atividade biológica foram feitos in vitro, usando as linhagens celulares tumorais promonocítica sanguínea U937 e neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y, com os complexos imínicos de cobre, principalmente aqueles derivados da isatina. As células tratadas com os complexos mais ativos sofreram apoptose, verificada por ensaios citofluorimétricos, em que os complexos agiram em diferentes fases do ciclo celular de cada linhagem (fase G1, S ou G2/M). Através da técnica citofluorimétrica foi observada também a geração de radicais livres na célula e, através de ensaios imunológicos, determinou-se a quantidade de proteínas citoplasmáticas carboniladas e glicosiladas, geradas após os tratamentos com os compostos, em diferentes tempos de incubação. De uma maneira geral, estes estudos indicaram modulação da atividade biológica, com um comportamento antiproliferativo muito diferente, indo de baixa eficácia até alta eficiência. Dentre os compostos mais ativos, pode ser observada uma especificidade diferente, tanto com relação ao tipo de célula quanto ao seu modo de ação, evidenciando sua potencial aplicação como agentes antitumorais. / In this work, novel imine and diimine copper(II) complexes with ligands derived from isatin, an endogenous indol, were synthesized, and extensively characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV/Vis, and EPR), and electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). These compounds showed a keto-enolic equilibrium in solution, with variations in the geometry around the copper ion with increasing pH, varying from a more tetrahedral configuration in acidic medium to a tetragonal one in basic solution. In order to elucidate the role of copper in the carbohydrate oxidation by molecular oxygen, kinetic studies were performed using these complexes as catalysts. A more comprehensive global rate law was determined for this process, including a copper-dependent pathway (at very low concentrations), in addition to an independent one, both influenced by alkaline medium. The proposed mechanism, under pseudo-first order conditions, combine intramolecular electronic transfer with reduction of the copper ion by the substrate, leading to the formation of intermediary reactive species (OH•-, O2•-, H2O2, CO2•-), responsible for initiation and propagation steps, and of short chain carbonylic products (glycolate, glycerate and formiate ions). To better understanding metal-carbohydrate interactions, copper(II) complexes with simple monosacharides were isolated, and characterized by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, and spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV/Vis, and EPR), besides Raman spectroscopy, used to investigate the binding mode of the carbohydrate moiety to the copper ion, in each one of these complexes. Additionally, two novel chiral imine copper(II) complexes, derived from aminocarbohydrate ligands, were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, and spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV/Vis, EPR, ESI-MS and CD), and one of them was also used in biological studies. Biological activity studies were carried out with the imine and diimine copper(II) complexes derived from isatin, verifying antiproliferative effect toward some tumor cell lines (promonocite U937 and neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y). Cells treated with the most active complexes were committed by the apoptotic program, as verified by citofluorimetric assays, with the complexes interfering the cell cycle in different ways (G1, G2/M or S phase. Formation of free radicals was detected, and citoplasmatic carbonylated and glycosilated proteins inside the treated cells were determined by imunologic assays. In conclusion, these studies indicated modulation of the biological activity by the imine ligand in the copper(II) complexes, with very different antiproliferative behavior, going from undetectable activity to high efficacy. Among the most active compounds, a different specificity and action mode in both cell type could be observed, evidencing their potential application as antitumoral agents.

Thyroxine (T4), the main secretory hormone of the thyroid gland, is produced on thyroglobulin by thyroid peroxidase (TPO)/hydrogen peroxide/iodide system. The synthesis of T4 by TPO involves two independent steps: iodination of tyrosine and phenolic coupling of the resulting iodotyrosine residues. The prohormone T4 is then converted to its biologically active form T3 by a selenocysteine-containing iodothyronine deiodinase (ID-I), which is present in highest amounts in liver, kidney, thyroid and pituitary. The 5'-deiodination catalyzed by ID-I is a ping-pong, bisubstrate reaction in which the selenol (or selenolate) group of the enzyme (E-SeH or E-Se-) first reacts with thyroxine (T4) to form a selenenyl iodide (E-SeI) intermediate. Subsequent reaction of the selenenyl iodide with an as yet unidentified intracellular cofactor completes the catalytic cycle and regenerates the selenol. Although the deiodination reactions are essential for the function of thyroid gland, the activation of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor by auto-antibodies leads to an overproduction of thyroid hormones. In addition, these antibodies stimulate ID-I and probably other deiodinases to produce relatively more amount of T3. Figure 1. Synthesis of thyroid hormones by heme-containing Thyroid Peroxidase(TPO)(Refer PDF File) As these antibodies are not under pituitary feedback control system, there is no negative influence on the thyroid activity and, therefore, the uncontrolled production of thyroid hormones leads to a condition called “hyperthyroidism”. Under these conditions, the overproduction of T4 and T3 can be controlled by specific inhibitors, which either block the thyroid hormone biosynthesis or reduce the conversion of T4 to T3. A unique class of such inhibitors is the thiourea drugs, methimazole (1, MMI), 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (3, PTU), and 6-methyl-2-thiouracil (5, MTU). Although these compounds are the most commonly employed drugs in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, the detailed mechanism of their action is still not clear. According to the initially proposed mechanism, these drugs may divert oxidized iodides away from thyroglobulin by forming stable electron donor-acceptor complexes with diiodine, which can effectively reduce the thyroid hormone biosynthesis. It has also been proposed that these drugs may block the thyroid hormone synthesis by coordinating to the metal center of thyroid peroxidase (TPO). After the discovery that the ID-I is responsible for the activation of thyroxine, it has been reported that PTU, but not MMI, reacts with the selenenyl iodide intermediate (E-SeI) of ID-I to form a selenenyl sulfide as a dead end product, thereby blocking the conversion of T4 to T3 during the monodeiodination reaction. The mechanism of anti-thyroid activity is further complicated by the fact that the gold-containing drugs such as gold thioglucose (GTG) inhibit the deiodinase activity by reacting with the selenol group of the native enzyme. Recently, the selenium analogues 2 (MSeI), 4 (PSeU) and 6 (MSeU) attracted considerable attention because these compounds are expected to be more nucleophilic than their sulfur analogues and the formation of an –Se–Se– bond may occur more readily than the formation of an –Se–S– bond with the ID-I enzyme. However, the data derived from the inhibition of TPO by selenium compounds show that these compounds may inhibit the TPO activity by a different mechanism. Therefore, further studies are required to understand the mechanism by which the selenium compounds exert their inhibitory action. Our initial attempts to isolate 2 were unsuccessful and the final stable compound in the synthesis was characterized to be the diselenide (8). In view of the current interest in anti-thyroid drugs and their mechanism, we extended our approach to the synthesis and biological activities of a number of sulfur and selenium derivatives bearing the methimazole pharmacophore. The thesis consists of five chapters. The first chapter gives a general introduction to thyroid hormone synthesis and anti-thyroid drugs. In this chapter, the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones, structure and function of heme peroxidases, activation of thyroid hormones by iodothyronine deiodinases are discussed. This chapter also gives a brief introduction to some common problems associated with the thyroid gland, with a particular emphasis on hyperthyroidism. The structure and activity of some commonly used anti-thyroid drugs and the role of selenium in thyroid are discussed. The literature references related to this work are provided at the end of the chapter. The second chapter deals with the synthesis and characterization of the selenium analogue (MSeI) of anti-thyroid drug methimazole and a series of organoselenium compounds bearing N-methylimidazole pharmacophore are described. The clinically employed anti-thyroid drug, methimazole (MMI), exists predominantly in its thione form, which is responsible for its anti-thyroidal activity. The selenium analogue MSeI, on the other hand, is not stable in air and spontaneously oxidizes to the corresponding diselenide (MSeIox). Experimental and theoretical studies on MSeI suggest that this compound exists in a zwitterionic form in which the selenium atom carries a large negative charge. The structure of MSeI was studied in solution by NMR spectroscopy and the 77Se NMR chemical shift shows a large upfield shift (-5 ppm) in the signal as compared to the true selones for which the signals normally appear in the downfield range (500-2500 ppm). This confirms that MSeI exists predominantly in its zwitterionic form in solution. Our theoretical studies show that the formation of the diselenide (MSeIox) from selenol tautomer is energetically more favored than the formation of the disulfide (MMIox) from the thiol tautomer of MMI. This study also shows that the replacement of the N−H group in MSeI by an N-methyl or N-benzyl substituent does not affect the nature of C−Se bond. In the third chapter, the inhibition of lactoperoxidase-catalyzed oxidation of ABTS by anti-thyroid drugs and related derivatives is described. The commonly used anti-thyroid agent methemazole (MMI) inhibits the lactoperoxidase (LPO) with an IC50 value of 7.0 µM which is much lower than that of the other two anti-thyroid drugs, PTU and MTU. The selenium analogue of methimazole (MSeI) also inhibits LPO with an IC50 value of 16.4 µM, which is about 4-5 times lower than that of PTU and MTU. In contrast to thiones and selones, the S- and Se-protected compounds do not show any noticeable inhibition under identical experimental conditions. While the inhibition of LPO by MMI cannot be reversed by increasing the hydrogen peroxide concentration, the inhibition by MSeI can be completely reversed by increasing the peroxide concentration. Some of the selenium compounds in the present study show interesting anti-oxidant activity in addition to their inhibition propertities. In the presence of glutathione (GSH), MSeI constitutes a redox cycle involving a catalytic reduction of H2O2 and thereby mimics the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in vitro. These studies reveal that the degradation of the intracellular H2O2 by the selenium analogues of anti-thyroid drugs may be beneficial to the thyroid gland as these compounds may act as antioxidants and protect thyroid cells from oxidative damage. Because the drugs with an action essentially on H2O2 can reversibly inhibit thyroid peroxidase, such drugs with a more controlled action could be of great importance in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Figure 2. (A) Concentration-inhibition curves for the inhibition of LPO-catalyzed oxidation of ABTS by MMI and MSeI at pH 7.0 and 30 °C. (B) Plot of initial rates (vo) for the LPO-catalyzed oxidation of ABTS vs concentration of H2O2. (a) Control activity, (b) 40 µM of MSeI, (c) 40 µM of MSeIox, (d) 80 µM of PTU, (e) 80 µM of MTU, (f) 40 µM of MMI. The incubation mixture contained 6.5 nM LPO, 1.4 mM ABTS, 0.067 M phosphatebuffer(pH7).(Refer PDF File) The fourth chapter describes the inhibition of lactoperoxidase (LPO)-catalyzed iodination of L-tyrosine by anti-thyroid drug methimazole (MMI) and its selenium analogue (MSeI). These inhibition studies show that MSeI inhibits LPO with an IC50 value of 12.4 µM, which is higher than that of MMI (5.2 µM). The effect of hydrogen peroxide on the inhibition of LPO by MMI and MSeI is also discussed. These studies also reveal that the inhibition of LPO-catalyzed iodination by MSeI can be completely reversed by increasing the peroxide concentration. On the other hand, the inhibition by MMI cannot be reversed by increasing the concentration of the peroxide. To under stand the nature of compounds formed in the reactions between anti-thyroid drugs and iodine, the reactions of MSeI with molecular iodine is described. MSeI reacts with I2 to produce novel ionic diselenides, and the nature of the species formed in this reaction appears to be solvent dependent. The formation of ionic species (mono and dications) in the reaction is confirmed by UV-Vis, FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopic investigations and single crystal x-ray studies. The major conclusion drawn from this study is that MSeI reacts with iodine, even in its oxidized form, to form ionic diselenides containing iodide or polyiodide anions, which might be possible intermediates in the inhibition of thyroid hormones. Dication X-ray crystal structure of the monocation X-ray crystal structure of the dication In the fifth chapter, the synthesis and characterization of several thiones and selones having N,N-disubstituted imidazole moiety are described. Experimental and theoretical studies were performed on a number of selones, which suggest that these compounds exist as zwitterions in which the selenium atom carries a large negative charge. The structures of selones were studied in solution by NMR spectroscopy and the 77Se NMR chemical shifts for the selones show large upfield shifts in the signals, confirming the zwitterionic structure of the selones in solution. The thermal isomerization of some S- and Se-substituted methyl and benzyl imidazole derivatives to produce the thermodynamically more stable N-substituted derivatives is described. A structure–activity correlation was attempted on the inhibition of LPO-catalyzed oxidation and iodination reactions by several thiouracil compounds, which indicates that the presence of an n-propyl group in PTU is important for an efficient inhibition. In contrast to the S- and Se-substituted derivatives, the selones produced by thermal isomerization exhibited efficient inhibition, indicating the importance of reactive selone (zwitterionic) moiety in the inhibition. The inhibition data on another well-known anti-thyroid agent carbimazole (CBZ) support the assumption that CBZ acts as a prodrug, requiring a conversion to methimazole (MMI) for its inhibitory action on thyroid peroxidase. (Refer pdf file/original thesis)

Biological processes at the cellular level take place in heterogeneous environments, and usually involve only a small number of molecules. They tend to exhibit strong time dependent fluctuations, as a result, and are, therefore, intrinsically stochastic. The present thesis describes some of the efforts I have made during the course of my research work to develop simple, analytically tractable models of a selection of biologically-inspired problems in which this kind of stochasticity is a central ingredient. These problems are: (i) single molecule enzyme activity (ii) intermittency in single enzymes, (iii) liquids crystal dynamics (iv) modulation of electron transfer kinetics during photosynthesis, and (v) anomalous polymer translocation dynamics. All of these problems can be defined in terms of quantity that changes randomly in time because of environmental fluctuations with broad distributions of relaxation times. In this thesis I show that a generalization of a model that describes simple Brownian Motion can be used to understand many of the dynamical aspects of these problems.

Ce travail de thèse s'intéresse à la relation entre la composition des phases Hydroxydes Doubles Lamellaires (HDL) et leurs propriétés structurales. La première partie de ce manuscrit est consacrée à la formation et aux propriétés structurales de ces matériaux. L'effet de la nature des cations (MgII, NiII, CoII ; AlIII, FeIII) et de leur stoechiométrie dans le feuillet (MII/MIII E [2 ; 10]) constitue les axes principaux de ces travaux. L'étude du comportement hydrolytique d'un mélange de cations divalents et trivalents en fonction de leurs proportions en solution a permis de proposer un mécanisme topotactique de formation de ces phases HDL. Il a aussi été montré que la variabilité stoechiométrique du feuillet ne dépend que de la nature des cations. Ainsi, des modèles électrostatiques ont été proposés afin de rationaliser et prédire la gamme de composition de ces phases HDL en fonction de la nature des cations. La seconde partie est dédiée aux propriétés du milieu interfoliaire. Une étude couplant des analyses par spectroscopies vibrationnelles infrarouge et Raman et par diffraction des Rayons X a permis d'apporter une description précise de l'influence de la nature des cations, et de leurs stoechiométries sur l'organisation des anions dans le milieu interfoliaire (Cl-, CO32-, NO3-, ClO4-, acides aminés). Le rôle de l'eau dans ces phases a également été étudié. Dans le cas des hybrides organo-minéraux, il a été montré que la charge dicte l'orientation des acides aminés intercalées et par conséquent, leur réactivité envers la formation de la liaison peptidique. Également, les propriétés énantioselectives du domaine interfeuillet sont mises en avant pour la formation de peptides / This manuscript is devoted to the comprehension of the relationship between the composition of Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) and their structural properties. The first part of this manuscript is focalized on the formation and the structural properties of these materials. The influence of the cationic nature (MgII, NiII, CoII ; AlIII, FeIII) and their stoichiometries within the layer (MII/MIII E [2 ; 10]) constitutes the main axis of these investigations. The study of the hydrolytic behavior of a solution containing a mixture of divalent and trivalent cations as a function of their relative proportion allowed to propose a topotactic mechanism of formation of LDH phases. Moreover, it has been showed that the composition range is solely dependent on the nature of the cations. Thus, electrostatic models were designed to rationalize and predict the composition range as a function of the cationic nature. The second part is concerned with the properties of the interlayer domain. A joint study, coupling vibrational spectroscopies (Infrared and Raman) and X-ray diffraction allowed a detailed description of the influence of the cations and their stoichiometries on the organization of the interlayer anions (Cl-, CO32-, NO3-, ClO4-, aminoacids). The role of the interlayer water has also been investigated. Concerning hybrid organo-minerals, it has been showed that the layer charge dictates the orientation of the interlayered aminoacids, and consequently, their reactivity toward the formation of the peptide bonds. The enantioselective properties of the interlayer domain are highlighted toward the formation of peptides

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This work presents the synthesis of compounds and their triazenes complexes of gold(I), silver(I), platinum(II) and paladium(II). Triazenes have three nitrogen atoms connected in sequence [ N=N N(H) ] and, when deprotonated, they become excellent ligands in coordination chemistry. The synthesized ligands have ortho nitro substituent and variable substituent halogenated, or also in a position. Characterizations were performed using various techniques: thermogravimetric analysis, ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy, infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and the main focus of this work was the structural characterization of the complexes by X-ray diffraction on monocrystal, with emphasis the study of these supramolecular arrangements. Nitro and halide substituents (F, Cl, Br and I) providing the formation of various types of interactions, which form supramolecular arrangement. Four ligands were synthesized 1-(2-flurorphenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazene (A), 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazene (B), 1-(2-bromophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazene (C), 1-(2-iodophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazene (D) and thirteen complexes {[1-(2-fluorophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide](triphenilphosfine)gold(I)} (1), {[1-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide](triphenilphosfine)gold(I)} (2), {[1-(2-bromophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide](triphenilphosfine)gold(I)} (3), {trans- bis-[1-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide]-bis-(pyridine)paladium(II)} (4), {trans- bis-[1-(2-bromophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide]-bis-(pyridine)paladium(II)} (5), {trans- bis-[1-(2-iodophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide]-bis-(pyridine)paladium(II)} (6), {cis- bis-[1-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide]-bis-(pyridine)platinum(II)} (7), {cis- bis-[1-(2-bromophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide]-bis-(pyridine)platinum(II)} (8), {cis- bis-[1-(2-iodophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide]-bis-(pyridine)platinum(II)} (9), {trans-[1-(2-bromophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide]-bis-(pyridine)(chloro)platinum(II)} (10), {cis- [1-(2-bromophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide]-ditriphenylphosfine(chloro)platinum(II)} (11), {bis-[1-(2-iodophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide]silver(I)} (12) e {[1-(2-fluorophenyl)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)triazenide](triphenylphosfine)silver(I)} (13). For the purpose of Bioinorganic studying the triazenido complexes of gold (I), and Platinum (II) were subjected to evaluation of biological activity shown promising results. / Este trabalho apresenta a síntese de compostos triazenos e seus complexos de ouro(I), prata(I), platina(II) e paládio(II). Os compostos triazenos possuem três átomos de nitrogênio ligados em sequência [ N=N N(H) ]. Quando desprotonados transformam-se em excelentes ligantes com grande exploração na química de coordenação. Os pré-ligantes sintetizados possuem substituinte nitro em posição orto e variável substituinte halogenado, também em posição orto. Foram realizadas caracterizações com diversas técnicas: análise termogravimétrica (TGA), espectroscopia ultravioleta e visível, infravermelho e ressonância magnética nuclear de próton, sendo que o foco principal deste trabalho foi a caracterização estrutural dos complexos por difração de raios-X em monocristal, com destaque no estudo supramolecular destes compostos. Os substituintes nitro e haletos (F, Cl, Br e I) proporcionam a formação de diversos tipos de interações, as quais constituem arranjo supramoleculares. Foram sintetizados quatro pré-ligante 1-(2-fluorfenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazeno (A), 1-(2-clorofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazeno (B), 1-(2-bromofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazeno (C), 1-(2-iodofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazeno (D) e treze complexos {[1-(2-fluorofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido](trifenilfosfina)ouro(I)} (1), {[1-(2-clorofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido](trifenilfosfina)ouro(I)} (2), {[1-(2-bromofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido](trifenilfosfina)ouro(I)} (3), {trans- bis-[1-(2-clorofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido]-bis-(piridina)paládio(II)} (4), {trans- bis-[1-(2-bromofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido]-bis-(piridina)paládio(II)} (5), {trans- bis-[1-(2-iodofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido]-bis-(piridina)paládio(II)} (6), {cis- bis-[1-(2-clorofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido]-bis-(piridina)platina(II)} (7), {cis- bis-[1-(2-bromofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido]-bis-(piridina)platina(II)} (8), {cis- bis-[1-(2-iodofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido]-bis-(piridina)platina(II)} (9), {trans-[1-(2-bromofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido]-bis-(piridina)(cloro)platina(II)} (10), {cis- [1-(2-bromofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido]-ditrifenilfosfina(cloro)platina(II)} (11), {bis-[1-(2-iodofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido]prata(I)} (12) e {[1-(2-fluorofenil)-3-(2-nitrofenil)triazenido](trifenilfosfina)prata(I)} (13). Para fins de estudar a Bioinorgânica dos complexos triazenidos de Ouro(I) e Platina(II), os compostos foram submetidos a avaliação de atividade biológica apresentando resultados promissores.

L’oxydation catalytique des liaisons C-H, en condition aérobie est l’une des réactions « phare » de la chimie, aussi bien d’un point de vue fondamental qu’industriel. Le principal défi consiste en l’utilisation de l’oxygène moléculaire comme oxydant « vert » pour l’activation de ces liaisons C-H. De nombreuses métalloprotéines, telles que les mono-oxygénases (Fe, Cu), sont capables de réaliser ces réactions dans des conditions douces. Une stratégie actuelle consiste à développer des systèmes synthétiques capables de reproduire de manière efficace les propriétés catalytiques de ces enzymes. L’objectif principal de nos travaux a été de synthétiser et de caractériser des modèles de mono-oxygénases solubles (sMMO) et membranaires (pMMO). Deux approches ont été développées. La première a consisté à élaborer des ligands ditopiques dissymétriques, dont les deux sites de coordination tris-(2-pyridymethyl)amine “TPA” et pyridinedicarboxamide “PydCA”, sont enclavés dans un seul macrocycle afin de favoriser une distance intermétallique optimale. La seconde stratégie est basée sur la synthèse de ligands ditopiques où les motifs coordinants, tetraazacyclotetradecane “cyclam” et dipicolylamine “DPA”, sont séparés par un espaceur de type phényle. Ces deux approches ont conduit à l’obtention et à la caractérisation, à l’état solide (structure aux rayons X) et en solution (spectroscopie, électrochimie), de nombreux complexes mono et dinucléaires du fer, du cuivre et du cobalt. L’étude de la réactivité de certains complexes mononucléaires vis-à-vis des oxydants tels que O2 et H2O2, en l’absence de substrats organiques, a permis d’identifier des espèces métal-oxygène. L’oxydation catalytique de substrats organiques a également été réalisée. / Catalytic oxydation of C-H bonds using molecular oxygen as ‘green’ oxidant remains a great challenge from both fundamental and industrial point of views. Many metalloproteins, such as copper end iron-based mono-oxygenases are able to perform these reactions under mild conditions. A current strategy is to develop synthetic complexes which can reproduce the efficiency of such enzymes. The main objective of our work has been to synthesize and characterize new models of soluble (sMMO) and particulate (pMMO) mono-oxygenases. Two approaches have been developed. The first strategy was to synthesize unsymmetrical dinucleating ligands bearing two coordination sites, tris-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine “TPA” and pyridinedicarboxamide “PydCA”, which are embedded in a single macrocycle to favor intermetallic interaction. The second strategy is based on the synthesis of dinucleating ligands where coordinating patterns, tetraazacyclotetradecane “cyclam” and dipicolylamine “DPA”, are separated by a phenyl type spacer. These two approaches have led to the formation and characterization in the solid state (X-ray structure) and in solution (spectroscopy, electrochemistry) of many mononuclear and dinuclear iron, copper and cobalt complexes. The study of the reactivity of some mononuclear complexes towards oxidants such as O2 and H2O2, in absence of organic substrates, has led to the identification of metal-oxygen species. Catalytic oxidation of organic substrates was also conducted.

[pt] O presente trabalho representa um estudo espectroscópico vibracional de complexos metálicos com aminoácidos. Foram analisados complexos ternários com os íons metálicos Zn(II), Cd(II) e Ni(II), com os seguintes aminoácidos: glicina, serina, metionina, cisteína, ácido aspártico e ácido guanidoacético, e somente um complexo binário do íon Ni(II) com o ácido guanidoacético. A análise vibracional rigorosa, aliada às caracterizações dos complexos e à utilização de cálculos teóricos foram recursos fundamentais e preciosos neste trabalho científico. Os trabalhos existentes em espectroscopia vibracional realizados para complexos metálicos com aminoácidos como ligantes são incompletos no que diz respeito à caracterização vibracional e à análise estrutural completa desses compostos. Aliado a isso, a escassez de informação na literatura científica sobre espectros vibracionais de complexos de metais, tendo aminoácidos como ligantes contribuiu significativamente na escolha do tema. Para a caracterização dos compostos foram utilizadas as seguintes técnicas: espectroscopia no infravermelho, análise termogravimétrica, análise elementar e espectroscopia Raman. Os cálculos mecânico-quânticos utilizados fundamentaram-se basicamente na utilização da Teoria do Funcional de Densidade (DFT) com o método B3LYP e o conjunto de base 6-311G (d,p). Foi determinado também por procedimento mecânicoquântico a Análise dos Orbitais Naturais de Ligação (NBO), para dois complexos de níquel (II), com o intuito de conhecer a real hibridização do cátion metálico na formação do complexo, assim como a hibridização dos átomos que formam parte da esfera de coordenação do complexo. Paralelamente à utilização desses recursos, foi realizada a interpretação da segunda derivada espectral tanto do espectro infravermelho quanto do espectro Raman, além da Análise de Deconvolução de Bandas que nos permitiu evidenciar as bandas recobertas e/ou sobrepostas de forma a elucidar corretamente o espectro vibracional estudado. O trabalho apresenta ainda uma nova proposta de atribuição vibracional, baseada na geometria distorcida dos diferentes modos normais, ou geometrias de não equilíbrio, ou perturbadas da molécula, concluindo com a atribuição teórica experimental dos diferentes espectros vibracionais. Por fim, as conclusões nos levam a perceber quão complexa e importante se faz a atribuição dos espectros vibracionais de complexos de compostos de coordenação bioinorgânicos, com o intuito de elucidar essencialmente a região de baixa energia, onde os modos vibracionais metal-ligante acontecem. O procedimento de integração das metodologias empregadas resultam em uma análise espectroscópica precisa e bem fundamentada. / [en] This work represents a spectroscopic vibrational study of metal complexes having amino acids as ligands. Here, were analyzed ternary complexes having Zn(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II) as central metallic ions with the following amino acids: cysteine, methionine, aspartic acid, serine, and with guanido acetic acid. The study was extended to one binary complex of Ni(II) with the guanidoacetic acid acting as ligand. The rigorous vibrational analyses allied to the complexes characterizations and to the theoretical calculations, were the fundamental and precious recourses in this research work. The infrared and/or vibrational spectroscopic information of metal – amino acids complexes are incomplete related to the vibrational characterization of all the normal modes, also we find lack of information referred to characterization and structural analysis. Allied to this fact, the lack of information or references in scientific literature on vibrational spectra of metal complex having amino acids as ligands, had a great contribution to elect the subject of this research. For the complexes characterization were used the following techniques: infrared analysis, thermo gravimetric analysis, elementary analysis and Raman spectroscopy. The quantum mechanical procedures were basically substantiated on the Density Functional Theory (DFT) with the B3LYP method and with the basis set 6-311G (d, p). The Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) was also determinate for two Ni(II) complexes. The intention here was to know the real hybridization of the metallic cation in the complex formation as well as the hybridization of the atoms which are inside of the coordination sphere of the central metallic ion. Joint to the utilization of these research sources, concerning the vibrational spectra, we carried out the second derivative interpretation for the infrared and Raman spectra, and using this information we extended the interpretation study of the normal modes to the deconvolution band analysis. This technique allowed us to put in evidence the overlapped bands, in such a way we are able to obtain almost all the fundamental bands in the vibrational spectrum. The research work present also a new way to assign the normal modes based on the characterization of the distorted geometry of the different normal modes, concluding with the theoretical and experimental assignment of the different vibrational spectra of these complexes. The conclusions point out to the consideration of the great importance which has the correct interpretation or assignment of the fundamental bands in the vibrational spectra of bioinorganic coordination compounds, essentially with the purpose to elucidate the low energy region where the metal – ligand vibrational modes are localized. The procedure of the integrated methodologies used here result in a precise and well substantiated vibrational analysis.