This thesis describes a series of calix[n]arene polynuclear transition metal and lanthanide complexes. Calix[4]arenes possess lower-rim polyphenolic pockets that are ideal for the complexation of various transition metal and lanthanide centres. Surprisingly however, with only a few exceptions, the coordination chemistry of p-tBucalix[ 4]arene (TBC[4]), p-tBu-calix[8]arene (TBC[8]) and p-tBuhomotrioxacalix[ 3]arene (TBOC[3]) with paramagnetic transition metal ions for the purpose of making and studying magnetically interesting molecules is unknown. Chapter two describes the reaction of TBC[4] with manganese salts in the presence of an appropriate base (and in some cases co-ligand) resulting in the formation of a family of calixarene-supported [MnIII 2MnII 2] clusters (1-7) that behave as Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs). These are: [MnIII 2MnII 2(OH)2(TBC[4])2(DMF)6]·2MeOH (1), [MnIII 2MnII 2(OH)2(TBC[4])2(DMF)4(H2O)2]·4MeOH·2DMF (2), [MnIII 2MnII 2(OH)2(TBC[4])2(DMF)6]·2.8MeOH (3), [MnIII 2MnII 2(OH)2(TBC[4])2(DMF)4(EtOH)(H2O)] (4), [MnIII 2MnII 2(OH)2(TBC[4])2(DMSO)6]·2MeOH·2DMSO (5) , [MnIII 2MnII 2(OH)2(TBC[4])2(DMSO)6] (6) and [MnIII 2MnII 2(OH)2(C[4])2(MeOH)6]·4MeOH (7). Variation in the alkyl groups present at the upper-rim of the cone allows for the expression of a degree of control over the self-assembly of these SMM building blocks, whilst retaining the general magnetic properties. The presence of various different ligands around the periphery of the magnetic core has some effect over the extended self-assembly of these SMMs. Chapter three describes how the combination of complementary cluster ligands; sodium phenylphosphinate and the N,O-chelate 2-(hydroxy-methyl)pyridine (hmpH) with TBC[4] results in the formation of two new calixarene-supported clusters. This being an unusual [MnIIIMnII]2 dimer of dimers [MnIIIMnII(O2P(H)Ph)(DMF)2(MeOH)2]2 (8) and a ferromagnetic [Mn5] cage that displays the characteristic bonding modes of each support [MnIII 3MnII 2(OH)2(TBC[4])2(hmp)2(DMF)6](TBC[4]-H)·xDMF ·xH2O (9). Chapter four details how using oxacalix[3]arenes can tune the nature of the metal binding site, by introduction of ≥ 1 ethereal bridge. This results in Mn(II) rather than Mn(III) bonding in the phenolic pocket, and that these components self-assemble with additional Mn(II) and Mn(III) ions to form a [Mn10] supertetrahedron with an unusual oxidation state distribution, [MnII 6MnIII 4O4(TBOC[3])4(Cl)4(DMF)3]∙3.3H2O ∙ 1.5DMF (10). Chapter five introduces a family of lanthanide complexes formed using TBC[8]. Variation in the experimental conditions employed in the reaction of TBC[8] with lanthanide salts (LnX3) provides access to Ln1, Ln2, Ln4, Ln5, Ln6, Ln7 and Ln8 complexes, [Gd(TBC[8]-2H)Cl(DMSO)4]·MeCN·H2O·(DMSO)2·hex (11), [CeIV 4(TBC[8]-6H)2(μ3- O)2(DMF)4]·(DMF)5·hex·MeCN (12), [TbIII 5(TBC[8]-5H)(μ4-O)(μ3- OH)4Cl(DMSO)8(H2O)3]Cl3·(DMSO)2(hex)2 (13), [CeIV 6(TBC[8]-6H)2(μ4-O)2(μ2-OMe)4(μ2- O)2(DMF)4]·(DMF)6·hex (14), [Dy7(TBC[8]-7H)(TBC[8]-6H)(μ4-O)2(μ3-OH)2(μ2- OH)2(DMF)9]·(DMF)3 (15) and [Gd8(TBC[8]-7H)2(μ4-CO3)2(μ5-CO3)2(μ2-HCO2)2(DMF)8] (16), with all polymetallic clusters containing the common bi-nuclear lanthanide fragment. Closer inspection of the structures of the polymetallic clusters reveals that all but one (Ln8) are in fact based on metal octahedra or the building blocks of octahedra.

Les assemblages supramoléculaires font parties des réactions biochimiques de base dans les fonctions cellulaires (ex: réplication de l'ADN ou réponse immunitaire). Les calix[n]arènes ont été décrit pour interagir avec une large gamme de biomolécules. En conséquence, ils peuvent être trouvés dans de nombreuses applications biologiques tel qu'en diagnostic ou en traitement thérapeutique. Leurs fonctionnalisations sur des nanoparticules d'argent ont produit de nouveaux nano-composés hybrides ayant des propriétés optique, électrique et biologique uniques. Cette thèse a été dédiée à l'étude de ces nano systèmes pour la bio-détection et leurs potentielles applications biomédicales. Le développement de capteur analytique à bas coût, portable et ultra-sensible représente une des attentes majeures dans les applications des calix[n]arènes sur nanoparticules d'argent. Dans cette thèse, ces nano-composés ont été étudiés selon leurs capacités à suivre la micellisation de surfactant mixtes, et pour discriminer un type moléculaire tel qu'une famille d'acide nucléique ou une espèce d'albumine sérique. Dans une deuxième partie, ces nanoparticules hybrides ont été évaluées pour une série d'activités biologiques. Ils ont montré des facultés antibiotiques et anti-oxydantes, de transporter des Ingrédients Pharmaceutiques Actifs, et d'atteindre des cibles antivirales et anticancéreuses / Supramolecular assemblies are among the basic biochemical reactions in the cellular functions (e.g. DNA replication, immune response). Calix[n]arenes are macrocyclic molecules that have been reported for interacting with a wide range of biomolecules. As a consequence, they can be found in many biological applications from diagnosis to therapeutic treatment. Their functionalization on silver nanoparticles have produced new nano hybrid compounds with unique optical, electrical and biochemical properties. This thesis has been dedicated to the study of these nano-systems for bio-sensing and for their potent biomedical applications. Cost effective, portable and ultra-sensitive analytical tools are one of the major expectations of the applications of silver nanoparticles capped with calix[n]arenes. Calix[n]arenes nanoparticles have been reported here for following the micellisation process of mixed surfactants or for discriminating a type of molecule such nucleic acid or a serum albumin specie. In a second part, these hybrid nanoparticles have been evaluated for series of biological activities. They’ve been shown to possess anti-oxidant and antibacterial activities, to transport Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient and to reach antiviral and anti-cancer targets