A mechanism for alkene metathesis has been proposed by Chauvin, wherein metal carbenes act as catalysts for the reaction. The use and discovery of Fischer-, Tebbe-, Grubbs- and Schrock-type metal carbenes have to a certain extent proven the general mechanism. These metal carbenes showed different activity for alkene metathesis. Only Grubbs- and Schrock-type carbenes proved to be highly active for metathesis. A lot of studies have been done on the reasons for the activity, but still the main factors are unknown. In this study a molecular modelling investigation into the mechanism of the alkene metathesis reaction is done in an attempt to identify a factor(s) that can predict activity. By defining and knowing factors that contribute to activity, new catalysts can be designed that are truly active and selective. Fischer-, Tebbe-, Grubbs- and Schrocktype metal carbenes are investigated in this regard. The results of the investigation indicate that the frontier molecular orbital theory shows a possibility for prediction of alkene metathesis activity. By observing the size and location of the atomic orbital coefficients of the molecular orbital, the site of primary overlap for formation of metathesis products could be identified. The largest atomic orbital coefficient of the LUMO should be located on the metal atom. An atomic orbital coefficient should also be present on the carbene carbon for secondary overlap for formation of the metallacyclobutane intermediate. By exchanging the ruthenium in the second generation Grubbs catalyst framework the effect of the metal could be elucidated. The results clearly showed the important influence the metal atom has on the electronic properties of the catalyst complex. The results of frontier molecular orbital calculations supported the general activity trend of the four main types of metal carbenes for the metathesis of linear alkenes. By changing the metal in known catalyst frameworks a deeper understanding can be gained for the design of new alkene metathesis catalysts. / Thesis (PhD (Chemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

A mechanism for alkene metathesis has been proposed by Chauvin, wherein metal carbenes act as catalysts for the reaction. The use and discovery of Fischer-, Tebbe-, Grubbs- and Schrock-type metal carbenes have to a certain extent proven the general mechanism. These metal carbenes showed different activity for alkene metathesis. Only Grubbs- and Schrock-type carbenes proved to be highly active for metathesis. A lot of studies have been done on the reasons for the activity, but still the main factors are unknown. In this study a molecular modelling investigation into the mechanism of the alkene metathesis reaction is done in an attempt to identify a factor(s) that can predict activity. By defining and knowing factors that contribute to activity, new catalysts can be designed that are truly active and selective. Fischer-, Tebbe-, Grubbs- and Schrocktype metal carbenes are investigated in this regard. The results of the investigation indicate that the frontier molecular orbital theory shows a possibility for prediction of alkene metathesis activity. By observing the size and location of the atomic orbital coefficients of the molecular orbital, the site of primary overlap for formation of metathesis products could be identified. The largest atomic orbital coefficient of the LUMO should be located on the metal atom. An atomic orbital coefficient should also be present on the carbene carbon for secondary overlap for formation of the metallacyclobutane intermediate. By exchanging the ruthenium in the second generation Grubbs catalyst framework the effect of the metal could be elucidated. The results clearly showed the important influence the metal atom has on the electronic properties of the catalyst complex. The results of frontier molecular orbital calculations supported the general activity trend of the four main types of metal carbenes for the metathesis of linear alkenes. By changing the metal in known catalyst frameworks a deeper understanding can be gained for the design of new alkene metathesis catalysts. / Thesis (PhD (Chemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

No / Cocrystal monohydrate of nitrofurantoin (NF) with melamine (MELA) has been studied as NF is an antibacterial drug used for the treatment of urinary tract infections. The structure of nitrofurantoin-melamine-monohydrate (NF-MELA-H2O) is characterized by FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy. The energies and vibrational frequencies of the optimized structures calculated using quantum chemical calculations. Supported by normal coordinate analyses and potential energy distributions (PEDs), the complete vibrational assignments recommended for the observed fundamentals of cocrystal hydrate. With the aim of inclusion of all the H-bond interactions, dimer of NF-MELA-H2O has been studied as only two molecules of cocrystal hydrate are present in the unit cell. By the study of dimeric model consistent assignment of the FT-IR and FT-Raman spectrum obtained. H-bonds are of essential importance in an extensive range of molecular sciences. The vibrational analyses depict existence of H-bonding (O-H⋯N) between water O-H and pyridyl N atom of MELA in both monomer and dimer. To probe the strength and nature of H-bonding in monomer and dimer, topological parameters such as electron density (ρBCP), Laplacian of electron density (∇2ρBCP), total electron energy density (HBCP) and H-bond energy (EHB) at bond critical points (BCP) are evaluated by quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM). Natural bond orbitals (NBOs) analyses are carried out to study especially the intra and intermolecular H-bonding and their second order stabilization energy (E(2)). The value of HOMO-LUMO energy band gap for NF-MELA-H2O (monomer and dimer both) is less than NF, showing more chemical reactivity for NF-MELA-H2O. Chemical reactivity has been described with the assistance of electronic descriptors. Global electrophilicity index (ω = 7.3992 eV) shows that NF-MELA-H2O behaves as a strong electrophile than NF. The local reactivity descriptors analyses such as Fukui functions, local softnesses and electrophilicity indices performed to determine the reactive sites within NF-MELA-H2O. In MEP map of NF-MELA (monomer and dimer) electronegative regions are about NO2 and C=O group of NF, although the electropositive regions are around NH2, N-H group and H2O molecule. Molar refractivity (MR) value of NF-MELA-H2O (monomer and dimer) lies within the range set by Lipinski's modified rules. This study could set as an example to study the H-bond interactions in pharmaceutical cocrystals.

La distillation dite « charentaise » est une méthode de distillation discontinue permettant la production d’eaux-de-vie de cognac à partir de vin. La distillation est effectuée dans des alambics en cuivre avec un chauffage à feu nu qui peut être favorable à la génération de composés volatils. Or, les précurseurs et les mécanismes de réactions formant ces composés, pendant la distillation, restent mal connus. La première partie de l’étude consiste à identifier les composés volatils formés au cours de la distillation charentaise. Le bilan matière effectué sur de nombreux composés lors du procédé de distillation a révélé que 2 esters, 3 aldéhydes, 3 terpènes et 12 norisoprénoïdes étaient générés. Par la suite, deux distillations utilisant un mode de chauffe différent (feu nu et vapeur) ont été menées sur un alambic pilote. Le but était d’évaluer l’impact du mode de chauffe sur la génération en composés volatils. L’étude a montré que le mode de chauffe a peu d’effet sur la génération en composés volatils. De plus, les composés formés sont similaires à ceux formés lors de la distillation en alambic traditionnel. Enfin, le troisième axe de l’étude porte sur la caractérisation de l’hydrolyse acide de l’α- terpenyl-O-β-glucopyranoside, précurseur impliqué dans la formation de l’α-terpineol, identifié comme étant généré lors de la distillation charentaise ainsi qu’en alambic pilote. Le suivi de la dégradation dans un réacteur hermétiquement fermé de l’α-terpenyl-O-β-glucopyranoside et dans des conditions représentatives du vin durant la distillation montre l’hydrolyse pour former l’α- terpineol, le trans-terpin et son isomère. Cette étude a révélé que l’hydrolyse du précurseur est favorisée en milieu aqueux et suit une cinétique d’ordre 1 / The « charentaise » distillation is a batch distillation method that allows the production of cognac spirits from wine. The distillation is performed in copper alembics through a direct open flame heating that could favor the formation of volatile compounds. The first part of this study consists in identifying the volatile compounds formed during the distillation of cognac spirits. The mass balance performed on volatile compounds revealed that 2 esters, 3 aldehydes, 3 terpenes and 12 norisoprenoids were generated. Thereafter, two distillations using a different heating mode (direct open flame and steam) were conducted on a small-scale alembic. The goal was to assess the impact of the heating mode on the formation of volatile compounds. The study showed that the mode of heating has little effect on volatile compounds’ generation. Moreover, the compounds formed are similar to the ones during the traditional distillation of cognac spirit. Finally, the third part of the study focuses on the characterization of the acid hydrolysis of α-terpenyl-O-β-glucopyranoside which is the suspected precursor to be involved in the formation of α-terpineol, identified as generated during the charentaise distillation and in small-scale distillations. α-terpenyl-O-β- glucopyranoside was placed in two representative model solutions corresponding to the initial wine and the stillage. Both solutions were exposed to 100 °C in a closed reactor system. Results showed that the hydrolysis of the precurseur formed α- terpineol, trans-terpin and its isomere that seems to be 4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1- methylcyclohexan-2-ol). Data also revealed that the hydrolysis of the precursor follows a first order reaction model ant that an aqueous media promotes the formation of trans-terpin.

Les verres nucléaires sont synthétisés par réactions chimiques à haute température entre un précurseur vitreux (fritte de verre) et un déchet calciné (calcinat) dans un procédé de calcination-vitrification. Le déchet est d'abord séché et dénitré (calcination) avant d'être mélangé à la fritte de verre (vitrification). Une succession de processus physico-chimiques d'imprégnation, diffusion, cristallisation et dissolution, est mise en jeu afin d'intégrer les éléments présents dans le calcinat au sein du réseau vitreux. Ces réactions, dépendantes de la composition des précurseurs et des conditions d'élaboration, doivent être complètes afin d'assurer l'homogénéité du verre et garantir son comportement à long terme. Ce travail a pour objectif de déterminer les réactions chimiques entre les précurseurs et de quantifier les cinétiques réactionnelles afin d'identifier in fine les processus responsables de leur limitation. Un système simplifié constitué d'une fritte de verre de type alumino-borosilicate de sodium et d'un calcinat contenant du nitrate de sodium et de l'oxyde d'aluminium (composés majeurs présents dans les calcinats complexes) est complexifié progressivement afin de déterminer l'influence des éléments de faible solubilité, présents initialement dans les solutions de produits de fission à vitrifier. Les cas des oxydes de molybdène et de néodyme sont en particulier étudiés. Les conditions de formation (temps, température) des phases cristallines de type molybdates (sodium, calcium) et aluminates (sodium, néodyme) ainsi que leur domaine de stabilité dans les calcinats sont déterminés. Les cinétiques de dissolution de ces phases dans la fritte de verre sont modélisées. Il est montré que la dissolution du molybdène, mis en évidence sous forme Na2MoO4, est contrôlée d'une part par la solubilité thermodynamique du MoO3 dans le verre, indépendamment de la dissolution des aluminates de sodium. D'autre part, les cinétiques de dissolution de Na2MoO4 et des aluminates présentent un comportement arrhénien avec la température dont les valeurs des énergies d'activation sont proches de celles de la viscosité du verre. Ces travaux décrivent également les mécanismes de formation d'intermédiaires réactionnels à l'origine de la cristallisation de la " yellow phase " (riche en oxydes de molybdène, d'alcalins et d'alcalinoterreux) pouvant se former dans des verres plus complexes. / Nuclear waste glasses are produced by chemical reactions between a solid waste (calcine) and a glassy precursor (glass frit) through a high-temperature vitrification process. The waste is first dried and calcined (to lose water and nitrogen respectively), then mixed with the glass frit. A succession of physicochemical processes of impregnation, diffusion, crystallization and dissolution is involved in order to incorporate the radioactive elements within the glassy network. These reactions, which are dependent on the precursor composition and the synthesis conditions, must be complete to ensure the homogeneity of the glass and to guarantee its long-term behavior. The aim of this work is to determine the chemical reactions between the precursors and to quantify the reaction kinetics in order to identify the processes responsible for their limitation. A simplified system consisting of a sodium-aluminum borosilicate glass frit and a calcine containing sodium nitrate and aluminum oxide (the principal oxides present in complex calcines) is progressively complexified to determine the influence of low solubility elements initially present in the fission product solutions to be vitrified. The cases of molybdenum and neodymium oxides are the focus of attention. The formation conditions (time, temperature) of crystalline molybdates (sodium, calcium) and aluminates (sodium, neodymium) and their range of stability in the calcines are determined. The dissolution kinetics of these phases in the glass frit is modeled. It is shown that the dissolution of molybdenum, as Na2MoO4, is controlled by the thermodynamic solubility of MoO3 in the glass. It is independent of the sodium aluminate dissolution. For both, Na2MoO4 and sodium aluminates, dissolution reactions present an Arrhenian behaviour and the activation energies are close to that of the viscous flow. This work also describes the formation mechanisms of intermediate phases which can lead to the crystallization of the "yellow phase" (enriched in molybdenum, alkali and alkaline-earth oxides) that can form in more complex glasses.

To exemplify how theoretical chemistry can be applied to understand ground and excited state reactivity, four different chemical reactions have been modeled. The ground state chemical reactions are the simplest models in chemistry. To begin, a route to break down halomethanes through reactions with ground state cyano radical has been selected. Efficient explorations of the potential energy surfaces for these reactions have been carried out using the artificial force induced reaction algorithm. The large number of feasible pathways for reactions of this type, up to eleven, shows that these seemingly simple reactions can be quite complex. This exploration is followed by accurate quantum dynamics with reduced dimensionality for the reaction between Cl− and PH2Cl. The dynamics indicate that increasing the dimensionality of the model to at least two dimensions is a crucial step for an accurate calculation of the rate constant. After considering multiple pathways on a single potential energy surface, various feasible pathways on multiple surfaces have been investigated. As a prototype of these reactions, the thermal decomposition of a four-membered ring peroxide compound, called 1,2-dioxetane, which is the simplest model of chemi- and bioluminescence, has been studied. A detailed description of this model at the molecular level can give rise to a unified understanding of more complex chemiluminescence mechanisms. The results provide further details on the mechanisms and allow to rationalize the high ratio of triplet to singlet dissociation products. Finally, a thermal decomposition of another dioxetane-like compound, called Dewar dioxetane, has been investigated. This study allows to understand the effect of conjugated double bonds adjacent to the dioxetane moiety in the chemiluminescence mechanism of dioxetane. Our studies illustrate that no matter how complex a system is, theoretical chemistry can give a level of insight into chemical processes that cannot be obtained from other methods.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are nowadays a large and widely explored class of ionic compounds that melt below 100 °C. Due to their attractive properties, ILs are now of growing interests in a variety of inorganic materials preparation. However, most studies have put much focus on the description of new synthetic strategies. The chemical reactivity of ILs in the reactions is often neglected. In this dissertation, a series of metal chalcogenides were synthesized using the decompositions of ILs. The role or chemical reactivity of ILs in the reactions was demonstrated in detail. The hierarchical desert-rose-like SrTiO3 particles have been successfully prepared based on an ethylene glycol (EG) mediated one-pot IL-assisted solvothermal synthetic route. The used basic ionic liquid tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) serves as an alkaline source and can also replace EG as the sole solvent to synthesize polyhedral SrTiO3, showing “all-in-one” solvent and reactant. A series of metal sulfides, such as Sb2S3, Bi2S3, PbS, CuS, Ag2S, ZnS, and CdS have been obtained from a choline chloride/thioacetamide based deep eutectic solvent (DES, an IL analog solvent) by a simple and general synthetic method. The reaction mainly proceeds in two steps: i) the dispersion of metal salts in the DES and the formation of a metal-DES complex, and ii) the decomposition of the metal-DES complex and formation of the final products. In addition, the chemical reactivity of phosphonium based ILs with selenium and tellurium at above 220 °C was systematically investigated by a series of dissolution experiments, tracking the solute selenium and tellurium species by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). NMR results clearly indicate some common decomposition mechanisms for quaternary phosphonium ILs at a relatively high temperature in the presence of selenium or tellurium. The decomposition of the quaternary phosphonium cations should proceed by an elimination of one alkyl substituent via an SN2 reaction, forming the respective trialkylphosphane selenides or tellurides in the presence of selenium or tellurium, which is then responsible for the genuine dissolution of selenium or tellurium. However, in the case of tellurium, the dissolution behavior is much more complicated compared to that of selenium. The coupling of P and Te which indicates a P–Te bond formation is only observed in the NMR spectra when a sufficient amount of tellurium (e.g. Te : IL = 1 : 1) is provided. The existence of a parallel-competitive IL decomposition route besides the SN2 reaction is regarded as the side reaction for the dissolution of tellurium. This may at least partially explain the relatively lower solubility of tellurium in phosphonium based ILs compared to that of selenium.

Les accélérateurs sont des adjuvants couramment employés dans les matériaux cimentaires afin d’accélérer leur prise et/ou leur durcissement. Leur ajout permet d’accélérer les cadences de production de béton préfabriqué ou encore de compenser le retard d’hydratation induit par l’emploi d’ajouts minéraux cimentaires ou par des conditions hivernales. De nombreuses espèces chimiques, molécules ou ions, connues pour leur pouvoir accélérateur ont été étudiées dans la littérature. Néanmoins, souvent leur mode d’action est associé à une simple activation chimique, se caractérisant par l’accélération de l’hydratation de certaines phases cimentaires. Or au sein de la pâte cimentaire, ces adjuvants peuvent aussi avoir une action physique et modifier l’état de dispersion des grains de ciment, ce qui pourrait indirectement influencer la réactivité chimique.L’objectif de ce travail est donc d’étudier les modes d’action de différents systèmes accélérateurs en combinant l’analyse de la réactivité chimique du ciment et de l’organisation mésostructurale. Plusieurs amines de structures moléculaires différentes et plusieurs sels sodiques ont été employés seuls ou de manière combinée dans des pâtes cimentaires et des mortiers normalisés. Ces matériaux ont alors été étudiés de l’échelle nano/microscopique, puis mésoscopique à macroscopique, sur une période de temps s’étalant des premières minutes d’hydratation jusqu’à 28 jours. L’analyse du liquide interstitiel des pâtes cimentaires a permis d’évaluer les capacités de sorption et de complexation des adjuvants. Via des suivis d’hydratation par calorimétrie isotherme, diffraction des rayons X et analyse thermogravimétrique, l’impact des accélérateurs sur la dissolution des phases cimentaires anhydres et la précipitation d’hydrates a été déterminé. En parallèle, l’organisation mésostructurale des suspensions cimentaires adjuvantées a été analysée de manière directe par microscopies et granulométrie laser. Le comportement rhéologique et le suivi de sédimentation ont aussi permis d’appréhender indirectement l’état de dispersion des pâtes cimentaires. Pour finir, à l’échelle du mortier, des mesures de résistance à la compression ont été réalisées et la microstructure des échantillons a été étudiée par porosimétrie mercure et surface spécifique BET.La combinaison de ces caractérisations chimiques, physico-chimiques et granulaires a permis de mettre en évidence les principaux modes d’action des différentes familles d’accélérateurs. En particulier l’influence sur l’accélération de la structure moléculaire des amines et des espèces ioniques présentes dans le sel a été appréhendée. Enfin, l’emploi de combinaisons d’accélérateurs a permis de moduler l’accélération d’hydratation du matériau cimentaire et d’obtenir des effets synergiques. / Accelerators are common cement additives used in order to accelerate setting and/or hardening. Their addition allows accelerating production rates of precast concrete or compensating hydration retardation induced by the use of supplementary cementitious materials or by winter conditions. Several chemical species, molecules or ions, known for their accelerator power have been studied in the literature. However, their mode of action is often simply associated to chemical activation, which is characterized by hydration acceleration of particular cement phases. Yet, inside the cement paste, these additives can also have a physical action and modify the dispersion state of cement grains, which might indirectly influence chemical reactivity.Therefore the objective of this work is to study the modes of action of different accelerator systems by combining the analysis of cement chemical reactivity and mesostructural organization. Some amines with different molecular structures and some sodic salts were used individually or in a combined way in cement pastes and normalized mortars. These materials were then studied from nano/microscopic to mesoscopic and macroscopic scale over a period of time ranging from the first minutes of hydration till 28 days. The analysis of the pore solution allowed evaluating the additive sorption and complexation ability. Cement hydration was followed by isothermal calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis in order to determine the impact of accelerators on anhydrous cement phase dissolution and hydrate precipitation. In parallel, mesostructural organization of admixtured cement suspensions was analyzed indirectly by microscopy and laser granulometry. Rheological and sedimentation behavior also allowed apprehending indirectly the dispersion state of cement paste. Lastly, at mortar scale, compressive strength measurements were performed and sample microstructure was studied by mercury intrusion porosimetry and BET specific surface.The combination of these chemical, physicochemical and granular characterizations allowed highlighting the main modes of action of the different accelerator systems. In particular, the influence on acceleration of amine molecular structure and salt ionic species was apprehended. Finally, the use of combinations of accelerators allowed modulating the hydration acceleration of cementitious materials and obtaining synergetic effects.

Cette thèse porte sur l'influence de la couche limite convective et nuageuse sur la réactivité chimique en Afrique de l'Ouest. Pour répondre à cette question, des simulations à haute résolution (50m) sont réalisées sur le modèle atmosphérique Méso-NH couplé à un mécanisme chimique détaillé représentant la chimie gazeuse et aqueuse. Cette échelle spatiale permet de représenter explicitement les caractéristiques spatiales et temporelles des structures turbulentes. Les thermiques en couche limite sont identifiés à l'aide d'un échantillonnage conditionnel basé sur l'utilisation d'un traceur passif à décroissance radioactive. L'impact du transport turbulent sur la redistribution d'espèces chimiques dépend du temps de vie chimique de ces espèces. La ségrégation spatiale créée au sein de la couche limite augmente ou réduit les taux de réaction moyens entre composés. La campagne de terrain AMMA, et plus récemment DACCIWA, sont utilisées pour définir des forçages dynamiques et chimiques pour des environnements simulés. Le premier est représentatif d'un environnement biogénique dominé par des émissions naturelles de COV. Le second reproduit un environnement urbain modérément pollué typique du Golfe de Guinée (Cotonou au Bénin). Pour simplifier, l'analyse des simulations est limitée aux réactions chimiques entre OH et l'isoprène dans le cas biogénique, entre les aldéhydes C>2 et OH dans le cas urbain. L'influence de la couche limite convective est étudiée à l'échelle du thermique et du domaine. Cela permet une connexion avec les modèles à résolution plus lâche qui adoptent une hypothèse de mélange parfait et immédiat, négligeant de fait les variabilités spatiales de composés chimiques au sein d'une maille. Les premiers résultats, basés sur la phase gazeuse uniquement, montrent que les nuages en couche limite convective affectent le transport vertical d'espèces chimiques. Les thermiques sont des zones de réactions privilégiées où la réactivité chimique est maximale. La plus grande intensité de ségrégation est calculée au sommet de la couche limite, toutefois de signes opposés entre les deux environnements. En environnement biogénique, le mélange non-homogène de l'isoprène et de OH dans cette zone induit une diminution maximale de 30% du taux de réaction moyen. Dans le cas urbain, la constante de réaction effective entre OH et les aldéhydes est supérieure de 16% à la constante moyenne. La réactivité de OH est supérieure de 15 à 40% dans les thermiques comparé au reste du domaine, dépendant de l'environnement chimique et de l'heure. Comme les thermiques occupent une faible portion du domaine, l'impact des structures turbulentes sur la réactivité totale de OH est une diminution de 9% pour le cas biogénique et une augmentation maximale de 5% dans le cas anthropique. Des simulations LES incluant la réactivité aqueuse révèlent une baisse importante des rapports de mélange de OH associée à la présence de nuages. / This thesis focuses on the influence of the convective and cloudy boundary layer on the chemical reactivity in West Africa. To answer this question, high resolution simulations (50m) are performed on the atmospheric model Meso-NH coupled to a detailed chemical scheme representing the gaseous and aqueous phases. This spatial scale allow to explicitly represent the spatial and temporal characteristics of turbulent structures. Thermals in the boundary layer are identified by a conditional sampling based on a radioactive-decay passive scalar. The turbulent transport influence on the redistribution of chemical species depends on the chemical lifetimes of these species. Spatial segregation is created within the convective boundary layer that increases or decreases the mean reaction rates between compounds. AMMA campaign field study, and more recently DACCIWA, are used to define dynamical and chemical forcing of two simulated environments. The first one is representative of a biogenic environment dominated by natural emissions of VOC. The second reproduces a moderately polluted typical urban area of the Guinean Gulf (Cotonou in Benin). For the sake of simplicity, simulations analysis are limited to the chemical reaction between isoprene and OH in the biogenic case, and the reaction between C>2 aldehydes and OH in the anthropogenic case. The convective boundary layer influence is studied at thermal and domain scale. This makes the connection with coarse resolution models for which a hypothesis of perfect and immediate mixing is made, neglecting the spatial variability of chemical species within a grid cell. The first results are based on the gaseous phase only. Cloudy development in the convective boundary layer only affects the vertical transport of chemical species. The simulations show that thermals are preferential reaction zones where the chemical reactivity is the highest. The top of the boundary layer is the region characterized by the highest calculated segregation intensities but of the opposite sign in both environments. In the biogenic environment, the inhomogeneous mixing of isoprene and OH in this zone leads to a maximum decrease of 30% of the mean reaction rate. In the anthropogenic case, the effective rate constant for OH reacting with aldehydes is 16% higher at maximum than the averaged value. The OH reactivity is higher by 15 to 40% inside thermals compared to the surroundings depending on the chemical environment and time of the day. Because thermals occupy a small fraction of the simulated domain, the impact of turbulent motions on the domain-averaged OH total reactivity reaches a maximum 9% decrease for the biogenic case and a maximum of 5% increase for the anthropogenic case. LES simulations including the aqueous reactivity reveal a significant decrease in OH mixing ratios associated to the presence of clouds. Consequently, isoprene and C>2 aldehydes mixing ratios increase at these altitudes.

Les propriétés spécifiques des milieux fluides supercritiques sont exploitées depuis denombreuses années dans les domaines de la séparation, de la chimie et des matériaux.Aujourd’hui, les activités de recherche se focalisent vers une meilleure compréhension et unmeilleur contrôle des processus thermodynamiques, physiques et chimiques mis en jeu, ce quinous a naturellement amené à développer la microfluidique supercritique. C’est dans cecontexte que s’inscrivent ces travaux de thèse ayant pour objet le développement et l’utilisationde l’outil microfluidique pour l’étude de la réactivité chimique et de la germination-croissance enmilieux fluides supercritiques.Notre premier objectif a concerné le développement de l’outil microfluidique supercritique etde microsystèmes résistants aux conditions de température et de pression. Quelquescaractéristiques physiques associées à ces dispositifs sont proposées de manière à observerclairement les avantages attendus du couplage de la microfluidique et des fluides supercritiques.Nous avons ensuite validé l’apport de la microfluidique supercritique sur la réactivité chimiqueet la chimie des matériaux via, d’une part, l’étude de l’oxydation hydrothermale du méthanol et,d’autre part, l’élaboration de nanocristaux de ZnO. Les propriétés de photoluminescence de cesnanocristaux de ZnO ont été caractérisées; nous avons montré que l’outil microfluidiquesupercritique permet de synthétiser des nanocristaux de ZnO avec une luminescenceexcitonique. / The unique properties of supercritical fluids (SCFs) have been widely used since the 1980’sin a wide range of applications including separation, chemistry and materials synthesis.Currently, the research activities are focused toward a better understanding and tailoring ofthermodynamical, physical and chemical phenomena involved in SCFs processes. In thiscontext, this is why we have chosen to develop supercritical microfluidics in the frame of thisPhD work, which aims at developing and using microfluidic tools in order to study the chemicalreactivity and the nucleation-growth in supercritical fluids.First of all, our strategy aimed at fabricating microsystems which could handle to the SCFsoperating conditions (high pressure and high temperature). Then, we have studied somephysical characteristics of these devices and in particular we determined the expectedadvantages associated with the combination of microfluidic tools and supercritical fluids.Afterwards, we have demonstrated the benefits of the supercritical microfluidics to materialssynthesis and chemical reactivity through the hydrothermal oxidation of methanol and thesynthesis of ZnO nanocrystals. This last point was also the subject of a photoluminescencestudy, demonstrating that supercritical microfluidics tools can be used as “precision synthesis”reactors.