Ferrocene is an important molecule in the field of chemical biology due to its stability, unique redox property and significant lipophilicity for better cellular delivery. The medicinal importance of ferrocene is well recognized after its successful incorporation into breast cancer drug tamoxifen and antimalarial drug chloroquin. Designing ferrocene conjugated transition metal complexes is an interesting area of research in the field of photodynamic therapy, a new modality of light activated cancer treatment. The objective of the present thesis work is to develop photoactive ferrocene conjugates showing DNA photocleavage and photocytotoxic activity. We have synthesized the ferrocene conjugated imidazophenanthroline derivative which exhibits visible light induced DNA photocleavage activity and photocytotoxicity in HeLa cell line. The corresponding phenyl analogue is found to be inactive. Polypyridyl platinum(II) complexes of ferrocenyl as well as phenyl moiety are prepared and studied their interactions with calf thymus DNA. The cytotoxicity of the complexes enhance significantly upon irradiation of UV-A light of 365 nm. To enhance the photodynamic potential and to understand the role of organometallic ferrocenyl moiety, ferrocene conjugated terpyridyl copper(II) complexes having planar phenanthroline bases are prepared. The interaction of these complexes with duplex DNA and their photo-induced DNA cleavage and anticancer activity in HeLa cancer cells are studied. The complexes are able to generate ROS in the presence of visible light which causes DNA damage as well as cell death. The importance of ferrocenyl moiety is evidenced from the less activity of the corresponding phenyl analogues complex. We have prepared copper(II) complexes of ferrocenyl methyl dipicolylamine ligand to understand the role of terpyridyl moiety. These complexes lacking any conjugation between the copper(II) and the ferrocenyl moiety are found to be less active compared to the terpyridyl conjugated system. The copper(II) complexes are found to show undesirable dark cytotoxicity in the presence of cellular thiols like GSH. To overcome the dark toxicity problem and to understand the mechanistic aspects of DNA photocleavage and photocytotoxicity, a series of binary ferrocene conjugated terpyridyl complexes of Fe(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) are prepared and their DNA photocleavage and anticancer activity studied. The zinc(II) complex having redox-active ferrocenyl moiety and redox-inactive zinc(II) center exhibits significant PDT effect with low dark toxicity compared to its copper(II) analogue. The ferrocenyl moiety plays an important role towards showing photocytotoxic activity since its phenyl analogue is inactive in nature. Finally, the present thesis work opens up a new strategy for designing and developing new ferrocene based metal complexes as novel photosensitizers for PDT applications.

This thesis reports the synthesis and characterization of two new copper(II) halide complexes with deprotonated N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine behaving as a bidentate. The magnetic properties of the new copper(II) complexes were studied from room temperature to liquid nitrogen temperatures. The magnetic data show that both complexes exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions with a singlet ground state and a thermally accessible triplet excited state. Magnetic data and infrared spectra indicate the complexes are halogenbridged. Deprotonation at an amine nitrogen is based on the presence of a hydroxyl stretching band in the infrared spectra. Electronic spectra and infrared spectra indicate the complexes are square planar. Elemental analyses, infrared spectra, electronic spectra, electron spin resonance spectra, and magnetic data are reported and discussed.

In this work magnetic properties of copper(II) complexes on N-(hydroxyalkyl) pyrrole-2-aldimines were investigated by various techniques, one of which was magnetic susceptibility. Magnetic moments are not directly determined experimentally, but magnetic susceptibilities are.

Neste trabalho estudou-se os complexos formados pelo íon cobre (II) com o dipeptides triptofilglicina na faixa de pH=3,0 a 13,5. A caracterização dos mesmos foram realizadas através das técnicas de Ressonância Paramagnética Eletrônica (RPE) em duas temperaturas (ambiente e nitrogênio líquido) e Absorção Ótica no visível (350 a 1000 nm). As amostras em solução aquosa obedeceram a relação de 10 ligantes para 1 metal. Caracterizou-se três tipos de complexos nas faixas pHs: 4.0 a 6,0; 6,0 a 12,0 e acima de 12,0. Estes complexos foram propostos com base nos dados espectroscópicos e um conhecimento prévio dos pKs dos grupos desprotonáveis, são eles: CuL2, CuL(H2O) e CuL(OH) (H2O). Estudou-se a influência da cadeia lateral pesada nos parâmetros espectroscópicos e comparativamente ao complexo Gliciltriptofano estudado por Nascimento (1985) no mesmo intervalo de pH, foi possível mostrar que o modelo de não covalência (Brill e Bryce (1968)), é o mais adequado em explicar a diminuição da constante hiperfina Az, constatado em Ph elevado. O complexo tridentado CuL(H2O) foi cristalizado e medidas de RPE no monocristal permitiram obter o tensor giromagnético molecular. Interação de exchange e/ou dipolar, não permitiram a determinação do tensor hiperfino no complexo. Através das direções principais e valores das direções das componentes do tensor cristalino e as direções das normais aos planos de coordenação, foi possível detectar uma forte interação de exchange entre dois íons vizinhos. / In this work was studied the complex made by the ion copper(II) with the dipeptide tryptophilglicine in the area of pH between 3,0-13,5. The cacacterizations of them were realized by the electron paramagnet resonance (ERP) in two temperatures (room and liquid nitrogen) and Optics Absorption in the visible (between 350 - 1100 nm). The samples in aqueous solution got the rate of 10 ligand to one metal. Three species of complex were characterized: pHs between 4,0-6,0; 6,0-12,0 and above 12,0. These complexes were proposed with foundation in the spectroscope informations and a previous know of the pKs of the deprotanatable groups, they are: CuL2; CuL(H2O) and CuL(OH) (H2O). The influency of the lateral chain weighed in the spectroscopies parameter was studied, and in compere with the glyciltryptophan complex studied by Nascimentoi (1985) in the same intermission of the pH, it was possible to show that the model of no covalente (Brill and Bryce-1968) is the adequader to explain the hiperfine constant Az diminution, evidenced in heigh pH. The tridentate complex CuL(H2O) was crystallized and EPR mensures in the monocrystal allowed to get the molecular gyromagnetic tensor. Exchange and/or dipolar interaction didn\'t allow the determination of the hyperfine tensor of the complex. By the main directions and values of the component parts of the tensor g crystalline and the normal directions to the plans of coordination, it was possible to detect a strong interaction of exchange between to neighbour ions.

Neste trabalho inicialmente foi feita uma breve apresentação sobre a utilização de compostos de bases de Schiff e Cobre(II) como catalisadores na reação de oxidação de sulfetos. Foi feita a determinação das estruturas cristalinas dos compostos: N,N\'-bis(3-etoxisalicilideno)-(1,2etileno- diamina) Cu(II), sistema cristalino ortorrômbico grupo espacial Pbcn a = 7.639(5); b= 12.760(5); c= 19.733(5)Å; V = 1923.4(15) (3)Å3; Dcalc = 1.505 Mg/m3; MM = 435.96; e m = 1.170 mm-1, N,N\'-bis (4-dietilaminasalicilideno) - (1,2etilenodiamina) Cu(II), sistema monoclínico, C2/c, a = 19.571(2); b=9.8514(2)=; c=12.4552(4) Å; Beta = 93.705(9)o; V =2396.4(5) Å3; Dcalc=1.358 Mg.m-3; MM= 490.10; e m = 0.944 mm-1, N,N\'-bis(3-metoxisalicilideno)-(1,2etilenodiamina)Cu(II), sistema ortorrômbico, Pna21, a = 7.5140(6); b= 9.2629(9); c= 24.721(3)Å; V =1720.6(3) Å3; Dcalc = 1.575 Mg,m-1; MM = 407.91; e m = 1.302 mm1 e (SALAHE)Cu(II), monoclínico, P21/C, a = 18.3216(2) Å; b=4.804(3) Å; c=19.801(2)Å; Beta = 98.908(6)o; V =2396.4(5) Å3; Dcalc=1.358 Mg.m-3; MM= 490.10; e m = 0.944 mm-1. Os cálculos teóricos para as quatro moléculas foram efetuados partindo-se das coordenadas atômicas cristalográficas. Foram modeladas, para posterior estudo teórico, as moléculas de vinte e seis compostos de bases de Schiff e Cobre(II) análogos. Foram calculadas 104 variáveis para cada composto, e realizado o estudo de correlação estrutura-atividade catalítica através de métodos de Quimiometria. Foi obtido um modelo de correlação utilizando a classe de compostos de atividade catalítica pré-definida. Finalmente foi realizada a tentativa de previsão de atividade dos vinte e quatro compostos com atividade não conhecida, obtendo-se como resultado a probabilidade de vinte deles serem ativos como catalisadores da conversão sulfeto-sulfóxido . / Initially, in this work, a brief presentation about Schiff bases and their applications as catalysist. The crystalline structure determination was made for the compounds: N,N\'-bis(3-etoxysalicylidene)- (1,2ethylenediamine) Cu(II), crystal system orthorhombic spatial group Pbcn a = 7.639(5); b= 12.760(5); c= 19.733(5)Å; V = 1923.4(15) (3)Å3; Dcalc = 1.505 Mg/m3; MM = 435.96; e m = 1.170 mm-1, N,N\'-bis (4- diethylaminesalicilidene) - (1,2ethylenediamine) Cu(II), monoclinic, C2/c, a = 19.571(2); b=9.8514(2)=; c=12.4552(4) Å; B= 93.705(9)o; V =2396.4(5) Å3; Dcalc=1.358 Mg.m-3; MM= 490.10; e m = 0.944 mm-1, N,N\'-bis(3-metoxysalicilidene)- (1,2ethylenediamine) Cu(II), orthorhombic, Pna21, a = 7.5140(6); b= 9.2629(9); c= 24.721(3)Å; V =1720.6(3) Å3; Dcalc = 1.575 Mg,m-1; MM = 407.91; e m = 1.302 mm1 e (SALAHE)Cu(II), monoclinic, P21/C, a = 18.3216(2) Å; b=4.804(3) Å; c=19.801(2)Å; B= 98.908(6)o; V =2396.4(5) Å3; Dcalc=1.358 Mg.m-3; MM= 490.10; e m = 0.944 mm-1. The theoretical calculations for the four molecules had been effected starting of the crystallographic atomic coordinates. Twenty-six molecules without determined crystallographic structure had been shaped for theoretical study. 104 variables for each compound had been calculated, and carried through the correlation study structure-catalyst activity through chemometric methods. A separation model was gotten in one single class. Finally the attempt of forecast of activity of twenty four compounds with activity unknown was carried through, getting itself as resulted the probability of twenty in all to be able to become active.

A autoxidação dos complexos de Ni(II) e Co(II) com tetra, penta e hexaglicina, em meio de tampão borato, é acelerada por espécies de enxofre (IV) (H2S0<SUB3, HS03-e SO32-). A formação dos complexos de Ni(III) e Co(III) foi acompanhada espectrofotometricamente em 325 e 265 nm, respectivamente. A velocidade da reação de autoxidação do complexo de Ni(II)/Gn aumenta com a concentração de S(IV) e é máxima em pH &#926;8,5. O processo é autocatalítico com Ni(III)ou Co(III)atuando como iniciadores, forma~os pela oxidação espontânea de Ni(II) ou Co(II) pelo oxigênio molecular. A dependência da constante de velocidade observada com a oncentração de S(IV) evidenciou possíveis reações paralelas com formação de um complexo com ligantes mistos antes da etapa da oxidação. A autoxidação dos complexos de Cu(II)com penta e hexaglicina em pH =9 é muito lenta, na presença e na ausência de S(IV).A presença de S(IV) e de traços de Ni(II)ou Co(II) aumenta significativamente a velocidade e a eficiência da reação (período de indução de 0,5 s). O mecanismo envolve uma cadeia de reações e um ciclo redox dos complexos. Acetaldeído e formaldeído inibem parcialmente a reação de autoxidação de Ni(II)/G4 na presença de S(IV) e luminol.O método quimiluminescente desenvolvido pode ser empregado para determinação de formaldeído [(5,0.10-5 - 1,0.10-2) mol L-1] e acetaldeído [(1,0.10-4 - 0,10) mol L-1], não sendo possível detectar separadamente cada um desses aldeídos. Na autoxidação de Ni(OH)2 induzida por S(IV) na presença de luminol ocorre emissão de radiação, possibilitando a detecção de S(IV) na faixa de 5,0.10-8 a 1,0.10-5 mol L-1, com limite de detecção estimado de 1,3.10-8 mol L-1. / The autoxidation of Ni(lI) and Co(lI) complexes with tetra, penta and hexaglycine, in borate medium, is accelerated by sulfur (IV) species (H2S03, HS03- and SO32-). The formation of Ni(llI) and Co(lIl) complexes was followed spectrophotometrically at 325 and 265 nm, respectively. The autoxidation rate of Ni(II)/Gn complex increases with S(IV) concentration and is maximum at pH ~ 8.5. The process is autocatalytic with Ni(lIl) or Co(llI) acting as initiators, formed by spontaneous oxidation by oxygen. The dependence of the observed rate constant with S(IV) concentration showed evidences of back or parallel reactions with formation of mixed ligand complex prior to the oxidation step. The autoxidation of Cu(II)/penta and hexaglycine complexes at pH = 9, in the presence and absence of S(IV), is very slow. The presence of S(IV) and of small amounts of Ni(lI) or Co(lI) increases significantly the effectiveness and reaction rate (induction period = 0.5 s). The mechanism involves a radical chain and redox cycling of the metal íon complexes. Acetaldehyde and formaldehyde partially inhibit the autoxidation reaction of Ni(II)/G4 in the presence of S(IV) and luminol. The developed chemiluminescent method can be used for determination of formaldehyde [(5.0.10-5 - 1.0.10-2) mol L-1] and acetaldehyde [(1.0.10-4 - 0.10) mol L-1), being not possible their isolated detection. The S(IV) induced autoxidation of Ni(OH)2 in the presence of luminol, occurs with radiation emission, allowing S(IV) detection in the range 5.0.10-8 to 1.0.10,-5 mol L-1, with detection limit of 1.3.10-8 mol L-1.

Spectroscopic studies have been used to describe the mechanism of the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by solutions of a dimeric Cu(II) complex of a dissymetric Schiff base, [CuSALAD]2.H2O, and imidazole or methyl substituted imidazoles, B, which form monomeric CuSALAD.B2 complexes, in aqueous ethanol solvent. Freezing point depression and vapor pressure lowering studies were carried out to confirm the dimeric nature of the [CuSALAD]2.H2O complex that had been previously reported. The stoichiometry of the [CuSALAD]2.H2O-imidazole equilibrium was extensively studied pointing to a 1:4 stoichiometry. The CuSALAD.B2 adducts exhibited certain catalytic properties that mimic those of catalase enzymes. The different imidazoles were buffered to acidic, neutral and basic pH media in order to investigate the pH effects of this reaction. Two charge transfer (CT) bands were observed near 420 and 450 nm upon addition of hydrogen peroxide to CuSALADB2 solutions, and were associated with two proposed intermediates (CuBOOH and CuBOOCu). A mechanism consistent with these results has been developed. First order dependence of the rate on CuSALAD.B2 was observed in the presence of excess CuSALAD.B2 over hydrogen peroxide, whereas second order dependence was observed with the latter in excess. The CuBOOCu intermediate was unstable in the presence of EDTA, and a first order dependence of rate of formation of intermediate on both CuSALAD.B2, and hydrogen peroxide was observed.

Late transition metal complexes bearing nitrogen-containing ligands may act as catalyst in biotechnology or industrial catalysis. Imidazole is one of the most common biofunctional ligands that play critical roles in meta1loenzymes, since the imidazole moiety of the histidyl residues often constitutes all or part of the binding sites of various transition metal centers. In this work, some new zinc(II), copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes containing the imidazolate and pyridyl moieties incorporated in the imine (ImPyI) and amine (ImPyA) ligands were obtained. Different methods of crystallization yield crystals of complexes (2), (6), (8), (9), (10), (17) and (18). Subsequent structural analyses revealed their interesting structures. In zinc(II) and nickel(II) complexes, facial isomers were isolated while none of the meridional isomers were observed. Particularly interesting is the zinc(II) complexes where two facial complexes with different geometries were identified. The mixture of the different nitrogen donor groups in the same ligand provides handy comparison of these structural variations due to the different nature of these donor groups. One tridentate ligand with bromide substitution on the imidazolate and a tetradentate ligand with an additional pyridyl group were synthesized as an extension of this work. One crystal structure of each of the corresponding metal complex bearing these ligands is also discussed here. Most metal complexes are consolidated by extensive weak hydrogen bonds among them in the crystal lattices.

With the continuous improvement in knowledge and health risks associated with heavy metal expulsion, government environmental agencies are continuously reducing the legal disposal limits. However, the demand for items like IPods or energy-efficient appliances containing heavy metal like copper is on the rise. Whether from commercial or residential areas, heavy metals are known to have toxic effects on humans, animals, and/or ecosystems; hence, their removal is necessary part of preserving our environment. With the rising cost of natural resources, biological species have proven to be viable alternatives in the jet fuel and biodiesel industries. Algal biomass is widely considered economical because of its renewable, biodegradable, noncompetitive, and nontoxic properties. Currently, algae are being grown on waste water for the lipid; this research involves taking the left over or lipid-extracted algae (LEA) for utilization as a biosorbant to remove heavy metals from wastewater. Down selection via batch processes showed that Chlorella sorokianna and its associated lipid-extracted algae (LEA) demonstrated similar adsorption capacities of copper (II) as three current-in-use ion exchange resins. A feasibility study proved that the LEA was an economically realistic means to remove copper (II) from effluent. The LEA biomass is capable of a maximum adsorption of 14.36 ± 0.27 mg of copper (II) per gram of dry biomass for six regeneration, sorption-desorption, cycles with nitric acid. Using SEM and FTIR, the LEA is capable of ion exchange electrostatic interaction with various surface sites of carboxyl, hydroxyl, and metal groups. Next, the batch process was used to fabricate a lab-scale continuous column process much like ion exchange or activated carbon columns in a waste water treatment plant. Using the continuous systems' kinetics and cycle life, a cost analysis was performed on a plant scale column to reduce copper (II) in wastewater for recovery at a later date, which would yield cost saving over the life of columns. To install three LEA columns prior to ion exchange in a waste water treatment plant, the total capital expense is $1.03 million for a one year time line. The bidirectional flow columns are meant as pretreatment prior to ion exchange columns. The LEA columns provide a waste water treatment plant a sustainable, greener and cheaper alternative to offset costs associated with purifying waste water.

One dimensional (1-D), zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper (II) oxide (CuO), nanostructures have great potential for applications in the fields of optoelectronic and sensor devices. Research on nanostructures is a fascinating field that has evolved during the last few years especially after the utilization of the hydrothermal growth method. Using this method variety of nanostructures can be grown from solutions, it is a cheap, easy, and environment friendly approach. These nanostructures can be synthesized on various conventional and nonconventional substrates such as silicon, plastic, fabrics and paper etc. The primary purpose of the work presented in this thesis is to realize controllable growth of ZnO, CuO and nanohybrid ZnO/CuO nanostructures and to process and develop white light emitting diodes and sensor devices from the corresponding nanostructures. The first part of the thesis deals with ZnO nanostructures grown under different hydrothermal conditions in order to gain a better understanding of the growth. Possible parameters affecting the growth such as the pH, the growth temperature, the growth time, and the precursors  concentration which can alter the morphology of the nanostructures were investigated (paper 1). Utilizing the advantage of the low temperature for growth we synthesized ZnO nanostructures on different substrates, specifically on flexible substrates, which are likely to be integrated with flexible organic substrates for future foldable and disposable electronics (paper 2, 3). In the second part of the thesis, using the results and findings from the growth of ZnO nanostructures, it was possible to successfully implement ZnO nanostructures for white light emitting diodes (LEDs) on different flexible substrates (paper 4, 5). In paper 4 we realized a ZnO/polymer LED grown on a paper substrate. In paper 5 we extended the idea to print the ZnO nanorods/polymer hybrid LEDs with potential application to large area flexible displays. In the last part of the thesis, CuO and nanohybrid ZnO/CuO nanostructures were utilized to fabricate Ag+ detection and humidity sensors. In paper 6 we reported Ag+ selective electrochemical sensor based on the use of functionalized CuO nanopetals. To combine the advantages of both oxides nanostructures and to improve the performance we fabricated a pn-heterojuction using intrinsic n-ZnO nanorods and p-CuO nanostructures which were then utilized as an efficient humidity sensor (paper 7).