It is widely accepted that the sharing of electrons constitutes a bond. Conversely, molecular interactions that do not involve electron transfer, such as van der Waals forces and electrostatics are defined as "non-bonding" or "non-covalent" interactions. More recently computational and experimental observations have shown situations where the division between "bonding" and "non-bonding" interactions is blurred. One such class of interactions are known as σ-hole interactions. Chapter 1 provides a literature review of investigations into the nature of σ-hole interactions, highlighting the individual contributing factors. Chapter 2 provides a detailed analysis into the nature of chalcogen-bonding interactions. Synthetic molecular balances are employed for experimental measurements of conformational free energies in different solvents, facilitating a detailed examination of the energetics and associated solvent and substituent effects on chalcogen-bonding interactions. The chalcogen-bonding interactions examined were found to have surprisingly little solvent dependence. The independence of the conformational free energies on solvent polarity, polarisability and H-bond characteristics showed that electrostatic, solvophobic or dispersion forces were not dominant factors in accounting for the experimentally observed trends. A molecular orbital analysis provided a quantitative relationship between the experimental free energies and the molecular orbital energies, which was consistent with chalcogen-bonding interactions being dominated by an n→σ* orbital delocalisation. Chapters 3 and 4 both use the molecular orbital modelling approach established in Chapter 2 to investigate the potential partial covalency in H-bonding and carbonyl···carbonyl interactions. H-bonding is generally considered to be an electrostatically dominated interaction. However, computational results have suggested a partial covalent character in H-bonding. The molecular orbital analysis revealed an n→σ* electron delocalisation in all H-bonding systems evaluated. However, no quantitative correlation could be found with experimental free energies. Similarly, the nature of carbonyl···carbonyl interactions has been subject to debate, with electrostatic or an n→π* electron delocalisation having been proposed as the dominant factors. The molecular orbital analysis employed here showed that n→π* delocalisation was exceptionally geometry dependent. Studies of literature systems reveal that n→π* delocalisation contributes to overall stability of a range of systems, with a quantitative link between molecular orbital energy and conformational free energies.

This study reports on the synthesis of N-doped carbon spheres (N-CSs) by a simple synthetic procedure. A horizontal CVD type reactor was used to synthesize N-CSs from pyridine. Depending on the dilution of the pyridine with toluene, a nitrogen content of 0.13-5 mol % was obtained. The use of a vertical CVD reactor gave N-CSs with a N-content of 0.19-3 mol % when an ammonium solution and acetylene were used as reactants. The diameters of carbon spheres were found to be in the range of 40 nm to 1000 nm for both CVD reactors. The diameter can be controlled by varying the flow rate, temperature, time, concentration and the reactor type. The samples were characterized by TEM, HRTEM, elemental analysis, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, PXRD and ESR. We have demonstrated that unsubstituted thiophene can be polymerized by Fe3+-catalyzed oxidative polymerization. The average particle size was about 50 nm, within a narrow particlesize distribution. The undoped carbon spheres (CSs) were reacted with thiophene to give polymer/carbon composites containing polythiophene and carbon nanospheres via chemical oxidative polymerization reaction. Polythiophene molecules were either chemically bonded or physically adsorbed to the surface of carbon spheres. The microstructure and properties of the two types of composites were compared. The thermogravimetric analysis data confirmed that the presence of CSs in the polymer\carbon composites is responsible for the higher thermal stability of the composite material in comparison with pristine polythiophene. The FTIR analysis showed that covalent functionalized nanocomposites exhibit a high intensity of a C-S bond This study reports on the synthesis of N-doped carbon spheres (N-CSs) by a simple synthetic procedure. A horizontal CVD type reactor was used to synthesize N-CSs from pyridine. Depending on the dilution of the pyridine with toluene, a nitrogen content of 0.13-5 mol % was obtained. The use of a vertical CVD reactor gave N-CSs with a N-content of 0.19-3 mol % when an ammonium solution and acetylene were used as reactants. The diameters of carbon spheres were found to be in the range of 40 nm to 1000 nm for both CVD reactors. The diameter can be controlled by varying the flow rate, temperature, time, concentration and the reactor type. The samples were characterized by TEM, HRTEM, elemental analysis, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, PXRD and ESR. We have demonstrated that unsubstituted thiophene can be polymerized by Fe3+-catalyzed oxidative polymerization. The average particle size was about 50 nm, within a narrow particlesize distribution. The undoped carbon spheres (CSs) were reacted with thiophene to give polymer/carbon composites containing polythiophene and carbon nanospheres via chemical oxidative polymerization reaction. Polythiophene molecules were either chemically bonded or physically adsorbed to the surface of carbon spheres. The microstructure and properties of the two types of composites were compared. The thermogravimetric analysis data confirmed that the presence of CSs in the polymer\carbon composites is responsible for the higher thermal stability of the composite material in comparison with pristine polythiophene. The FTIR analysis showed that covalent functionalized nanocomposites exhibit a high intensity of a C-S bondThis study reports on the synthesis of N-doped carbon spheres (N-CSs) by a simple synthetic procedure. A horizontal CVD type reactor was used to synthesize N-CSs from pyridine. Depending on the dilution of the pyridine with toluene, a nitrogen content of 0.13-5 mol % was obtained. The use of a vertical CVD reactor gave N-CSs with a N-content of 0.19-3 mol % when an ammonium solution and acetylene were used as reactants. The diameters of carbon spheres were found to be in the range of 40 nm to 1000 nm for both CVD reactors. The diameter can be controlled by varying the flow rate, temperature, time, concentration and the reactor type. The samples were characterized by TEM, HRTEM, elemental analysis, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, PXRD and ESR. We have demonstrated that unsubstituted thiophene can be polymerized by Fe3+-catalyzed oxidative polymerization. The average particle size was about 50 nm, within a narrow particlesize distribution. The undoped carbon spheres (CSs) were reacted with thiophene to give polymer/carbon composites containing polythiophene and carbon nanospheres via chemical oxidative polymerization reaction. Polythiophene molecules were either chemically bonded or physically adsorbed to the surface of carbon spheres. The microstructure and properties of the two types of composites were compared. The thermogravimetric analysis data confirmed that the presence of CSs in the polymer\carbon composites is responsible for the higher thermal stability of the composite material in comparison with pristine polythiophene. The FTIR analysis showed that covalent functionalized nanocomposites exhibit a high intensity of a C-S bond at 695 cm-1 , which is not observed in the noncovalent functionalized nanocomposites

Les dispositifs bioélectrochimiques utilisent souvent le co-facteur NADH (nicotinamide adénine dinucléotide) comme biomolécule impliquée dans les réactions d’oxydo-réduction avec des enzymes de grand intérêt biochimique, comme par exemple les glucose oxydases ou les déshydrogénases. Il est nécessaire d’utiliser de nouveaux matériaux d’électrode afin de diminuer les sur-potentiels nécessaires au transfert d’électrons avec le système NADH/NAD+ et éviter l’adsorption des produits de la réaction à la surface de l’électrode (biofouling). Les nanotubes de carbone (NTCs) constituent un matériau conducteur de grande aire spécifique qui semble prometteur pour modifier ainsi la surface des électrodes. Ce travail de thèse a consisté à développer de nouvelles méthodes de greffage covalent de groupements fonctionnels électro-actifs vis-à-vis du système NADH/NAD+ en contrôlant les différentes étapes du procédé avec un protocole particulièrement poussé d’analyses physico-chimiques impliquant les spectroscopies de diffusion Raman, d’absorption infrarouge, de photo-électrons X, les microscopies électroniques à transmission, l’ellipsométrie spectroscopique et les analyses thermogravimétriques et de volumétrie d’adsorption. Nous avons développé un procédé reposant sur une première étape d’oxydation des NTCs par assistance micro-ondes dans des milieux acides dilués. Ceci permet de transformer les défauts existant à la paroi des nanotubes (atomes de carbone en hybridation sp3) pour les convertir en fonction acides carboxyliques, qui serviront dans les étapes ultérieures du procédé au greffage covalent des groupements électro-actifs. Ainsi l’intégrité structurale des NTCs, et donc leurs excellentes propriétés électroniques et mécaniques, sont préservées. Le succès de cette approche est pleinement démontré dans ce travail aussi bien en utilisant des nanotubes monoparois purifiés que des nanotubes multiparois. Un net effet électrocatalytique est obtenu avec les groupes fonctionnels dérivés du ferrocène. On montre également le rôle crucial de la nature du bras espaceur reliant les groupes électro-actifs à la paroi des NTCs. Ce travail a permis de mettre au point une méthode générale de greffage covalent des NTCs et son contrôle étape par étape. On montre enfin en perspective de ce travail qu’il est possible de greffer directement la molécule de NAD+ à la surface des NTCs. / Bioelectrochemical devices often use the NADH co-factor (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) as a biomolecule involved in oxidation-reduction reactions with enzymes of high biochemical interest, such as glucose oxidases or dehydrogenases. It is necessary to use new electrode materials to reduce the over-potentials required for electron transfer with the NADH/NAD+ system and avoid adsorption of the reaction products to the electrode surface (biofouling). Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a conductive material with a large specific surface area that seems promising for modifying the surface of electrodes. This thesis work consisted in developing new methods for covalent grafting of electro-active functional groups with respect to the NADH/NAD+ system by controlling the various stages of the process with a particularly advanced physico-chemical analysis protocol involving Raman scattering spectroscopy, infrared absorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry and thermogravimetric and volumetric adsorption analyses. We have developed a process based on a first step of oxidation of the CNTs by microwave assistance in diluted acid media. This makes it possible to transform existing defects in the wall of the nanotubes (carbon atoms in sp3 hybridization) into carboxylic acid functions, which will be used in the subsequent steps of the process for covalent grafting of electro-active groups. Thus, the structural integrity of the CNTs, and therefore their excellent electronic and mechanical properties, are preserved. The success of this approach is fully demonstrated in this work both by using purified single-walled nanotubes and multi-walled nanotubes. A clear electrocatalytic effect is obtained with the functional groups derived from ferrocene. The crucial role of the nature of the spacer arm connecting the electro-active units to the wall of the CNTs is also shown. This work made it possible to develop a general method for covalent grafting of CNTs and its step-by-step control. Finally, we show in perspective of this work that it is possible to directly graft the NAD+ molecule onto the surface of the CNTs.

A thorough knowledge of non-covalent amino acid interactions within a protein structure is essential for a complete understanding of its conformation, stability and function. Among all the amino acids that usually make up a protein, tryptophan is distinguished both by its rarity and size of its side chain formed by an indole group. It is able to provide various types of indispensable interactions within the protein and between different polypeptide chains, but also between the protein and a biological membrane. In addition, it is the most commonly used natural fluorophore. Databases of solved protein structures are commonly used to study amino acid interactions and allow more or less complex analyzes of the issue. Thus many non-covalent interactions that may occur between tryptophan and other amino acids have been found. However, most of these analyzes focus on specific interactions and do not follow up the tryptophan's environment as a whole, where all amino acids interact. Some newly developed methods have been used in this Thesis, specifically the occurrence profiles of the individual amino acids around the indole group of tryptophan and the results were compared with an available literature. The amino acid that has the greatest preference for tryptophan turned out to be tryptophan again, and...

The emergence of CTX-M class-A extended-spectrum β-lactamases, which confer resistance to second and third-generation cephalosporins, poses a serious health threat to the public. CTX-M β-lactamases use a catalytic serine to hydrolyze the β-lactam ring. Specifically, the hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by CTX-M β-lactamase proceeds through a pre-covalent complex, a high-energy tetrahedral acylation intermediate, a low-energy acyl-enzyme complex, a high-energy tetrahedral deacylation intermediate after attack via a catalytic water, and lastly, the hydrolyzed β-lactam ring product which is released from the enzyme complex. The crystallographic structure of CTX-M at sub-angstrom resolution has enabled us to study enzyme catalysis as well as perform computational molecular docking in our efforts to develop new inhibitors against CTX-M. The goal of this project was to determine the hydrogen bonding network and proton transfer process at different stages of the reaction pathway as well as develop novel inhibitors against CTX-M β-lactamases. The results I have obtained from the project have elucidated the catalytic mechanism of CTX-M β-lactamase in unprecedented detail and facilitated the development of novel inhibitors for antibiotic drug discovery. The first aim of the project focused on developing high affinity inhibitors against class A β-lactamase using a structure-based drug discovery approach, which ultimately led to the identification of CTX-M9 inhibitors with nanomolar affinity. Compound design was based on the initial use of computational molecular docking results along with x-ray crystal structures with known inhibitors bound in the active site. In addition, chemical synthesis was used to build and extend the existing inhibitor scaffold to improve affinity to CTX-M9 and related serine β-lactamases. Through a fragment-based screening approach, we recently identified a novel non-covalent tetrazole-containing inhibitor of CTX-M. Structure-based design was used to improve the potency of the original tetrazole lead compound more than 200-fold with the use of small, targeted structural modifications. A series of compounds were used to probe specific binding hotspots present in CTX-M. The designed compounds represent the first nM-affinity non-covalent inhibitors of a class A β-lactamase. The complex structures of these potent compounds have been solved using high resolution x-ray crystallography at ~ 1.2-1.4 Å, which provides valuable insight about ligand binding and future inhibitor design against class A β-lactamases. Specifically, the first aim of the project was to use ultra-high resolution x-ray crystallography to study β-lactamase catalysis. Through the use of ultra-high resolution x-ray crystallography with non-covalent and covalent inhibitors, I was able to structurally characterize the critical stages of the enzyme mechanism. Here we report a series of ultra-high resolution x-ray crystallographic structures that reveal the proton transfer process for the early stages of the class A β-lactamase catalytic mechanism. The structures obtained include an a 0.89 Å crystal structure of CTX-M β-lactamase in complex with a recently-developed 89 nM non-covalent inhibitor, and a 0.80 Å structure in complex with an acylation transition state boronic acid inhibitor. Nearly all the hydrogen atoms in the active site, including those on the ligand, polar protein side chains and catalytic water, can be identified in the unbiased difference electron density map. Most surprisingly, compared with a previously determined 0.88 Å apo structure determined under the same conditions, the hydrogen-bonding network has undergone a series of reshuffling upon the binding of the non-covalent ligand. Two key catalytic residues, Lys73 and Glu166, appear to have both changed from a charged state to being neutral. Interestingly, structural evidence suggests the presence of a low barrier hydrogen bond (LBHB) shared between Lys73 and Ser70. These unprecedented detailed snapshots offer direct evidence that ligand binding can alter the pKa's of polar protein side chains and their affinities for protons. Such effects can be a common mechanism utilized by enzymes to facilitate the proton transfer process of a reaction pathway. They also have important implications for computational modeling of protein-ligand interactions. Ultra-high resolution x-ray crystallography allowed us to determine the hydrogen atom positions for key active site residues involved in catalysis. As a result, the ability to characterize the hydrogen bonding network led to the determination of the specific proton transfer process that occurs during the reaction stages of the CTX-M β-lactamase mechanism. Overall, the results from this project demonstrate the effectiveness of using ultra high resolution x-ray crystallography as a useful tool to study enzyme catalysis as well as develop and discover novel inhibitors.

No description available.

This dissertation is divided into three major sections (one on dendrimers, one on tripodal metal ligands and one on a research oriented chemistry curricula) with a primary focus on different types of multicomponent assemblies. In the first chapter, a system is described that used a multicomponent assembly of AT-PAMAM dendrimers and an indicator, carboxyfluorescein, to detect and identify various polyanions at a low micromolar concentration. The system was able to successfully differentiate twelve anions, many of biological interest, including three tricarboxylates. The tricarboxylates were differentiated based primarily on the regiochemistry of the anionic groups. In the second chapter, further studies with AT-PAMAM dendrimers were carried out to provide some understanding of the thermodynamic origins of binding. Utilizing isothermal titration calorimetry, the binding of the dendrimers to large polyanionic dendrons with increasing numbers of charges was studied. Through these studies, the thermodynamic values of the binding events were obtained allowing us to explore the properties of the dendrimers. The cooperativity of the system was measured, and primarily negative cooperativity determined by the entropic contributions was uncovered. As the dendrimers increased in size, the thermodynamic origins of binding were determined to a greater extent by the entropy of binding. In the third chapter, a novel dynamic ligand system for metal binding is described. In the presence of a metal salt, a heterocyclic aldehyde and a secondary amine with two heterocyclic arms reversibly condense to form a hemiaminal with a tripodal metal binding site. This chapter describes studies on the metal binding ability, the variety of metals that will lead to this formation, the effects of anions and the range of aldehydes that can be used are described. Furthermore, the system’s reversibility was explored. Finally, the use of a bistriazole secondary amine was explored. The modular nature of triazole formation could lead to the introduction of additional functionalities. The fourth chapter discusses how the novel ligand system could be used to study the enantiomeric excess (ee) of chiral thiols. Based upon the system’s ability to form a stable hemiaminal thioether, a CD signal could be generated that is proportional to the amount of a particular enantiomer in solution. Using this system, a calibration curve relating CD signal and ee can be generated giving the ee of an unknown solution. In the final chapter, a look at the Freshman Research Initiative will be carried out with a focus on the ability to teach basic skills in an introductory laboratory through research. Four different skills or techniques will be explored through three different FRI streams,x and how they teach the four skills. Finally, analysis of the success of the program, particularly students’ success in the next laboratory course in the sequence, is discussed, and a model for adopting this type of teaching at other universities is given. / text

This thesis investigates the design, synthesis and biological assay of cysteine protease inhibitors within the papain superfamily of cysteine proteases. This is achieved by examining the effect of inhibitor design, especially warheads, on IC₅₀ values and structureactivity relationships between cysteine protease inhibitors of the papain superfamily. The representative proteases used are m-calpain, μ-calpain, cathepsin B and papain. Chapter One is an introductory chapter; Chapters Two-Four describe the design and synthesis of cysteine protease inhibitors; Chapter Five discusses assay protocol; and Chapter Six contains the assay results and structure-activity relationships of the synthesised inhibitors. Chapter One introduces cysteine proteases of the papain family and examines the structure, physiology and role in disease of papain, cathepsin B, m-calpain and μ-calpain. The close structural homology that exists between these members of the papain superfamily is identified, as well characteristics unique to each protease. Covalent reversible, covalent irreversible and non-covalent warheads are defined. The generic inhibitor scaffold of address region, recognition and warhead, upon which the inhibitors synthesised in this thesis are based, is also introduced. Chapter Two introduces reversible cysteine protease inhibitors found in the literature and that little is known about the effect of inhibitor warhead on selectivity within the papain superfamily. Oxidation of the dipeptidyl alcohols 2.6, 2.26, 2.29, 2.30, 2.35 and 2.36 utilising the sulfur trioxide-pyridine complex gave the aldehydes 2.3, 2.27, 2.19, 2.2, 2.21 and 2.22. Semicarbazones 2.37-2.40 were synthesised by a condensation reaction between the alcohol 2.3 and four available semicarbazides. The amidoximes 2.48 and 2.49 separately underwent thermal intramolecular cyclodehydration to give the 3-methyl-1,2,4- oxadiazoles 2.41 and 2.50. The aldehydes 2.3 and 2.27 were reacted with potassium cyanide to give the cyanohydrins 2.51 and 2.52. The cyanohydrins 2.51 and 2.52 were separately reacted to give 1) the α-ketotetrazoles 2.43 and 2.55; 2) the α-ketooxazolines 2.42 and 2.58; 3) the esterified cyanohydrins 2.60 and 2.61. A two step SN2 displacement reaction of the alcohol 2.6 to give the azide 2.62, an example of a non-covalent cysteine protease inhibitor. Chapter Three introduces inhibitors with irreversible warheads. The well-known examples of epoxysuccinic acids 3.1 and 3.5 are discussed in detail, highlighting the lack of irreversible cysteine protease specific inhibitors. The aldehydes 2.3 and 2.27 were reacted under Wittig conditions to give the α,β-unsaturated carbonyls 3.14-3.18. Horner- Emmons-Wadsworth methodology was utilised for the synthesis of the vinyl sulfones 3.20- 3.23. The dipeptidyl acids 2.24 and 2.28 were separately reacted with diazomethane to give the diazoketones 3.25 and 3.26. The diazoketones 3.25 and 3.26 were separately reacted with hydrogen bromide in acetic acid (33%) to give the α-bromomethyl ketones 3.27 and 3.28, which were subsequently reduced to give the α-bromomethyl alcohols 3.29-3.32. Under basic conditions the α-bromomethyl alcohols 3.29-3.32 ring-closed to form the peptidyl epoxides 3.33-3.36. Chapter Four introduces the disadvantages of peptide-based inhibitors. A discussion is given on the benefits of constraining inhibitors into the extended bioactive conformation known as a β-strand. Ring closing metathesis is utilised in the synthesis of the macrocyclic aldehyde 4.4, macrocyclic semicarbazone 4.15, the macrocyclic cyanohydrin 4.16, the macrocyclic α-ketotetrazole 4.18 and the macrocyclic azide 4.19. Chapter Five introduces enzyme inhibition studies. The BODIPY-casein fluorogenic assay used for establishing inhibitor potency against m-calpain and μ-calpain is validated. Assay protocols are also established and validated for cathepsin B, papain, pepsin and α- chymotrypsin. A discussion of the effect of solvent on enzyme activity is also included as part of this study. Chapter Six presents the assay results for all the inhibitors synthesised throughout this thesis and an extensive structure-activity relationship study between inhibitors is included. The alcohols 2.26 and 2.30 are unprecedented examples of non-covalent, potent, cathepsin B inhibitors (IC₅₀ = 0.075 μM selectivity 80-fold and 1.1 μM, selectivity 18-fold). The macrocyclic semicarbazone 4.15 is an unprecedented example of a potent macrocyclic cysteine protease inhibitor (m-calpain: IC₅₀ = 0.16 μM, selectivity 8-fold). The cyanohydrin 2.51 contains an unprecedented cysteine protease warhead and is a potent and selective inhibitor of papain (IC₅₀ = 0.030 μM, selectivity 3-fold). The O-protected cyanohydrin 2.61 is a potent and selective inhibitor of pepsin (IC₅₀ = 1.6 μM, selectivity 1.5-fold). The top ten warheads for potent, selective cathepsin B inhibition are: carboxylic acid, methyl ester, diazoketone, esterified cyanohydrin, α-bromomethyl ketone, α,β- unsaturated aldehyde, vinyl sulfones, α-bromomethyl-C₃-S,R-alcohol, alcohol and α,β- unsaturated ethyl ester. The selectivity of these warheads was between 5- and 130-fold for cathepsin B. The best inhibitors for cathepsin B were the α-bromomethyl ketone 3.26 (IC₅₀ = 0.075 μM, selectivity 16-fold), the α,β-unsaturated aldehyde 3.18 (IC₅₀ = 0.13 μM, selectivity 13-fold) and the esterified cyanohydrin 3.59 (IC₅₀ = 0.35 μM, selectivity 22- fold). Chapter Seven outlines the experimental details and synthesis of the compounds prepared in this thesis.

Ce travail de thèse a été focalisé sur le développement d'approches MS et IM-MS supramoléculaires pour la caractérisation fine des interactions protéine/ligand et pour l'analyse de mélanges protéiques complexes. La maîtrise des instruments de MS supramoléculaire ainsi que les optimisations instrumentales et méthodologiques réalisées ont permis d'étendre le potentiel des approches MS et IM-MS pour la caractérisation d'assemblages moléculaires particulièrement complexes. Nous avons ainsi pu suivre la cinétique de formation de complexes protéine/ligand ainsi que les changements conformationnels qui y sont associés, montrant l'intérêt du couplage IM-MS en recherche pharmaceutique. De plus, ce travail a porté sur l'étude de complexes de très hauts poids moléculaires et l'évaluation de l'IM-MS pour obtenir des informations structurales sur ces complexes. Nous avons ainsi permis de repousser certaines limites de la MS et de placer cette technique au cœur des études de biologie structurale.

La spintronique moléculaire et la photocatalyse sont deux domaines en constante évolution. Le premier s'attache à exploiter la possibilité de coupler deux phénomènes physiques, à savoir le transport d'un flux de porteurs de charges et le spin de l'électron, tandis que le second se concentre sur l'exaltation des propriétés chimiques de transfert d'électrons d'une espèce donnée grâce au phénomène physique d'irradiation lumineuse. Depuis quelques années, les nanotubes de carbone ont suscité un grand intérêt à la fois en tant que composant pour la spintronique moléculaire, en raison de leur grande cohérence de spin, et en tant que support idéal pour la catalyse moléculaire, grâce à leurs exceptionnelles propriétés électroniques de surface. Au cours de ce travail de thèse, nous nous sommes attachés à concevoir des complexes inorganiques possédant des propriétés physiques, (magnétiques ou optiques) et des propriétés chimiques (permettant leur assemblage non-covalent sur des nanotubes de carbone monoparoi) de manière à former des adduits complexes inorganiques-nanotubes aux propriétés exploitables en spintronique moléculaire et en photocatalyse. Les propriétés des complexes synthétisés ont été extensivement caractérisées (Chapitre 2), et les plus prometteurs de ces composés ont été assemblés avec succès sur les nanotubes de carbone (Chapitre 3), comme en attestent les mesures spectroscopiques réalisées. Enfin, les deux domaines d'applications concernés par nos travaux faisant intervenir des phénomènes de transport électronique, des études spécifiques sur des dispositifs électriques de type transistor à effet de champ dont le canal de conduction est constitué de nanotubes de carbone ont été réalisées (Chapitre 4). Celles-ci mettent à chaque fois en évidence l'existence d'une communication électronique entre les complexes inorganique et les nanotubes de carbone sur lesquels ils sont assemblés au sein des dispositifs. Bien qu'au final un couplage entre les propriétés magnétiques des complexes synthétisés et les propriétés de transport des nanotubes n'ait pas pu être mis en évidence, de nombreux phénomènes inattendus et extrêmement intéressants tels que des effets ambipolaires, des transferts de charge ou des ruptures de liaisons ont été observés. Par contre, un fort couplage opto-électronique a pu être obtenu entre un complexe et le flux de porteurs de charge des dispositifs, ce qui s'avère être de très bon augure pour des futures applications en photocatalyse.