El conocimiento de las características interfaciales es de suma importancia para poder desarrollar materiales que sean capaces de dar lugar a reacciones electrocatalíticas eficientes. Por esta razón, en esta tesis se muestran diferentes estudios interfaciales sobre superficies monocristalinas de platino y cobre en diferentes electrolitos. Además se estudian las características de la interfase electrodoldisolución con superficies de platino modificadas con adátomos de hierro, cobalto y níquel. Para ello, se han empleado las técnicas de voltametría cíclica, espectroscopía infrarroja con transformada de Fourier, desplazamiento de carga con CO y salto de temperatura inducido por láser. Los resultados muestran cómo varía el campo eléctrico interfacial disminuye al aumentar el recubrimiento de hierro y níquel en la superficie de platino. Este efecto tiene un gran impacto en la reacción de evolución de hidrógeno, ya que la mejora electrocatalítica de esta reacción está relacionada con la energía de reorganización de las moléculas de agua, la cual, depende de la fortaleza del campo eléctrico interfacial. Los estudios realizados en medio alcalino para las diferentes superficies de cobre y platino sin modificar muestran una correlación entre el potencial de máxima entropía y las funciones de trabajo para cada una de las diferentes orientaciones atómicas superficiales. Por otro lado, debido a la aplicabilidad de las nanopartículas en los sistemas reales de conversión de energía, se realizaron experimentos de sincrotrón empleando la técnica de Bragg coherent difraction imaging con el objetivo de estudiar el deterioro de las nanopartículas en condiciones operando.

Цель работы состояла в определении оптимальных значений диаметра и массы углеродных нанотрубок (УНТ) в нафионсодержащей модифицирующей пленке для получения наилучших электрохимических и аналитических характеристик толстопленочных углеродсодержащих электродов (ТУЭ). В ходе работы синтезированы многостенные УНТ со средним диаметром dср ≈ 23 нм методом каталитического пиролиза этанола и проведена кислотная очистка полученного материала от металлических частиц катализатора и других модификаций углерода. Аналогичным способом обработаны коммерческие УНТ с dср ≈ 147 и 16 нм от Sigma-Aldrich. Успешно изготовлены 36 типов ТУЭ без УНТ и на основе УНТ в условиях варьирования массового содержания УНТ в диапазоне MУНТ = 0,3-10,0 мкг на поверхности ТУЭ. Аттестация поверхностей электродов проведена методами оптической и электронной микроскопии. Изучены электрохимические характеристики изготовленных ТУЭ методами циклической вольтамперометриии и импедансной спектроскопии. Выполнено определение ионов железа (III) в модельном растворе методом адсорбционной инверсионной вольтамперометрии. Установлены оптимальные значения среднего диаметра УНТ dср ≥ 23 нм и массы УНТ MУНТ = 5,0-10,0 мкг на поверхности ТУЭ для получения наилучших электрохимические и аналитические характеристики. Разработанные ТУЭ на основе УНТ могут применяться для определения ионов тяжелых металлов в реальных водах с концентрацией меньшей предельно-допустимых значений, установленных нормативными документами. / The aim is to determine the optimal values of the diameter and weight of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in modifier film containing Nafion for the best electrochemical and analytical characteristics of the thick film of carbon-containing electrodes (TFCE). Multi-walled CNT with an average diameter dav ≈ 23 nm were synthesized by the catalytic pyrolysis of ethanol and purified from the metal catalyst particles and other modifications of carbon, using mixture of concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids. Commercial CNT with dav ≈ 147 and 16 nm from Sigma-Aldrich were treated by a similar procedure. The batch of 36 types of TFCE without CNT and based on CNT varied by weight of CNT (MCNT) on TFCE surface in the range of 0,3-10,0 μg was made. The electrode surfaces were studied by optical and electron microscopy. The electrochemical characteristics of obtained TFCE by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were investigated. The detection of Fe (III) ions in a model solution was carried out by adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The optimal values of the average diameter of CNT dav ≥ 23 nm and a weight of CNT on TFCE surfaces MCNT = 5,0-10,0 μg were determined. These parameters allow us to reach the best electrochemical and analytical characteristics of modified TFCE. Developed TFCE based on CNT may be used for the detection of heavy metal ions in real water with a concentration of less maximum permissible values, established by regulations.

Объектами исследования являются полифенольные антиоксиданты. Целью выпускнoй квалификационной работы является исследование антиоксидантных свойств полифенольных соединений с позиции механизмов их действия. В работе рассмотрены причины возникновения окислительного стресса, система антиоксидантной защиты и существующие методы исследования антиоксидантных свойств соединений. В процессе работы предложенными методами оценена хелатирующая способность полифенолов по отношению к ионам железа (II) и (III), исследована зависимость антиоксидантных свойств от рН, определены значения условных констант устойчивости и их зависимость от рН. / The objects of research are polyphenolic antioxidants. The purpose of the final qualifying work is to study the antioxidant properties of polyphenolic compounds from the perspective of their mechanisms of action. The paper considers the causes of oxidative stress, the system of antioxidant protection and existing methods for studying the antioxidant properties of compounds. In the process of work, the proposed methods evaluated the chelating ability of polyphenols with respect to iron (II) and (III) ions, investigated the dependence of antioxidant properties on pH, determined the values of conditional stability constants and their dependence on pH.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening condition that can appear in patients with diabetes. High ketones in the blood lead to acidity of the blood. For DKA diagnosis and management, ketones such as hydroxybutyrate (HB) can be used to quantify the severity of the disease. The fabrication of electrochemical biosensors for the detection of HB is attractive since their capability to deliver fast response, high sensitivity, good selectivity and potential for miniaturisation. In this thesis, an integrated electrode system was prepared for the detection of HB. Laser-induced graphene (LIG) with a 3D porous structure was used as the flexible platform. Poly (toluidine blue O) (PTB) was electro-deposited on LIG (PTB/LIG) under the optimised conduction (pH of 9.7 and from 0.4 to an upper cyclic potential of 0.8 V). The single PTB/LIG working electrode demonstrated excellent performance towards the detection of NADH with a linear range of 6.7 M to 3 mM using chronoamperometry, high sensitivity of detecting NADH and excellent anti-fouling ability (94 % response current retained after 1500 s). Further integration of the 3-electrode system realised the static amperometric detection of NADH over the range of 78 M to 10 mM. Based on the excellent performance of PTB/LIG to NADH sensing, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase was immobilised via encapsulation with chitosan and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) which was used for HB biosensing over the linear range of 0.5 M to 1 mM with NAD+ dissolved in solution. In addition, the co-immobilisation of NAD+ and HBD on PTB/LIG was conducted by optimisation of enzyme and NAD+ amount per electrode, which shows excellent reproducibility and satisfactory HB biosensing performance. Further experiments to improve the long-term stability of the enzyme electrode is expected in the future. The proposed integrated electrode system also possesses the potential to extend to a multichannel sensor array for the detection of multiple biomarkers (e.g. pH and glucose) for diagnosis and management of DKA.

The critically important nature of radical and radical ion mechanisms in biology and chemistry continues to be recognized as our understanding of these unique transient species grows. The work presented herein demonstrates the versatility of kinetic studies for understanding the elementary chemical reactions of radicals and radical ions. Chapter 2 discusses the use of direct ultrafast kinetics techniques for investigation of crucially important enzymatic systems; while Chapter 3 demonstrates the value of indirect competition kinetics techniques for development of synthetic methodologies for commercially valuable classes of compounds. The mechanism of decay for aminyl radical cations has received considerable attention because of their suspected role as intermediates in the oxidation of tertiary amines by monoamine oxygenases and the cytochrome P450 family of enzymes. Radical cations are believed to undergo deprotonation as a key step in catalysis. KIE studies performed by previous researchers indicate N,N-dimethylaniline radical cations deprotonate in the presence of the bases acetate and pyridine. By studying the electrochemical kinetics of the reaction of para substituted N,N-dimethylaniline radical cations with acetate anion, we have produced compelling evidence to the contrary. Rather than deprotonation, acetate reacts with N,N-dimethylaniline radical cation by electron transfer, generating the neutral amine and acetoxyl radical. Transport properties of reactants and solvent polarity changes were investigated and confirmed not to influence the electrochemical behavior forming the basis for our mechanistic hypothesis. To reconcile our conclusion with earlier results, KIEs were reinvestigated electrochemically and by nanosecond laser flash photolysis. Rather than a primary isotope effect (associated with C-H bond cleavage), we believe the observed KIEs are secondary, and can be rationalized on the basis of a quantum effect due to hyperconjugative stabilization in aromatic radical cations during an electron transfer reaction. Product studies performed by constant potential coulometry indicate N,N-dimethylaniline radical cations are catalytic in carboxylate oxidations. Collectively, our results suggest that aminyl radical cation deprotonations may not be as facile as was previously thought, and that in some cases, may not occur at all. Interest in design and synthesis of selenium containing heterocycles stems from their ability to function as antioxidants, anti-virals, anti-inflammatories, and immunomodulators. To establish synthetic feasibility of intramolecular homolytic substitution at selenium for preparation of selenocycles, we set out to determine what factors influence cyclization kinetics. A series of photochemically labile Barton and Kim esters have been syntheisized and employed as radical precursors. The effect of leaving radical stability on kinetics has been investigated through determination of rate constants and activation parameters for intramolecular homolytic substitution of the corresponding radicals via competition experiments. Notable leaving group effects on measured kinetic parameters show more facile reactions for radical precursors with more stable leaving radicals. Moreover, cyclizations to form six-membered (as opposed to five- membered) ring systems exhibited order of magnitude decreases in rate constants for a given leaving radical. Our results are congruent with expectations for radical cyclizations trends for the varied experimental parameters and suggest homolytic substitution affords a convenient means for synthesis of selenocycles. / Ph. D.

This thesis addresses simulation of electrochemical experiments, with an emphasis on processes of diffusional mass transport to electrode surface. Following system has been studied: • Applying theoretical modeling and experimentation is shown that even significant surface roughness produced by deliberate polishing or scratching is not sufficient to be distinguished in cyclic voltammetry experiments conducted under the usual conditions. In stripping voltammetry experiment the shape of the voltammograms strongly depends on the model of the electron transfer but is not always sensitive to the precise model of the electrode surface; the conditions under which this is the case are identified, and generic roughness effects on stripping voltammetry are quantified. Electrode roughness can have a significant effect on the stripping of the metals from the solid electrode especially in respect of the voltammetric waveshape. • We first consider two different models of electrodes covered with electroinactive layers: the electrode is covered with a uniform layer and the layer contains pinholes. Both models are simulated and then compared to identify conditions under which they can be distinguished. Next we propose generic model to predict the influence of electroactive layer on the cyclic voltammetric. The conditions under which deviation from the behavior of a planar electrode are predicted. • We first consider one electron, one proton and next two electron, two proton reduction of surface bound species. Two mechanisms of reaction are considered: stepwise and concerted. Voltammetry studied under the three regimes of protons mass transport: infinitely fast (fully buffered solution), infinitely slow (infinitely high surface coverage of electrode) and intermediate case of finite rate of diffusional mass transport to electrode surface. Types of voltammograms observed in each case are presented and discussed. • Theory of chronoamperometry on disc and ring-recessed microelectrodes and their arrays is reported. Three and four different regimes of transient current versus time can be observed at microelectrode arrays of disc and ring electrodes, accordingly. A generic, accurate and easy to use method of experimental chronoamperometric data analysis is proposed. It is shown that the method can be applied to the simultaneous measurement of D and nC in solution. • The fabrication, characterization, and use of arrays of ring-recessed disk generator-colector microelectrodes are reported. Experiments and simulations relating to time- of-flight experiments in which material electrogenerated at a disk is diffusionally transported to the ring are reported. We further study voltammetry of electrochemically active species which undergoes first and second order chemical reactions. Current transients are found to be sensitive to the diffusion coefficient of both the reduced and oxidised species as well as to the rate of the chemical reaction and its mechanism.

Presented Diploma Thesis is focused on the development, characterization, and utilization of simple and inexpensive electrochemical DNA biosensor for the detection of DNA damage caused by oxidative stress. The initial part of the work is devoted to preparation and characterization of a large-surface carbon film electrode (ls-CFE) modified with carbon nanotubes (CNT/ls-CFE). Carbon nanotubes improve electrochemical properties of the transducer and increase the amount of adsorbed DNA on the electrode surface. Testing of the electrode surface modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) using a redox system [Fe(CN)6]4-/3- and using square wave voltammetry without any redox indicator. Carbon nanotubes have proved to be unsuitable material for our type of biosensor, but it can be used inanalytical chemistry for the determination of electroactive substances. The second part of this Thesis deals with the application of the prepared DNA biosensor for the detection of DNA damage by oxidative stress. The biosensor based on the ls-CFE was chosen for this purpose, having several advantages, such as its fast preparation, a simple mechanical renewal of the electrode surface, a good reproducibility of measurements,...

The aim of presented Diploma Thesis was to study an electrochemical behavior of nitroimidazole drugs metronidazole and ornidazole and to find optimal conditions for their voltammetric determination at a mercury meniscus modified silver solid amalgam electrode using DC voltammetry (DCV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Voltammetric behavior of selected drugs was investigated in dependence on the pH of the medium used (realized using a Britton-Robinson buffer (BR buffer)) and a mechanism of the reduction of both drugs was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV). The optimum medium for voltammetric determination of studied nitroimidazole drugs at the m-AgSAE in a region of cathodic potentials was found to be the BR buffer of pH 8.0. Then, the concentration dependences were measured in this optimum medium in the concentration range from 2·10-7 mol/L to 1·10-4 mol/L. The limits of quantification (LQs) for both metronidazole and ornidazole were found in the concentration order of 10-7 mol/L by using DCV and DPV at the m-AgSAE. The applicability of the newly developed voltammetric methods of the determination of nitroimidazole drugs was verified on the model samples of drinking and river water, with LQ ≈ 2·10-7 mol/L for both DC voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry at the m-AgSAE....

Le développement de nouvelles méthodologies de synthèse toujours plus efficaces, sélectives et éco-compatibles apparaît comme un défi permanent tant l’intérêt suscité pour les composés hétérocycliques est important. Ce projet de thèse s’articule autour de plusieurs axes dans ce domaine.Tout d’abord, nous avons exploité la réactivité des N-(sulfonyl) et N-(sulfamoyl)aziridines en tant que précurseurs de dipôles 1,3 en vue de préparer divers 1-azaspiro[5.n]alcanes. L’étude mécanistique de cette réaction de cycloaddition [3+2] réalisée par calculs DFT permet de montrer que l’étape cinétiquement déterminante de la réaction est la formation du dipôle 1,3 ; la force motrice étant la fermeture du cycle à cinq chaînons.Nous nous sommes également attachés à valoriser le savoir-faire du laboratoire dans le domaine des transferts catalytiques de nitrènes (aziridination et amination C-H) dans le cadre du projet de synthèse totale de la pactamycine, aminocyclopentitol hautement fonctionnalisé.Par ailleurs, la mise au point d’une cascade Passerini-Smiles/Réduction/Cyclisation et d’une séquence monotope Passerini-Double-Smiles/SNAr permet un accès rapide et efficace à des motifs hétérocycliques de type 1,4-benzoxazin-3-ones. Conduisant à des familles régioisomères de produits, ces deux voies de synthèse se sont avérées complémentaires.Parallèlement, une nouvelle méthodologie basée sur l’ouverture pallado-catalysée de thiocyclopropanes a permis d’obtenir de nouveaux hétérocycles de type thiochromènes. Compte tenu des nombreuses fonctionnalisations envisageables, ces composés semblent très prometteurs dans le domaine de la chimie hétérocyclique.Enfin, des études électrochimiques et RMN couplées à des calculs DFT ont été entreprises afin d’élucider le mécanisme mis en jeu lors des couplages pallado-catalysés entre un halogénure d’aryle, un isonitrile et un nucléophile. / The development of new and more efficient synthetic methodologies, selective and eco-friendly seems to be an ongoing challenge as the interest in the heterocyclic compounds is important. All the studies performed during the last three years are divided in several axes in this field.First, the reactivity of N-(sulfonyl) and N-(sulfamoyl) aziridines as precursors of 1,3-zwitterionic species was explorated in order to obtain various 1-azaspiro[5.n]alkanes. The mechanism of the reaction has been studied by DFT calculations. The initial formation of the zwitterionic 1,3-dipole has been found to be the rate-determining step whereas the five-membered ring closure appeared to be the driving force.We tried to apply our expertise in the field of catalytic nitrene transfers (aziridination and C-H amination) to the total synthesis of pactamycin, highly functionalized aminocyclopentitol compound.Furthermore, the developments of a Passerini-Smiles/reduction/cyclization cascade and of a one-pot Passerini-Double-Smiles/SNAr sequence provide straightforward and efficient accesses to 1,4-benzoxazin-3-ones. These paths are complementary as they lead to regioisomers.Meanwhile, a new methodology based on Pd-catalyzed thiocyclopropanes ring opening gave thiochromenes. Due to their high synthetic potential, these compounds appear to be very promising scaffolds in heterocyclic chemistry.Finally, electrochemical and NMR studies coupled with DFT calculations have been done in order to elucidate the mechanism involved in the Pd-catalyzed couplings between an aryl halide, an isocyanide and a nucleophile.

La miniaturisation toujours plus poussée des composants électroniques a atteint une limite en arrivant à l’échelle atomique. Afin de fabriquer des circuits à cette échelle, il est nécessaire de intéresser aux plus petits composants pouvant être intégrés : les molécules individuelles et les groupes d’atomes. Dans cette optique, les molécules de 1,4-bis(pyridin-4-ylethynyl) benzène (BPEB), Dibenzo[a,h]thianthrene (DBTH), de Bis{82,92,152,162,222,232- hexa-(2,4,6-trifluorophenoxy)[g,l,q]-5,10,15,20-tetraazaporphyrino)}[b,e]-benzene (H4Pc2) ont été conçues, synthétisées et caractérisées afin d’en étudier le transport de charges et les changements induits proche de la surface. Des techniques de SPM, tels que le STM, le nc-AFM et l’usage conjoint de l’AFM avec le STM ont été mises en pratique pour analyser les molécules reposant intégralement ou partiellement sur un substrat. L’interprétation des résultats expérimentaux a été faite au moyen de calculs de DFT. De plus, l’autoassemblage en solution de nouvelles mono-phthalocyanines métalliques fluorées, MPc (M= Mg2+, 2H+, Co2+) a été étudié.Tout d’abord, les mesures de conductance mirent en évidence, lors d’expériences de manipulation de fils moléculaires (BEPB), les changements de conformation associés aux transport des électrons à travers les molécules. De plus, le mouvement dit de “retournement papillon” (anglais: butterfly flapping) ayant lieu dans la classe des thianthrènes fut bloqué à basse température grâce à l’interaction avec le substrat. Ce blocage a permit de conduire la première étude stéréochimique de dérivés de thianthrènes chiraux (DBTH). Les analyses STM du DBTH ont montrées que le passage entre deux configurations de DBTH est reproductible et non-destructif. Par ailleurs, le nc-AFM utilisé à résolution sub-moléculaire a constitué un outils important pour réaliser une caractérisation complète et distinguer entre les différents isomères de configuration et de constitution déposés sur une surface. D’autre part, la structure moléculaire de la phthalocyanine binucléaire (H4Pc2) a été confirmée en utilisant un STM en mode “courant constant” et un AFM en mode “fréquence constante”. Ces résultats jettent les bases d’une prochaine étude de transport (travail en cours). En outre, l’étude de l’agrégation dans les molécules de MPc mit en évidence le rôle important de la capacité de coordination de l’atome central de la cavité Pc sur la formation d’agrégat. Finalement, des mesures électrochimiques ont démontrées que l’agrégation moléculaire peut bloquer le nature active de l’atome Co2+. Dans ce travail, il a été clairement montré que le SPM est une technique adéquate pour étudier les changements de conformations et de configurations associés aux courant tunnel d’électrons à travers des molécules, qu’elles soient planaire ou pas. Les études d’agrégation des interrupteurs magnétiques ont permis de mieux comprendre l’organisation supramoléculaire. Cette organisation est un point crucial pour le développement de futurs circuits basés sur une fabrication “bottom-up”. / The demand of downscaling of technology will reach its limit at the atomic length scale. This claim creates the necessity of investigating the smallest components suitable to become devices, single molecules or group of atoms. Therefore, 1,4-bis(pyridin-4-ylethynyl) benzene (BPEB), Dibenzo[a,h]thianthrene (DBTH) and Bis{82,92,152,162,222,232-hexa-(2,4,6-trifluorophenoxy)[g,l,q]-5,10,15,20-tetraazaporphyrino)}[b,e]-benzene (H4Pc2) have been designed, synthesized and characterized to investigate transport of charge through molecules and surface confined molecular switching. Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM), such as STM, nc-AFM and combined STM/AFM were used to study the molecules on near-surface conditions. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were used to interpret the experimental results. Moreover, the self-assembly of new fluorinated metalo mono-phthalocyanines, MPc (M= Mg2+, 2H+, Co2+) was investigated in solution.Firstly, conductance experiments performed while a molecular wire (BPEB) was being lifted up from a surface revealed the conformational changes associated to the transport of electrons through molecules. Secondly, the “butterfly” flapping motion in the class of the thianthrenes was blocked due to the interaction with a surface at low temperature. This block leads to the first stereochemical study of a quiral thianthere derivative (DBTH). The STM experiments on DBTH revealed a reproducible and non-destructive switching between two surface confined configurations of DBTH. In addition, nc-AFM with submolecular resolution has been proved to be a powerful tool for the full characterization and distinction of configurational and constitutional isomers on surfaces. Thirdly, the molecular structure of a binuclear phthalocyanine (H4Pc2) was confirmed through constant current STM and constant high _f AFM experiments. These results set the state of future spintronic transport experiments (ongoing work). On the other hand, the aggregation studies on MPc revealed that the coordination character of the central atom of the Pc cavity has an important effect on the formation of aggregates. Additionally, electrochemical experiments demonstrated that molecular aggregations can lead to the quenching of the electrochemical-active nature of a Co2+ atom.Herein it has been demonstrated that SPM are suitable techniques to study the conformational and configurational changes associated with the tunneling of electrons through planar and non-planar molecules in real space. Aggregation studies of magnetic switches were carried out to better understand the supramolecular organization under near surface conditions, a key point for the design of future devices based on the bottom up approach.