Les hydrogénases [FeFe] sont des métalloenzymes capables de catalyser de façon réversible la production et l’oxydation du dihydrogène. Depuis que la structure du site actif des hydrogénases [FeFe] a été déterminée, de nombreux modèles bio-inspirés ont été élaborés et étudiés en vue de comprendre et de reproduire le fonctionnement de cette classe d’enzyme. Le site actif des hydrogénases [FeFe], le cluster-H, présente un état entatique caractérisé par une conformation particulière permettant d’activer efficacement la conversion H+/H2. Dans la littérature, très peu de modèles reproduisant une telle conformation dans l’état réduit Hred (FeIFeI) du site actif ont été décrits. Notre équipe a obtenu récemment un complexe FeIFeI de formule [Fe2(CO)4(ҡ 2-dmpe)(μ-adtBn)] (adtBn= {SCH2}2NCH2C6H5, dmpe = (CH3)2PCH2-CH2P(CH3)2), présentant une conformation ‘inversée’, à l’état solide, permettant de mimer la géométrie particulière du cluster-H. Cette conformation est stabilisée dans ce dérivé par la présence d’un pont dithiolate encombré, d’une liaison agostique et par la coordination dissymétrique d'un ligand bidentate bon σ-donneur. Les travaux de cette thèse ont été consacrés à l’étude du comportement électrochimique en oxydation de ce composé, [Fe2(CO)4(ҡ2-dmpe)(μ-adtBn)], dans différents solvants et en présence de substrats, comme CO, RNC et P(OMe)3, en vue de comprendre les mécanismes impliqués dans ces processus redox. Les oxydations chimiques du complexe [Fe2(CO)4(ҡ2-dmpe)(μ-adtBn)] ont permis de compléter l’identification des espèces formées qui ont été caractérisées par différentes méthodes spectroscopiques (IR, RMN) et par diffraction des rayons X. / [FeFe]-Hydrogenases are metalloenzymes having the capacity to catalyze efficiently both the production of H2 and its oxidation. Since the structure of the active site of [FeFe]-Hydrogenases has been determined, many bio-inspired models have been synthesized and studied to understand and to mimick the functioning of this class of enzyme. The active site of the [FeFe]-hydrogenases, the Hcluster, presents an entatic state characterized by a particular conformation that allows an efficient H+/H2 conversion. Very few models mimicking such a conformation in the reduced state, Hred (FeIFeI), of the active site have been described in the literature. Our group recently obtained a FeIFeI complex [Fe2(CO)4(k2-dmpe)(μ-adtBn)] (adtBn = {SCH2}2NCH2C6H5, dmpe = (CH3)2PCH2-CH2P(CH3)2), having an 'inverted' conformation, in the solid state, that mimicks the particular geometry of the H-cluster. This conformation is stabilized in this derivative by the presence of a crowded dithiolate bridge, an agostic interaction and the dissymmetrical coordination of a chelating good σ-donor ligand. The works in this thesis have been devoted to the study of the electrochemical properties in oxidation of the complex [Fe2(CO)4(k2-dmpe)(μ-adtBn)] in various solvents and in the presence of substrates, such as CO, RNC, P(OMe)3, in order to understand the mechanisms involved in these redox processes. The chemical oxidations of the complex [Fe2(CO)4(k2-dmpe)(μ-adtBn)] have been also performed in order to identify the species formed by oxidation. They were characterized using various spectroscopic methods (IR, NMR) and X-ray diffraction.

Thesis advisor: Dunwei Wang / Atomically dispersed catalysts refer to substrate-supported heterogeneous catalysts featuring one or a few active metal atoms that are separated from one another. They represent an important class of materials ranging from single atom catalysts (SACs) and nanoparticles (NPs). The study of SACs has brought an attention of understanding the reaction mechanism at the molecular level. SACs is a promising field, however, there are still many challenges and opportunities in developing the next generation of catalysts. Catalysts featuring two atoms with well-defined structures as active sites are poorly studied. It is expected that this class of catalysts will show uniqueness in activity, selectivity, and stability. However, the difficulty in synthesizing such structures has been a critical challenge. I tackled this challenge by using a facile photochemical method to generate active metal centers consisting of two iridium metal atoms bridged by O ligands and bound to a support by stripping the ligands of the organometallic complex. My research also unveiled the structure of this dinuclear heterogeneous catalysts (DHCs) by integrating various characterization resources. Direct evidence unambiguously supporting the dinuclear nature of catalysts anchored on metal oxides is obtained by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. In addition, different binding modes have been achieved on two categories of metal oxides with distinguishable surface oxygen densities and interatomic distances of binding sites. Side-on bound DHCs was demonstrated on iron oxide and ceria where both Ir atoms are affixed to the surface with similar coordination environment. The binding sites on the OH-terminated surface of Fe2O3 and CeO2 anchor the catalysts to provide outstanding stability against detachment, diffusion and aggregation. The competing end-on binding mode, where only one Ir atom is attached to the substrate and the other one is dangling was observed on WO3. Evidence supporting the binding modes was obtained by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. In addition, the synergistic effect between two adjacent Ir atoms and the uniqueness of different coordinative oxygen atoms around Ir atoms were investigated by a series of operando spectroscopy such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy and microscopy at atomic level under the reaction condition. The resulting catalysts exhibit high activities and stabilities toward H2O photo-oxidation and preferential CO oxidation. Density functional theory calculations provide additional support for atomic structure, binding sites modes on metal oxides, as well as insights into how DHCs may be beneficial for these catalytic reactions. This research has important implications for future studies of highly effective heterogeneous catalysts for complex chemical reactions. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Este trabalho está focado no desenvolvimento de complexos de rutênio binucleares baseados no ligante ponte 2,6-bis(2-piridil)benzodiimidazol (dpimH2) com potencial aplicação como catalisadores para oxidação da água. O acoplamento eletrônico entre os centros metálicos bem como as propriedades eletrônicas e catalíticas podem ser controlados via reações ácido-base no ligante bis-bidentado. Dessa forma, neste trabalho descrevemos o preparo e a caracterização do respectivo composto mononuclear, bem como do complexo binuclear simétrico [{RuCl(phtpy)}2(dpimH2)](Otf) 2 (onde phtpy=4-fenil-2,2\':6\',\'\'-terpiridina), e do análogo assimétrico [{Ru(bpy)2}(dpimH2){Ru(phtpy)Cl}](ClO4)3 (onde bpy=2,2\'-bypiridina), que possui um centro catalítico e um grupo cromóforo na mesma molécula como esperado em um fotocatalisador, em que os dois centros catalíticos estão covalentemente conectados através do ligante ponte funcional. As caracterizações estrutural e eletrônica de ambos os complexos por 1H RMN, ESI-MS e espectroscopia de absorção UV-Vis indicaram a presença de isômeros geométricos com perfis eletrônicos similares. Por outro lado, a análise eletroquímica por voltametria cíclica demonstrou menores potenciais Ru(III/II) quando comparados a complexos polipiridínicos análogos. Este potencial redox pode ainda ser catodicamente deslocado através da remoção de prótons dos grupos imidazóis do ligante ponte, possibilitando, dessa forma, a modulação das propriedades eletrônicas e catalíticas destes complexos de rutênio através de reações de protonação/desprotonação dos grupos -NH. Além disso, neste trabalho é investigada a inesperada formação do complexo [Ru(phtpy)2] nas reações do complexo [RuCl3(phtpy)] puro com ligantes bidentados, utilizando-se espectroscopia UV-Vis e de 1H RMN. / This work is focused on the development of dinuclear ruthenium complexes with potential application as catalysts for oxidation of water, that are characterized by a benzobisimidazole 2,6-bis(2-pyridyl)benzodiimidazole (dpimH2) bridging ligand, whose interaction between the metal centers as well as the electronic and catalytic properties can be tuned by acid-base reactions in that moiety. Thus, the preparation and characterization of the respective mononuclear species are described. The dinuclear complex [2(dpimH2)](Otf)2(phtpy=4-phenyl-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpiridine), in which two catalytic centers are covalently linked through that bridging ligand, and of the [(dpimH2)](ClO4)3 complex (where bpy=2,2\'-bypiridine) integrating a chromophore and a catalytic center in the same molecule as expected for a photocatalyst. The structural and electronic characterization of both complexes by NMR, ESI-MS and UV-vis spectroscopy indicated the presence of geometric isomers with similar electronic profiles. On the other hand, the electrochemical analysis by cyclic voltammetry displayed redox potential values for the Ru3+/Ru2+ couples lower than the respective polypyridyl complex counterparts. This redox potential can be even more shifted to less positive potentials by removal of protons from the imidazole groups in the bridging ligand, opening the possibility of tuning the electronic and catalytic properties of those ruthenium complexes based on protonation/deprotonation of the -NH groups. Furthermore, in this work is analyzed the unexpected formation of the bisterpyridine [Ru(phpy)2] complex in reactions starting with pure [RuCl3(phtpy)] complex with bidentated ligands, as through UV-Vis spectroscopy and RMN.

Este trabalho está focado no desenvolvimento de complexos de rutênio binucleares baseados no ligante ponte 2,6-bis(2-piridil)benzodiimidazol (dpimH2) com potencial aplicação como catalisadores para oxidação da água. O acoplamento eletrônico entre os centros metálicos bem como as propriedades eletrônicas e catalíticas podem ser controlados via reações ácido-base no ligante bis-bidentado. Dessa forma, neste trabalho descrevemos o preparo e a caracterização do respectivo composto mononuclear, bem como do complexo binuclear simétrico [{RuCl(phtpy)}2(dpimH2)](Otf) 2 (onde phtpy=4-fenil-2,2\':6\',\'\'-terpiridina), e do análogo assimétrico [{Ru(bpy)2}(dpimH2){Ru(phtpy)Cl}](ClO4)3 (onde bpy=2,2\'-bypiridina), que possui um centro catalítico e um grupo cromóforo na mesma molécula como esperado em um fotocatalisador, em que os dois centros catalíticos estão covalentemente conectados através do ligante ponte funcional. As caracterizações estrutural e eletrônica de ambos os complexos por 1H RMN, ESI-MS e espectroscopia de absorção UV-Vis indicaram a presença de isômeros geométricos com perfis eletrônicos similares. Por outro lado, a análise eletroquímica por voltametria cíclica demonstrou menores potenciais Ru(III/II) quando comparados a complexos polipiridínicos análogos. Este potencial redox pode ainda ser catodicamente deslocado através da remoção de prótons dos grupos imidazóis do ligante ponte, possibilitando, dessa forma, a modulação das propriedades eletrônicas e catalíticas destes complexos de rutênio através de reações de protonação/desprotonação dos grupos -NH. Além disso, neste trabalho é investigada a inesperada formação do complexo [Ru(phtpy)2] nas reações do complexo [RuCl3(phtpy)] puro com ligantes bidentados, utilizando-se espectroscopia UV-Vis e de 1H RMN. / This work is focused on the development of dinuclear ruthenium complexes with potential application as catalysts for oxidation of water, that are characterized by a benzobisimidazole 2,6-bis(2-pyridyl)benzodiimidazole (dpimH2) bridging ligand, whose interaction between the metal centers as well as the electronic and catalytic properties can be tuned by acid-base reactions in that moiety. Thus, the preparation and characterization of the respective mononuclear species are described. The dinuclear complex [2(dpimH2)](Otf)2(phtpy=4-phenyl-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpiridine), in which two catalytic centers are covalently linked through that bridging ligand, and of the [(dpimH2)](ClO4)3 complex (where bpy=2,2\'-bypiridine) integrating a chromophore and a catalytic center in the same molecule as expected for a photocatalyst. The structural and electronic characterization of both complexes by NMR, ESI-MS and UV-vis spectroscopy indicated the presence of geometric isomers with similar electronic profiles. On the other hand, the electrochemical analysis by cyclic voltammetry displayed redox potential values for the Ru3+/Ru2+ couples lower than the respective polypyridyl complex counterparts. This redox potential can be even more shifted to less positive potentials by removal of protons from the imidazole groups in the bridging ligand, opening the possibility of tuning the electronic and catalytic properties of those ruthenium complexes based on protonation/deprotonation of the -NH groups. Furthermore, in this work is analyzed the unexpected formation of the bisterpyridine [Ru(phpy)2] complex in reactions starting with pure [RuCl3(phtpy)] complex with bidentated ligands, as through UV-Vis spectroscopy and RMN.

The Quantum chemical cluster approach has been shown to be quite powerful and efficient in the modeling of enzyme active sites and reaction mechanisms. In this thesis, the reaction mechanisms of several enzymes have been investigated using the hybrid density functional B3LYP. The enzymes studied include four dinuclear zinc enzymes, namely dihydroorotase, N-acyl-homoserine lactone hydrolase, RNase Z, and human renal dipeptidase, two trinuclear zinc enzymes, namely phospholipase C and nuclease P1, two tungstoenzymes, namely formaldehyde ferredoxin oxidoreductase and acetylene hydratase, aspartate α-decarboxylase, and mycolic acid cyclopropane synthase. The potential energy profiles for various mechanistic scenarios have been calculated and analyzed. The role of the metal ions as well as important active site residues has been discussed.   In the cluster approach, the effects of the parts of the enzyme that are not explicitly included in the model are taken into account using implicit solvation methods.   For all six zinc-dependent enzymes studied, the di-zinc bridging hydroxide has been shown to be capable of performing nucleophilic attack on the substrate. In addition, one, two, or even all three zinc ions participate in the stabilization of the negative charge in the transition states and intermediates, thereby lowering the barriers.   For the two tungstoenzymes, several different mechanistic scenarios have been considered to identify the energetically most feasible one. For both enzymes, new mechanisms are proposed.   Finally, the mechanism of mycolic acid cyclopropane synthase has been shown to be a direct methyl transfer to the substrate double bond, followed by proton transfer to the bicarbonate.   From the studies of these enzymes, we demonstrate that density functional calculations are able to solve mechanistic problems related to enzymatic reactions, and a wealth of new insight can be obtained.

This thesis describes the synthesis and characterisation of novel mono and dinuclear homogenous [Zn(II)] and [In(III)] metal complexes. Their applications as catalysts for CO₂/epoxide or epoxide/anhydride ring opening copolymerisation and lactide ring opening polymerisation to generate polycarbonates and polyesters, respectively, are also reported. Chapter 3 reports the first indium phosphasalen catalysts for CO₂/cyclohexene oxide ring opening copolymerization. The catalysts are active at 1 bar pressure of CO₂ and are most effective without any co-catalyst. It is also possible to use the complexes to isolate and characterise the key intermediates in the catalytic cycle. Kinetic and spectroscopic analyses show that polymerisation proceeds via a rare cis-mononuclear coordination- insertion mechanism. Chapter 4 describes a series of mono and dinuclear zinc macrocycle catalysts with very high activities for the racemic lactide ring opening polymerisation. In most cases, the dinuclear zinc catalysts significantly out-perform the mono-zinc homologue. In addition, kinetic and spectroscopic investigations suggest a role for the ligand conformation in mediating rate. The catalysts perform very well under immortal conditions and operate at low catalyst loading, whilst conserving high activities. Chapter 5 presents four dinuclear zinc acetate salen catalysts for the ring opening copolymerisation of CO₂/cyclohexene oxide and phthalic anhydride/cyclohexene oxide. The catalysts show moderate activities for CO₂/epoxide copolymerisation but are highly active for epoxide/anhydride copolymerisation. Structure/activity relationship studies reveal that the more flexible and electron donating ligand displays the highest activity. Poly(ester-b-carbonate)s are also afforded using the most active catalyst in terpolymerisations of anhydride/epoxide/CO₂.

Les processus d’oxydation et d’amination sont très importants dans le monde de l’industrie mais les procédés actuels sont polluants. Afin de réaliser ces transformations de manière catalytique et propre, les réactions bioinspirées par transfert d’atome d’oxygène (TAO) et d’azote (TAN) ont été étudiées. La formation de l’espèce active à haut degré d’oxydation étant bien connue dans le cas des TAO, l’enjeu se situe dans le design des ligands. Dans le cas des TAN, cette étape est moins bien étudiée, limitant le développement de nouveaux catalyseurs. Enfin, l’utilisation d’une source d’énergie lumineuse, et non plus chimique, est recherchée afin de diminuer les déchets produits lors de ces réactions.Deux stratégies ont été mises en œuvre au cours de ce projet. Pour l’étude des réactions par TAO, deux nouveaux jeux de ligands, similaires aux porphyrines et aux BODIPY, ont été synthétisés. L’obtention et la caractérisation des complexes de ruthénium ainsi que leur réactivité par oxydation chimique ou électrochimique ont été réalisées. Pour les réactions de TAN, le mécanisme du dimère connu Rh2(esp)2 de type PCET (transfert couplé de proton et d’électron), semblable à celui des réactions par TAO, a été étudié en identifiant les différents intermédiaires formés grâce à une étude spectro-électrochimique. Ces différentes étapes ont ensuite été réalisées par voie photochimique développant ainsi l’utilisation de l’énergie lumineuse pour réaliser des réactions de TAO et TAN de manière éco-compatible. / Processes of oxidation and amination hold an important place on an industrial level but the current available methods are polluting and non-sustainable. To perform these transformations in the contour of green catalysis, bio-inspired oxygen atom transfer (OAT) and nitrogen atom transfer (NAT) reactions were addressed. In the case of OAT, the mechanism for the formation of the active species, the highly oxidized metal-oxo, is rather well described, and the challenge relies in the design of ligands to stabilize such species. For NAT, this step is less studied which limits the development of new catalysts. An even more challenging task resides in the use of light energy to generate these active species in the perspective to replace the classic oxidants. During this thesis, two projects have been undertaken. Firstly, the synthesis of dipyrrin based ligands and the corresponding ruthenium complex was evaluated for their ability to perform OAT reactions using conventional oxidants or the electrochemical way. Regarding the NAT reactions, we have investigated on the electrochemical, chemical and photochemical activation of the known catalyst Rh2(esp)2. Our strategy consisted in the activation of the nitrogen atom donor substrate, the sulfonamidate, in the coordination sphere of the catalyst. We disclose the spectroscopic signatures for the stepwise activation of the catalyst-substrate form. This work has as objective to set us on the path to develop a sustainable way to perform these reactions.

Thirteen new dinuclear complexes of ligand 2,6-bis[(N-methylpiperazine-1- yl)methyl]-4-formyl phenol (L1) were prepared. Copper(II) and palladium(II) salts were used for the syntheses. Following compounds were prepared: [Cu2L1(CH3COO)2]ClO4, [Cu2L1(CF3COO)2(ClO4)][Cu2L1(CF3COO)2]ClO4, [Pd2L1(CH3COO)3], [Pd2L1(CF3COO)3], [Pd2L1(Cl)4]. These ones should act as anion receptors. The acetates were exchanged for phenylphosphinates in the case of the complex cation [Cu2L1(CH3COO)2]+ and the structure of [Cu2L1(phPO2H)2]ClO4 was obtained. Geometry of coordination shell of Cu2+ - ions in prepared complexes is tetragonal pyramid. The UV-VIS spectroscopy was used for study of interactions in system of the ligand - metal - anion. Interactions between the ligand and metals in oxidation state 2 were observed as well as interactions between the complex [Cu2L1(CH3COO)2]ClO4 and sodium salts.

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