La photosynthèse artificielle est considérée comme étant un atout capable de fournir des carburants alternatifs et renouvelables par conversion et stockage de l'énergie solaire. Une approche prometteuse consiste en un développement de photo-catalyseurs moléculaires inspirés par des enzymes photosynthétiques naturelles. La première partie de cette thèse concerne les modèles artificiels du photosystème II (qui catalyse l'oxydation d'eau), composé d'un chromophore et d’un relais d’électrons comme équivalent synthétique correspondant à l'ensemble P680-TyrZ/His190 du photosystème II. Trois complexes ruthénium polypyridyl - imidazole - phénol avec un groupe méthylique à différentes positions sur l'anneau phénolique (Ru-xMe) ont été synthétisés et caractérisés par des méthodes électrochimiques et photophysiques. L’augmentation, comparée aux complexes précédents, du potentiel redox des groupes phénols (0.20 V->0.9 V par rapport à l’électrode de ferrocène) rend leur fonction de relais d’électron dans un système photocatalytique pour l'oxydation d'eau thermodynamiquement possible. Des études d’absorption transitoire ont révélé que le transfert d’électron intramoléculaire est rapide (5-10 µs dans solvant aprotique et < 100 ns dans l'eau) malgré la faible force motrice, mettant en evidence l'importance de la liaison hydrogène entre le phénol et le groupe imidazole. Les légères différences entre les trois complexes Ru-xMe ainsi que l’étude de l'effet de bases externes nous ont permis d’établir un mécanisme dans laquelle l'imidazole est impliqué dans une réaction de transfert de proton en cascade. L'acceptation du proton phénolique durant l'oxydation du ligand rend son deuxième site azote plus acide et seulement la déprotonation de ce dernier bascule l’équilibre réactionnel complétement vers l'oxydation du ligand. La deuxième partie de cette thèse consiste en la synthèse d’un complexe chromophore-tryptophane en utilisant une approche de chimie dite « click ». On a montré que l'oxydation, induite par la lumière, du Trp au sein du complexe Ru-tryptophane suit un mécanisme ETPT. Selon le pH, les radicaux du tryptophane (Trp• ou TrpH•⁺) ont été détectés et les mesures spectrales à différents temps ont montrés la transition entre les deux formes radicalaires. La déprotonation du radical dépend de la concentration d'eau assurant la fonction d’accepteur de proton. La dernière partie de la thèse concerne nos efforts à lier, par une liaison covalente, une unité catalytique au module de chromophore- relais électronique caractérisé précédemment. L'approche de chimie « click » n’était pas efficace pour l’obtention de l’assemblage photocatalytique final. Donc, l'activation biomoléculaire d'un catalyseur Mn salen a été effectuée et la formation de l’espèce Mn(IV) a été observée. Etant une étape vers l'utilisation de ces types de photocatalyseurs dans une cellule photoélectrochimique, un chromophore [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ avec des groupes d’ancrage phosphonate a été synthétisé (Ru-phosphonate) et greffé sur la surface méso-poreuses d'un semi-conducteur de TiO₂ pour effectuer des mesures du photocourant. / Artificial photosynthesis is often considered to have great potential to provide alternative, renewable fuels by harvesting, conversion and storage of solar energy. One promising approach is the development of modular molecular photocatalysts inspired by natural photosynthetic enzymes. The first part of this thesis deals with artificial mimics of the water oxidizing photosystem II composed of a chromophore and an electron relay as synthetic counterpart of the P680-TyrZ/His190 ensemble of photosystem II. Three ruthenium polypyridyl – imidazole - phenol complexes with varying position of a methyl group on the phenol ring (Ru-xMe) were synthesized and characterized by electrochemical and photophysical methods. As an improvement compared to earlier complexes the increased redox potential (~0.9 V vs. Ferrocene) of the phenol groups makes their function as an electron relay in a photocatalytic system for water oxidation thermodynamically possible. Time-resolved absorption studies revealed fast intramolecular electron transfer (<5-10 µs in aprotic solvent and <100 ns in water) despite the low driving force and the importance of the hydrogen bond between the phenol and the imidazole group was put in evidence. Slight differences between the three Ru-xMe complexes and investigation of the effect of external bases allowed to derive a mechanistic picture in which the imidazole is involved in a “proton domino” reaction. Accepting the phenolic proton upon ligand oxidation (within the H-bond) renders its second nitrogen site more acidic and only deprotonation of this site pulls the overall equilibrium completely towards oxidation of the ligand. Another part of this thesis comprises a chromophore-tryptophan construct synthesized using a click chemistry approach. Light-induced oxidation of Trp in this Ru-tryptophan complex was shown to follow ETPT mechanism. Depending on the pH conditions tryptophan radicals, either Trp• or TrpH•⁺ were detected and spectral measurement at different time showed the transition between the two forms. Deprotonation of the radical was dependent on the concentration of water as proton acceptor. Later part of the thesis deals with efforts to covalently bind a catalytic unit to the previously characterized chromophore-electron relay module. The click chemistry approach was not successful to obtain the final photocatalytic assembly. Therefore bimolecular activation of a Mn salen catalyst was performed and formation of Mn(IV) species was observed. As a step towards utilization of these types of photocatalysts in a photoelectrochemical cell a [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ chromophore with phosphonate anchoring groups (Ru-Phosphonate) was synthesized and grafted on the surface of a TiO₂ mesoporous semiconductor surface anode to perform photocurrent measurements.

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschreibt die Synthese Ferrocenyl-funktionalisierter Phosphole und deren elektrochemische sowie spektroelektrochemische Charakterisierung zur Bestimmung der Stärke der Metall-Metall-Wechselwirkungen. Aufgrund der mangelnden Aromatizität stehen das freie Elektronenpaar am Phosphoratom und das dienische System für weitere Reaktionen zur Verfügung. Somit konnten gezielt Modifikationen am heterozyklischen Grundgerüst vorgenommen werden, um dessen elektronische Eigenschaften zu beeinflussen. Ein Schwerpunkt der Arbeit lag im Aufbau eines Phospholsystems mit Ferrocenyl-substituenten in 2- und 5-Position des Heterozyklus. Weiterhin wurden die Auswirkungen auf die elektronischen Eigenschaften des Moleküls nach chemischer Oxidation des Phosphoratoms von PIII zu PV mit Schwefel und Selen untersucht. Ein weiterer Schwerpunkt lag in der Synthese von Übergangsmetallkomplexen des 2,5-Diferrocenyl-1-phenyl-1H-phosphols, um den Einfluss des Phosphoratoms und des dienischen Systems auf die elektronische Wechselwirkung der Ferrocenylgruppen genauer zu untersuchen und die elektronischen Eigenschaften gezielt zu beeinflussen. In weiteren Arbeiten wurden räumlich anspruchsvolle Substituenten am Phosphoratom zur Veränderung der Geometrie der pyramidalen Phosphorumgebung und somit zur Erhöhung der Delokalisierung im Heterozyklus eingeführt. Die Phosphole mit räumlich anspruchsvollen Gruppen zeigten die größte Metall-Metall-Wechselwirkung der Fc/Fc+-Gruppen über den Phospholring.

Selective gas-phase dissociation strategies have been developed for the characterization of cross-linked peptides and proteins in quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometers. An infrared chromogenic cross-linker (IRCX) containing a phosphotriester afforded rapid differentiation of cross-linked peptides from unmodified ones in proteolytic digests of cross-linked proteins by selective infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD). Only the cross-linked peptides containing the chromogenic phosphate underwent IRMPD and unmodified peptides were not affected by IR irradiation. IRMPD of IRCX-cross-linked peptides yielded uncross-linked y-ion sequence tags of the constituent peptides due to secondary dissociation of all primary product ions which contained the chromophore, thus allowing successful de novo sequencing of the cross-linked peptides. Peptides cross-linked via a two-step conjugation strategy through the formation of a bis-arylhydrazone (BAH) bond were selectively dissociated by ultraviolet radiation at 355 nm. The BAH-cross-linked peptides could be distinguished from not only unmodified peptides but also dead-end modified peptides based on the selectivity of ultraviolet photodissociation. In a complementary approach, electron transfer dissociation of BAH-cross-linked peptides resulted in preferential cleavage of the hydrazone bond which produced two modified peptides. These modified peptides were subsequently interrogated by CID which allowed for the original site of cross-linking to be pinpointed. IRMPD was implemented in a dual pressure linear ion trap to demonstrate successful photodissociation of peptides having modest absorptivities. Peptides were observed to efficiently dissociation by IR irradiation exclusively in the low pressure cell whereas no dissociation was observed in the high pressure cell due to extensive collisional cooling. IRMPD provided greater sequence coverage of the peptides than CID and yielded product ion mass spectra which were predominantly composed of singly charged product ions which simplified spectral interpretation. IRMPD was further applied for the sequencing of small-interfering RNA. Complete sequence coverage was obtained and the results were compared to CID. / text

Caged compounds are a class of photosensitive reagents used to stimulate cells with spatial control down to a sub-cellular level, and millisecond temporal control. They comprise of biologically important molecule which is modified with a photolabile protecting group. In the absence of light, caged compounds are physiologically silent but irradiation with light induces the release of biologically active species. Illumination under two-photon conditions is particularly advantageous as it enables restriction of the photolysis volume to ~1 fL and it provides deeper penetration into scattering samples. This thesis reports the development of new protecting groups for two-photon uncaging in neuroscience. Mechanistically, the deprotection in these novel groups is designed to operate via an intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) between the absorbing unit (electron-donor) and the release module (electron-acceptor). The modular design of these cages ensures separation of absorption and release steps, and allows each process to be tuned and optimized independently. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the two-photon absorption phenomenon and a historic overview of the uncaging technique. It also discusses recent advances in the development of two-photon sensitive probes used in neuroscience. Chapter 2 describes the exploration of molecular designs for novel protecting groups. A two-photon absorbing dye (electron-donor; fluorene dye) and three different release units (electron-acceptors; nitrobenzyl, pyridinium and phenacyl) were identified as suitable building blocks for the current project. Efficiency of the intramolecular electron transfer between chosen units was evaluated using model dyads which constitute covalently linked electron-donor and acceptor species. Chapter 3 is devoted to the synthesis and photophysical evaluation of nitrobenzyl-based protecting group. Chapter 4 describes the preparation of pyridinium-derived protecting group and demonstrates PeT-mediated release of tryptophan and GABA under one- and two-photon excitation. Hydrolytic instability of pyridinium esters is highlighted. Chapter 5 reports the synthesis, hydrolytic stability and one-photon uncaging efficiency of phenacyl-based derivatives. Chapter 6 discusses properties of developed caged compounds and compares them with other compounds reported in literature. It contains overall conclusions and outlook for the current project. Chapter 7 details the experimental procedures and the characterization of compounds synthesized during this work.

No description available.

Développer des méthodes efficaces pour mettre en forme les matériaux moléculaires magnétiques demeure un enjeu majeur et représente une étape essentielle en vue de possible applications. A cet égard, l’élaboration d’hybrides magnétiques présentant des propriétés de cristaux-liquides ou des systèmes solubles apparait comme une approche prometteuse. Ce travail de thèse a été axé sur la conception, la synthèse et la caractérisation de nouveaux hybrides basé sur des molécule-aimants (SMMs), des complexes à conversion de spin (SCO) et systèmes à transfert d'électrons (ET). Le chapitre I contient des informations générales et concepts théoriques sur ces trois classes de complexes magnétiques (SMM, SCO et ET) ainsi qu’un aperçu bibliographique sur les hybrides magnétiques connus. Le chapitre II est axé sur nos travaux de fonctionnalisation de molécules-aimants basés sur le complexe Mn12, en vue d’obtenir des phases cristaux-liquides. Dans le chapitre III, l’étude d’une série de complexes à conversion de spin de type Fe(II)-pyridylbenzohydrazone au sein de phases cristallines ou de phases molles est décrite. Le chapitre IV est dédié à l’étude de complexes tetra nucléaire a pont cyanure de type {Fe2M2} (M = Co2+, Ni2+),qui sont connus pour présenter des propriétés de transfert de charge ou SMM avec l’ion Co(II) etNi(II), respectivement. Dans ces trois chapitres expérimentaux, l’influence de la fonctionnalisation des ligands sur l’auto-organisation et les propriétés thermiques et magnétiques des matériaux résultants est discutée en détail. / Developing efficient methods to process molecular magnetic materials remains a considerable challenge and constitutes one of the critical steps toward possible applications. In this scope, the development magnetic hybrids featuring liquid crystal properties or improved solubility appears as a promising approach. This thesis work aimed to design, synthetize and characterize new hybridmaterials based on the single-molecule magnets (SMMs), spin crossover (SCO) and electrontransfer (ET) complexes. Chapter I contains general information and theoretical concepts on these three classes of magnetic complexes (SMMs, SCO and ET complexes), followed by a bibliographicsurvey on hybrid magnetic materials. Chapter II, rational is focused on the functionalization ofMn12-based SMM towards liquid crystalline phases. In Chapter III, a series of pyridylbenzohydrazone-based Fe(II) SCO complexes is investigated in both crystalline and soft matter phase. Chapter IV is dedicated to the study of cyanido-bridged {Fe2M2} molecular squares(M = Co(II), Ni(II)), which are known to exhibit SMM and thermally- or photo induced ET,respectively with Co(II) and Ni(II). In these three experimental chapters, the influence of ligand functionalization on self-organization, thermal and magnetic properties of the resulting materials is discussed in detail.

Complexos polipiridínicos de rutênio mononuclares vem sendo ativamente estudados como catalisadores da reação de oxidação de água a oxigênio, mas o complexo ativado dos catalisadores mais eficientes envolve a formação de um dímero, indicando a importância da estrutura binuclear para ativação dos mesmos. Assim, nesta tese propomos o estudo dos possíveis efeitos sinérgicos em complexos binucleares de rutênio polipiridinas angulares para ativação das espécies de alta valência do tipo RuV=O e RuIV=O. Assim, foram preparadas séries de complexos polipiridínicos de rutênio empregando os ligantes tridentados derivados de terpiridinas e bidentados tipo bipiridina na forma cloro complexos e aqua complexos mono e binucleares, capazes de atuar como precursores das espécies ativas de alta valência por meio de reações de transferência de elétrons acoplado a transferência de prótons (PCET). Os complexos [RuCl(bpy)(phtpy)](PF6), [Ru2Cl2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 e [Ru2Cl2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 (phtpy= 4\'-fenil-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpiridina, bpy= 2,2´-bipiriridina, Clphen= 5-cloro-1,10-fenantrolina e tpy2ph= 1,3-bis(4\'-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpiridil)benzeno) e seus aqua complexos foram sintetizados e caracterizados por técnicas espectroscópicas e eletroquímicas. Os complexos [RuCl(bpy)phtpy](PF6), [Ru2Cl2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 e [Ru2Cl2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 apresentam apenas reações de transferência de elétrons onde o estado de oxidação máximo do íon rutênio é 3+. Todavia, os respectivos aqua complexos [Ru(H2O)(bpy)(phtpy)](PF6)2, [Ru2(H2O)2(bpy)(tpy2ph)](PF6)4 e [Ru2(H2O)2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)4 podem ser oxidados de modo a gerar complexos de alta valência com íon rutênio nos estados de oxidação 4+ e 5+ via reação de transferência eletrônica acoplada a transferência de prótons (PCET). Os complexos de RuIV=O são gerados em potenciais relativamente baixos e não apresentaram atividade eletrocatalítica significativa, enquanto que as espécies RuV=O ([RuV(O)(bpy)(phtpy)]3+ e [Ru2V(O)2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)]6+) atuam como catalisadores eficientes para a reação de oxidação da água a oxigênio. Os valores de TOF para os complexos binuclear (0,97 s-1) é cerca de três vezes maior que para o complexo mononuclear (0,32 s-1), confirmando a presença de efeitos sinérgicos que aceleram a liberação de oxigênio no complexo binuclear. As propriedades eletrocatalíticas dos complexos polipiridínicos de rutênio de alta valência foram transferidos para a superfície de eletrodos via eletropolimerização redutiva do complexo [Ru2(H2O)2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](TfO)4. Neste caso foram observadas a geração eletroquímica de espécies contendo o íon rutênio nos estados de oxidação 2+, 4+ e 5+, enquanto que a espécie no estado 3+ aparentemente não é estável e sofre desproporcionamento. O eletrodo modificado preservou a alta atividade eletrocatalítica do aqua complexo binuclear para a reação de oxidação da água (TOF de 0,80 s-1) e também para a oxidação de álcool benzílico a benzaldeído, com kRuIV= 14,70 L·mol-1 s-1 demonstrando o elevado potencial do material para a oxidação de substratos orgânicos. / Mononuclear ruthenium polypyridyl complexes have been studied as catalysts of oxygen evolution in water oxidation reaction, but the activated complex of most efficient catalysts assume the formation of dimers indicating the importance of the binuclear structure for their activation. Thereby, in this thesis we propose the study of possible synergistic effects in binuclear ruthenium polypyridyl complexes in order to activate species with high valence as RuV=O and RuIV=O for multi-electronic catalytic oxidation reactions. For this purpose, it was prepared a series of ruthenium polyppyridyl complexes using tridentate ligands based in terpyridine and bidentate bipyridine generating binuclear chloride complexes and aqua complexes which are able to act as precursors of the respective high valence active species generated by proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions. The [RuCl(bpy)(phtpy)](PF6) and [Ru2Cl2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 complexes (phtpy= 4\'-phenyl-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpyridine, bpy= 2,2´-bipyridine and tpy2ph= 1,3-bis(4\'-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpyridin-4-yl)benzene) and their respective aqua complexes were synthetized and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The chloro complexes [RuCl(bpy)(phtpy)](PF6), [Ru2Cl2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 and [Ru2Cl2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)2 (Clphen= 5-Chloro-1,10-phenanthroline) show only electron transfer reactions where the maximum oxidation state of the ruthenium ion is 3+. However, the respective aqua complexes [Ru(H2O)(bpy)(phtpy)](PF6)2, [Ru2(H2O)2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)4 and [Ru2(H2O)2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](PF6)4 can be oxidized further by proton coupled electron transfer (PCET), generating high valence complexes where the ruthenium oxidation state can be 4+ and 5+. Complexes of RuIV=O are generated in relatively low potentials and do not presented significant electrocatalytic activity for oxidation of water to dioxygen, whereas the RuV=O species ([RuV(O)(bpy)(phtpy)]3+ and [Ru2V(O)2(bpy)2(tpy2ph)]6+) showed to be efficient catalysts for the reaction of water oxidation. The values of TOF for the binuclear complexes (0,97 s-1) were about three times larger than for the mononuclear complex (0,32 s-1), confirming the presence of synergistic effects accelerating the formation and release of oxygen by the binuclear complex. The electrocatalytic properties of high valence ruthenium polypyridyl complexes were transferred to electrodes surface by reductive electropolymerization of the [Ru2(H2O)2(Clphen)2(tpy2ph)](TfO)4 complex. In this case the electrochemical generation of ruthenium 2+, 4+ and 5+ species were observed whereas the 3+ species was not stable and disproportionated. The modified electrodes preserved the high electrocatalytic activity of the binuclear aqua complexes for water oxidation reaction (TOF de 0,80 s-1), and also for oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde with kRuIV= 14,70 L mol-1 s-1 demonstrating the high catalytic efficiency for oxidation of organic substrates.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-20T12:40:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alvaro Fontana.pdf: 7055530 bytes, checksum: 4a9069c1fa7120a7895a1587f1fe173e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-09-18 / Fundação Araucária de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Paraná / In this work were performed organic synthesis of the monomer derivatives of poly (p-phenylenevinylene) whose main interest was to obtain a monomer with an aromatic ring having attached two bromine atoms (this step not being performed), a cyano group, a side chain of six carbon atoms and a sulfonic group linked to the end of side chain. The syntheses were performed starting from the compound 2,5-dimethylphenol and adding the aromatic ring an iodine atom, made subsequently replacing the iodine atom by a cyano group, and the sequences of reactions by adding a side chain with six carbon atoms attached at its one end a sulfonic group. The characterization of the obtained compounds was performed by spectroscopy techniques, Infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance 1H and 13C and GC-MS. These analyzes showed that the structures of the proposed monomers were achieved almost entirely. Part of this doctoral work was performed in the laboratory of the Emeritus Professor Dr. Alan Maxwell Bond at Monash University, Melbourne - Australia, such as sandwich doctorate program. The study in Australia comprised learning and application of cyclic voltammetry technique ac coupled to Fourier transform in chemical reactions studying the kinetics of 1 and 2 electron transfer, in this case, taking as an example the molecule N,N,N',N'-Tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine, TMPD. The molecular solvents used for the study of electron transfer in the molecule TMPD were acetone and acetonitrile, and the following ionic liquids: [BMPIPTFSI], [BMIM] [TFSI], [BMIm][BF4] and [BDMIM] [TF2N]. In all the results obtained it was found the process known as internal reference, where the first electron transfer reaction in the molecule, because it is faster, can be used to compare the values of the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters obtained in the first process with the parameter values obtained in the second electron transfer process in the same molecule. / Neste trabalho foram realizadas sínteses orgânicas de monômeros derivados de poli(p-fenilenovinileno) cujo principal interesse foi a obtenção de um monômero com um anel aromático tendo ligado a ele, dois átomos de bromo (não sendo realizada essa etapa), um grupamento ciano, uma cadeia lateral com seis átomos de carbono, e um grupamento sulfônico ligado a extremidade da cadeia lateral. As sínteses foram realizadas partindo-se do composto 2,5-dimetilfenol e adicionando-se ao anel aromático um átomo de iodo, posteriormente feita a troca do átomo de iodo por um grupo ciano e nas sequências das reações adicionando-se uma cadeia lateral com seis átomos de carbono oposta ao grupo ciano e ligado na extremidade da cadeia lateral um grupo sulfônico. A caracterização dos compostos foi realizada através das técnicas, infravermelho, ressonância magnética nuclear 1H, 13C e CG-MS. Essas análises evidenciaram que as estruturas dos monômeros propostos foram alcançadas em quase sua totalidade. Parte deste trabalho de doutoramento foi realizada no laboratório do professor Emeritus Dr. Alan Maxwell Bond na Monash University em Melbourne – Austrália, como doutorado sanduíche. O estudo feito na Austrália compreendeu a aprendizagem e aplicação da técnica de voltametria cíclica ac acoplada à transformada de Fourier, estudando-se a cinética de transferência de 1 e 2 elétrons, neste caso, utilizando-se como exemplo, a molécula N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine, TMPD. Os solventes moleculares utilizados para o estudo da transferência de elétrons nesta molécula foram acetona e acetonitrila e também os seguintes líquidos iônicos: [BMPIPTFSI], [BMIM][TFSI], [BMIm][BF4] e [BDMIM][TF2N]. Em todos os resultados obtidos constatou-se o processo chamado de referência interna, onde, a primeira reação de transferência de elétrons nesta molécula, por ser mais rápida, pode ser utilizada para comparar os valores dos parâmetros termodinâmicos e cinéticos obtidos no primeiro processo de transferência de elétrons com os valores dos parâmetros obtidos no segundo processo na mesma molécula.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-24T19:37:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alvaro Fontana.pdf: 7055530 bytes, checksum: 4a9069c1fa7120a7895a1587f1fe173e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-09-18 / Fundação Araucária de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Paraná / In this work were performed organic synthesis of the monomer derivatives of poly (p-phenylenevinylene) whose main interest was to obtain a monomer with an aromatic ring having attached two bromine atoms (this step not being performed), a cyano group, a side chain of six carbon atoms and a sulfonic group linked to the end of side chain. The syntheses were performed starting from the compound 2,5-dimethylphenol and adding the aromatic ring an iodine atom, made subsequently replacing the iodine atom by a cyano group, and the sequences of reactions by adding a side chain with six carbon atoms attached at its one end a sulfonic group. The characterization of the obtained compounds was performed by spectroscopy techniques, Infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance 1H and 13C and GC-MS. These analyzes showed that the structures of the proposed monomers were achieved almost entirely. Part of this doctoral work was performed in the laboratory of the Emeritus Professor Dr. Alan Maxwell Bond at Monash University, Melbourne - Australia, such as sandwich doctorate program. The study in Australia comprised learning and application of cyclic voltammetry technique ac coupled to Fourier transform in chemical reactions studying the kinetics of 1 and 2 electron transfer, in this case, taking as an example the molecule N,N,N',N'-Tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine, TMPD. The molecular solvents used for the study of electron transfer in the molecule TMPD were acetone and acetonitrile, and the following ionic liquids: [BMPIPTFSI], [BMIM] [TFSI], [BMIm][BF4] and [BDMIM] [TF2N]. In all the results obtained it was found the process known as internal reference, where the first electron transfer reaction in the molecule, because it is faster, can be used to compare the values of the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters obtained in the first process with the parameter values obtained in the second electron transfer process in the same molecule. / Neste trabalho foram realizadas sínteses orgânicas de monômeros derivados de poli(p-fenilenovinileno) cujo principal interesse foi a obtenção de um monômero com um anel aromático tendo ligado a ele, dois átomos de bromo (não sendo realizada essa etapa), um grupamento ciano, uma cadeia lateral com seis átomos de carbono, e um grupamento sulfônico ligado a extremidade da cadeia lateral. As sínteses foram realizadas partindo-se do composto 2,5-dimetilfenol e adicionando-se ao anel aromático um átomo de iodo, posteriormente feita a troca do átomo de iodo por um grupo ciano e nas sequências das reações adicionando-se uma cadeia lateral com seis átomos de carbono oposta ao grupo ciano e ligado na extremidade da cadeia lateral um grupo sulfônico. A caracterização dos compostos foi realizada através das técnicas, infravermelho, ressonância magnética nuclear 1H, 13C e CG-MS. Essas análises evidenciaram que as estruturas dos monômeros propostos foram alcançadas em quase sua totalidade. Parte deste trabalho de doutoramento foi realizada no laboratório do professor Emeritus Dr. Alan Maxwell Bond na Monash University em Melbourne – Austrália, como doutorado sanduíche. O estudo feito na Austrália compreendeu a aprendizagem e aplicação da técnica de voltametria cíclica ac acoplada à transformada de Fourier, estudando-se a cinética de transferência de 1 e 2 elétrons, neste caso, utilizando-se como exemplo, a molécula N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine, TMPD. Os solventes moleculares utilizados para o estudo da transferência de elétrons nesta molécula foram acetona e acetonitrila e também os seguintes líquidos iônicos: [BMPIPTFSI], [BMIM][TFSI], [BMIm][BF4] e [BDMIM][TF2N]. Em todos os resultados obtidos constatou-se o processo chamado de referência interna, onde, a primeira reação de transferência de elétrons nesta molécula, por ser mais rápida, pode ser utilizada para comparar os valores dos parâmetros termodinâmicos e cinéticos obtidos no primeiro processo de transferência de elétrons com os valores dos parâmetros obtidos no segundo processo na mesma molécula.

Le photosystème II (PSII) est un complexe multi-protéique qui utilise l'énergie solaire pour oxyder l'eau et réduire des quinones. Le site catalytique d'oxydation de l'eau est localisé coté lumen du complexe, alors, que le site de réduction comprenant deux quinones (QA et QB) et un fer non-hémique est localisé sur le coté stromal du complexe membranaire. Dans cette thèse j'ai étudié les deux cotés accepteur et donneur d'électrons du PSII.QA•- et QB•- sont couplés magnétiquement au fer non-hémique donnant de faibles signaux RPE. Le fer non-hémique possède quatre ligands histidines et un ligand (bi)carbonate échangeable. Le formate peut échanger le ligand (bi)carbonate induisant un ralentissement dans le transfert d'électrons. Ici, je décris une modification du signal RPE de QB•- Fe2+ lorsque le formate est substitué au (bi)carbonate. J'ai aussi découvert un second signal RPE dû à la présence du formate à la place du (bi)carbonate lorsque QB est doublement réduit. De plus, j'ai trouvé que les signaux RPE natifs de QA•- Fe2+ et QB•- Fe2+ possèdent une signature intense encore jamais détectée. Tous les signaux RPE rapportés dans cette thèse devraient faciliter le titrage redox de QB par RPE. J'ai aussi observé que QB•- peut oxyder le fer non-hémique à l'obscurité en anaérobie. Cette observation implique qu'au moins dans une fraction des centres, le couple QB•-/QBH2 possède un potentiel redox plus haut que supposé. La quantification du nombre de centres où cette oxydation du fer se produit par le couple QB•-/QBH2 reste à faire. La réduction du PSII par le dithionite génère un signal modifié de QA•-Fe2+, un changement structural du PSII observé par électrophorèse. Cela peut indiquer la réduction d'un pont disulfure à l'intérieur du PSII. Concernant le site d’oxydation de l'eau, j'ai étudié la première étape de l'assemblage du site catalytique (Mn4Ca), en suivant l'oxydation du Mn2+ par RPE en bande X et haut champ. J'ai mis au point des conditions expérimentales permettant le piégeage du premier intermédiaire et j'ai aussi trouvé une incohérence avec des travaux publiés dans la littérature. J'ai aussi trouvé que le dithionite pouvait réduire le site catalytique Mn4Ca, en formant des états sur-réduits qui peuvent correspondre aux intermédiaires de l'assemblage du cluster Mn4Ca. / Photosystem II (PSII) uses light energy to oxidise water and reduce quinone. The water oxidation site is a Mn4Ca cluster located on the luminal side of the membrane protein complex, while the quinone reduction site is made up of two quinones (QA and QB) and a non-heme Fe2+ located on the stromal side of the membrane protein. In this thesis I worked on both oxidation and reduction functions of the enzyme. QA•- and QB•- are magnetically couple to the Fe2+ giving weak and complex EPR signals. The distorted octahedral Fe2+ has four histidines ligands and an exchangeable (bi)carbonate ligand. Formate can displace the exchangeable (bi)carbonate ligand, slowing electron transfer out of the PSII reaction centre. Here I report the formate-modified QB•- Fe2+ EPR signal, and this shows marked spectral changes and has a greatly enhanced intensity. I also discovered a second new EPR signal from formate-treated PSII that is attributed to formate-modified QA•- Fe2+ in the presence of a 2-electron reduced form of QB. In addition, I found that the native QA•- Fe2+ and QB•- Fe2+ EPR signals have a strong feature that had been previously missed because of overlapping signals (mainly the stable tyrosyl radical TyrD•). These previously unreported EPR signals should allow for the redox potential of this cofactor to be directly determined for the first time. I also observed that when QB•-Fe was formed; it was able to oxidise the iron slowly in the dark. This occurred in samples pumped to remove O2. This observation implies that at least in some centres, the QB•-/QBH2 couple has a higher potential then is often assumed and thus that the protein-bound semiquinone is thermodynamically less stable expected. It has yet to be determined if this represents a situation occurring in the majority of centres. Treatment of the system with dithionite generated a modified form of QA•-Fe2+ state and a change in the association of the proteins on gels. This indicates a redox induced modification of the protein, possibly structurally important cysteine bridge in PSII.On the water oxidation side of the enzyme, I studied the first step in the assembly of the Mn4Ca cluster looking at Mn2+ oxidation using kinetic EPR and high field EPR. Conditions were found for stabilising the first oxidised state and some discrepancies with the literature were observed. I also found that dithionite could be used to reduce the Mn4Ca, forming states that are formally equivalent to those that exist during the assembly of the enzyme.