Supramolecular chemistry (chemistry beyond the molecule) is the study and synthesis of complex molecular architectures from simple subunits using non-covalent interactions. The types of non-covalent interactions that are used for the self-assembly of these complex molecular architectures include electrostatic interactions (e.g. ionic, halogen, and hydrogen bonding), π-effects, van der Waals interactions, metal coordination, and hydrophobic effects. While these interactions are often used in concert, some of the most successful and ubiquitous approaches for the design and construction of new host–guest architectures are the incorporation of hydrogen bonding motifs. A popular class of molecules capable of making strong, highly directional hydrogen bonds is barbiturates. Barbiturates have a well-known reputation as potent hypnotics, anticonvulsants, and anxiolytics but recent years have seen a renewed interest in these molecules due to their unique, symmetric acceptor-donor-acceptor hydrogen bonding motif. In addition, receptors with complementary hydrogen bonding motifs capable of binding barbiturates have also been reported, namely those based on the work of Hamilton et al. Collectively, barbiturates and their receptors have seen widespread use in a variety of applications including sensing, optoelectronics, catalysis, and the design of soft materials. The work presented in this dissertation describes the development of novel Hamilton receptors for supramolecular catalysis and barbiturate sensing, as well as the design of new synthetic barbiturates. Together this body of research aims to extend the utility of these types of host–guest systems as well as continue to develop and refine the supramolecular design principles that govern the binding interactions between barbiturates and a variety of Hamilton-type receptors. This dissertation includes both previously published/unpublished and co-authored material.

Bidentate ligands are a commonly used class of ligands in catalysis that generate highly-active and selective catalysts. Such bidentate ligands, however, often suffer from synthetic challenges, which can be alleviated by the use of simpler monodentate ligands that assemble through non-covalent interactions to mimic the structure of bidentate ligands at the metal center. To produce a strongly assembled catalyst complex, the Hamilton receptor motif was utilized. Hamilton receptors form six hydrogen bonds with complementary guests and have binding affinities for barbiturates of up to 104 M-1 in CDCl3. Complete bifurcation of the Hamilton scaffold produces a modular ligand structure that allows for modification of either end of the supramolecular ligand structure. Similarly, the barbiturate guest can be synthetically altered creating both chiral guests and guests with differing amounts of steric bulk. Both experimental titration data and density functional theory calculations show that steric bulk discourages binding of the guest while a pre-organized host encourages guest inclusion. Electronic effects on the bifurcated Hamilton system were studied by varying the electron donating or withdrawing ability of the benzamide moiety on the host molecule. Electron withdrawing moieties produce more acidic amide hydrogens on the host which are able to participate in stronger hydrogen bonds with the guest resulting in a stronger host-guest complex. The effects of substitutions on the barbiturate guest were examined as well, and increased steric bulk on the guest resulted in decreased affinities with the host. The bifurcated Hamilton receptor ligands were examined in the palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction of iodobenzene with butyl acrylate. Pd2(OAc)4 was used as a control and all reaction yields with the diphenylphosphine ligand-stabilized Pd were greater than or equal to those obtained with Pd2(OAc)4 alone. The reaction rates did not correlate with the determined binding constants, suggesting that phosphine substitution on the guest plays a larger role than affinity of the complex for the guest. Reaction temperatures were varied, and at lower temperatures the yields increased implying that the strength of the hydrogen bonds between the metal complex and the guest does play a secondary role in the catalysis. This dissertation includes previously published co-authored material.

Des récepteurs de barbiturates greffés avec des groupements anthracène photoactifs possédant différentes fonctions d’ancrage ont été synthétisés et caractérisés, en vue de transférer leurs propriétés de reconnaissance photocontrôlable à des substrats par diverses techniques de modification, comme la formation de liaisons amide, de liaisons thioacétate, ou par réaction click. Les propriétés photophysiques et photochimiques de ces récepteurs ont été étudiées en solution, et la fluorescence, la durée de vie et le rendement quantique ont été mesurés à différentes températures. Des surfaces d’or modifiées ont été fabriquées et caractérisées par ellipsométrie, mesure d’angle de contact, AFM et PM-IRRAS. Les résultats montrent qu’il est possible de moduler les propriétés de reconnaissance moléculaire des récepteurs de manière réversible via une combinaison d’irradiation lumineuse (365 nm) et de chaleur (80 °C). / Anthracene-appended photoactive barbiturate receptors possessing various anchoring groups are synthesized and characterized in view of transferring their photocontrolled binding properties onto substrates through various surface grafting techniques, such as amide bond formation, direct thioacetate linkage, or post click reaction modification. The photophysical and photochemical properties of the synthesized receptors were investigated in solution using variable temperature fluorescence, lifetime measurement and reaction quantum yield measurements. Receptor-modified gold substrates were characterized using ellipsometry, contact angle, AFM and PM-IRRAS experiments. The results showed that it is possible to reversibly modulate the binding properties of the anthracene-appended receptors through a combination of the irradiation with light (365nm) and heat (80℃).

L’implémentation d’un agent structurant impliquant un macrocycle à 31membres et intégrant un récepteur de type Hamilton / bis(2,6-diamidopyridine) a permis deconcevoir des [2]rotaxanes via une réaction click catalysée par du cuivre(I), soit à partir d’unpseudorotaxane en présence d’un barbiturique fonctionnalisé, soit par une méthode de« gabarit actif ». Ces structures supramoléculaires ont été rendues photochimiquement activesen exploitant des analogues de récepteurs Hamilton incorporant des groupementsphotodimérisables de type 9-anthracène. La photodimérisation et la retrodimérisation de cesrécepteurs en présence d’un fil barbiturique comportant des groupements terminauxencombrants (bouchons) permettent l’assemblage et le désassemblage de rotaxanes via unprocessus de photocapture. Ces unités 9-anthracène jouent également le rôle de bouchonsphotoactifs dans la formation d’un [2]rotaxane composé d’un plus petit anneau de typedibenzo-24-couronne-8, dont la photoirradiation résulte en une interconversion topologiqueinhabituelle entre un rotaxane et un caténane. Deux approches photochimiques ont permis deréguler des machines moléculaires distantes par une communication chimiqueintermoléculaire, c’est à dire soit par un transfert de molécule photoguidée, soit par untransfert d’électron photoinduit exalté par la présence d’un transfert d’énergie électroniqueréversible. / A templating motif involving a 31-member macrocycle integrating a bis(2,6-diamidopyridine) / Hamilton-type receptor aided [2]rotaxane sythesis, via a copper(I)catalyzed Huisgen reaction, in the presence of a designer barbiturate or by functionalizationusing an active template synthesis. Homologous supramolecular structures were madephotochemically-active, harnessing Hamilton receptors incorporating photodimerizable 9-anthracene groups. Photodimerization and retrodimerisation of these receptors in the presence of a barbiturate thread bearing terminal bulky stopper groups permitted rotaxane assembly /disassembly. The 9-anthracene units serve as stoppers in the formation of a [2]rotaxanecompound comprising a smaller dibenzo-24-crown-8 ring. Photoirradiation of these photoactive stoppers results in an unusual all-optical topological rotaxane - catenaneinterconversion. Two approaches to photoregulate remote molecular machines byintermolecular chemical communication involving a photoguided molecule or by photoinduced electron transfer aided by reversible electronic energy transfer are considered.

Ce travail a porté sur la préparation de copolymères à blocs et l’étude de leur assemblage supramoléculaire basé sur des liaisons hydrogènes entre les motifs homocomplémentaires ou hétérocomplémentaires. La stratégie de synthèse était basée sur la combinaison de la polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée de type RAFT et de la chimie supramoléculaire. Dans le chapitre 2, nous avons développé une stratégie s'appuyant sur la conception d'agents RAFT portant des groupements de type thymine / diaminopyridine (DAP) capables de générer des copolymères en étoile de type « miktoarm » bien définis. Pour élargir le champ d’application de ces agents RAFT capables d’établir des liaisons H, nous avons également étudié, dans le chapitre 3, la préparation d’agents RAFT fonctionnalisés par des motifs présentant de très hautes constantes de liaison. Le couple Hamilton / barbiturate (log (K) ≈ 4-5) a été sélectionné pour générer de plus stables copolymères à blocs supramoléculaires. Afin d’élaborer des macromolécules originales aux hautes propriétés d’association et de simplifier la stratégie de la synthèse, nous avons finalement exploré la préparation de copolymères tribloc ABC supramoléculaires à base de PA11 (oligomères OPA11) dans le chapitre 4. L’introduction d'un groupe dithiobenzoate pertinemment choisi sur les oligomères conduit à l’obtention de macroagents RAFT qui permettent la préparation de copolymères tribloc ABC supramoléculaires, où A est semi-cristallin, B à l'état caoutchouteux et C à l'état vitreux. Les études sur l'incorporation de tels copolymères dans les réseaux époxy sont en cours. / This work dealt with the preparation and the study of supramolecular block copolymers based on hydrogen-bonding between homocomplementary or heterocomplementary stickers. The synthetic strategy was based on the combination of RAFT-mediated controlled radical polymerization and supramolecular chemistry. In the Chapter 2, we developed a strategy relying on the design of RAFT agents bearing thymine/diaminopyridine (DAP) recognition pairs and capable to grow well-defined miktoarm star supramolecular copolymers. To further extend the scope of H-bonding RAFT agents, in the Chapter 3, we also investigated the preparation of RAFT agents functionalized with motifs exhibiting very high binding constants. The Hamilton/barbiturate couple (log(K)≈4-5) was selected to generate more stable supramolecular block copolymers. Aiming at elaborating original associating macromolecules and at simplifying the strategy of synthesis, we finally explored the preparation ABC triblock supramolecular copolymers based on PA11 oligomers (OPA11) in Chapter 4. Ligation of a relevant dithiobenzoate group on the oligomers afforded oligomeric RAFT agents that allow for the preparation of ABC triblock supramolecular copolymers, where A is semi-crystalline, B in rubbery state and C in glassy state. Studies on the incorporation of such copolymers in epoxy networks are under progress.