Hartree-Fock, Moller-Plesset, and density functional theory calculations have been carried out using 6-31+G(d), 6-31+G(d,p) and 6-31++G(d,p) basis sets to study the properties of low-barrier or short-strong hydrogen bonds (SSHB) and their potential role in enzyme-catalyzed reactions that involve proton abstraction from a weak carbon-acid by a weak base. Formic acid/formate anion, enol/enolate and other complexes have been chosen to simulate a SSHB system. These complexes have been calculated to form very short, very short hydrogen bonds with a very low barrier for proton transfer from the donor to the acceptor. Two important environmental factors including small amount of solvent molecules that could possibly exist at the active site of an enzyme and the polarity around the active site were simulated to study their energetic and geometrical influences to a SSHB. It was found that microsolvation that improves the matching of pK as of the hydrogen bond donor and acceptor involved in the SSHB will always increase the interaction of the hydrogen bond; microsolvation that disrupts the matching of pKas, on the other hand, will lead to a weaker SSHB. Polarity surrounding the SSHB, simulated by SCRF-SCIPCM model, can significantly reduce the strength and stability of a SSHB. The residual strength of a SSHB is about 10--11 kcal/mol that is still significantly stable compared with a traditional weak hydrogen bond that is only about 3--5 kcal/mol in any cases. These results indicate that SSHB can exist under polar environment. Possible reaction intermediates and transition states for the reaction catalyzed by ketosteroid isomerase were simulated to study the stabilizing effect of a SSHB on intermediates and transition states. It was found that at least one SSHB is formed in each of the simulated intermediate-catalyst complexes, strongly supporting the LBHB mechanism proposed by Cleland and Kreevoy. Computational results on the activation energy for catalyzed and uncatalyzed model reactions shows that strong hydrogen bonding between catalyst and the substrate at the transition state can significantly reduce the activation energy. This implies that LBHBs are possibly playing a crucial role in enzyme catalysis by supplying significant stabilizing energy to the reaction transition state.

Thermal transport performance at the nanoscale and/or of biomaterials is essential to the success of many new technologies including nanoelectronics, biomedical devices, and various nanocomposites. Due to complicated microstructures and chemical bonding, thermal transport process in these materials has not been well understood yet. In terms of chemical bonding, it is well known that the strength of atomic bonding can significantly affect thermal transport across materials or across interfaces between materials. Given the intrinsic high strength of hydrogen bonds, this dissertation explores the role of hydrogen bonds in nanoscale thermal transport in various materials, and investigates novel material designs incorporating hydrogen bonds for drastically enhanced thermal conduction. Molecular dynamics simulation is employed to study thermal transport processes in three representative hydrogen-bonded materials: (1) crystalline motifs of the spider silk, silkworm silk and synthetic silk, (2) crystalline polymer nanofibers, and (3) polymer nanocomposites incorporating graphene or functionalized graphene. Computational and theoretical investigations demonstrate that hydrogen bonds significantly facilitate thermal transport in all three material systems. The underlying molecular mechanisms are systematically investigated. The results will not only contribute new physical insights, but also provide novel concepts of materials design to improve thermal properties towards a wide range of applications.

No / The vitrification solutions used in the cryopreservation of biological samples aim to minimize the deleterious formation of ice by dehydrating cells and promoting the formation of the glassy state of water. They contain a mixture of different cryoprotective agents (CPAs) in water, typically polyhydroxylated alcohols and/or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which can damage cell membranes. Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to investigate the behavior of pure DPPC, pure DOPC, and mixed DOPC-β-sitosterol bilayers solvated in a vitrification solution containing glycerol, ethylene glycol, and DMSO at concentrations that approximate the widely used plant vitrification solution 2. As in the case of solutions containing a single CPA, the vitrification solution causes the bilayer to thin and become disordered, and pores form in the case of some bilayers. Importantly, the degree of thinning is, however, substantially reduced compared to solutions of DMSO containing the same total CPA concentration. The reduction in the damage done to the bilayers is a result of the ability of the polyhydroxylated species (especially glycerol) to form hydrogen bonds to the lipid and sterol molecules of the bilayer. A decrease in the amount of DMSO in the vitrification solution with a corresponding increase in the amount of glycerol or ethylene glycol diminishes further its damaging effect due to increased hydrogen bonding of the polyol species to the bilayer headgroups. These findings rationalize, to our knowledge for the first time, the synergistic effects of combining different CPAs, and form the basis for the optimization of vitrification solutions. / Australian Research Council linkage grant No. LP0884027; Alcoa Australia Ltd.; BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina Pty. Ltd.

Yes / Tailoring the physical properties of molecular crystals though the construction of solid solutions requires the existence of isostructural crystals. Simple substitutions of a given molecular framework can give a range of different crystal structures. A set of quinoxaline derivatives, C8H4N2(C6H4X)2,Q3,3′X2, has been investigated (X = F, Cl, Br, I and Me) where kinetic factors generated a set of isostructural crystals for the lighter halogens (F, Cl, Br) alone. Computational analysis shows that the stabilising interactions are maximal for Cl, while DSC studies demonstrate the existence of more stable polymorphs for both F and Br containing systems. Steric factors appear to have a lower contribution than the balance of weaker hydrogen and halogen bonding shown by the Me and I containing systems displaying different packing driven by CH⋯N/CH⋯π bonds and I⋯I bonds respectively.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Christer B. Aakeroy / A family of bis-pyridine based pharmaceutical active ingredients were synthesized and co-crystallized with four iodoperfluoroalkanes. Thirteen new crystal structures that are driven by I‧‧‧N(py) halogen bonds, are presented and compared with that of their hydrogen-bonded analogues. Halogen bonded co-crystals exhibit two different structural arrangements, as opposed to layered architectures observed in hydrogen bonded co-crystals. In order to explore the effect of aromatic stacking interactions on hydrogen and halogen bond driven co-crystallization process, we utilized a series of aromatic hydrogen and halogen bond donors in combination with bis-pyridine based pharmaceutical active ingredients. Aromatic stacking between the donor and the acceptor were limited, due to the lack of complementarity between the donor and the acceptor in terms of size, shape and geometry. In that case, homomeric interactions between the single components were translated into the structure of the binary co-crystals. According to our charge calculations, similarly activated hydrogen and iodine atoms possess similar electrostatics. Therefore, we wanted to investigate the interchangeability of hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds by utilizing 2-aminopyrimidine as the backbone for C(sp)-H and C(sp)-I functionalities which makes self-complementary ribbons via NH‧‧‧N synthons. Our results show that the ethynyl proton is capable of acting as a synthon mimic of ethynyl iodine by interchangeable C(sp)-H‧‧‧N hydrogen bonds and C(sp)-I‧‧‧N halogen bonds. We exploited the halogen bonding donor capability of iodo, bromo and chloro ethynyl functionalities towards a series of halide ions. Based on the grinding experiments these donors showed 90%, 70% and 50% success rates towards halides. Among the halides, chlorides exhibited the highest red shift compared to bromides and iodides. We synthesized a series of cavitands functionalized with hydrogen bond donor and acceptor groups and studied their binding preferences towards a series of active ingredients. We have shown that suitably functionalized cavitands can act as carriers of active ingredients and especially, selective binding of aspirin is demonstrated using a two-point binding mode.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A theoretical and experimental study was performed in order to identify factors that influence the propensity of compounds containing anionic functional groups that are commonly found on pharmaceutical drug compounds to form hydrates. A Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) survey was initially undertaken to determine the propensity of different pharmaceutically acceptable anions to form hydrates. The results showed that hydrate formation will take place more regularly when the polarity of the functional group increases. Furthermore, if the charge distribution is very concentrated over the polar groups, hydrate formation will occur more readily. This observation was further investigated by performing a series of potential energy surface (PES) scans for the hydrogen bond (H-bond) in the structure of N-(aminoiminomethyl)-N-methylglycine monohydrate (creatine monohydrate) with various Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Wave Functional Theory (WFT) methods. WFT is often also referred to as ab initio, which refers to the construction of the wave function from first principles when this theory is applied. The scans revealed that several strong and directional H-bonds with different geometrical parameters between the carboxylate group and the water molecule are possible, which suggests that the H-bond plays an important role in driving the formation of pharmaceutical hydrates. A total of 44 hydrate structures were identified that have pharmaceutically acceptable functional groups. Optimisations in the gas phase and in an implicit solvent polarisable continuum solvent model with a variety of solvents showed that there is a significant dependence of the H-bond interaction energy on the anionic group as well as the steric density of surrounding substituents. It was found that the M06-2X method utilising the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set outperformed the other methods that were tested when compared to optimisations performed with the benchmark MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. Furthermore, the strength of the H-bond was measured in the 44 experimentally determined structures by using a total of five generalized gradient approximation (GGA) methods, of which two methods contained the DFT-D3 correction. The results of these DFT methods were subsequently compared to results obtained at the benchmark MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. The M06-2X method was identified as the most economical method to calculate H-bond energies. It was also found that the H-bond interaction energy shows a substantial dependence on the electrostatic environment. This was observed by a significant decrease in H-bond strength as the relative permittivity of the solvent increases. The effect of steric density on the H-bond interaction energy was investigated by performing hydrogen bond propensity calculations. These values were then compared to the interaction energies of each structure and the results showed that the presence of large bulky substituents can lead to an increase in bond energy by forcing the anionic functional group closer to the water molecule. Contrastingly, the bulky group can also push the anionic group away from the water molecule and result in a decrease in bond energy. Approximate values for the amount of stabilisation offered to the H-bonding system by the surrounding crystalline environment were calculated by optimising the H-bond geometrical parameters of selected compounds with a combination of the M06-2X and MP2 methods utilising the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The H-bond interaction energies were then calculated at the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory and compared to the H-bond interaction energies in geometries that have been fully optimised. After these energies were compared and the crystal packing of each structure was investigated, it was found that the packing of some structures within the crystalline environment limits the number of H-bonds that can be formed between the water and the compound of interest. Full optimisation calculations result in structures with cooperative stabilisation, such that more than one H-bond is found between the two fragments. The effect of substituents on H-bond interaction energy was investigated by the addition of six electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups on four aromatic compounds with different anionic functional groups, namely carboxylate, nitrogen dioxide, sulfonate and phosphonate. It should also be mentioned that the nitrogen dioxide is not an anionic functional group, but it was included as it is a neutral radical that often forms hydrogen bonds. A total of 80 structures were optimised with a combination of the M06-2X and MP2 methods utilising the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. This was followed by counterpoise corrected single point calculations at the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The results showed that the H-bond interaction energy bears no relationship to the inductive strength or the inductive ability of the substituents, but rather the ability of these substituents to rotate the anionic functional group and allow cooperative stabilisation of the H-bond. Furthermore, AIM analysis was performed for the substituted H-bonded aromatic structure. The results showed that electron-donating groups that are placed at the para position yield stronger H-bonds, which is once again accompanied by cooperative stabilisation. Electron-withdrawing groups with sufficient inductive effects can result in a weaker H-bond when placed at the meta position. The effect of water activity (aw) on the hydrate crystal formation was investigated experimentally by performing a series of crystallisations in various solvent mixtures. These mixtures consisted of water mixed with acetone, ethanol and ethyl acetate. A total of three organic acids were used in crystal formation, namely pyridine-4-carboxylic acid (isonicotinic acid), N-amino-iminomethyl-N-methylglycine (creatine) and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid. It was found that water activity affects the formation of the hydrate as well as the anhydrous product. Additionally, nucleation and super saturation plays a large role in crystal formation and can serve as an effective technique when the formation of crystals of an appropriate shape and size is required for further analysis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Teoretiese en eksperimentele studie was uitgevoer om faktore te identifiseer wat die geneigdheid van verbindings met anioniese funksionele groepe wat algemeen gevind word op farmaseutiese dwelm verbindings om die hidraat produk te vorm, affekteer. 'n Opname van strukture in die Cambridge Strukturele Databasis (CSD) is onderneem om die geneigdheid van verskillende farmaseutiese aanvaarbare anione om hidrate te vorm te bepaal. Die resultate het getoon dat hidraatvorming meer gereeld plaasvind indien die polariteit van die funksionele groepe toeneem. Verder is daar ook opgemerk dat 'n gekonsentreerde ladingsverspreiding op die polêre groepe ook tot 'n toename in hidraat vorming sal lei. Hierdie waarneming is verder ondersoek deur 'n reeks potensiële energie oppervlak (PES) skanderings van die waterstof binding (H-binding) vir die struktuur van N-amino-iminometiel-N-metielglisien monohidraat (kreatien monohidraat) met verskeie Digtheids-Funksionele Teorie (DFT) en Golffunksie Teorie (WFT) metodes uit te voer. Die skanderings het getoon dat verskeie sterk, gerigte H-bindings met verskillende geometriese parameters tussen die karboksilaatgroep en die watermolekule kan vorm. Hierdie bevindinge lê klem op die belangrike rol wat H-bindings in die vorming van farmaseutiese koolhidrate speel. 'n Totaal van 44 hidraat strukture met farmaseutiese aanvaarbare funksionele groepe was geïdentifiseer. Optimaliserings is in die gas fase asook in 'n implisiete kontinuum polariseerbare oplosmiddel model met 'n verskeidenheid oplosmiddels uitgevoer. Die resultate het 'n beduidende afhanklikheid van die H-binding interaksie-energie op die anioniese groep asook die steriese afkskerming van omringende groepe getoon. Daar is bepaal dat die M06-2X metode wat saam met die 6-311++G(d,p) basisstel die mees akkuraatste resultate gelewer het in vergelyking met die ander DFT metodes asook die MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ maatstaf. Die H-binding se sterkte is vir hierdie strukture bereken deur vyf GGA metodes te gebruik, waarvan twee metodes van die DFT-D3 korreksie gebruik maak. Die resultate van die berekeninge met hierdie DFT metodes is daarna vergelyk met resultate verkry met die MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ maatstaf. Daar is gevolglik bepaal dat die M06-2X metode die mees ekonomiese metode is om H-binding energië te bereken. Die H-binding interaksie energie toon 'n aansienlike afhanklikheid op die diëlektriese konstante van die oplosmiddel aan. Hierdie waarneming is op grond van 'n beduidende afname in die H-binding interaksie-energie indien die relatiewe permittiwiteit van die oplosmiddel verhoog word gemaak. Die effek van steriese digtheid is ondersoek deur waterstofbindinggeneigdheid waardes te bereken. Hierdie waardes is met die interaksie-energië van elke struktuur vergelyk. Die resultate dui daarop dat steries digte groepe tot 'n toename in interaksie energie kan lei wanneer die anioniese funksionele groep nader aan die water molekule gestoot word. Verder is dit ook moontlik vir hierdie steries digte groepe om die anioniese groep weg van die water molekule te stoot en gevolglik 'n afname in interaksie energie te veroorsaak. Benaderde waardes vir die hoeveelheid stabilisering wat die omringende kristallyne omgewing aan die H-binding bied is bereken deur die H-binding geometriese parameters van geselekteerde verbindings met die M06-2X en MP2 metodes en die 6-311++G (d,p) basisstel te optimaliseer. Die H-binding interaksie-energië is gevolglik by die M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) vlak van teorie bereken en met die H-binding energië in strukture wat volledige optimaliseer is vergelyk. Nadat hierdie waardes vergelyk is, is daar gevind dat die pakking van strukture in the kristallyne omgewing verhoed dat sekere H-bindings tussen die water molekule en die verbinding van belang kan vorm. Strukture wat volledig optimaliseer is, lei tot strukture wat in staat is om koöperatiewe stabilisering te ondergaan. Koöperatiewe stabilisering word gekenmerk deur die vorming van meer as een H-binding tussen twee fragmente. Die effek van substituente op die H-binding interaksie energie is ondersoek deur die bevoeging van ses elektrondonor- en elektronontrekkendegroepe op vier aromatiese verbindings, naamlike die karboksilaatgroep , stikstofdioksied , sulfonaat en fosfonaat. Dit moet ook genoem word dat stikstofdioksied nie 'n anioniese funksionele groep is nie, maar dit was wel ingesluit omdat dit ‘n neutrale radikaal groep is wat dikwels waterstofbindings vorm. 'n Totaal van 80 strukture optimiserings was uitgevoer met 'n kombinasie van die M06-2X en MP2 metodes wat gebruik maak van die 6-311++G(d,p) basisstel. Dit is gevolg deur interaksie-energie berekeninge op die M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) vlak van teorie. Die resultate het getoon dat daar geen verband tussen die induktiewe vermoë van die substituente en die sterkte van die H-binding is nie, dit is eerder die vermoë van hierdie substituente om die anioniese funksionele groep te laat roteer wat toelaat dat koöperatiewe stabilisering van die H-binding kan geskied. Die AIM analise is op 'n gesubstitueerde H-binding struktuur toegepas. Die resultate het getoon dat elektrondonorgroepe wat by die para posisie geplaas word tot sterker H-bindings sal lei, wat weereens met koöperatiewe stabilisering vergesel word. Elektrononttrekkendegroepe met sterk induktiewe effekte kan tot 'n swakker H-binding lei indien hulle by die meta posisie geplaas word. Die effek van water aktiwiteit (𝑎w) op hidraatkristalvorming is deur die uitvoering van 'n reeks kristallisasies in verskeie oplosmiddelmengsels ondersoek. Hierdie oplosmiddel mengsels bestaan uit water met asetoon, etanol of etielasetaat gemeng. Kristallisasies is vir drie organiese sure, naamlik piridien-4-karboksielsuur, N-amino-iminometiel-N-metielglisien monohidraat en 1,3,5-benseen tri-karboksielsuur uitgevoer. Daar is gevind dat water aktiwiteit 'n invloed op die vorming van die hidraat en watervrye produkte kan hê. Daarbenewens, speel water aktiwiteit 'n belangrike rol in die nukleasie fase van kristalvorming en kan as 'n effektiewe tegniek dien om kristalle van 'n toepaslike vorm en grootte vir verdere analise te verkry.

O propósito deste trabalho é aumentar o conhecimento existente sobre as interações dielétricas da água confinada em materiais hidrofílicos, no regime de baixas temperaturas. Os materiais hidrofílicos (sílica gel, gesso, colágeno e álcool polivinílico - PVA) foram analisados com os recursos disponíveis na técnica de Espectroscopia de Impedância - permissividade dielétrica e impedância elétrica. Como objetivo especifico procurou-se estabelecer experimentalmente o papel das ligações hidrogênio nos processos de condução observados na água confinada e verificar a existência da transição dinâmica da água super-resfriada em T = -45ºC (228K). As substâncias examinadas possuem redes ou cadeias moleculares, com grupos polares superficiais capazes de se ligarem às moléculas de água por meio de ligações hidrogênio. Em espaços restritos de natureza hidrofílica, a água pode ser super-resfriada além do ponto de nucleação homogênea, permanecendo líquida para temperaturas inferiores a 0ºC. O entendimento de sistemas envolvendo materiais hidrofílicos - tais como sólidos, géis e macromoléculas - e a água, contribui para o desenvolvimento de novos materiais e para o entendimento dos sistemas vivos. De acordo com os resultados obtidos a condução dos íons na água confinada se dá por meio da rede formada, via ligações hidrogênio, entre as moléculas de água e a cadeia dos materiais. O espectro elétrico dos materiais estudados exibe dois processos de condução, comuns a todas as substâncias. O primeiro, é influenciado pelo nível de hidratação das amostras e está relacionado as moléculas de água distantes das superfícies. O segundo, é próprio da água confinada e possui tempos de relaxação elétricos com transições observadas em -60ºC (210K) na sílica gel, e -45ºC nos outros materiais. Também constatou-se que o tamanho da cadeia polimérica do PVA altera a dinâmica do confinamento de água: cadeias de menor peso molecular não são capazes de gerar sítios que propiciem o confinamento da água. / This work aims to increase the existing knowledge on the dielectric interactions of water confined in hydrophilic materials at low temperatures. The hydrophilic materials (silica gel, gypsum, collagen and polyvinyl alcohol - PVA) were studied with the available functions of Impedance Spectroscopy - dielectric permittivity and electrical impedance. The specific goal of this thesis is to establish the role of hydrogen bonds in the conduction processes observed in confined water and to verify the existence of the supercooled water dynamic crossover at T = -45 ºC (228K). The chosen substances have molecular chains or networks with polar surface groups connected to water molecules through hydrogen bonds. When confined in small geometries, water does not crystallize and can be supercooled bellow its homogeneous nucleation temperature. This allows the indirect investigation of supercooled confined water. The studies of systems involving hydrophilic materials - such as solids, gels and macromolecules - and water, contributes to the development of new materials and to the understanding of living systems. This study demonstrated that the conduction in the confined water occurs through the network formed by hydrogen bonds between water molecules and the chain materials. The impedance spectra of all material exhibits two conduction processes common to all the analyzed samples. While the level of hydration of the samples can influence the process of higher frequencies, the one found in lower frequencies is independent of the amount of water in the samples. The first was associated to bulk water molecules and the second is related to confined water and show the expected dynamic crossover. In addition, the size of the PVA polymeric chain alters the dynamics of water: lower molecular weight polymers are not capable of displaying the supercooled dynamic crossover.

L’encapsulation et le relargage à la demande de principes actifs présentent de nombreux avantages et trouvent leur place dans de nombreuses applications, au sein de formulations complexes. Dans cette thèse, nous montrons que la chimie supramoléculaire permet de réaliser des copolymères amphiphiles capables d’encapsuler des composés lipophiles, dispersés en solution aqueuse.L’objectif de ces travaux a été d’élaborer et de caractériser les édifices encapsulants formés par des copolymères amphiphiles supramoléculaires, inspirés des émulsifiants non ioniques commerciaux, les Pluronics®.Dans un premier temps, nous avons synthétisé des copolymères supramoléculaires amphiphiles. Les unités associatives et complémentaires thymine (Thy) et diaminotriazine (DAT), très étudiées dans le domaine des matériaux supramoléculaires, ont été greffées en une étape au(x) extrémité(s) de chaines poly(éthylène) glycol, hydrophiles, et poly(propylène) glycol, hydrophobes, commerciales (Jeffamine®). Les deux unités supramoléculaires s’associent sélectivement par trois liaisons hydrogène parallèles, permettant de former des copolymères amphiphiles. Leur auto-assemblage en solvant sélectif, notamment dans l’eau ou dans des mélanges biphasiques aqueux, conduit à la formation d’objets encapsulants, destinés à des applications cosmétiques.La force et la stabilité de la liaison supramoléculaire Thy/DAT ont été étudiées dans l’eau et dans différents solvants organiques. Les objets formés par l’auto-assemblage des copolymères supramoléculaires ont également été caractérisé par différentes techniques physico-chimiques. L’utilisation des copolymères amphiphiles supramoléculaires s’est révélée concluante pour la stabilisation d’émulsions directes préparées par émulsification spontanée (effet Ouzo). Ainsi, la preuve de concept de l’encapsulation a été établie, les émulsions obtenues s’apparentant à l’encapsulation d’un composé lipophile en phase aqueuse (dispersion liquide-liquide). / The encapsulation and triggerable release of actives display numerous benefits and are used in complex formulations designed for various applications. In this thesis, we show that supramolecular chemistry enables the design of amphiphilic copolymers, capable to encapsulate lipophilic compounds, dispersed in aqueous solution.The goal of this work was to develop and characterize encapsulating objects formed by amphiphilic supramolecular copolymers, inspired by non ionic, commercially available emulsifiers, Pluronics®.As a first step, we synthesized amphiphilic supramolecular copolymers. Associative and complementary units thymine (Thy) and diaminotriazine (DAT), which are largely studied in supramolecular materials subjects, were grafted by a one-step reaction, at the end(s) of poly(ethylene) glycol chains, hydrophilic, and poly(propylene) glycol chains, hydrophobic. Both initial chains are commercially available (Jeffamine®). The two supramolecular units associate selectively by 3 parallel hydrogen bonds, enabling the formation of amphiphilic copolymers. Their self-assembly in a selective solvent, like water, or in a aqueous biphasic mixture, lead to the formation of encapsulating objects, which are designed for a cosmetic application.Strength and stability of Thy/DAT supramolecular bon was investigated in water and in different organic solvents. Objects formed by the self-assembly of the supramolecular copolymers were also characterized by the mean of several techniques. Use of amphiphilic supramolecular copolymers was found conclusive for the stabilization of direct emulsions, formed by spontaneous emulsification (Ouzo effect). Thus, proof on concept was established, emulsions being seen as the encapsulation of a lipophilic compound in an aqueous phase (liquid-liquid dispersion).

Circadian oscillators or clocks are a widespread, endogenous class of oscillatory mechanisms that control the ~24h temporal pattern of diverse organism functions. In cyanobacteria this mechanism is formed by three proteins, KaiA, KaiB and KaiC. KaiA is shown here to be a two domain protein that directly interacts with KaiC and enhances the KaiC autokinase activity. The amino-terminal domain of KaiA can be structurally categorized as a pseudo-receiver, a class of proteins used in signaling cascades and activated by direct protein??protein interactions. The carboxy-terminal domain interacts directly with KaiC, is sufficient to enhance the KaiC autokinase activity in a manner similar to full-length KaiA, and adopts a unique, all α-helical dimeric fold. The structure of this domain raises interesting probabilities regarding the mode of KaiA??KaiC interaction. The two KaiA domains are shown to directly interact with each other, which suggests a possible mechanism of signal transfer from the amino to carboxy-terminal domain. Hydrogen bonds are of paramount importance in nucleic acid structure and function. Here we show that changes in the width and anharmonicity of vibrational potential energy wells of hydrogen bonded groups can be measured in nucleic acids and can possibly be correlated to structural properties, such as length. Deuterium/protium fractionation factors, which are sensitive to the vibrational potential well width, were measured for the imino sites of thymidine residues involved in A:T base pairs or free in solution, and a correlation was established between decreasing fractionation factors and increasing imino proton chemical shift, δH3. Similarly, a correlation was observed between δH3and deuterium isotope effects (DIE) on chemical shift of thymidine carbon atoms. Combined these results indicate that as hydrogen-bond strength increases the vibrational potential wells of imino protons widen with a corresponding increase in anharmonicity. However, trans-hydrogen bond DIE on carbon chemical shifts of A:T base-paired adenosine residues do not correlate with those measured on thymidine residues. We propose that this lack of correlation is due to DIE dependence on base-pair geometry, which is not easily measured by traditional NMR experiments.

No description available.