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The presence of ion-pairs in electrolyte solutions affects the activity of dissolved species as well as the solubility of minerals. The extent of ion-pairing in a system is predicted by an association constant, K[subscript A], which for sparingly soluble salts are frequently determined experimentally in binary or ternary systems. This introduces complex activity coefficient calculations that often require unavailable parameters. Barite (BaSO₄) and celestite (SrSO₄) are sparingly soluble minerals with interest in the oil and mining industry, yet the values of K[subscript A] for the ion-pairs BaSO₄(aq.) and SrSO₄(aq.) are still uncertain. Molecular dynamics simulations are used to obtain the K[subscript A] values for these two salts through potential of mean force (PMF) calculations. The molecular mechanisms involved in the association reactions are also explored, in particular the role of the association intermediates in the overall reaction as described by the Eigen mechanism. Additionally, the kinetics of water exchange around the free and paired ions is examined and the residence time of a water coordinated to the free and paired cation is calculated.

Microbial, mammalian and plant cells produce and contain secondary metabolites, which typically are soluble in water to prevent cell damage by crystallization. The formation of ion pairs, e.g. with carboxylic acids or mineral acids, is a natural blueprint to keep basic metabolites in solution. It was aimed at showing whether the mostly large carboxylates form soluble protic ionic liquids (PILs) with basic natural products resulting in enhanced aqueous solubility. Furthermore, their supramolecular pattern in aqueous solution was studied. Thereby, naturally occurring carboxylic acids were identified being appropriate counterions for natural basic compounds and facilitate the formation of PILs with their beneficial characteristics, like improved dissolution rate and enhanced apparent solubility. / Mikrobielle, Säugetier- und Pflanzenzellen produzieren und enthalten Sekundärmetaboliten, welche in Wasser gelöst vorliegen, um Zellschäden (z.B. durch Kristallisation) zu vermeiden. Die Bildung von Ionenpaaren, beispielsweise mit Carbonsäuren oder Mineralsäuren, ist eine natürliche Strategie, um basische Metaboliten in Lösung zu halten. Es sollte gezeigt werden, dass die vergleichsweise großen Carboxylate lösliche protische ionische Flüssigkeiten (PILs) mit basischen Naturstoffen bilden, was zu einer verbesserten Wasserlöslichkeit führt. Weiterhin wurde das supramolekulare Verhalten der PILs in wässriger Lösung untersucht. Dabei wurden natürlich vorkommende Carbonsäuren als geeignete Gegenionen für natürliche basische Verbindungen identifiziert. Die resultierenden PILs zeigten eine verbesserte Auflösungsrate und verbesserte scheinbare Löslichkeit.

Les appariements d’ions sontomniprésents dans la nature, des océans auxaérosols, et passant par les organismes vivants.Les paires d’ions présentes dans les solutionsriches en ions y jouent un rôle crucial, notammentdans le déroulement des mécanismes réactionnelschimiques et biochimiques. En dépit de leurimportance, la caractérisation expérimentale despaires en solution reste problématique en raison dela coexistence de plusieurs types. Ainsi, le premierobjectif de ce travail est de développer uneapproche originale en phase gazeuse, pour l’étudedes paires d’ions modèles entre un groupementcarboxylate et un cation alcalin, illustrant le typed’appariement observé dans le milieu biologique.Ces premières études sont menées à l’aide d’uneapproche de spectroscopie IR et UV sélective enconformation, combinée à des calculs au niveauchimie quantique sur des modèles de formulegénérale (C6H5-(CH2)n-COO-, M+; M = Li, Na, K,Rb, Cs et n ≤ 4). L’appariement entre les ions a étéainsi caractérisé sur l’ensemble de ces systèmes, etune compétition entre les interactions cation-anionet cation-π a été observée pour les systèmes de plusgrande taille.Dans un second temps, une étude théorique estdéveloppée dans l’objectif de proposer un spectrethéorique pour chaque type de paires, et de leconfronter aux spectres expérimentaux en solutionde la littérature. L’approche repose sur le calcul dela signature vibrationnelle de paires (CH3-COO-,M+; M = Li, Na) et de l’anion libre, entouréssuccessivement de molécules d’eau explicitesdécrites au niveau chimie quantique, puis auniveau champ de force et enfin par un modèle desolvant continu.Cet apport original pour l’étude des paires d’ionsneutres ouvre la voie vers une meilleurecaractérisation de ces paires dans les solutions électrolytiques. / Ion pairs are ubiquitous in nature andwere documented in sea waters, aerosols andliving organisms, thus they play a crucial role inmany chemical and biochemical mechanisms.Although many experimental approaches aimedat identifying these ion pairs in solutions, theyfailed in characterizing their microscopicproperties, mainly due to the coexistence of manytypes of pairs in solution. This original study aimsto identify the structural properties of ion pairmodels in the gas phase that depicts theinteraction between carboxylate group and alkalication, largely present in biological media.Model systems (M+, C6H5(CH2)nCOO-, M = Li,Na, K, Rb, Cs and n ≤ 4) were the subject of thefirst studies conducted using gas phaseconformational selective IR and UV spectroscopycombined to quantum chemistry calculations.Among the identified structures, we found asecondary interaction between the cation andphenyl ring (cation-π interaction) for systems witha flexible carbon chain, which led us to study thecompetition between cation-anion and cation-πinteractions.The second study developed focused mainly oncharacterizing ion pairs (M+, CH3COO-; M = Li,Na) and free anion in solution, where the firstsolvation layer were described at the quantumlevel, followed by a solvent continuum. Thus thevibrationnal signatures proposed for theseaggregates were compared to solution spectra inlitterature, thus offering a reliable structuralassignement.This study on neutral ion pairs paves way to a betterunderstanding of ion pairing and offers a uniqueapproach to adress the structural characterization ofthese systems in solution.

The research presented in this thesis focused on pseudorotaxanes and supramolecular polymers based on a new recognition motif, the dibenzo-24-crown-8/paraquat recognition motif. Main kinds of pseudorotaxanes and rotaxanes and various protocols used for the study of them were discussed first. By preparation and characterization of a series of pesudorotaxanes based on DB24C8 and paraquat derivatives, it was found that these complexes were stabilized by N+...O interactions, C-H...O hydrogen bonding, and face-to-face p-stacking interactions. Because methyl protons of paraquat are involved in hydrogen bonding to the host, the substitution of any methyl hydrogen on paraquat causes apparent association constant of the pseudorotaxane to decrease. The concentration dependence of apparent association constants, Ka,exp, of fast exchange host-guest systems was studied for the first time by using complexes based on viologens and crown ethers as examples. While the bis(hexafluorophosphate) salts of paraquat derivatives are predominantly ion paired in acetone (and other low dielectric constant solvents presumably) the complex based on dibenzo-24-crown-8 and paraquat is not ion paired in solution, resulting in concentration dependence of Ka,exp. However, four complexes of two different bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 (BMP32C10) derivatives and bis(p-phenylene)-34-crown-10 (BPP3C10) with viologens are ion paired in solution, as shown by the fact that Ka,exp is not concentration dependent for these systems involving hosts with freer access to bound guests. X-ray crystal structures support these soluton-based assessments in that there is clearly ion pairing of the cationic guest and its PF6- counterions in the solid states of the latter four examples, but not in the former. The complexes based on the new dibenzo-24-crown-8/paraquat recognition motif are thus different from the complexes based on two old recognition motifs: the BPP34C10/BMP32C10-paraquat and DB24C8-ammonium motives. In order to compare these recognition motives further, the selectivity between two hosts, DB24C8 and BPP34C10, and two guests, dimethyl paraquat and dibenzyl ammnonium salt, was discussed. By individual and competitive complexation studies, it was demonstrated that DB24C8 is a better host than BPP34C10 for paraquat, and that paraquat is a better guest than dibenzyl ammonium salt for DB24C8. Finally the DB24C8-paraquat recognition motif was successfully applied in the preparation the first star-shaped supramolecular polymer based on a tetraparaquat guest and a DB24C8 functionalized polystyrene oligomer. A model system based on this guest and DB24C8 was also studied for comparison. It was found that the complexation in these two systems is cooperative, as are most biological complexations of multitopic species. Due to the ready availability of DB24C8 and paraquat derivatives, the new recognition motif should prove to be very valuable for self-assembly of other more sophisticated supramolecular systems. / Master of Science

This dissertation focuses on the design and study of charged aromatic molecules where weak π-π interactions synergize with electrostatic interactions to enhance the overall interaction between aromatic moieties. Each chapter investigates some aspect of this hypothetical synergy between electrostatics and π-face aromatic cohesion. The first chapter unveiled the importance of electrostatics in the intramolecular stacking of flexible aromatic molecular templates 1-2Br and 2a. While our previous studies found dicationic molecular template 1-2Br to have intramolecular π-stacking between electron poor pyridinium and electron rich xylylene moieties, no such stacking interaction was observed in the neutral analog 2a. Chapter two systematically explored the stacking pattern of electron poor aromatics in the form of oxygen- and / or nitrogen- substituted triangulenium cations, [1(NR)3]+ and [1(O)3(OH)3]+. As indicated in the chemical literature, triazatriangulenium cations [1(NR)3]+ with N- ethyl (and longer alkyl chains) chains were found to pack as face-to-face dimers. This study found the formation of columnar, face-to-face, n-meric association between aromatic cations in the structures with decreased steric interactions of the side chains in the stacking planes ([1(NMe)3]+ and [1(O)3(OH)3]+). Similar iso-structural triangulene based aromatic anions, (2)- and (3)2- didn’t indicate any facial interactions in the solid states. The possible synergy between unit charge electrostatics and π-face aromatic interactions was explored in aromatic ion pairs 1•2 of triangulene based aromatic cations and aromatic anions. This charge-assisted π-π stacking seems to be the novel way of getting strong π-system interactions where the strongest non-covalent force and the weakest non-covalent force: ionic bonding and π-stacking respectively synergize together. The π-π interaction between ionic aromatics in the solid state was investigated by means of single crystal x-ray diffraction and powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD). The interaction in the solution state was examined by UV-Vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) and electrochemical studies. Studies found that optimal synergy was possible only in the ion pairs with no steric interactions of alkyl (or aryl) side chains in the stacking planes (1(O)3•2 & 1(NMe)3•2) and the interaction was found to be comparable with the strongest radical-assisted π-stacking described in the chemical literature.

Micelas são agregados coloidais formados por moléculas anfifílicas i.e., moléculas com uma região hidrofóbica e uma porção hidrofílica (surfactantes). Efeitos específicos de íons (EEIs) são observados em micelas iônicas, uma vez que as propriedades físico-químicas de agregado micelares, como tamanho e geometria, dependem da natureza do contra-íon. Diferentes ânions inorgânicos produzem alterações modestas nas propriedades de agregados micelares catiônicos, mas ânions orgânicos podem induzir efeitos mais pronunciados, como transições de forma do agregado ou separações de fase. Em sistemas micelares, os EEIs podem estar relacionados a: (a) diferenças na localização dos ânions nas micelas; (b) diferenças na hidratação micellar e de íons; e (c) possível formação de pares iônicos entre surfactantes e contra-íons na interface micelar. Diversos modelos foram desenvolvidos para descrever a formação e estabilidade de agregados micelares, considerando diferentes termos energéticos que possivelmente contribuem para a formação/estabilidade de micelas. Contudo, os termos descritos acima (a - c) geralmente não são incluídos nos modelos micelares. Assim, não deve ser possível predizer as propriedades de micelas catiônicas, usando os modelos atuais, caso o contra-íon seja pequeno, desidratado e capaz de formar pares iônicos, como o ânion trifluorometilsulfonato (triflato, Tf). Tendo isso em vista, determinamos as propriedades micelares de triflato de dodeciltrimetilamônio (DTATf) e comparamos com micelas análogas formadas por brometo, cloreto e metanosulfonato, visando identificar diferenças estruturais das micelas e suas origens. Para determinação de propriedades micelares, utilizamos uma série de técnicas experimentais: fluorescência resolvida no tempo, espalhamento de raio-X de baixo ângulo, condutometria, cinética química, ressonâncias paramagnética eletrônica e magnética nuclear e espectroscopia de relaxação dielétrica, entre outras. Observamos que o agregado de DTATf possui uma estrutura discoidal altamente empacotada, ordenada e desidratada e estas propriedades foram reproduzidos em simulações de dinâmica molecular. A análise do conjunto de resultados obtidos para DTATf demonstrou que a formação de pares iônicos na interface micelar induz severas alterações nas propriedades micelares, como a desidratação dos agregados. Os dados obtidos com DTATf demonstram claramente que, para um modelo teórico de sistemas micelares ser capaz de predizer propriedades micelares de diferentes agregados, a possibilidade de formação de pares iônicos na interface micelar e as interações específicas entre contra-íons e surfactantes devem ser modeladas. Adicionalmente, devido aos resultados aqui reportados e analisando outros sistemas interfaciais, propomos um papel mais fundamental para a água (interfacial ou de hidratação) nas propriedades micelares / Micelles are colloidal aggregates formed by amphiphilic monomers i.e., molecules with a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic moiety (surfactants). Specific ion effects (SIEs) are observed in cationic micelles, because the physicochemical properties of the micellar aggregates, such as size and shape, depend on the nature of the counterion. Different inorganic counterions lead to small changes in micellar properties of cationic aggregates, but organic counterions can induce more pronounced effects, such as shape transitions of the aggregates or phase separation. In micellar systems, the SIEs can be related with: (a) differences in the location of anions in micelles; (b) differences in the hydration of micelles and ions; and (c) possible ion-pair formation between surfactants and counterions at the micellar interface. Several models have been developed to describe the formation and stability of micellar aggregates, considering different energy terms that possibly contribute to the formation/stability of micelles. However, the terms described above (a - c) are generally not included in micellar models. Thus, it should not be possible to predict the properties of cationic micelles, using the current models, if the counterion is small, dehydrated and capable of forming ion-pairs, such as the trifluoromethylsulfonate anion (triflate, Tf). In this context, we have determined the micellar properties of dodecyltrimethylammonium triflate (DTATf) micelles and we have compared the results with similar micelles formed by bromide, chloride and methanesulfonate, aiming to identify their structural differences and its origins. To determine the micellar properties, we have used several techniques: time resolved fluorescence, small angle X-ray scattering, conductometry, kinetic assays, electron paramagnetic and nuclear magnetic resonances and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, among others. We have observed that the DTATf aggregate presents a highly packed, ordered and dehydrated disk-like geometry and these properties were reproduced in molecular dynamics simulations. The analysis of the DTATf properties showed that the formation of ion-pairs at the micellar interface induces severe changes in micellar properties, such as micellar dehydration. The DTATf properties clearly demonstrate that for a theoretical model of micellar system to be accurate and general, the possibility of ion-pair formation at the micellar interface and the counterions-surfactant specific interactions must be modeled. Additionally, due to the results reported herein and by analyzing other systems, we suggest a more fundamental role of water (interfacial or hydrating water) in the micellar properties.

Micelas são agregados coloidais formados por moléculas anfifílicas i.e., moléculas com uma região hidrofóbica e uma porção hidrofílica (surfactantes). Efeitos específicos de íons (EEIs) são observados em micelas iônicas, uma vez que as propriedades físico-químicas de agregado micelares, como tamanho e geometria, dependem da natureza do contra-íon. Diferentes ânions inorgânicos produzem alterações modestas nas propriedades de agregados micelares catiônicos, mas ânions orgânicos podem induzir efeitos mais pronunciados, como transições de forma do agregado ou separações de fase. Em sistemas micelares, os EEIs podem estar relacionados a: (a) diferenças na localização dos ânions nas micelas; (b) diferenças na hidratação micellar e de íons; e (c) possível formação de pares iônicos entre surfactantes e contra-íons na interface micelar. Diversos modelos foram desenvolvidos para descrever a formação e estabilidade de agregados micelares, considerando diferentes termos energéticos que possivelmente contribuem para a formação/estabilidade de micelas. Contudo, os termos descritos acima (a - c) geralmente não são incluídos nos modelos micelares. Assim, não deve ser possível predizer as propriedades de micelas catiônicas, usando os modelos atuais, caso o contra-íon seja pequeno, desidratado e capaz de formar pares iônicos, como o ânion trifluorometilsulfonato (triflato, Tf). Tendo isso em vista, determinamos as propriedades micelares de triflato de dodeciltrimetilamônio (DTATf) e comparamos com micelas análogas formadas por brometo, cloreto e metanosulfonato, visando identificar diferenças estruturais das micelas e suas origens. Para determinação de propriedades micelares, utilizamos uma série de técnicas experimentais: fluorescência resolvida no tempo, espalhamento de raio-X de baixo ângulo, condutometria, cinética química, ressonâncias paramagnética eletrônica e magnética nuclear e espectroscopia de relaxação dielétrica, entre outras. Observamos que o agregado de DTATf possui uma estrutura discoidal altamente empacotada, ordenada e desidratada e estas propriedades foram reproduzidos em simulações de dinâmica molecular. A análise do conjunto de resultados obtidos para DTATf demonstrou que a formação de pares iônicos na interface micelar induz severas alterações nas propriedades micelares, como a desidratação dos agregados. Os dados obtidos com DTATf demonstram claramente que, para um modelo teórico de sistemas micelares ser capaz de predizer propriedades micelares de diferentes agregados, a possibilidade de formação de pares iônicos na interface micelar e as interações específicas entre contra-íons e surfactantes devem ser modeladas. Adicionalmente, devido aos resultados aqui reportados e analisando outros sistemas interfaciais, propomos um papel mais fundamental para a água (interfacial ou de hidratação) nas propriedades micelares / Micelles are colloidal aggregates formed by amphiphilic monomers i.e., molecules with a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic moiety (surfactants). Specific ion effects (SIEs) are observed in cationic micelles, because the physicochemical properties of the micellar aggregates, such as size and shape, depend on the nature of the counterion. Different inorganic counterions lead to small changes in micellar properties of cationic aggregates, but organic counterions can induce more pronounced effects, such as shape transitions of the aggregates or phase separation. In micellar systems, the SIEs can be related with: (a) differences in the location of anions in micelles; (b) differences in the hydration of micelles and ions; and (c) possible ion-pair formation between surfactants and counterions at the micellar interface. Several models have been developed to describe the formation and stability of micellar aggregates, considering different energy terms that possibly contribute to the formation/stability of micelles. However, the terms described above (a - c) are generally not included in micellar models. Thus, it should not be possible to predict the properties of cationic micelles, using the current models, if the counterion is small, dehydrated and capable of forming ion-pairs, such as the trifluoromethylsulfonate anion (triflate, Tf). In this context, we have determined the micellar properties of dodecyltrimethylammonium triflate (DTATf) micelles and we have compared the results with similar micelles formed by bromide, chloride and methanesulfonate, aiming to identify their structural differences and its origins. To determine the micellar properties, we have used several techniques: time resolved fluorescence, small angle X-ray scattering, conductometry, kinetic assays, electron paramagnetic and nuclear magnetic resonances and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, among others. We have observed that the DTATf aggregate presents a highly packed, ordered and dehydrated disk-like geometry and these properties were reproduced in molecular dynamics simulations. The analysis of the DTATf properties showed that the formation of ion-pairs at the micellar interface induces severe changes in micellar properties, such as micellar dehydration. The DTATf properties clearly demonstrate that for a theoretical model of micellar system to be accurate and general, the possibility of ion-pair formation at the micellar interface and the counterions-surfactant specific interactions must be modeled. Additionally, due to the results reported herein and by analyzing other systems, we suggest a more fundamental role of water (interfacial or hydrating water) in the micellar properties.

Os métodos computacionais da química quântica foram empregados para estudar as estruturas moleculares e as energias de interação de cátions e ânions que são componentes de alguns líquidos iônicos funcionalizados, derivados do imidazólio. O estudo teve como objetivo comparar e relacionar os efeitos da presença de funcionalização nos substituintes das posições 1 e 3 do cátion imidazólio, nas propriedades desses líquidos iônicos. Essa funcionalização pode ocorrer pela presença de insaturações, grupos aromáticos, éteres, álcoois, tióis, aminas, nitrilas entre outros grupos nas cadeias dos substituintes. Nesta tese são reportados os estudos dos complexos formados por ânions tetrafluorborato e cátions imidazólio substituídos por grupos metila, etila, propila, butila, isobutila, vinila, propargila, alila, crotila e metalila, observando assim o efeito da presença de substituintes contendo cadeias insaturadas em comparação com os de cadeias saturadas nas estruturas, distribuições de carga, energias de interação e propriedades físico-químicas desses sistemas. Nesses sistemas foram observados intensos efeitos de polarização e transferência de carga ânion-cátion. Foram encontradas diversas relações entre volumes iônicos, energias de interação dos íons e as propriedades de transporte dos respectivos líquidos iônicos. / The methods of computational quantum chemistry have been used to study the molecular structures and the interaction energies of cations and anions which are components of some functionalized ionic liquids derived from imidazolium. The objective of this study is comparing and relating the effects of the presence of functionalization of the side chains of the imidazolium with the properties of these ionic liquids. This functionalization can occur by the presence of unsaturated side chains, aromatic groups, ether, alcohols, thiols, amines, nitriles among other groups in the side chains. In this thesis are reported the studies of the complexes formed of tetrafluorborate anions and imidazolium cations with side chains methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, vinyl, propargyl, allyl, crotyl and methallyl, thus observing the effects of the presence of unsaturated side chains compared to saturated ones on the structures, charge distributions, interaction energies and physicochemical properties of these systems. It was observed in these systems strong effects of polarization and anion-cation charge transfer. It was found several relations between ionic volumes, interation energies of the ions and the transport properties of the respective ionic liquids.

Os métodos computacionais da química quântica foram empregados para estudar as estruturas moleculares e as energias de interação de cátions e ânions que são componentes de alguns líquidos iônicos funcionalizados, derivados do imidazólio. O estudo teve como objetivo comparar e relacionar os efeitos da presença de funcionalização nos substituintes das posições 1 e 3 do cátion imidazólio, nas propriedades desses líquidos iônicos. Essa funcionalização pode ocorrer pela presença de insaturações, grupos aromáticos, éteres, álcoois, tióis, aminas, nitrilas entre outros grupos nas cadeias dos substituintes. Nesta tese são reportados os estudos dos complexos formados por ânions tetrafluorborato e cátions imidazólio substituídos por grupos metila, etila, propila, butila, isobutila, vinila, propargila, alila, crotila e metalila, observando assim o efeito da presença de substituintes contendo cadeias insaturadas em comparação com os de cadeias saturadas nas estruturas, distribuições de carga, energias de interação e propriedades físico-químicas desses sistemas. Nesses sistemas foram observados intensos efeitos de polarização e transferência de carga ânion-cátion. Foram encontradas diversas relações entre volumes iônicos, energias de interação dos íons e as propriedades de transporte dos respectivos líquidos iônicos. / The methods of computational quantum chemistry have been used to study the molecular structures and the interaction energies of cations and anions which are components of some functionalized ionic liquids derived from imidazolium. The objective of this study is comparing and relating the effects of the presence of functionalization of the side chains of the imidazolium with the properties of these ionic liquids. This functionalization can occur by the presence of unsaturated side chains, aromatic groups, ether, alcohols, thiols, amines, nitriles among other groups in the side chains. In this thesis are reported the studies of the complexes formed of tetrafluorborate anions and imidazolium cations with side chains methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, vinyl, propargyl, allyl, crotyl and methallyl, thus observing the effects of the presence of unsaturated side chains compared to saturated ones on the structures, charge distributions, interaction energies and physicochemical properties of these systems. It was observed in these systems strong effects of polarization and anion-cation charge transfer. It was found several relations between ionic volumes, interation energies of the ions and the transport properties of the respective ionic liquids.