High nutrient, low chlorophyll (HNLC) regions, where the availability of iron (Fe) limits primary production, comprise approximately 40% of the global ocean. Variability in Fe supply to these regions has the potential to impact Earth's climate by affecting the efficiency of the biological carbon pump, and thereby carbon dioxide uptake by the oceans. Characterizing Fe sources to HNLC regions is thus crucial for a better understanding of the connections and feedbacks between the ocean and climate change. This work addresses the question of Fe supply to two HNLC regions: the Southern Ocean and the subarctic northeast (NE) Pacific Ocean. In both regions, dissolved Fe (dFe) and the reduced form of iron, Fe(II), were measured in the water column. In the Southern Ocean, measurements were undertaken under the seasonal pack ice in the East Antarctic south of Australia. The results indicate that the sea ice represents a significant dFe source for the under-ice water column in spring, and that the Fe delivered from brine drainage and sea ice-melt likely contributes to the formation of the spring bloom at the ice edge. Shelf sediments were also found to supply dFe to the water column. Their effect was most pronounced near the shelf break and at depth, but offshore transport of Fe-enriched waters was also implicated. Fe(II) concentrations in spring were very low, most likely due to a lack of electron donors in the water column and limited solar radiation underneath the sea ice. Repeat measurements along a transect in the subarctic NE Pacific indicate that shelf sediments supply dFe and Fe(II) at depth, but their influence does not appear to extend offshore beyond several hundred kilometres. Episodic events such as the passage of sub-mesoscale eddies may transport subsurface waters a limited distance from the shelf break, supplying Fe(II) in a depth range where upwelling and deep mixing could bring it to the surface. Offshore, dFe shows little variability except in June 2012, where an aerosol deposition event is suspected to have increased dFe concentrations at depth. Fe(II) concentrations offshore are generally low, but show transient maxima at depth that likely result from remineralization processes in the oxygen deficient zone that stretches from ~600 to 1400 m depth in the subarctic NE Pacific. Elevated Fe(II) concentrations at depth were also observed in conjunction with the aerosol deposition event, which might indicate Fe(II) production associated with settling particles. However, the aerosol deposition event, which most likely stemmed from forest fires in Siberia, did not appear to trigger a phytoplankton bloom in surface waters, possibly due to a lack of Fe fertilization from the deposited material, or due to toxic effects on the resident phytoplankton community. Dust deposition from the atmosphere is considered a major Fe supply mechanism to remote HNLC regions, but the factors affecting Fe solubility of dust are poorly constrained. A laboratory experiment was conducted to test whether the presence of superoxide, a reactive oxygen species, enhances the dissolution of dust from different geographic source regions. The results indicate that superoxide may promote Fe solubilization from the dust sources tested, and that the effect of exposure to superoxide is on par with the Fe solubilizing effect of photochemical reactions. Given the possibility of widespread superoxide production by heterotrophic bacteria at all depths of the ocean, this finding suggests that significant Fe dissolution of dust particles could occur throughout the water column, not only in the well-lit surface layer. / Graduate / 0425 / 0996 / cschalle@uvic.ca

Uma das linhas mais tradicionais de trabalho na área da Química é a de formação de complexos. Em nossos laboratórios tal, estudo é realizado de modo sistemático, geralmente envolvendo pseudo-haletos e haletos com cátions de metais de transição. As intensas colorações produzidas pela maioria das reações de complexação, entre um pseudo-haleto e um metal, têm sido bastante exploradas espectrofotometricamente para a determinação individual ou a especiação do respectivo metal. A forte cor vermelha característica de complexos formados entre o ferro e o tiocianato é uma das maiores evidências da analogia existente entre os ligantes tiocianato e azoteto (N3-). A pouca sensibilidade dos complexos formados no sistema Fe3+/SCN-, em meio aquoso, dificulta a aplicação de métodos clássicos fotométricos mais rigorosos. Estudos feitos em nossos laboratórios, em presença de alguns solventes e usando ferro-II, têm mostrado uma rápida oxidação do metal, seguida por imediata complexação, o que vêm possibilitando novas estratégias para se determinar o total de ferro em uma amostra, bem como a sua especiação. Objetivando dar continuidade a linha de pesquisa, que envolve o estudo da oxidação do ferro-II, vários parâmetros que afetam a velocidade de oxidação neste sistema reacional, assim como: acidez, concentração de ligante, temperatura e presença de solvente orgânico, foram cuidadosamente verificados. Reunindo as condições ideais necessárias para o estudo de complexação utilizando íons ferrosos, sendo elas: C H+ = 30 mmolL-1 C SCN- = 250 mmolL-1 CAcetona = 70 % (v/v) T = 25ºC &#955;máx = 480nm tempo de espera = 7 minutos Após a sondagem espectrofotométrica do sistema, foram realizados estudos de calibração, de estabilidade, de precisão e de possíveis interferentes. A curva analítica espectrofotométrica, para a determinação de ferro total, obedece à lei de Beer (r = 0,9993), mostrando a potencialidade de aproveitamento analítico desse sistema. O valor da absortividade molar média (e) determinado foi da ordem de 2,10.104 mol-1. L.cm-1. A faixa ideal de trabalho para a determinação de ferro é de 1 a 8 ppm. Comprovou-se uma boa precisão, bem como uma constância de leituras ótima para fins analíticos. Apenas as espécies NO2-, S2032-, C2042-, HPO42-, H2PO4-, Co2+ e Cu2+ mostraram interferência significativas (Er > 5 %) no método proposto. Concluindo a aplicação analítica do método, foi realizada determinação de ferro em produtos farmacêuticos e rochas naturais. Estudos comparativos dos resultados foram feitos utilizando também a absorção atômica como medidas paralelas. Na análise dessas amostras, o estudo comparativo entre a espectrofotometria e a absorção atômica apresentou resultados concordantes, não mostrando nenhuma interferência, visto que os erros percentuais obtidos acharem-se dentro do limite analítico comumente aceitável (< 5%). Os resultados obtidos mostraram a viabilidade e potencialidade do método espectrofotométrico proposto, como um método analítico alternativo para a determinação do ferro de maneira simples, precisa e exata. / One of the most traditional lines of work in the Chemistry is about the complex formation. In our laboratories this study is accomplished under a systematic way, principally involving pseudohalide and halide ligands with cations of transition metals. The intense color produced by the reactions among the pseudohalide ligands and metal have been so much explored by spectrophotometic analises. The strong red color characteristic of compounds formed between iron(III) and thiocyanate ions is one of the largest evidences of the analogy existent between the thiocyanate and azide(N3-) ligands. Studies done in our laboratories in the presence of some solvents and using iron-II ion have showed a fast oxidation of this metal followed by immediate reaction between the pseudohalide ligand and the metal. The possibilities of new methods for determination of the total amount of iron in a sample, as well as its speciation, have been analysed. During the study of the oxidation of the iron-II, several parameters that affect the oxidation speed in this system like: acidity, ligands concentration, temperature and presence of organic solvent, were verified carefully. This way, the recommended experimental conditions for a rapid oxidation and utilizing this system (determination of total iron) are: C H+= 30 mmolL-1 C SCN-= 250 mmolL-1 CAcetone = 70 % (v/v) T = 25ºC &#955;máx = 480nm waiting time = 7 minutes Calibration, stability, precision and diverse ions effect studies could be done using absorbances values for the ferric complexes that are measured at 480 nm. The analytical curve for the total iron determination, obeys the Beer law (r = 0,9993), showing potentiality for the analytical use of this system. The value of the average molar absortivity is 2,10.104 mol-1.L.cm-1. The ideal range of work for the determination of iron is from 1 to 8 ppm. A good precision was verified by suitable studies. About diverse ion effects, just the species NO2-, S2032-, C2042-, HPO42-, H2PO4-, Co2+ and Cu2+ showed some interference on determination in the proposed method. Concluding the analytical application of present method, determination of iron was tested in pharmaceutical product and natural rocks. Comparative studies of the results were made also using the atomic absorption as parallel measures. In these analysis samples, the comparative study between the spectrophotometric and atomic absorption presented concordant results, not evidencing significant interferences (errors commonly acceptable, <5%). The obtained results showed the viability and potentiality of the proposed method, as an alternative analytical manner for the determination of the metal with precision and exactness.

In chapter 1 the principles behind circular dichroism spectroscopy and exciton coupled circular dichroism spectroscopy are outlined, and examples are cited that illustrate the utility of these methods in the determination of absolute configuration and ee of chiral amines. This provides background and context for this thesis, which mostly pertains to the sensing of chirality in amines. An exciton coupled circular dichroism method based on the induction of helical chirality in an organometallic host for sensing chiral amines is presented in chapter 2. The method can be used to determine absolute configuration by relating the sign of the first Cotton effect of the host-amine complex to the handedness of the amine. Analysis of the primary circular dichroism optical data is by principal component analysis allows for differentiation of the analytes based on their idendity and handedness. A novel circular dichroism method for detecting chiral amines is discussed in chapter 3. The method uses a highly efficient derivatization method to convert the primary amine into a bidentate imine. Three equivalents of the imine are then assembled together by coordination to Fe(II). The proximity and chiral orientation of the imines leads to exciton coupled circular dichroism, which is of utility in the determination of absolute configuration. Additionally, there is a metal-to-ligand charge transfer band in the visible region that can be used to develop calibration curves, which allow for the determination of the enantiomeric excess of unknown samples with an absolute error of ±5%. Chapter 4 details another imine based circular dichroism method for chiral amines. The method uses a commercially available aldehyde, Fe(II), and circular dichroism spectrometry to sense chirality in amines. It is shown that the circular dichroism signals in the ultraviolet spectrum vary predictably with the handedness of the chiral amine, which has potential applications in the determination of absolute configuration. By developing calibraton curves, signals in the visible spectrum can be used to determine enantiomeric excess with an absolute error of ±6%. Analyzing the primary circular dichroism optical data with linear discriminant analysis allows for differentiation between amines based on their identity and handedness. Finally, chapter 5 illustrates the potential of using the thermodynamic parameters of partitioning between water and octanol as a predictive tool for estimating the contributions of hydrophobicity to host-guest binding events. This is done by showing a relationship between the thermodynamics of partitioning and thermodynamics of hydrophobic binding events for a series of guests and cyclodextrin. A plot of the thermodynamic parameters of binding of a variety of guests to cyclodextrin as a function of the thermodynamic parameters of partitioning between water and octanol shows a linear relationship for a series of alcohols. / text

Uma das linhas mais tradicionais de trabalho na área da Química é a de formação de complexos. Em nossos laboratórios tal, estudo é realizado de modo sistemático, geralmente envolvendo pseudo-haletos e haletos com cátions de metais de transição. As intensas colorações produzidas pela maioria das reações de complexação, entre um pseudo-haleto e um metal, têm sido bastante exploradas espectrofotometricamente para a determinação individual ou a especiação do respectivo metal. A forte cor vermelha característica de complexos formados entre o ferro e o tiocianato é uma das maiores evidências da analogia existente entre os ligantes tiocianato e azoteto (N3-). A pouca sensibilidade dos complexos formados no sistema Fe3+/SCN-, em meio aquoso, dificulta a aplicação de métodos clássicos fotométricos mais rigorosos. Estudos feitos em nossos laboratórios, em presença de alguns solventes e usando ferro-II, têm mostrado uma rápida oxidação do metal, seguida por imediata complexação, o que vêm possibilitando novas estratégias para se determinar o total de ferro em uma amostra, bem como a sua especiação. Objetivando dar continuidade a linha de pesquisa, que envolve o estudo da oxidação do ferro-II, vários parâmetros que afetam a velocidade de oxidação neste sistema reacional, assim como: acidez, concentração de ligante, temperatura e presença de solvente orgânico, foram cuidadosamente verificados. Reunindo as condições ideais necessárias para o estudo de complexação utilizando íons ferrosos, sendo elas: C H+ = 30 mmolL-1 C SCN- = 250 mmolL-1 CAcetona = 70 % (v/v) T = 25ºC &#955;máx = 480nm tempo de espera = 7 minutos Após a sondagem espectrofotométrica do sistema, foram realizados estudos de calibração, de estabilidade, de precisão e de possíveis interferentes. A curva analítica espectrofotométrica, para a determinação de ferro total, obedece à lei de Beer (r = 0,9993), mostrando a potencialidade de aproveitamento analítico desse sistema. O valor da absortividade molar média (e) determinado foi da ordem de 2,10.104 mol-1. L.cm-1. A faixa ideal de trabalho para a determinação de ferro é de 1 a 8 ppm. Comprovou-se uma boa precisão, bem como uma constância de leituras ótima para fins analíticos. Apenas as espécies NO2-, S2032-, C2042-, HPO42-, H2PO4-, Co2+ e Cu2+ mostraram interferência significativas (Er > 5 %) no método proposto. Concluindo a aplicação analítica do método, foi realizada determinação de ferro em produtos farmacêuticos e rochas naturais. Estudos comparativos dos resultados foram feitos utilizando também a absorção atômica como medidas paralelas. Na análise dessas amostras, o estudo comparativo entre a espectrofotometria e a absorção atômica apresentou resultados concordantes, não mostrando nenhuma interferência, visto que os erros percentuais obtidos acharem-se dentro do limite analítico comumente aceitável (< 5%). Os resultados obtidos mostraram a viabilidade e potencialidade do método espectrofotométrico proposto, como um método analítico alternativo para a determinação do ferro de maneira simples, precisa e exata. / One of the most traditional lines of work in the Chemistry is about the complex formation. In our laboratories this study is accomplished under a systematic way, principally involving pseudohalide and halide ligands with cations of transition metals. The intense color produced by the reactions among the pseudohalide ligands and metal have been so much explored by spectrophotometic analises. The strong red color characteristic of compounds formed between iron(III) and thiocyanate ions is one of the largest evidences of the analogy existent between the thiocyanate and azide(N3-) ligands. Studies done in our laboratories in the presence of some solvents and using iron-II ion have showed a fast oxidation of this metal followed by immediate reaction between the pseudohalide ligand and the metal. The possibilities of new methods for determination of the total amount of iron in a sample, as well as its speciation, have been analysed. During the study of the oxidation of the iron-II, several parameters that affect the oxidation speed in this system like: acidity, ligands concentration, temperature and presence of organic solvent, were verified carefully. This way, the recommended experimental conditions for a rapid oxidation and utilizing this system (determination of total iron) are: C H+= 30 mmolL-1 C SCN-= 250 mmolL-1 CAcetone = 70 % (v/v) T = 25ºC &#955;máx = 480nm waiting time = 7 minutes Calibration, stability, precision and diverse ions effect studies could be done using absorbances values for the ferric complexes that are measured at 480 nm. The analytical curve for the total iron determination, obeys the Beer law (r = 0,9993), showing potentiality for the analytical use of this system. The value of the average molar absortivity is 2,10.104 mol-1.L.cm-1. The ideal range of work for the determination of iron is from 1 to 8 ppm. A good precision was verified by suitable studies. About diverse ion effects, just the species NO2-, S2032-, C2042-, HPO42-, H2PO4-, Co2+ and Cu2+ showed some interference on determination in the proposed method. Concluding the analytical application of present method, determination of iron was tested in pharmaceutical product and natural rocks. Comparative studies of the results were made also using the atomic absorption as parallel measures. In these analysis samples, the comparative study between the spectrophotometric and atomic absorption presented concordant results, not evidencing significant interferences (errors commonly acceptable, <5%). The obtained results showed the viability and potentiality of the proposed method, as an alternative analytical manner for the determination of the metal with precision and exactness.

The 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad is a common metal binding motif among nonheme iron(II) enzymes. Made up of two histidine side chain residues, and one carboxylate side chain of either a glutamate or aspartate residue occupying one face of the iron(II) octahedral coordinating sphere, the 2-His-1-carboxylate motif provides proximity of substrate(s) and molecular oxygen for important oxidation reactions in biological chemistry. Computational, structural, and kinetic analyses have afforded mechanistic details on how these enzymes control the oxidation reactions they catalyze; from the oxidation state of the metal center to the supporting interactions from secondary sphere amino acid residues. However, the extensive literature on the 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad enzymes currently contains deficiencies in the area of fundamental, experimental thermodynamic analyses of metal and substrate binding in these systems. The focus of this study is to determine the energetics of substrate and metal binding to two representative enzymes of the 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad-containing family. More specifically, we examine iron(II) binding to the alpha-ketoglutarate- dependent model system alpha-ketoglutarate/taurine dioxygenase, and substrate binding to a well-known extradiol dioxygenase, homoprotocatechuate 2,3-dioxygenase. Using isothermal titration calorimetry, we are able to determine equilibrium constants, enthalpies, entropies and Gibbs free energies for the binding reactions, affording new insight into what drives the reactions forward at the 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad active site center.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-06-30Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:47:17Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 martins_m_dr_bauru.pdf: 1151636 bytes, checksum: 37b25c1a259654f1cc700b01d884bb8d (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O óxido nítrico (NO) é um radical livre conhecido por desempenhar importantes funções fisiológicas, sendo associado, entre outros processos, ao fator de relaxamento da musculatura lisa vascular, importante para a regulagem da pressão sanguínea. Para a determinação dos mecanismos através do qual o NO influencia e controla os processos fisiológicos, é de fundamental importância o desenvolvimento de sensores que possibilitem a sua determinação quantitativa. Neste trabalho, foram obtidos e caracterizados sensores sólidos para NO através de duas maneiras: 1 - Enquadramento do complexo ferro(II)-dietilditiocarbamato (FeDETC) na matriz híbrida de siloxano-poli(oxipropileno) (PPO) utilizando um método sol-gel modificado. 2 - Formação de um complexo de inclusão do FeDETC com cucurbit[n]urilas. A detecção de N0, nesses sensores, se dá através de Espectroscopia de Ressonância Paramagnética Eletrônica, baseada na formação de um complexo paramagnético estável ferro(II)-DETC-NO, o qual exibe três linhas características no espectro de RPE(gef=2,04). Os sendores apresentaram bom desempenho. O sensor baseado em PPO, apresentou sensibilidade de 2,5x108 μM-1, com faixa de trabalho entre 100 nM e 1 mM. O sensor CB[6]FeDETC apresentou o limite de detecção de 2,9 nM, limite de quantificação de 16 nM. A faixa de trabalho desse sensor é de 1,37x1015 spings/g a 1x1019 spins/g. Esses resultados são comparáveis aos melhores sensores divulgados na literatura / The nitrogen monoxide (NO) is a free radical known to play important physiological roles, being associated with, among other processes, the relaxation factor of vascular smooth muscles, important for the regulation of blood pressure. To determine the mechanisms by which NO influences and controls the physiological processess is of fundamental importance the development of sensors that allow quantitative determination of NO. In this work, solid-state sensors for NO were obtained by two ways: 1 - Encapsulation of the complex iron (II)-diethyldithiocarbamate (FeDETC) in the hybrid matrix of siloxane-poly (oxipropilene) (PPO) using a modified sol-gel method. 2 - Formation of an inclusion complex with the FeDETC cucurbit[n]uril. The detection of NO in these sensors, is performed by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, based on the formation of a stable paramagnetic complex iron[II]-DETC-NO, which displays three eharacteristic lines in the EPR spectrum (gef=2,04). The sensors showed good performeance. The PPO based sensor showed a sensitivity of 2.5x108 μM-1, a working range between 100 nM and 1 mM. The sensor CB[6]/FeDETC showed the detection limit of 2.9 nM, quantification limit of 16 nM. The working range of this sensor is between 1.37x1015 spins/g and 1x1019 spins/g. These results are comparable to the best sensors reported in the literature

A química dos complexos de bis(ter-iminas) de ferro(II) contendo os ligantes tridentados fenilterpiridina (phtpy), piridilterpiridina (pytpy), fenilterpirazina (phtpz) e piridilterpirazina (pytpz) foi tratada nesta Tese. Os complexos exibem configuração de spin baixo, exibindo coloração violeta intensa decorrentes de transições de transferência de carga do ferro(II) para a ter-imina, d&#960; &#8722; p&#960;*. Suas configurações lineares rígidas mostram-se adequadas para a realização de montagens supramoleculares com íons de metais de transição, explorando a ligação entre os grupos piridina e pirazina, e este aspecto distinto foi especialmente focado neste trabalho. A química sintética dos ligantes, obtidos a partir do método de Kröhnke modicado, e dos complexos bis-substituídos foi aqui elaborada com excelentes resultados. A caracterização dos ligantes e dos complexos foi realizada a partir de análises de CHN, espectroscopia eletrônica, RMN e Raman, espectrometria de massas e voltametria cíclica. Os estudos teóricos foram realizados utilizando métodos semi-empíricos ZINDO/S. Todos os complexos exibem forte efeito Raman ressonante associado ao cromóforo ferro(II)ter-imínico. Os grupos piridil e pirazil (L) podem ser protonados em soluções fortemente ácidas, e também podem atuar como ligantes pontes formando uma série de sucessivos complexos de bi à heptanucleares, com o íon pentacianidoferrato(II). Tais complexos exibem novas bandas de transferência de carga no visível, refletindo as propriedades eletrônicas do cromóforo periférico {FeII(CN)5L}. Seus espectros de Raman ressonante foram investigados em comparação com os complexos mononucleares correspondentes. Na presença de íons de metais de transição, Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) e Fe(III), os complexos supra-moleculares de pentacianidoferrato(II) formam uma série de compostos análogos ao Azul da Prússia, produzindo filmes moleculares de grande interesse como novos materiais poliméricos e eletrocatalíticos. / The chemistry of bis(ter-imine)iron(II) complexes containing the phenylterpyridine (phtpy), pyridylterpyridine (pytpy), phenylterpyrazine (phtpz) and pyridylterpyrazine (pytpz) tridentate ligands is dealt with in this Thesis. The complexes exhibit low spin configuration, displaying strong red-violet colors arising from iron(II) to ter-imine, d&#960; &#8722; p&#960;* charge-transfer transitions. Their rigid linear configurations proved suitable for performing supramolecular assemblies with transition metal ions, by exploring the bridging pyridine and pyrazine moieties, and this distinct aspect has been specially focused on this work. The synthetic chemistry of the ligands, obtained from the Kröhnke method, and of the bis-substituted complexes was here elaborated with excellent results. Characterization of the ligands and complexes was carried out based on CHN analyses, electronic, NMR and Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Theoretical studies were carried out using ZINDO/S semiempirical methods. All the complexes exhibit strong resonance Raman effect associated with the iron(II) ter-imine chromophore. The pyridyl and pyrazyl groups (L) can be protonated in strongly acidic solutions, and can also act as bridging ligands forming a series of successive, bi-to-heptanuclear complexes with the pentacyanidoferrate(II) ion. Such complexes display new charge-transfer bands in the visible, reflecting the electronic properties of the {FeII(CN)5L} peripheral chromophore. Their resonance Raman spectra have been investigated in comparison with the corresponding mononuclear complexes. In the presence of transition metal ions, Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III) ions, the pentacyanidoferrate(II)-supramolecular complexes form a series of Prussian blue type of compounds, yielding molecular films of great interest as new conducting polymeric and electrocatalytic materials.

Ce travail de thèse décrit la formulation d'hydrogels de polygalacturonate (polyGal) réticulés par les cations Fe2+, ainsi que leur caractérisation expérimentale depuis les échelles moléculaires jusqu'aux échelles macroscopiques, en utilisant notamment la spectroscopie d'absorption X (EXAFS), la diffusion de neutrons aux petits angles (DNPA) ainsi que des mesures de rhéologie. Nous avons élaboré un protocole de gélification robuste permettant d'obtenir des gels cylindriques reproductibles qui présentent des gradients de concentrations contrôlés depuis leur partie basale jusqu'à leur partie apicale. Le rapport R = [Fe]/[Gal] a une valeur constante de 0,25 tout au long du gel, ce qui prouve que les cations Fe2+ s'associent avec 4 unités galacturonate. La confrontation des résultats d’EXAFS et de dynamique moléculaire a démontré que ces associations se font via le modèle ''egg-box''. Les mécanismes de réticulation qui contrôlent la structure du réseau formée par les chaînes aux échelles locales sont donc les mêmes dans l'ensemble du gel, ce qui est confirmé par les mesures de DNPA. La formation des gradients de concentration macroscopiques provient des mécanismes de diffusion des cations à travers le gel lors de sa formation. Ces gradients de concentration contrôlent les propriétés mécaniques des gels. En outre, nous avons prouvé que le mode d'association "egg-box" permettait la protection des ions Fe2+ contre l'oxydation, ce qui confère à ces hydrogels un potentiel applicatif pour soigner l'anémie car ils pourraient permettre la vectorisation du fer sous cette forme réduite biodisponible jusqu’à l’intestin.Nous avons étendu notre étude à la formulation d'hydrogels avec d'autres cations (Ca2+ et Zn2+). Ces hydrogels présentent des propriétés macroscopiques proches de celles des hydrogels Fe2+-polyGal car les mécanismes de diffusion des cations régissant la formation des gradients macroscopiques lors de la formation des gels sont similaires. Les hydrogels présentent cependant des structures locales différentes car les modes d'associations locaux varient d"un cation à l’autre. L’ensemble de ces résultats nous a permis de proposer un mécanisme généralisé permettant de décrire les mécanismes de formation d"hydrogels de polygalacturonate pour les cations divalents, et ainsi de moduler finement leur structure sur plusieurs échelles. Ces hydrogels pourraient donc être des outils de choix pour la vectorisation de molécules actives et le contrôle de leur relargage. / This pHD thesis describes the design of polygalacturonate hydrogels (polyGal) cross-linked by the Fe2+ cations, and their experimental characterization from the molecular scales up to the macroscopic scales, by combining EXAFS spectroscopy, Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and rheological measurements. We designed a robust gelling protocol that allowed to obtain reproducible cylindrical gels with controlled concentration gradients from the lower side to the upper side of the gel. The ratio [Fe]/[Gal] has a constant value all along the gel, which demonstrate that the Fe2+ cations are associated with 4 galacturonate units. The comparison of EXAFS measurements and molecular dynamics simulation has shown that these associations followed the "egg-box" model. The crosslinking mechanisms that control the structure of the network made by the chains at local scale is therefore the same throughout the whole gel, which is confirmed by SANS measurements. The formation of the macroscopic concentration gradients comes from the mechanisms that drive the cations diffusion through the gel during the gelation process. These gradients control the gels mechanical properties. Besides, we proved that the “egg-box" association enables to protect Fe2+ against oxidation, which gives to these hydrogels an applicative potential to cure anemia as they could allow to target iron under its bioavailable form up to the gut.We have extended the study to the design of hydrogels with other cations (Ca2+ et Zn2+). The macroscopic properties of these hydrogels are very close to that of the Fe2+-polyGal hydrogels because the cation diffusion that govern the formation of macroscopic gradients during the gelationg process are similar. The hydrogels have however different local structures because the cation- polyGal local association varies from one cation to another. All these results allowed us to propose a generalized mechanism that describes the polygalacturonate hydrogels formation for divalent cations, and thus to tune their structure over several scales. These hydrogels could therefore be some promising tools for the vectorization of active molecules and the control of their release.

New evidence shows iron(II) oxidation is strongly coupled to nitrate reduction under anaerobic conditions in freshwater sediments and agricultural soils. However, the contribution of iron(II) oxidation to nitrate reduction is unknown. Furthermore, oxidation of manganese(II) by nitrate has been largely overlooked. This study investigated nitrate-dependent iron(II) and manganese(II) oxidation in an agricultural soil (Sadler silt loam) using stirred-batch kinetic techniques with native soil organic carbon (SOC) as the electron donor and included addition of amendments (hydrogen gas and wheat residue). In the presence of native SOC, nitrate-dependent Fe(II) and Mn(II) oxidation occurred at early stages of the reaction while organic carbon participated at longer times. Contributions of iron(II) and manganese(II) oxidation to nitrate reduction were 19% and 25%, respectively. This is significant in light of excess SOC relative to total Fe and Mn in the Sadler soil. Addition of hydrogen gas lowered the contribution of iron(II) oxidation to nitrate reduction to 10%, while addition of plant residue raised this value to approximately 55%. Manganese(II) oxidation contributed 50% to nitrate reduction under hydrogen amended conditions. These coupled processes involving Fe(II) and Mn(II) oxidation are an underappreciated aspect of the nitrogen cycle and merit consideration in future studies.

This work concerns the development and characterization of molecular probes that respond to a chemical analyte in a liquid sample by turning from a diamagnetic to a paramagnetic state (off-on mode).With the aim of designing these tools, we focused on iron(II) chelates of bicyclic bispidines as they promised, among others, sufficient probe stability, even in competitive media like water. This manuscript describes new robust synthetic protocols for their large-scale preparation. Synthesized bispidine-iron(II) complexes were thoroughly characterized in solution (1D/2D NMR, MS, UV-Vis, CV) and in the solid state (X-ray and SQUID). In particular, I report here the first diamagnetic, low spin examples thereof, as well as pairs of structurally related diamagnetic-paramagnetic chelates. It now enables the design of responsive probes for various (bio)-chemical targets (including enzyme biomarkers), accessible by one-step functionalization of a key synthetic intermediate with suitable trigger moieties. The first two such probes are described herein, which respond to the presence of a particular kind of anion or a change in the pH.In addition in the course of my work, the unprecedented radioactive iron(II) (Fe-59 isotope) complex of a model water-insoluble ligand was prepared and used in an initial biodistribution study in mice. This original protocol can now be directly adapted to virtually all iron(II)-based probe candidates. Furthermore, the relaxivity data obtained for model MRI-silent and MRI-active chelates, in conjunction with the in vivo behavior of the active form in mice, bode well for a creation of an MRI probe functioning in a true off-on mode.Methodologies and molecular designs described herein enable the development of solution-operating magnetogenic molecular probes, which until now have not been synthesized. The availability of such tools would open up numerous perspectives for technological, environmental and biomedical applications.