Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre du projet « NanoFret », financé par L’Agence Nationale de Recherche (ANR). Elle visait à développer de nouveaux complexes luminescents de lanthanides dans le but de les utiliser dans le diagnostic du choc septique. Le complexe idéal devait posséder une longueur d’onde d’excitation élevée, un temps de vie de luminescence long et une brillance élevée. Nos complexes devaient présenter un nombre important de groupements chromophoriques. Nous avons travaillé sur plusieurs types de ligands afin d’améliorer ces propriétés. La recherche sur les ligands dérivés du cyanophénol a permis d’obtenir un ligand qui est utilisé comme sensibilisateur des nanoparticules « ultra-brillantes ». Les ligands poly-picolinates sont des ligands très intéressants mais nécessite encore d’être perfectionnés afin d’obtenir la géométrie de complexation souhaitée. Les complexes des ligands benzyle-cyclène et pyridine-bispyrazole sont de bonnes plateformes pour la synthèse de complexes luminescents de lanthanides. Les perspectives de ces travaux concernent l’optimisation des chromophores afin d’atteindre des longueurs d’ondes d’excitation supérieures. / This work is part of the "NanoFret" project, funded by the “Agence National de Recherche” (ANR). It aimed to develop new luminescent lanthanide complexes for their use in the diagnosis of septic shock. The ideal complex should have a high excitation wavelength, a long luminescence lifetime and high brightness. The complexes should then present a significant number of chromophoric groups. We worked on several types of ligands to improve these properties. Research on derivatives of cyanophenol ligands allowed to get a ligand used as a sensitizer for "ultra-bright" Ln(III) nanoparticles. Poly-picolinates ligands are very interesting ligands but still needs to be improved in order to obtain the desired complexing geometry. Complexes of benzyl-cyclen ligands and pyridine-bispyrazole ligands are good platforms for the synthesis of luminescent lanthanide complexes. The perspectives of these works concern the optimization of chromophores to achieve higher excitation wavelengths.

Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre d’une collaboration entre Hong Kong Baptist University (Dr. Gary K-L Wong) et le Laboratoire d'Ingénierie Moléculaire Appliquée à l'Analyse (LIMAA - Dr. Loïc Charbonnière) financé par la région Alsace afin de synthétiser des nouvelles nanosondes pour la détection, l’imagerie et le traitement du cancer. Le premier travail a été de synthétiser des nouvelles nanoparticules ultrabrillantes hybrides. Elles ont été obtenues à partir d’un noyau La0.9Tb0.1F3 et recouvertes de différents ligands. Grâce au mécanisme d’effet d’antenne, la brillance des nanoparticules a été considérablement améliorée. Le deuxième travail a été de synthétiser un nouveau ligand pour photosensibiliser les nanoparticules La0.90Eu0.1F3 hydrosolubles afin d’améliorer l’émission de l’europium. Un second ligand et des nouvelles nanoparticules hétérométalliques ont été synthétisées dans le but de favoriser le transfert d’énergie des ions Tb(III) à la surface des NPs vers les ions Eu(III) dans le noyau des nanoparticules pour obtenir des temps de vie très longs et un rendement quantique exceptionnel en solution aqueuse. Le dernier travail a été de fonctionnaliser des nanoparticules de g-C3N4 (graphitic-carbon nitride) par des porphyrines. Les porphyrines ont été synthétisées pour générer de l’oxygène singulet (1O2), pour accueillir un ion Ga3+ dans sa cavité et deux espaceurs différents pour être couplés aux nanoparticules. Ce système a pour objectif d’être sensible au pH, être un agent théranostique pour l’imagerie TEP et la thérapie PDT. / This joint PhD program is part of a collaboration between Hong Kong Baptist University (Dr. Gary K-L Wong) and Laboratoire d'Ingénierie Moléculaire Appliquée à l'Analyse (LIMAA - Dr. Loïc Charbonnière) funded by the Alsace region to synthesize new nanoprobes for sensing, imaging, and inhibiting cancer diseases. The first work was to synthesize new hybrid ultrabright nanoparticles. They have been obtained from a La0.9Tb0.1F3 core and coated by different ligands. Thanks to a mechanism of antenna effect, the brightness of the nanoparticles has been significantly improved. The second work was to synthesize a new ligand to photosensitize water-soluble La0.90Eu0.1F3 nanoparticles in order to improve the emission of europium. A second ligand and new heterometallic nanoparticles have been synthesized with the aim to promote the energy transfer from Tb(III) ions on the surface of the NPs to Eu(III) ions in the core of the nanoparticles and to get a very long excited-state lifetime and an exceptional quantum yield in aqueous solution. The last work was to functionalize water-soluble graphitic-carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanoparticles by porphyrins. The porphyrins have been synthesized to generate singlet oxygen (1O2), to host a Ga3+ ion inside their cavity and with two different linkers to be coupled to nanoparticles. This system aims to be a pH sensor, and a PDT and PET theranostic agent.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Lanthanide (III) complexes are used extensively in solar conversion devices, such as Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs) and Luminescent Down-Shifting (LDS) for their peculiar characteristics of narrow band emission, avoidance of re-absorption losses due to large Stokes shift and possibility of high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). The study has looked into the synthesis of Ln (III) complexes of the general formula: [Ln(hfac)3DPEPO], where DPEPO = bis(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)ether oxide, and hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate. The work presented in this thesis focuses on the synthesis, and subsequent photophysical characterisation of these Ln(III) complexes, plus characterisation and spectroscopic study of [Tb(pobz)3(hacim)2], (where Hpobz = phenoxybenzoic acid, and Hacim = acetylacetone imine), yielding results that open new design of functional Ln(III) systems. Spectroscopic study of Chromium dioxalate and analogous compounds has revealed that with the appropriate design, Cr(III)Ln(III) energy transfer can be achieved, while study of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) such as coronene, enable to explore a ligand with better absorption in the whole UV region. These results open attractive perspectives for light-conversion systems, such as LSC devices.

Dans le but d’élucider la chimie de coordination et la structure des complexes formés avec des ligands organiques de la famille des sidérochélates, des études physico-chimiques sur la complexation du fer(III), de certains lanthanides(III) (La3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Ho3+, Lu3+) et de l’uranium(VI) ont été effectuées. La connaissance des propriétés de complexation sidérophore-actinide est une étape essentielle pour appréhender le comportement à long terme d'un sol contaminé par des radioéléments. Trois acides dihydroxamiques synthétisés au laboratoire ((LCyEt)2–, (LCyPr)2– et (LO)2–) mimant un sidérophore d’origine fongique, l’acide rhodotorulique, ont été évalués pour la chélation du fer(III) par des titrages potentiométriques éventuellement couplés à une détection spectrophotométrique en milieu KNO3 0,1 M. Ces mesures ont permis de confirmer la présence de complexes di- et trileptiques dans les conditions d’excès du ligand. Le modèle chimique comprend au total cinq espèces de formule [Fem(L)lHh](3–2l+h)+ : [Fe(L)]+, [Fe(L)(OH)], [Fe(L)(OH)2]–, [Fe(L)2H] et [Fe2(L)3]. Le traitement numérique des données spectrophotométriques collectées dans le visible nous a conduit à proposer le spectre électronique pour chacune des espèces identifiées. En outre, la spectroscopie de masse par ionisation électrospray (ESI-MS) a confirmé la formation des espèces mono- ([Fe(L)]+) et dileptiques ([Fe(L)2H]). L’étude potentiométrique du ligand dihydroxamique abiotique (LCyPr)2– en présence de sept lanthanides trivalents a permis de proposer un modèle chimique comprenant cinq espèces mono- et dileptiques ([Ln(LCyPr)]+, [Ln(LCyPr)H]2+, [Ln(LCyPr)2]−, [Ln(LCyPr)2H]) et une espèce monohydroxylée [Ln(LCyPr)OH] en milieu KNO3 0,1 M. Par ailleurs, les mesures potentiométriques et spectrophotométriques pour le système UO22+/(LCyPr)2– suggèrent la formation à l’équilibre de cinq complexes d’uranium(VI) entre p[H] 2 et 10. Le modèle comprend les complexes mono- et dileptiques suivants : [UO2(LCyPr)], [UO2(LCyPr)H]+, [UO2(LCyPr)OH]−, [UO2(LCyPr)2]2− et [UO2(LCyPr)2H]−. La combinaison de ces deux techniques nous a permis d’appréhender la spéciation de ce radionucléide en milieu KNO3 0,1 M et de proposer des schémas de coordination pour les différentes espèces mises en évidence / With the aim of elucidating the coordination chemistry and the structure of the complexes formed with organic ligands belonging to the family of siderochelates, physico-chemical studies of the complexation of iron(III), some lanthanides(III) (La3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Ho3+, Lu3+) and uranium(VI) have been performed. The knowledge of the properties of actinide-siderophore complexes is an essential step to assess long-term behavior of soils contaminated by actinides. Three dihydroxamic acids synthesized in our laboratory ((LCyEt)2–, (LCyPr)2– and (LO)2–) mimicking a fungal siderophore, rhodotorulic acid, have been evaluated with respect to iron(III) chelation by potentiometric and spectrophotometric titrations in 0,1 M KNO3. These measurements revealed the formation of di- and trileptic complexes in the presence of an excess of ligand. The chemical model includes five species of [Fem(L)lHh](3–2l+h)+ general formula : [Fe(L)]+, [Fe(L)(OH)], [Fe(L)(OH)2]–, [Fe(L)2H] and [Fe2(L)3]. The numerical treatment of the spectrophotometric data collected in the visible range, led us to propose the electronic absorption spectrum for each of the identified species. Moreover, electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) confirmed the formation of the mono- ([FeL]+) and dileptic ([FeL2H]) complexes. The potentiometric study of the abiotic dihydroxamic ligand (LCyPr)2– in the presence of seven trivalent lanthanides allowed us to propose a chemical model which includs five mono- and dileptic species ([Ln(LCyPr)]+, [Ln(LCyPr)H]2+, [Ln(LCyPr)OH], [Ln(LCyPr)2]–, [Ln(LCyPr)2H]) in 0,1 M KNO3. Finally, potentiometric and spectrophotometric measurements for the UO22+/(LCyPr)2– system suggested the formation at equilibrium to five of uranium(VI) complexes between p[H] = 2 and 10. The model includes the mono- and dileptic [UO2(LCyPr)], [UO2(LCyPr)H]+, [UO2(LCyPr)OH]–, [UO2(LCyPr)2]2–, [UO2(LCyPr)2H]– complexes. The combination of both techniques allowed us to assess the speciation of this radionuclide in KNO3 medium and to propose a coordination scheme for each complex

This thesis work deals with different aspects of the chemistry of La(III) and Gd(III) complexes, their interaction with DNA and proteins, photo-induced cleavage of double-stranded DNA, photocytotoxic effect on cancer cells, cell death mechanism and cellular localization behaviour. Chapter I gives an introduction to the metal-based anticancer agents with special emphasis on clinically used drugs and the growing field of lanthanide therapeutics. An overview of the current strategies of cancer treatment, especially photodynamic therapy (PDT), is presented. Mode of small molecule-DNA interactions and the mechanistic aspects associated with DNA photodamage reactions and PDT effect are discussed with selected examples of compounds that are known to photocleave DNA on exposure to light of different wavelengths. A brief discussion on the various therapeutic applications of the lanthanide compounds is also made. Chapter II presents the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding, BSA binding, photo-induced DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity of La(III) and Gd(III) complexes of phenanthroline bases to explore the UV-A light-induced DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity of the complexes. Chapter III describes the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding, photo-induced DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity of La(III) and Gd(III) complexes of phenanthroline bases with an aim to improve the design of the complexes to achieve better solution stability and DNA binding of the complexes. Chapter IV presents the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding, and UV-A light-induced DNA photocleavage activity and photocytotoxicity of La(III) and Gd(III) complexes of pyridyl phenanthroline bases with an objective to improve the photoactivity of the complexes by introducing an additional pyridyl group. Cell death mechanism and confocal microscopic studies are also carried out to gain more insight into the PDT effect caused by light in the presence of the complex. Chapter V describes the synthesis and characterization of La(III) and Gd(III) complexes of terpyridine bases and acetylacetonate to study the complexes as a new class of photosensitizers to explore their DNA photocleavage activity and photocytotoxicity in HeLa cells. Effect of attaching a glucose moiety to the acetyl acetone (Hacac) ligand has been studied. The cellular uptake behaviour of the La(III) pyrenyl-terpyridine complexes has also been investigated. Finally, Chapter VI presents the synthesis and characterization of curcumin and glycosylated curcumin La(III) and Gd(III) complexes having terpyridine base with an objective to study the photoactivated anticancer activity of the complexes in visible light. This chapter describes the visible light-induced DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity of the complexes by exploiting curcumin and glycosylated curcumin as the photosensitizer ligands. Study on the cellular uptake behavior of curcumin La(III) complexes having pyrenyl terpyridine ligand is also presented. The references have been assembled at the end of each chapter and indicated as superscript numbers in the text. The complexes presented in this thesis are represented by bold-faced numbers. Crystallographic data of the complexes which are characterized structurally by single crystal X-ray crystallography are provided in CIF format in the enclosed CD (Appendix-I). Due acknowledgements have been made wherever the work described is based on the findings of other investigators. Any unintentional omission that might have happened due to oversight or mistake is sincerely regretted.

Chapter 1: Functional and Responsive Supramolecular Gels In this chapter ‘supramolecular gels’ derived from small organic molecules with molecular mass of typically less than 2000 daltons are discussed. Representative examples of various low molecular weight gelators based on their natural availability and also divergent functionalities are mentioned (Scheme 1). Scheme 1 Advances in the recent years have been very rapid in the field of supramolecular chemistry of gels giving rise to ‘Tunable responsive gels’. Control of the gel property in a reversible fashion has been the highlight of responsive gels. A few of the gels which are responsive towards various stimuli such as pH, photoirradiation, cations, anions, neutral species have been discussed. Advances and scope of supramolecular gels in various applications have also been mentioned in detail with respective examples. Utilities of supramolecular gels in synthesis of nanostructures, in biology and medicine, enzyme recognition, catalysis etc are discussed. (Scheme 2). Chapter 2: Charge transfer triggered organogels of bis(bile acid)anthracene conjugates and 2,4.7-trinitrofluorenone. In this chapter the study involves the synthesis of a special class of anthracene based steroidal derivatives. The appending of two amphiphilic bile acid units imparts a unique hydrophobic/ hydrophilic balance on the chromophore. The 2,3-didecyloxyanthracene (DDOA) was reported to be a gelator of various organic solvents but none of the three bile acid derivatives of anthracene synthesized was a gelator on its own. It was also observed that dialkoxy (propyl, heptyl, decyl) derivatives of anthracene formed strong charge-transfer gels in the presence of 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone (TNF). The addition of electron deficient TNF to the steroidal derivatives of anthracene resulted in the gelation of some specific organic solvents. The driving force behind the gel formation resulted from the charge-transfer (CT) interaction between the electron rich anthracene and electron deficient fluorenone. Figure 1. Chemical structures of 2,3-bis(bile acid)anthracenes and TNF (centre), a scanning electronic microscopy image of xerogels prepared from bis(deoxycholyl)anthracene and TNF (left) and a photograph of the gel of bis(deoxycholyl)anthracene and TNF in n-octanol. Thermochromic property (during sol to gel phase transition), absorption and variable temperature fluorescence measurements supported CT interaction. Thermal stability studies and dynamic rheology experiments confirmed that CT gels were thermally most stable and mechanically stronger with equi-molar amounts of the two components. Stiffness values obtained from rheological experiments also suggested that the gels were viscoelastic solids. Chapter 3(A): Tb(III) sensitization in an organogel matrix: Selective luminescence quenching by an aromatic nitro derivative In this chapter the discovery of metallo organogel formation by mixing methanolic solutions of Tb(OAc)3 and sodium deoxycholate (NaDCh) has been explored. Sensitization of Tb3+ was observed by doping micromolar quantities of 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN). Mechanical properties of Tb3+-DCh gels were investigated by rheology at three different ratios of Tb3+ and DCh. It was observed that increasing in the Tb3+ to DCh ratio increased the mechanical property of the gels. Time delayed emission spectra were recorded with increasing concentration of DHN and luminescence increase was noticed in a linear fashion. Importance of gel matrix was demonstrated by measuring the Tb3+ luminescence at fixed concentration (5 mM) with/without DHN in the solution and gel media. Figure 2:: Schematic representation of Tb3+ sensitization by DHN. Photograph (right)) of the Tb3++-DCh (5/15 mM) gels with (a) 50 µM DHHN (b) No DHHN under UVV (365 nm). Sensitization by an electron rich chromophore created interest in us to dope relatively electron deficient compounds into the gel matrix for possible quenching off Tb3+-luminescence. Among the electron deficient analytes screened included 1,5-difluro-2,4-diinitrobenzenne (DFDNB)), 2,4 dinitrophenol (DNPPh), p-nitrobenzaldehydde (p-NB), 2,4,6-trinitrootoluene (TTNT) and 22,4,7¬trinitrofluuorenone (TTNF). Microscopy studies such as AFM, TEMM and SEMM revealed highly entangled fibrous network in the morphology of Tb3+--DCh xerogel. Solid state luminescence experiments suggested that sensiitization was observed in the xerogels and extent of sensitization was comparable to that of the gel state. Xerogel soaking studies inferred the strong adherence of the DHNN to the gel fibres. Chapter 3(B): Anion dependent structural, morphological and mechanical features of Ln(III)-Cholate gels In this chapter the counter anion influence on various aspects of hydrogels has been discussed. It has been reported from our laboratory that mixing of aqueous solutions of sodium cholate (15 mM) and various lanthanide acetates (5 mM) followed by sonication resulted in either transparent or transluscent gels. Unsurprisingly we found that aqueous solutions of lanthanide nitrates and lanthanide chlorides also formed hydrogels upon mixing with sodium cholate (Figure 33). Dried films of Tb3++-cholate and Eu3+-cholate gels prepared from their respective nitrate salts displayed birefringent structures under polarizing optical microscopy (POM). But no significant textures of any type were observed in the case of gels prepared from either chloride or acetate salts. Figure 3:: Photographs of the hydrogels prepared by mixing of aqueous solutions of various salts Tb33+ and Eu3+ with sodium cholate solutions. Scanning electron microscopic images exhibited fibrous structures for all the xerogels in the morphology. Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy measurements revealed helical morphology for xerogels prepared from nitrate salts where as flat tape-like cross linkage was observed for chloride or acetate based xerogels. Anion effect on mechanical properties was significant in the sense that gels prepared from acetate salts displayed highest mechanical strength followed by nitrate based gels which were stronger than that of chloride based gels. Titration of sodium cholate solution with various lanthanide salt solutions gave the direct evidence of thee pH variation as a function of the anions. Figure 4: TEM images of xerogels prepared from gels of nitrate salts of Tb3+ (left) and Eu3+ (right) Chapter 4: Design, synthesis a nd study of bile acid ‘click’ conjugates of perylene bisimides (PBIs) and naphthalene bisimides (NBIs) In this chapter the synthesis of novel bile acid derivatives of perylene and naphthalene bisimides is discussed. The ‘click’ chemistry procedure was used to link bile acid groups on to the chromophores. Azide derivatives of PBIs and NBIs were prepared inn 3 step methods which were coupled to propargyl esters of bile acids by following standard ‘click chemistry’ protocols to achieve the target molecules (Scheme 3). Scheme 3 The studies conducted mainly focused on Cholic acid (CA) conjugates of PBIs and NBIs. Steady state absorption and emission studies of CA conjugates were performed in 10% MeOH/DCM system. POM and fluorescence images showed red emissive aggregates in case of PBI films. TEM measurements revealed uniform aggregate sizes for both the films of PBI(CA)2 and NBI(CA)2. SEM and AFM (Fig 5) studies exhibited spherical aggregates of diameter around 100-200 nm for PBI(CA)2 films where as aggregates of diameter around 500-700 nm were observed for NBI(CA)2 films. Figure 5: AFM images and their corresponding height profiles of PBI films (left) and NBI films (right)

S'han sintetitzat derivats de BINOL (2,2'-dihidroxi-1,1'-binaftale) amb substitucio en C-3 i C-3' per grups dialquilaminometil anomenats, genericament, binaftolamines. S'ha evaluat la capacitat coordinant d'aquestes binaftolamines amb sals de lantanids (III) determinant que la combinacio de 3,3'-bis[(dietilamino)metil]-2,2'-dihidroxi-1,1'-binaftale (BINOLAM) i triflats de lantanids (III) condueix a la formacio de complexos quirals, d'estequiometria 3:1, amb simetria D3 i amb quiralitat predeterminada en el lantanid. Son especies estables al aire i emmagatzemables sense cap precaucio especial. Presenten una xarxa organitzada de centres acid de Lewis-acid de Bronsted-base de Bronsted (LABABB) de gran rellevancia per explicar la seva activitat catalitica. En dissolucio, son especies cineticament labils, estables en la majoria de dissolvents organics anhidres. S'ha estudiat la capacitat catalitica enantioselectiva dels complexos obtinguts en la reaccio nitroaldolica directa d'aldehids i α-trifluorometil cetones amb nitrometa obtenint els corresponents β-nitroaldols i α-trifluorometil nitroaldols terciaris amb rendiments quimics i enantioselectivitats de moderats a excel·lents. / Se han sintetizado derivados de BINOL (2,2'-dihidroxi-1,1'-binaftaleno) con sustitucion en C-3 y C-3' por grupos dialquilaminometil denominados, genericamente, binaftolaminas. Se ha evaluado la capacidad coordinante de estas binaftolaminas para con sales de lantanidos (III) determinando que la combinacion de 3,3'-bis[(dietilamino)metil]-2,2'-dihidroxi-1,1'-binaftaleno (BINOLAM) i triflatos de lantanidos (III) conducen a la formacion de complejos quirales, de estequiometria 3:1, con simetria D3 y con quiralidad predeterminada en el lantanido. Son especies estables al aire y almacenables sin ninguna precaucion especial. Presentan una red ordenada de centros acido de Lewis-acido de Bronsted-base de Bronsted (LABABB) de gran relevancia para explicar su actividad catalitica. En disolucion, son especies cineticamente labiles, estables en la mayoria de disolventes organicos anhidros. Se ha estudiado la capacidad catalitica enantioselectiva de los complejos obtenidos en la reaccion nitroaldolica directa de aldehidos y α-trifluorometil cetonas con nitrometano obteniendo los correspondientes β-nitroaldoles y α-trifluorometil nitroaldoles terciarios con rendimientos quimicos y enantioselectividades de moderados a excelentes. / We have synthesized BINOL (2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphtalene) derivatives having dialkylaminomethyl groups at C-3 and C-3' generically named binaphtolamines. We assessed the ability of these ligands to coordinate lanthanide (III) salts. We found that the combination of 3,3'-bis[(diethylamino)methyl]-2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphtalene (BINOLAM) with lanthanide (III) triflates led to the formation of chiral complexes characterized by having 3:1 stoichiometry, D3 symmetry and predetermined chirality on the lanthanide center. They are shelf stable species i.e., storable for months without any special precautions. They possess an arrayed network of Lewis acid-Bronsted acid-base Bronsted centres (LABABB) which is relevant to explain its catalytic activity. In solution, these species are kinetically labile and are stable in most anhydrous organic solvents. We have studied the ability of these complexes to work as enantioselective catalysts in the direct nitroaldol (Henry) reaction of aldehydes and α-trifluoromethyl ketones with nitromethane thereby giving rise to the corresponding β-nitroaldols and α-trifluoromethyl tertiary nitroaldols with moderate to high chemical yields and enantioselectivity.