A terapia de quelação tem sido descrita na literatura como uma ferramenta importante no combate de processos neurodegenerativos como a doença de Alzheimer (AD). Esta doença é caracterizada pela agregação de peptídeos β-amiloides, formando fibrilas, que parece ser induzida ou facilitada em presença de íons metálicos como Cu2+, Zn2+ ou Fe3+. Vários compostos já foram testados e descritos como ligantes competitivos para coordenar e retirar estes íons dos agregados proteicos em condições patológicas, na chamada hipótese da cascata amiloide. O presente projeto visou investigar a reatividade de ligantes imínicos, derivados de oxindóis, na quelação de cobre(II) e zinco(II), numa tentativa de inibir ou evitar a formação de agregados relacionados à AD. Foram sintetizados seis compostos imínicos, sendo duas hidrazonas inéditas: isahim e isahpy e quatro bases de Schiff: isapn, misapn, isaen e misaen, as três últimas também inéditas. Os compostos foram caracterizados por espectroscopia FTIR, RMN, UV/VIS e por análise elementar CHN e espectrometria de massas ESI-MS/MS. Os valores das constantes de estabilidade (log β 2,7 - 5,1) para a formação dos complexos [ML]2+ e do aduto [(Aβ1-16)2•isahim] em solução aquosa foram determinadas por espectroscopia UV/VIS. As formas de interação dos compostos isapn, misapn e isahim com o peptídeo Aβ1-16 foram analisadas por espectroscopia 1H RMN, observando-se uma forte interação com as histidinas His6, His13 e His14 e com os carboxilatos do peptídeo. A eficácia dos ligantes foi testada frente ao processo de inibição da agregação do peptídeo Aβ1-40 na presença e ausência de íons Cu2+ ou Zn2+ por turbidimetria. Estudos de docking e dinâmica molecular suportam que a interação dos ligantes imínicos com o peptídeo Aβ1-16 ocorre nos mesmos sítios de coordenação dos íons metálicos. Os resultados indicam que os compostos aqui estudados podem atuar como eficientes inibidores de agregação dos peptídeos amiloides implicados na AD. / Chelation therapy has been considered in the literature an important tool in neurodegenerative processes like Alzheimer disease (AD). This disease is characterized by aggregation of β-amyloid peptides that seems to be improved in the presence of metal ions, particularly copper, zinc and iron. Several compounds have been tested and reported as competitive ligands to withdrawal these metal ions from protein aggregates in pathologic conditions, in the \"amyloid cascade hypothesis\". The present project aims to investigate the reactivity of imine ligands, particularly those derived from oxindoles, in the chelation of copper(II) and zinc(II) ions trying to inhibit or avoid aggregate formation related to AD. Six iminic compounds were synthesized, being two of them hydrazones: isahim and isahpy and four Schiff bases: isapn, misapn, isaen, and misaen. The compounds were characterized by spectroscopic analysis (FTIR, NMR, UV/VIS), elemental analysis CHN and mass spectrometry ESI-MS/MS. The corresponding stability constants (log β 2,7-5,1) for each complex formation [ML]2+ as well as for the adduct [(Aβ1-16)2•isahim] in aqueous solution were determined by UV/VIS spectroscopy. Interactions of compounds isapn, misapn and isahim with the Aβ1-16 peptide were detected and analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy, indicating a strong interaction among the compounds and the histidines His6, His13 e His14 as well as the carboxylate residues in the peptides. The ligands efficiency toward the inhibition aggregation process for the Aβ1-40 peptide were evaluated in the presence, and in absence of Cu2+ or Zn2+ ions by turbidimetry. Computational calculations (docking and molecular dynamics) indicated that the interaction of the imine ligand with the Aβ1-16 peptide occurs in the metal coordination sites. The results indicate that these imine compounds studied may act as efficient inhibitors of amyloid peptides implicated in AD.

by Yee-Lok Wong. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Physical factors in the environment of a cell affect its function and behavior in a variety of ways. There is increasing evidence that, among these factors, the geometric arrangement of receptor ligands plays an important role in setting the conditions for critical cellular processes. The goal of this thesis is to develop new techniques for probing the role of extracellular ligand geometry, with a focus on T cell activation. In this work, top-down molecular-scale nanofabrication and bottom-up selective self-assembly were combined in order to present functional nanomaterials (primarily biomolecules) on a surface with precise spatial control and single-molecule resolution. Such biomolecule nanoarrays are becoming an increasingly important tool in surface-based in vitro assays for biosensing, molecular and cellular studies. The nanoarrays consist of metallic nanodots patterned on glass coverslips using electron beam and nanoimprint lithography, combined with self-aligned pattern transfer. The nanodots were then used as anchors for the immobilization of biological ligands, and backfilled with a protein-repellent passivation layer of polyethylene glycol. The passivation efficiency was improved to minimize nonspecific adsorption. In order to ensure true single-molecule control, we developed an on-chip protocol to measure the molecular occupancy of nanodot arrays based on fluorescence photobleaching, while accounting for quenching effects by plasmonic absorption. We found that the molecular occupancy can be interpreted as a packing problem, with the solution depending on the nanodot size and the concentration of self-assembly reagents, where the latter can be easily adjusted to control the molecular occupancy according to the dot size. The optimized nanoarrays were used as biomimetic architectures for the study of T cell activation with single-molecule control. T cell activation involves an elaborate arrangement of signaling, adhesion, and costimulatory molecules organized into a stereotypic geometric structure, known as the immunological synapse, between T cell and antigen-presenting cell. Novel bifunctionalization schemes were developed to better mimic the antigen-presenting surfaces. Nanoarrays were functionalized by single molecules of UCHT1 Fab', and served as individual T cell receptor binding sites. The adhesion molecule ICAM-1 was bound to either static PEG background, or a mobile supported lipid bilayer. The minimum geometric requirements (receptor clustering, spacing and stoichiometry) for T cell activation was probed by systematic variation of the nanoarray spacing and cluster size. Out-of-plane spatial control of the two key molecules by way of nanopillar arrays was used to adjust the membrane bending and steric effects, which were essential for the investigation of molecular segregation in T cell activation. The results provide insights into the complicated T cell activation mechanism, with translational implications toward adoptive immunotherapies for cancer and other diseases. This single-molecule platform serves as a novel and powerful tool for molecular and cellular biology, e.g., receptor-mediated signaling/adhesion, especially when multiple ligands or membrane deformation are involved.

Dentre as espécies químicas metálicas responsáveis pela contaminação do meio aquático, mercúrio e outros compostos mercuriais têm recebido atenção especial devido a sua alta toxicidade. Os ligantes de ocorrência natural formam complexos com íons de Hg2+, influenciando a sua biodisponibilidade. Em meio a esses ligantes, dá-se destaque aos ligantes heterogêneos de ocorrência natural (LHON), tais como substâncias húmicas e argilominerais, por sua elevada capacidade de adsorção/complexação com íons metálicos. Entre as técnicas existentes para a determinação de Hg(II), as voltamétricas, em especial a voltametria de redissolução anódica, ganham destaque devido as características que as tornam mais adequadas para estudos envolvendo interações entre LHON e Hg(II), tais como alta sensibilidade e mínima manipulação da amostra. Uma estratégia para se evitar os problemas causados pela passivação do eletrodo de trabalho por adsorção de matéria orgânica, bem como para se aumentar a robustez da técnica, é a mecanização da análise em sistema de análise por injeção sequencial (SIA). Baseando-se neste contexto, este trabalho teve por objetivo o desenvolvimento de um sistema SIA com detecção voltamétrica, especificamente voltametria de onda quadrada (SIA-SWV), para se determinar Hg(II) em estudos de adsorção com ácido húmico, permitindo o procedimento de troca de meio em linha, sem contato do eletrodo com a atmosfera, contornando problemas de reoxidação do Hg pelo O2 atmosférico e a distorção de sinal causada pela saturação dos sítios de adsorção presentes na camada de difusão na etapa de redissolução, tornando as medidas voltamétricas mais reprodutíveis e rápidas. O sistema SIA-SWV desenvolvido tem potencialidade para a realização de medidas da fração de Hg(II) lábil e livre em águas naturais, mostrando-se também adequado para a elaboração de estudos de adsorção envolvendo a presença de ligantes orgânicos devido a ausência de passivação do eletrodo de trabalho e a possibilidade do uso do procedimento de troca de meio. O limite de detecção (0,02 µmol L-1) atende aos limites permitidos pelo CONAMA (0,05 µmol L-1) para o lançamento de efluentes. Isso mostra a potencialidade do sistema SIA-SWV para a realização de determinações de Hg2+ e como um recurso para auxiliar no controle da concentração da espécie em efluentes antes do lançamento em corpos dágua. Dentre os LHONs empregados, o ácido húmico foi o que apresentou maior capacidade de adsorção por Hg(II) (Kf = 295/304 ± 1 µmol1-1/n g-1 L1/n e Qmax = 537 ± 30 µmol g-1. Essas evidências indicam que em corpos de água com presença de MOD, as substâncias húmicas, em especial os grupos carboxílicos nelas presentes, são uns dos principais reguladores da disponibilidade e mobilidade de Hg(II). É demonstrado que a presença de partículas de argilominerais também influencia na capacidade de adsorção (sob as condições de pH 6,0 e força iônica) pelas substâncias húmicas na adsorção por Hg(II). O processo de dessorção de Hg(II) em HCl 0,06 mol L-1 foi mais favorecido para a condição em sistema ternário, com porcentagens de dessorção variando entre 74 e 100% . Foi evidenciado que a diminuição do pH influencia no processo de adsorção/complexação devido a competição entre este processo e a protonação dos sítios de adsorção presentes no ácido húmico. Já com o aumento da força iônica ocorre o aumento da adsorção/complexação por Hg(II), o que sugere a formação de ligações covalentes é que governa o processo de interação entre Hg(II) e ácido húmico. / Among the chemical species responsible for metal contamination of the aquatic environment, mercury and other mercury compounds have received special attention due to its high toxicity. The naturally occurring ligands form complexes with Hg2+ ions, influencing their bioavailability. Through these ligands, there is emphasis on heterogeneous naturally occurring ligands (HNOL), such as humic substances and clay minerals because of its high adsorption capacity/complexation with metal ions. Between the techniques for the determination of Hg(II), anodic stripping voltammetry stands out because of characteristics that make it more suitable for studies involving interactions between HNOL and Hg(II), such as high sensitivity and minimal sample handling. A strategy to avoid problems caused by the passivation of the electrode surface by adsorption of organic matter and to increase robustness of the technique is the mechanization of the analysis system by sequential injection analysis (SIA). The present study aimed at developing a SIA system with voltammetric detection, specifically square wave voltammetry (SIA-SWV), to determine Hg(II) in adsorption studies with humic acid, automating the medium exchange procedures avoiding the contact of the electrode with the atmosphere, overcoming problems of Hg0 reoxidation by atmospheric O2 and signal distortion caused by saturation of adsorption sites present in the diffusion layer in the stripping step, making voltammetric measurements more reproducible and rapid. The proposed SIA-SWV system has the potential to carry out measurements of the labile and free fraction of Hg2+ in natural waters, being also suitable for the development of adsorption studies involving the presence of organic ligands. The limit of detection (0.02 µmol L-1) attends the limits allowed by CONAMA (0.05 µmol L-1) for the discharge of effluents. This shows the potential of the SIA-SWV system to perform determinations of Hg2+ and as an auxiliary technique for monitoring the concentration of the species in wastewater before release into water bodies. Among the studied LHONs, the humic acid showed the highest adsorption capacity for Hg (II) (Kf = 295/304 ± 1 µmol1-1/n g-1 L1/n and Qmax = 537 ± 30 µg mol-1). The results suggest that in waters rich in dissolved organic matter (DOM) carboxylic groups in humic acids are among the major regulators of the availability and mobility of Hg(II). It is also shows that clay particles influences the adsorption capacity (under conditions of pH 6.0 and ionic strength) of the humic substances in the adsorption of Hg(II). The process of desorption of Hg (II) in HCl 0.06 mol L-1 was most favored for the condition in the ternary system, with desorption percentages ranging from 74 to 100%. It was evidenced that the decrease of the pH influences the adsorption/complexation because of the competition between this process and protonation of the adsorption sites present in the humic acid. The increase in ionic strength increases adsorption/complexation by Hg (II), suggesting the formation of covalent bonds is governing this process of interaction between Hg(II) and humic acid.

No presente trabalho, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia one-pot para obtenção de produtos 4-cloro-1-hidroxinaftaleno-2-oxazolinas (Cl-HNO) 4, utilizando um excesso de SOCl2 a partir da amida 3a. Para a formação do produto de interesse 4 foi desenvolvida uma proposta mecanística para a simultânea ciclização do anel 2- oxazolina e halogenção na porção do anel naftóico através de espectrometria de massas de alta resolução, difração de raios-x e cálculos teóricos. Em seguida, a hidrólise de 4 levou ao produto 5 com nova inversão de configuração no C4. Para funcionalização do ácido 5, foram reagidos grupos aminas e álcoois, conduzindo a uma pequena biblioteca de compostos inéditos com propriedades fluorescentes (6a-e, 7a-e) com Φf 0.8%-1.6%. Testes biológicos contra cepas de fungos foram realizadas. Em uma segunda etapa do trabalho, foi realizada a aplicação do anel 2-oxazolínico como ligantes em reações de acoplamento cruzado do tipo Suzuki-Miyaura. A síntese dos ligantes foi realizada em apenas dois passos reacionais, partindo das amidas 3a-c reagidas com Deoxo-Flúor® levando a três diferentes ligantes 8a-c. Os mesmos foram testados, e o ligante 8a levou aos produtos de acoplamento 9a-m com os melhores rendimentos de 59% a 95%. / In this work, we developed a new one-pot method for synthesizing 4-chlorinated 1- hydroxynaphthaleno-2-oxazoline (2-HNO) 4 by subjecting amide 3a to excess SOCl2. A mechanism for the formation of 4 is proposed, which involves simultaneous cyclization to form the 2-oxazoline ring and halogenation of the 2-hyrdoxynaphthalene ring. We present supporting evidence for this mechanism in the form of high resolution mass spectrometry, x-ray crystallography and theoretical calculations. Hydrolysis of 4 led to product 5 with inversion of configuration at C-4, confirmed by NMR spectra. To functionalize the acid 5, amines and alcohols were reacted with acid 5, leading to a small library of novel compounds having fluorescent properties (6a-e, 7a-e) with Φf 0.8%-1.6%. Furthermore, the library of compounds were used in biological testing against various strains of fungi. In the second stage of this work, we explored the application of the 2-oxazoline ring, through its use as a ligand in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. The preparation of the ligands were obtained in only two reaction steps, starting from amides 3a-c were reacted with Deoxo-Fluor®, leading to three different ligands 8a-c, respectively. The same were tested, and the ligand 8a provided coupling products 9a-m in good yields of 59% to 95%.

Este trabalho apresenta as sínteses do complexo fac-[RuCl2(Sdmso3(O-dmso)] (1) e de dois novos complexos, trans,cis,cis- [RuCl2(S-dmso)2(NH2Ph)2] (2) e fac-[RuCl2(Sdmso)3(NH2Ph)] (3). Estes compostos foram caracterizados por espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho, espectroscopia de absorção na região do ultravioleta e visível, análise elementar (CHN), RMN (1H e 13C{1H}) e por difração de raios X em monocristal, confirmando a formação de complexos hexacoordenados. As atividades catalíticas destes complexos como pré-catalisadores nas reações de polimerização via metátese por abertura de anel (ROMP) de norborneno (NBE), norbornadieno (NBD), diciclopentadieno (DCPD) e seus copolímeros foram investigadas. As polimerizações foram realizadas na presença de etil diazoacetato (EDA) em diferentes razões molares de [monômero]/[Ru], tempos e temperaturas de reação. Estudos em função da variação da razão molar [monômero]/[Ru] mostraram que, em geral, a melhor condição para reação via ROMP é a de 5000 equivalentes na presença de [EDA]/[Ru] = 28. Valores de massas moleculares com ordem de magnitude de 105 g.mol-1 para todos os poliNBE e poli(NBE-co-DCPD) foram medidos por cromatografia por permeação em gel (GPC). Os demais polímeros foram insolúveis em CHCl3. Em polimerizações com NBE a 25 °C por 50 min, obtiveram-se rendimentos de 91, 83 e 99 % usando os complexos 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente. Nas polimerizações de NBD, o complexo 1 rendeu 8 % de poliNBD a 50 °C em 30 min. Nestas mesmas condições, os complexos 2 e 3 renderam 42 e 34 % de poliNBD, respectivamente. Na ROMP de DCPD a 50 °C em 30 min, os três complexos sintetizaram poliDCPD com rendimentos em torno de 16 %. A 50 °C por 30 min, poli(NBE-co-NBD) com maior concentração de NBD (80NBD: 20NBE) usando os complexos 2 ou 3 foram obtidos com 35 % de rendimento, enquanto com o complexo 1 os rendimentos são de 15 %. Copolímeros do tipo poli(NBE-co-DCPD) foram obtidos com maiores rendimentos com o complexo 3 e com maiores valores de Mw usando o complexo 2. A influência do tipo de complexo e dos efeitos cooperativos dos ligantes foi avaliada neste tipo de reação com implicações nas características dos polímeros. / This work presents the syntheses of the complex fac-[RuCl2(Sdmso)3(O-dmso)] (1) and of the two new complexes trans,cis,cis- [RuCl2(S-dmso)2(NH2Ph)2] (2) and fac-[RuCl2(Sdmso)3(NH2Ph)] (3). These compounds were characterized by infrared absorption spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, elemental analysis (CHN), NMR (1H and 13C{1H}) and by X-ray diffraction in single crystals, confirming the formation of hexacoordinate complexes. The catalytic activities of these complexes as pre-catalysts in ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reactions of norbornene (NBE), norbornadiene (NBD), dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) and its copolymers were investigated. The polymerizations were carried out in presence of ethyl diazoacetate (EDA), in different molar ratios of [monomer]/[Ru], as a function of reaction time and temperature. Studies on the variation of the [monomer]/[Ru] molar ratio have shown that, in general, the best condition for the ROMP reaction is 5000 equivalents, in the presence of [EDA]/[Ru] = 28.Values of molecular weights with order of magnitude of 105 g.mol-1 for all polyNBE and poly(NBE-co-DCPD) were measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The other polymers were insoluble in CHCl3. In polymerizations with NBE at 25 °C for 50 min, yields of 91, 83 and 99 % were obtained using complexes 1, 2 and 3, respectively. In the NBD polymerizations, complex 1 yielded 8 % of polyNBD at 50 °C for 30 min. Under these same conditions, complexes 2 and 3 yielded 42 and 34 % of polyNBD, respectively. In the ROMP of DCPD at 50 °C for 30 min, the three complexes synthesized polyDCPD in yields of about 16 %. At 50 °C for 30 min, poly(NBE-co-NBD) with higher concentration of NBD (80NBD : 20NBE) using complexes 2 or 3 were obtained in 35% yield, while with complex 1 the yields were 15 %. Poly(NBE-co-DCPD) copolymers were obtained in higher yields with complex 3 and higher Mw values using complex 2. The influence of the type of complex and the cooperative effects of the ligands were evaluated in this type of reaction with implications in the characteristics of the polymers.

Dye design is one of the most important and challenging areas in dye-sensitised solar cell research. The purpose of the work in this thesis is to synthesise and characterise novel ruthenium(II) and copper(I) dyes that will provide insight into the number of binding groups required and the potential use of chromophoric ligands. A series of four simple Ru(II) dyes have been synthesised with the general formula Ru(4,4’- (R)-bipyridine)2(NCS)2 where R represents CH3 or CO2H. The study investigates the number of acid groups required to successfully bind to TiO2 whilst maintaining efficient charge injection. The series consists of one acid group, two acids, two acids on adjacent bipyridines, and three acids groups. Dye uptake was studied via optical waveguide spectroscopy, providing information on dye diffusion, adsorption and desorption kinetics, and surface coverage. Interestingly, the two acid groups on adjacent ligands suggested poor/slow binding to TiO2 surface and a high degree of dye aggregation in comparison to two acid groups on the same ligand. The dye with three binding groups showed strong adsorption to TiO2 and better dye coverage, resulting in a high efficiency. The complexes were all fully characterised by electrochemistry, photoluminescence, absorption spectroscopy, DFT calculations and solar cell performance testing. To date, there has been limited exploration of copper(I) complexes as potential alternatives to ruthenium(II) sensitisers, with even fewer publications reported for Cu(I) heteroleptic species. The neutral complexes that were synthesised are of the general formula: Cu(4,4’- (R)-6,6’-(CH3)-bipyridine)(β-diketonate) and Cu(4,4’-(R)-6,6’-(CH3)-bipyridine)(dipyrrin) where R represents CH3 or CO2Et. Additional blocking groups on the ligands are introduced to minimise structural change during oxidation or MLCT excitation. Improved stability and reproducibility have been shown for complexes containing the dipyrrin ligand, likely due to better steric constraints and better π-overlap with the bipyridine. There has also been a remarkable improvement in light absorption, from 450 nm to 600 nm. In-situ solar studies have been carried out on the Cu(4,4’-(R)-6,6’-(CH3)-bipyridine)(dipyrrin) series and a 0.41% efficiency has been achieved. Computational studies supports the experimental data in which the main transition appears to be ligand centred (dipyrrin) with a small MLCT contribution.

A terapia de quelação tem sido descrita na literatura como uma ferramenta importante no combate de processos neurodegenerativos como a doença de Alzheimer (AD). Esta doença é caracterizada pela agregação de peptídeos β-amiloides, formando fibrilas, que parece ser induzida ou facilitada em presença de íons metálicos como Cu2+, Zn2+ ou Fe3+. Vários compostos já foram testados e descritos como ligantes competitivos para coordenar e retirar estes íons dos agregados proteicos em condições patológicas, na chamada hipótese da cascata amiloide. O presente projeto visou investigar a reatividade de ligantes imínicos, derivados de oxindóis, na quelação de cobre(II) e zinco(II), numa tentativa de inibir ou evitar a formação de agregados relacionados à AD. Foram sintetizados seis compostos imínicos, sendo duas hidrazonas inéditas: isahim e isahpy e quatro bases de Schiff: isapn, misapn, isaen e misaen, as três últimas também inéditas. Os compostos foram caracterizados por espectroscopia FTIR, RMN, UV/VIS e por análise elementar CHN e espectrometria de massas ESI-MS/MS. Os valores das constantes de estabilidade (log β 2,7 - 5,1) para a formação dos complexos [ML]2+ e do aduto [(Aβ1-16)2•isahim] em solução aquosa foram determinadas por espectroscopia UV/VIS. As formas de interação dos compostos isapn, misapn e isahim com o peptídeo Aβ1-16 foram analisadas por espectroscopia 1H RMN, observando-se uma forte interação com as histidinas His6, His13 e His14 e com os carboxilatos do peptídeo. A eficácia dos ligantes foi testada frente ao processo de inibição da agregação do peptídeo Aβ1-40 na presença e ausência de íons Cu2+ ou Zn2+ por turbidimetria. Estudos de docking e dinâmica molecular suportam que a interação dos ligantes imínicos com o peptídeo Aβ1-16 ocorre nos mesmos sítios de coordenação dos íons metálicos. Os resultados indicam que os compostos aqui estudados podem atuar como eficientes inibidores de agregação dos peptídeos amiloides implicados na AD. / Chelation therapy has been considered in the literature an important tool in neurodegenerative processes like Alzheimer disease (AD). This disease is characterized by aggregation of β-amyloid peptides that seems to be improved in the presence of metal ions, particularly copper, zinc and iron. Several compounds have been tested and reported as competitive ligands to withdrawal these metal ions from protein aggregates in pathologic conditions, in the \"amyloid cascade hypothesis\". The present project aims to investigate the reactivity of imine ligands, particularly those derived from oxindoles, in the chelation of copper(II) and zinc(II) ions trying to inhibit or avoid aggregate formation related to AD. Six iminic compounds were synthesized, being two of them hydrazones: isahim and isahpy and four Schiff bases: isapn, misapn, isaen, and misaen. The compounds were characterized by spectroscopic analysis (FTIR, NMR, UV/VIS), elemental analysis CHN and mass spectrometry ESI-MS/MS. The corresponding stability constants (log β 2,7-5,1) for each complex formation [ML]2+ as well as for the adduct [(Aβ1-16)2•isahim] in aqueous solution were determined by UV/VIS spectroscopy. Interactions of compounds isapn, misapn and isahim with the Aβ1-16 peptide were detected and analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy, indicating a strong interaction among the compounds and the histidines His6, His13 e His14 as well as the carboxylate residues in the peptides. The ligands efficiency toward the inhibition aggregation process for the Aβ1-40 peptide were evaluated in the presence, and in absence of Cu2+ or Zn2+ ions by turbidimetry. Computational calculations (docking and molecular dynamics) indicated that the interaction of the imine ligand with the Aβ1-16 peptide occurs in the metal coordination sites. The results indicate that these imine compounds studied may act as efficient inhibitors of amyloid peptides implicated in AD.

Photovoltaic cells and fluorescence sensing are two important areas of research in chemistry. The combination of photon-activated electron donors with electron acceptors provides a strong platform for the study of optical devices. A series of four oligothiophene-ruthenium complexes has been synthesized. Variation in oligothiophene length and bipyridine substitution allowed comparison of these variables on electronic properties. The longer oligothiophenes display lower energy absorption and emission compared to the shorter ones. Aromatic conjugation appears more complete with para-, rather than meta-, substitution. Oligothiophenes and Ru(bpy)32+ are highly fluorescent individually, but fluorescence is quenched when connected. Bonds of carbon to fluorine are among the strongest single bonds. Single bonds between carbon and hydrogen are also very strong and are ubiquitous. The ability to manipulate these bonds is of great interest to chemists. Two tungsten metal complexes, [6 (perfluorophenyl)bipyridyl] tetracarbonyltungsten and [6-(phenyl)bipyridyl]tetracarbonyltungsten, were prepared for mechanistic C-F and C-H bond activation studies, respectively. These compounds were synthesized through Stille and Suzuki coupling of commercial reagents. Ligands were then bound to tungsten to form the tetracarbonyl complexes.

Grâce à leurs propriétés optiques et électroniques uniques, les nanocristaux de semi-conducteurs colloïdaux bidimensionnels tels que les nanoplaquettes de chalcogénure de cadmium ont émergé comme une nouvelle classe de nanomatériaux. Tout comme les puits quantiques, ces nanocristaux ont un confinement electronique limité à une seule direction, l'épaisseur qui est contrôlée au niveau atomique. Ces nanoplaquettes colloïdales apparaissent ainsi comme de bons candidats pour la fabrication de dispositifs optoélectroniques. Cependant, leur mécanisme de formation reste sujet à discussion. Ainsi, cette thèse se concentre tout d’abord sur l'étude de la synthèse de nanoplaquettes de CdSe zinc blende et l’effet de la longueur de la chaine aliphatique des carboxylates sur ces dernières, ouvrant ainsi la voie à une meilleure compréhension de la croissance des nanocristaux bidimensionnels.Par la suite, la nature et la localisation de ces ligands carboxylates en surface des nanoplaquettes a été étudié par des techniques de RMN. Cette étude semble confirmer l’effet de la gêne stérique sur la croissance des nanoplaquettes. La RMN du solide en corrélation 13C-1H 2D, se basant sur l’interaction dipolaire, indique que les acétates et les carboxylates à longue chaîne sont très probablement distribués de manière homogène à la surface des nanoplaquettes de CdSe. Dans une dernière partie, j’explore la possibilité d’améliorer les propriétés optiques de nanoplaquettes synthetisées par déposition de couches atomiques en voie colloïdale (c-ALD) en utilisant des recuits, visant à améliorer la structure et la surface des matériaux. / Colloidal two-dimensional semiconductor nanocrystals such as nanoplatelets of cadmium chalcogenides, have emerged as a new class of nanomaterials due to their unique optical and electronic properties. These nanocrystals possess exciton confinement along one direction in analogy to quantum wells, with their thickness controlled at atomic level.Although colloidal two-dimensional nanoplatelets have been considered as potential candidates for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices, their formation mechanism e.g. zinc blende CdSe nanoplatelets is still under debate. Thereby this thesis first focuses on the study of CdSe nanoplatelets synthesis and size of the aliphatic chain in the carboxylate, paving the way to a better understanding of two-dimensional nanocrystals’ growth.Successively surface carboxylate ligands are investigated by NMR techniques which gives us an idea of how surface ligands are composed and relocated. Our study of ligand quantification on nanoplatelets’ surface appears to support the proposed effect from steric hinderance on NPLs growth. 13C-1H 2D correlation solid state NMR based on the dipolar interaction indicates that acetates and long alkyl chain carboxylates should be distributed homogenously on the surface of the CdSe NPLs. In the last part, I explore the possibility of improving the optical features of nanoplatelets synthesized from colloidal atomic-layer-deposition technique through optimizing both interior and surface structures by an annealing process.