As most of spectroscopic measurements occur in solution, the solvent effect in the spectral properties of molecular systems is of great scientific interest. In particular, when the formation of hydrogen bond between the solute and solvent molecules occurs, the traditional effective dielectric solvent models provides inadequate results in some situations of interest. This is the case of diazines in aqueous solution. In this work, we study the solvent effects on the low-lying n=>π* absorption transition and on the 15N chemical shielding of diazines in water using the combination of Monte Carlo simulations and Quantum Mechanical calculations. As the classical simulations and the Quantum Mechanical calculations are uncoupled, a special attention is devoted to the solute polarization. Firstly, this is included by a previously developed iterative procedure where the solute is electrostatically equilibrated with the solvent. In addition, we verify the simple yet unexplored alternative of combining the polarizable continuum model (PCM) and the hybrid QM/MM method. In this procedure, we use PCM to obtain the average solute polarization and include this in the MM part of the sequential QM/MM methodology, PCM-MM/QM. These procedures are compared and further used in discrete and explicit solvent models. As the solute geometry is unchanged during all process, we study the influence of small differences on the molecular conformation in the spectroscopic properties using as prototype some recently sintetized quinone based molecules with antitrypanocidal activity. This study showed that small changes in the molecular conformation provide a small impact in the studied spectroscopic properties. The two implemented procedures in this work were systematically performed for each diazine and they were used in discrete and explicit solvent models for the calculations of the spectroscopic properties of each diazine in water as solvent. The results show good agreement between the values obtained by the two polarization methods. Considering the simplicity of the PCM over the iterative polarization method, this is na important aspect and the computational savings point to the possibility of dealing with larger solute molecules. This PCM-MM/QM approach conciliates the simplicity of the PCM model with the reliability of the combined QM/MM approaches. / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / O efeito de solvente nas propriedades espectrais de sistemas moleculares é de grande interesse científico uma vez que grande parte das medidas espectroscópicas são realizadas na presença de um meio solvente. Métodos tradicionais que consideram o solvente como um meio dielétrico efetivo oferecem resultados insatisfatórios em algumas situações de interesse, em particular quando há a formação de ligações de hidrogênio entre o soluto e o solvente. Este é o caso de soluções aquosas de diazinas, que são as moléculas básicas para a formação dos ácidos nucleicos. Neste trabalho estudamos o efeito do solvente na energia de absorção da primeira transição n =>π* e a blindagem magnética nuclear do 15N das diazinas em água utilizando a combinação de simulações Monte Carlo e cálculos de Mecânica Quântica. No método utilizado neste trabalho, as simulações clássicas são desacopladas dos cálculos quânticos. Portanto, foi dada uma atenção especial à polarização do soluto que foi incluída de duas maneiras distintas. Inicialmente, a polarização é obtida utilizando um procedimento iterativo onde o soluto é submetido ao equilíbrio eletrostático com o solvente. Adicionalmente, é utilizada uma abordagem simples onde realizamos uma combinação entre o modelo contínuo (PCM) e os métodos híbridos QM/MM. Nesse último procedimento, que denominamos como PCM-MM/QM, nós utilizamos o método PCM para obter a polarização média do soluto, a qual é incluída na parte clássica do método sequencial QM/MM. Como a geometria do soluto é mantida inalterada durante todo o processo, nós realizamos um estudo do efeito da conformação molecular nas propriedades espectroscópicas, utilizando como protótipo moléculas recentemente sintetizadas derivadas de quinonas que apresentam atividade antimalárica. Este estudo mostra que pequenas variações na conformação molecular têm um pequeno impacto nas propriedades espectroscópicas estudadas. Os dois procedimentos implementados neste trabalho foram realizados de maneira sistemática para cada diazina e utilizados nos modelos discreto e explícito de solvente para os cálculos das propriedades espectroscópicas de cada diazina em água. Os resultados obtidos mostram uma boa concordância entre os valores obtidos através dos dois métodos de polarização. Considerando a simplicidade da polarização PCM se comparado com o processo iterativo, o método PCM-MM/QM abre a possibilidade de tratar sistemas compostos por moléculas do soluto maiores. Além disso, o método PCM-MM/QM concilia a simplicidade do modelo PCM com a confiabilidade dos métodos híbridos QM/MM.

Na atualidade estudos direcionados para a avaliação do risco químico e do impacto ambiental produzidos por compostos químicos de uso intensivo, como agrotóxicos, petroquímicos e fármacos, vêm ganhando importância por elucidarem as implicações ao meio ambiente e à saúde pública decorrentes deste uso pela sociedade moderna de forma a estabelecer parâmetros restritivos para suas aplicações, evitando-se danos posteriores. Este Estudo compreendeu as observações de sorção e de interação do antibiótico de uso animal e agrícola oxitetraciclina (OTC) com solos brasileiros e ácidos húmicos (AH) extraídos de solos, tendo-se como objetivos gerais comprovar a sorção aos solos e aos AH e verificar a influência da matéria orgânica (MO) e do pH sobre a sorção, definindo quais os mecanismos moleculares de interação envolvidos, cabendo destacar que as tetraciclinas são uma das principais classes de antibióticos utilizadas na pecuária brasileira, tanto para tratamento de enfermidades quanto como Antibióticos Promotores de Crescimento (APC), além de serem freqüentemente aplicados na agricultura para controle de fungos e bactérias. Utilizou-se a Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE) para a coleta de dados quantitativos que permitiram a construção de isotermas de sorção solo-OTC em pH 4,8 e AH-OTC em três valores de pH (3,1, 4,8 e 8,3) para a comprovação da sorção e da influência do conteúdo de MO no primeiro caso, e na sorção aos AH, para o segundo caso. Os solos foram caracterizados conforme procedimento padrão da EMBRAPA, enquanto que os AH foram caracterizados segundo procedimentos recomendados pela literatura por meio das técnicas instrumentais de Análise Elementar, Absorção na Região do Infravermelho Médio, Ressonância Magnética Nuclear e Ressonância Paramagnética Eletrônica. Foram utilizadas as técnicas espectroscópicas de Absorção na Região do Infravermelho (Próximo e Médio) e Absorção e Fluorescência na Região do UV-Visível, para a avaliação dos possíveis mecanismos de interação envolvidos, como ligação de hidrogênio, interação hidrofóbica e transferência de elétrons. A isoterma de Freundlich apresentou-se como um modelo matemático adequado para a verificação da sorção solos-OTC e AH-OTC, a partir da aplicação de um método cromatográfico adequado, comprovando a sorção para os dois casos, bem como o efeito do conteúdo de MO dos solos e do pH do meio sobre a capacidade e a intensidade da sorção, a qual foi quantificada como de capacidade de sorção inferior em comparação a dados obtidos em clima temperado e de alta capacidade de sorção quando comparada à legislação ambiental brasileira. Foi observado que a OTC interagiu com os AH em uma larga faixa de valores de pH, indo de 3,1 a 8,3. Contudo, o meio no qual foi possível observar de uma forma mais acentuada a interação entre AH e OTC foi o meio básico (pH 8,2), sendo notado a existência de mecanismos de interação associados e dependentes do pH do meio, como: ligação de hidrogênio, interação hidrofóbica e transferência de prótons. / At present further studies on the risk assessment of chemical and environmental impact produced by chemical-intensive, such as pesticides, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, have gained importance for elucidating the implications for the environment and public health arising from this use by modern society to establish restrictive parameters for their applications, avoiding further damage. This Study comprised observations of sorption and interaction of antibiotic for animal and agriculture use oxytetracycline (OTC) with brazilian soils and humic acids (HA) extracted from soil, having as objectives to prove the general sorption to soils and the AH and the influence of organic matter (OM) and pH on the sorption, which define the molecular mechanisms of interaction involved, highlighting that tetracyclines are a major classes of antibiotics used in the brazilian cattle industry, both for treatment of diseases such as antibiotic growth promoters (AGP), and frequently also applied in agriculture to control fungi and bacteria. The High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to collect quantitative data that allowed the construction of sorption isotherms soils-OTC in pH 4.8 and AH-OTC in three pH values (3.1, 4, 8 and 8.3) for proof of sorption and the influence of OM content in the first case, and sorption to AH, for the second case. The soils were characterized as standard procedure of EMBRAPA, while AH were characterized according to procedures recommended by the literature by means of instrumental techniques for Elemental Analysis, Absorption in the Region of the Middle Infrared, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance. The Spectroscopic Absorption in the Infrared Region (Middle) and Fluorescence and Absorption in the Region and the UV-Visible were used for the evaluation of interaction mechanisms involved, such as hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions and electron transfer. The Freundlich isotherm was presented as a mathematical model suitable for the verification of soils-OTC sorption and AH-OTC sorption from the application of a chromatographic method that is suitable, proving the sorption for the two cases as well as the effect of OM content of soils and the pH on the capacity and sorption intensity, which was quantified as the lower sorption capacity in comparison with data from temperate and high sorption capacity when compared to Brazilian environmental legislation. It was observed that the OTC interacted with the HA in a wide range of pH values, ranging from 3.1 to 8.3. However, the way in which it was possible to observe a more pronounced interaction between HA and OTC was the basic medium (pH 8.2), and noted the existence of mechanisms of interaction associated and dependent on pH, such as: link hydrogen, hydrophobic interaction and proton transfer.

Dans cette thèse, sur la base de l'approche du mode local "étendu" et de la théorie générale de la substitution isotopique, nous obtenons un ensemble de relations analytiques simples entre les paramètres spectrocopiques (fréquences harmoniques, coefficients d'anharmonicité, paramètres rovibrationels, différents types de paramètres d'interaction de Fermi et de Coriolis) des molécules de CH2D2, CH3D et CHD3. Tous ces paramètres sont exprimés en termes de relations simples à partir des paramètres spectroscopiques de la molécule mère CH4. Des calculs tests avec des relations isotopiques montrent que même sans introduire d'informations majeures sur les espèces isotopiques, les résultats numériques de ces calculs sont en bon accord avec les données expérimentales et les calculs ab initio. A partir de le théorie des opérateurs de perturbation et des propriétés de symétrie des molécules axiales XYZ3 (C3v), nous déterminons des formules générales permettant la détermination des paramètres spectroscopiques sous la forme de fonctions des paramètres structuraux et des paramètres de la fonction potentiel intramoléculaire. Nous présentons aussi une approche permettant la détermination du hamiltonien de molécules polyatomiques qui permet de résoudre le problème de la description de la surface d'énergie potentielle via la construction et la diagonalisation d'une matrice hamiltonienne de grande dimension. / In this thesis, on the base of the "expanded", local mode approach and general isotopic substitution theory we obtain sets of simple analytical relations between spectroscopic parameters (harmonic frequencies, anharmonic coefficients, ro-vibrational parameters, different kinds of Fermi and Coriolis-type interaction parameters) of the CH2D2, CH3D and CHD3 molecules. All of them are expressed as simple functions of spectroscopic parameters of the mother CH4 molecule. Test calculations with the isotopic relations show that even without including prior informations about the isotopic species, numerical results of calculations are in a good agreement both with experimental data and results of ab initio calculations. On the base of operators perturbation theory and the symmetry properties of the axially symmetric XYZ3 (C3v) type molecules, we derive general formulae for the determination of the spectroscopic parameters in the form of functions of structural parameters and parameters of the intramolecular potential function. We present also an approach for determination of the Hamiltonian of polyatomic molecules that allows to solve the problem of potential energy surface determination via the construction and the diagonalization of a Hamiltonian matrix of large dimension.

The present thesis shows how versatile and important the field of gas-phase spectroscopy under supersonic expansion conditions can be to understand fundamental intermolecular and intramolecular interactions. We have employed spectroscopic techniques over a very broad range spanning from microwave (2-18 GHz), through infrared (2600-4000 cm-1) and ultraviolet (350-250 nm) region, studying therotational, vibrational and electronic properties,respectively. These techniques use either chirped-pulse based (broadband rotational spectroscopy) or laser based methods (vibrational and electronic spectroscopy), and their usage depends on the types of information of particular interest and the chemical system requirements of specific techniques. The analytes are brought into the gas phase and supersonically cooled to their zero-point vibrational level to perform rotational and vibrationallyresolved IR/UV spectroscopy, including conformer-specific techniques. The variety of small organic molecular systemsstudied include phenyl-containing hydrocarbons, water containing clusters, heteroatom containing organic molecules with and without phenyl ring, fused aromatic molecules, bichromophoric molecules and pyrolysis reaction intermediates. Apart from gaining invaluable fundamental knowledge of the various interactions, we also observe interesting quantum-physical phenomena like tunneling and large amplitude motions that provide further insight into the molecular world.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The endothelium is a single layer of cells lining the arteries and is involved in many physiological reactions which are responsible for vascular tone. Free radicals are important participants in these chemical reactions in the endothelium. Here we quantify free radicals, ex vivo, in biological tissue with continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). In all of the experiments in this thesis, we use a novel EPR spin trapping technique that has been developed for tissue segments. EPR spin trapping is often considered the ‘gold standard’ in reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection because of its sensitivity and non-invasive nature. In all experiments, tissue was placed in physiological saline solution with 190-mM PBN (N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone), 10% by volume dimethyl-sulphoxide (DMSO) for cryopreservation, and incubated in the dark for between 30 minutes up to 2 hours at 37°C while gently being stirred. Tissue and supernatant were then loaded into a syringe and frozen at -80°C until EPR analysis. In our experiments, the EPR spectra were normalized with respect to tissue volume. Conducting experiments at liquid nitrogen temperature leads to some experimental advantages. The freezing of the spin adducts renders them stable over a longer period, which allows ample time to analyze tissue samples for ROS. The dielectric constant of ice is greatly reduced over its liquid counterpart; this property of water enables larger sample volumes to be inserted into the EPR cavity without overloading it and leads to enhanced signal detection. Due to Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics, the population difference goes up as the temperature goes down, so this phenomenon enhances the signal intensity as well. With the ‘gold standard’ assertion in mind, we investigated whether slicing tissue to assay ROS that is commonly used in fluorescence experiments will show more free radical generation than tissue of a similar volume that remains unsliced. Sliced tissue exhibited a 76% increase in ROS generation; this implies that higher ROS concentrations in sliced tissue indicate extraneous ROS generation not associated with the ROS stimulus of interest. We also investigated the role of ROS in chronic flow overload (CFO). Elevation of shear stress that increases production of vascular ROS has not been well investigated. We hypothesize that CFO increases ROS production mediated in part by NADPH oxidase, which leads to endothelial dysfunction. ROS production increased threefold in response to CFO. The endothelium dependent vasorelaxation was compromised in the CFO group. Treatment with apocynin significantly reduced ROS production in the vessel wall, preserved endothelial function, and inhibited expressions of p22/p47phox and NOX2/NOX4. The present data implicate NADPH oxidase produced ROS and eNOS uncoupling in endothelial dysfunction at 1 wk of CFO. In further work, a swine right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) model induced by pulmonary artery (PA) banding was used to study right coronary artery (RCA) endothelial function and ROS level. Endothelial function was compromised in RCA of RVH as attributed to insufficient endothelial nitric oxide synthase cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin. In conclusion, stretch due to outward remodeling of RCA during RVH (at constant wall shear stress), similar to vessel stretch in hypertension, appears to induce ROS elevation, endothelial dysfunction, and an increase in basal tone. Finally, although hypertension-induced vascular stiffness and dysfunction are well established in patients and animal models, we hypothesize that stretch or distension due to hypertension and outward expansion is the cause of endothelial dysfunction mediated by angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor in coronary arteries. The expression and activation of AT1 receptor and the production of ROS were up regulated and endothelial function deteriorated in the RCA. The acute inhibition of AT1 receptor and NADPH oxidase partially restored the endothelial function. Stretch or distension activates the AT1 receptor which mediates ROS production; this collectively leads to endothelial dysfunction in coronary arteries.

No description available.

Ce mémoire s’inscrit dans le cadre des recherches sur les molécules ultra-froides, en forte expansion depuis plusieurs années. Contrairement aux atomes, les molécules ne peuvent que très difficilement être refroidies par laser. Il est donc nécessaire d’explorer des méthodes alternatives pour parvenir à la création de gaz moléculaires ultra-froids. Ce travail théorique s’est focalisé sur une classe particulière de molécules diatomiques hétéronucléaires, présentant un moment dipolaire électrique ou magnétique intrinsèque à l’origine de leurs interactions mutuelles anisotropes.Sur la base de la connaissance précise de la spectroscopie des molécules KRb et KCs (présentant un moment dipolaire électrique intrinsèque notable), combinée à des résultats théoriques, nous avons modélisé le refroidissement de leurs degrés de liberté internes au moyen du passage adiabatique Raman stimulé (STIRAP), processus laser conduisant les molécules dans leur état fondamental absolu. Plusieurs schémas STIRAP ont été discutés et comparés entre eux du point de vue de leur efficacité.Nous avons ensuite étudié la molécule RbCa, dont la spectroscopie est encore inconnue. Cette espèce est caractérisée par la présence conjointe d’un moment dipolaire électrique et magnétique permanent, qui présente un fort intérêt pour les possibilités de contrôle des interactions anisotropes qu’ils engendrent. Nous avons déterminé la structure électronique de RbCa par deux méthodes différentes de chimie quantique, permettant ainsi de qualifier la précision des résultats. Nous avons aussi proposé un schéma de transitions laser conduisant à la formation de molécules froides de RbCa à partir des atomes séparés.La manipulation et le piégeage de molécules repose sur la connaissance de leur réponse à un champ électromagnétique externe, caractérisée par leur polarisabilité dipolaire dynamique. Les calculs de chimie quantique entrepris plus haut nous ayant permis d’accéder à des états moléculaires très excités, nous avons déterminé cette quantité pour toute une série de molécules diatomiques (dimères alcalins, RbCa, RbSr,…). Nous avons ainsi pu déterminer les paramètres optimaux pour le piégeage laser de ces molécules. / This thesis deals with ultracold molecules research, which interest has been growing for several years. Unlike atoms, laser-cooling molecules is very difficult. Alternative methods are necessary to be searched for in order to create ultracold molecular gases. This theoretical work focuses on a particular type of heteronuclear diatomic molecules, possessing an intrinsic electric or magnetic dipole moment, from which originates their mutual anisotropic interactions.Based on the precise knowledge of KRb and KCs molecules (possessing a significant intrinsic electric dipole moment) spectroscopy, combined with theoretical results, the cooling of their internal degrees of freedom using Stimulated Raman Adiabatic Passage (STIRAP), a laser process bringing molecules towards their absolute ground state, has been modelled. Several STIRAP schemes have been investigated and compared regarding their efficiency. The RbCa molecule has then been studied, which spectroscopy is still unknown. The ability of controlling the anisotropic interactions induced by the simultaneous presence of an electric and magnetic dipole moment provided by this species is a clear advantage. The electronic structure of RbCa has been computed with two methods, thus allowing to estimate the reliability of the results. A scheme of laser transitions bringing to the formation of cold RbCa molecules from separate atoms has been proposed.Manipulating and trapping molecules relies on the precise knowledge of their response to an external electromagnetic field, characterised by their dynamic dipolar polarisability. The quantum chemistry calculations mentioned earlier allowed us to compute high-lying excited states, dynamic polarisability has then been computed for a whole set of diatomic molecules (alkali dimers, RbCa, RbSr, …). The optimal parameters for trapping those molecules has then been determined.

Neste trabalho foram sintetizados a poli-2-etinilpiridina (P2EP), poli-4etinilpiridina (P4EP), o iodeto de poli(2-N-t-butilpiridiniumilacetileno) (P2EPtBu) e a poli-β-etinilnaftaleno (P&#946:EN), os quais são poliacetilenos substituídos. Estes polímeros, juntamente com o cloreto de poli(2-piridínio-2-piridilacetileno) (P2EPH), foram caracterizados por espectroscopia vibracional no infravermelho e Raman. Estes polímeros apresentaram variação na posição das bandas Raman com a energia da radiação excitante - chamada dispersão Raman ou fotosseletividade - da ordem de 10 cm-1, bem inferior ao apresentado pelo poliacetileno (cerca de 60 cm-1). Este deslocamento foi interpretado utilizando-se dois dos modelos existentes para descrever este fenômeno: o Modelo de Modo de Amplitude (AMM) e o Modelo de Coordenada de Conjugação Efetiva (ECCM), os quais fornecem informações sobre a estrutura polimérica e sobre seus níveis eletrônicos. Utilizando-se o AMM foi possível obter informações sobre os níveis eletrônicos excitados de mesma simetria que o estado eletrônico fundamental. Por outro lado, o ECCM, com a ajuda de cálculos DFT, mostrou diferenças na extensão da conjugação e no grau de dimerização entre o P2EP na forma cis e trans e indicou que este polímero apresentava, predominantemente, a estrutura cis, fato este confirmado pelos espectros no infravermelho. A dopagem com I2 provocou efeitos diferentes na estrutura dos polímeros. Os espectros no infravermelho dos polímeros dopados indicaram que o P2EP e o P2EPH apresentaram aumento na quantidade de segmentos cis enquanto o P2EPtBu apresentou diminuição na quantidade desses segmentos. Os espectros Raman dos polímeros dopados confirmaram os dados dos espectros no infravermelho. Esta diferença foi interpretada como sendo devida à diferença no volume do substituinte, pois grupos volumosos favorecem o isômero trans-cisóide onde a distância entre os substituintes é maior. A dopagem também levou a um aumento na condutividade dos polímeros, porém os valores de condutividade obtidos foram bem inferiores que os apresentados pelo poliacetileno dopado (10-5 a 10-7 contra 102 S cm-1, tipicamente). / In this work poly-2-ethynylpyridine (P2EP), poly-4-ethynylpyridine (P2EP), poly(2-N-t-butylpyridiniumylacetylene) iodide (P2EPtBu) and poly-β-pethynylnaphthalene (PβEN) were synthesized. These polymers, which are polyacetylenes derivatives, and poly(2-pyridinium-2-pyridylacetylene) chloride (P2EPH) were analyzed by vibrational techniques. It was observed that some Raman band positions shifted when excitation energy was changed, however this shift (ca. 10 cm-1) was substantially smaller than the presented by polyacetylene (ca. 60 cm-1). This phenomenon called Raman dispersion or photoselectivity - was examinated using Amplitude Mode Model (AMM) and Effective Conjugation Coordinate Model (ECCM) and gave us important information about polymer structure and its electronic energies levels. Using AMM it was possible to infere information about electronic excited states with the same symmetry of the electronic ground state. ECCM gave us evidences about differences in conjugation extension and dimerization degree between cis and trans structures. Besides this, ECCM was successful in indicating cis structure to P2EP. Infrared spectrum confirmed that this polymer is mainly cis. I2 doping of P2EP, P2EPH and P2EPtBu provoked differents perturbations in these systems. P2EP and P2EPH increased their cis segments amount, as showed by infrared spectra. On the other hand, this doping induced the decrease of cis segments in P2EPtBu. Raman spectroscopy supported these conclusions too. This difference was interpretated as due to the side group volume, which could favour one or another isomerization. Electronic conductivity increased by doping for all these three polymers, however the conductivity is considerably lower than the presented by polyacetylene (from 10-5 to 10-7 S cm-1 for these substituted polyacetylenes against typically 10-2 S cm-1 for polyacetylene).

Neste trabalho foram sintetizados a poli-2-etinilpiridina (P2EP), poli-4etinilpiridina (P4EP), o iodeto de poli(2-N-t-butilpiridiniumilacetileno) (P2EPtBu) e a poli-β-etinilnaftaleno (P&#946:EN), os quais são poliacetilenos substituídos. Estes polímeros, juntamente com o cloreto de poli(2-piridínio-2-piridilacetileno) (P2EPH), foram caracterizados por espectroscopia vibracional no infravermelho e Raman. Estes polímeros apresentaram variação na posição das bandas Raman com a energia da radiação excitante - chamada dispersão Raman ou fotosseletividade - da ordem de 10 cm-1, bem inferior ao apresentado pelo poliacetileno (cerca de 60 cm-1). Este deslocamento foi interpretado utilizando-se dois dos modelos existentes para descrever este fenômeno: o Modelo de Modo de Amplitude (AMM) e o Modelo de Coordenada de Conjugação Efetiva (ECCM), os quais fornecem informações sobre a estrutura polimérica e sobre seus níveis eletrônicos. Utilizando-se o AMM foi possível obter informações sobre os níveis eletrônicos excitados de mesma simetria que o estado eletrônico fundamental. Por outro lado, o ECCM, com a ajuda de cálculos DFT, mostrou diferenças na extensão da conjugação e no grau de dimerização entre o P2EP na forma cis e trans e indicou que este polímero apresentava, predominantemente, a estrutura cis, fato este confirmado pelos espectros no infravermelho. A dopagem com I2 provocou efeitos diferentes na estrutura dos polímeros. Os espectros no infravermelho dos polímeros dopados indicaram que o P2EP e o P2EPH apresentaram aumento na quantidade de segmentos cis enquanto o P2EPtBu apresentou diminuição na quantidade desses segmentos. Os espectros Raman dos polímeros dopados confirmaram os dados dos espectros no infravermelho. Esta diferença foi interpretada como sendo devida à diferença no volume do substituinte, pois grupos volumosos favorecem o isômero trans-cisóide onde a distância entre os substituintes é maior. A dopagem também levou a um aumento na condutividade dos polímeros, porém os valores de condutividade obtidos foram bem inferiores que os apresentados pelo poliacetileno dopado (10-5 a 10-7 contra 102 S cm-1, tipicamente). / In this work poly-2-ethynylpyridine (P2EP), poly-4-ethynylpyridine (P2EP), poly(2-N-t-butylpyridiniumylacetylene) iodide (P2EPtBu) and poly-β-pethynylnaphthalene (PβEN) were synthesized. These polymers, which are polyacetylenes derivatives, and poly(2-pyridinium-2-pyridylacetylene) chloride (P2EPH) were analyzed by vibrational techniques. It was observed that some Raman band positions shifted when excitation energy was changed, however this shift (ca. 10 cm-1) was substantially smaller than the presented by polyacetylene (ca. 60 cm-1). This phenomenon called Raman dispersion or photoselectivity - was examinated using Amplitude Mode Model (AMM) and Effective Conjugation Coordinate Model (ECCM) and gave us important information about polymer structure and its electronic energies levels. Using AMM it was possible to infere information about electronic excited states with the same symmetry of the electronic ground state. ECCM gave us evidences about differences in conjugation extension and dimerization degree between cis and trans structures. Besides this, ECCM was successful in indicating cis structure to P2EP. Infrared spectrum confirmed that this polymer is mainly cis. I2 doping of P2EP, P2EPH and P2EPtBu provoked differents perturbations in these systems. P2EP and P2EPH increased their cis segments amount, as showed by infrared spectra. On the other hand, this doping induced the decrease of cis segments in P2EPtBu. Raman spectroscopy supported these conclusions too. This difference was interpretated as due to the side group volume, which could favour one or another isomerization. Electronic conductivity increased by doping for all these three polymers, however the conductivity is considerably lower than the presented by polyacetylene (from 10-5 to 10-7 S cm-1 for these substituted polyacetylenes against typically 10-2 S cm-1 for polyacetylene).

Initiated with the purpose of assigning the Fraunhofer lines in the solar spectrum to atomic transitions in the 18th century, the collaboration between spectroscopists and astrophysicists has remained fruitful, successful and ever fascinating. This collaboration has resulted in the unique detection of over 200 different molecular species in the interstellar medium (ISM). These interstellar molecular species play significant roles in diverse fields such as atmospheric chemistry, astrochemistry, prebiotic chemistry, astrophysics, astronomy, astrobiology, etc, and in our understanding of the solar system ''the world around us''. This Thesis work focuses on understanding of the different aspects of the chemistry of the various classes of these molecular species. Chapter one starts with an historical perspective of what is now regarded as Molecular Astrophysics or Astrochemistry and discusses the interstellar medium and its properties; interstellar molecular species and their importance; molecular spectroscopy as an indispensible tool in interstellar chemistry and the different formation routes of these molecular species. It also discusses hydrogen bonding which is one of the most important of all the intermolecular interactions. The chapter ends by setting the stage for the present investigations. The chapter two of the Thesis saddled with the task of describing the methodology employed in this Thesis begins by setting the stage on the importance of computational chemistry in interstellar chemistry. It discusses the Gaussian 09 suite of programs and the various theoretical methods used in all the quantum chemical calculations reported in this Thesis. The chapter ends with a brief summary on the homebuilt Pulsed Nozzle Fourier Transform Microwave (PN-FTMW) spectrometer used for the preliminary studies on Isoprene...Argon weakly bound complex reported in the appendix. After the introductory chapters, chapter three begins with what is unarguably one of the most important classes of interstellar molecular species - 'interstellar isomers'. In this chapter, the Energy, Stability and Abundance (ESA) relationship existing among interstellar molecular species has been firmly established using accurate thermochemical parameters obtained with the composite models and reported observational data. From the relationship, “Interstellar abundances of related species are directly proportional to their stabilities in the absence of the effect of interstellar hydrogen bonding”. The immediate consequences of the relationship in addressing some of the questions in interstellar chemistry such as: Where are Cyclic Interstellar Molecules? What are the possible candidates for astronomical observation? Why are more Interstellar Cyanides than isocyanides? among others are briefly discussed. Following the ESA relationship, other studies addressing some of the whys and wherefores in interstellar chemistry are discussed in details. From ESA relationship, though there has not been any successful astronomical observation of any heterocycle, the ones so far searched remain the best candidates for astronomical observation in their respective isomeric groups. The observation of the first branched chain molecule in ISM is in agreement with the ESA relationship and the C5H9N isomers have been shown to contain potential branched chain interstellar molecules. That molecules with the C-C-O backbone have less potential of formation in ISM as compared to their counterparts with the C-O-C backbone has been demonstrated not to be true following the ESA relationship. A detailed investigation on the relationship between molecular partition function and astronomical detection of isomeric species (or related molecules) shows that there is no direct correlation between the two rather there is a direct link between the thermodynamic stability of the isomeric species (or related molecules) and their interstellar abundances which influences the astronomical observation of some isomers at the expense of others. Chapter four presents an interesting and a fascinating phenomenon among the interstellar molecular species as it discusses for the first time, the existence and effects of Interstellar Hydrogen Bonding. This interstellar hydrogen bonding is shown to be responsible for the deviations from thermodynamically controlled processes, delayed observation of the most stable isomers, unsuccessful observations of amino acids among other happenings in interstellar chemistry and related areas. On the prediction that ketenes are the right candidates for astronomical searches among their respective isomers, a ketenyl radical; HCCO has recently been detected in line with this prediction. The deviation from the rule that the ratio of an interstellar sulphur molecule to its oxygen analogue is close to the cosmic S/O ratio is well accounted for on the basis of hydrogen bonding on the surface of the dust grains. Detecting weakly bound complexes in ISM has not been a major interest in the field so far but the detectability of weakly bound complexes in ISM is very possible as discussed in this chapter. Following the conditions in which these complexes are observed in the terrestrial laboratory as compared to the ISM conditions; it suffices to say that weakly bound complexes are present and are detectable in ISM. They could even account for some of the 'U' lines. Chapter five of the Thesis discusses the Linear Interstellar Carbon Chains which are the dominant theme in interstellar chemistry accounting for over 20% of all the known interstellar and circumstellar molecular species. Accurate spectroscopic parameters within experimental accuracy of few kHz which are the indispensable tools for the astronomical observation of these molecular species; are obtained for over 200 different species from the various chains using an inexpensive combined experimental and theoretical approach. With the availability of the spectroscopic parameters; thermodynamics is utilized in accounting for the known systems and in examining the right candidates for astronomical searches. These molecular species are shown to also obey the ESA relationship observed for the isomeric species discussed in chapter three of this work. The effect of kinetics on the formation processes of these molecular species is well controlled by thermodynamics as discussed in this chapter. Finally, the application of these studies in reducing the 'U' lines and probing new molecular species has been briefly summarized. Chapter six discusses Interstellar Ions and Isotopologues which are two unique classes of interstellar molecular species. Different studies on interstellar ions and isotopologues are presented. From the studies on interstellar protonated species with over 100 molecular species; protonated species resulting from a high proton affinity prefers to remain protonated rather than transferring a proton and returning to its neutral form as compared to its analogue that gives rise to a lower proton affinity from the same neutral species. The studies on detectable interstellar anions account for the known interstellar anions and predict members of the C2nO-, C2nS-, C2n-1Si-, HC2nN-, CnP-, and C2n chains as outstanding candidates for astronomical observation including the higher members of the C2nH- and C2n-1N- groups whose lower members have been observed. From high level ab initio quantum chemical calculations; ZPE and Boltzmann factor have been used to explain the observed deuterium enhancement and the possibility of detecting more deuterated species in ISM. Though all the heterocycles that have so far been searched for in ISM have been shown to be the right candidates for astronomical observation as discussed in the ESA relationship, they have also been shown to be strongly bonded to the surface of the interstellar dust grains thereby reducing their abundances, thus, contributing to their unsuccessful detection except for furan which is less affected by hydrogen bonding. The D-analogues of the heterocycles are shown from the computed Boltzmann factor to be formed under the dense molecular cloud conditions where major deuterium fractionation dominates implying very high D/H ratio above the cosmic D/H ratio which suggests the detectability of these deuterated species. Chapter seven examines the isomerization of the most stable isomer (which is probably the most abundant) to the less stable isomer(s) as one of the plausible formation routes for interstellar molecular species. An extensive investigation on the isomerization enthalpies of 243 molecular species from 64 isomeric groups is reported. From the results, the high abundances of the most stable isomers coupled with the energy sources in interstellar medium drive the isomerization process even for relative enthalpy difference as high as 67.4 kcal/mol. Specifically, the cyanides and their corresponding isocyanides pairs appear to be effectively synthesized via this process. The following potential interstellar molecules; CNC, NCCP, c-C5H, methylene ketene, methyl Ketene, CH3SCH3, C5O, 1,1-ethanediol, propanoic acid, propan-2-ol and propanol are identified and discussed. In all the isomeric groups, isomerization appears to be an effective route for the formation of the less stable isomers (which are probably less abundant) from the most stable ones. Chapter eight summarizes the conclusions drawn from the different studies presented in this Thesis and also highlights some of the future directions of these studies. The first appendix presents the preliminary study on Isoprene...Ar weakly bound complex while the second appendix contains a study on interstellar C3S describing the importance of accurate dipole moment in calculating interstellar abundances of molecular species and in astrophysical and astronomical models.