Oito complexos de manganês foram sintetizados com as tiossemicarbazonas ou semicarbazonas: salicilaldeído-4(N)-fenil-3-tiossemicarbazona (H2SAL-Phtsc), salicilaldeído-4(N)-metil-3-tiosemicarbazona (H2SAL-Metsc), salicilaldeído semicarbazona (H2SAL-Hsc), 2-hidroxiacetofenona semicarbazona (H2HAC-Hsc), salicilaldeído-4(N)-fenil-3-semicarbazona (H2SAL-Phsc) e 2-hidroxiacetofenona-4(N)-fenil-3-semicarbazona (H2HAC-Phsc). Estes agentes complexantes foram caracterizados por: ponto de fusão; RMN de 1H; análise elementar de C, H, N e S; difração de raios X em monocristal; espectroscopia de absorção no Infravermelho e UV-vis. Os complexos foram caracterizados pela combinação de analise elementar, condutividade molar, espectroscopia de absorção na região de infravermelho e UV-vis, susceptibilidade magnética, voltametria cíclica e/ou pulso diferencial e ressonância paramagnética de elétrons. Constantes de interação da albumina sérica humana com complexos [Mn(HSAL-Phtsc)2], [Mn(HHAC-Hsc)2] e [Mn(HSAL-Phsc)2] foram determinadas na faixa de 4,17-13,58 x 104 mol-1 s-1 L, indicando uma fraca interação com a HSA e podemos sugerir que a supressão da HSA não ocorre por uma colisão dinâmica, com valores de Kq na faixa de 2,08-6,79 x 1014 mol-1 s-1 L, superiores ao máximo possível para remoção dinâmica (2,0 x 1010 mol-1 s-1 L), indicando a existência de um mecanismo de extinção estática. Todos os complexos e ligantes foram testados contra linhagens celulares tumorais MDA-MB-231 (tumor de mama humano) e A549 (adenocarcinoma de pulmão humano). Entre os agentes complexantes, o que se destacou foi o salicilaldeído-4(N)-fenil-3-tiosemicarbazona, o qual apresentou IC50 de 8,77 ± 1,51 e 8,16 ± 1,45 mmol L-1, em MDA-MB-231 e A549, respectivamente, onde na linhagem A549 o IC50 é menor que a cisplatina. Os melhores valores de IC50 na linhagem MDA-MB-231 foram dos complexos de manganês com tiossemicarbazonas, complexos [Mn(SAL-Phtsc)2] e [Mn(HSAL-Phtsc)2] (5,89 ± 2,12 e 6,09 ± 1,18 µmol L-1, respectivamente). E na linhagem A549 o complexo [Mn(HSAL-Phsc)2] obteve melhor valor de IC50 (12,23 ± 2,47 µmol L-1). Os testes antimicobaterianos dos compostos mostraram que os complexos de manganês com tiossemicarbazonas, bem como as tiossemicarbazonas sintetizadas são potenciais agentes contra infecções micobacterianas, especificamente contra a Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. / Eight manganese complexes were synthesized with the thiosemicarbazones or semicarbazones: salicylaldehyde-4(N)-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (H2SAL-Phtsc), salicylaldehyde-4(N)-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (H2SAL-Metsc), salicylaldehyde semicarbazone (H2SAL-Hsc), 2-hydroxyacetophenone semicarbazone (H2HAC-Hsc), salicylaldehyde-4(N)-phenyl-3-semicarbazone (H2SAL-Phsc) and 2-hydroxyacetophenone-4(N)-phenyl-3-semicarbazone (H2HAC-Phsc). These complexing agents were characterized by: melting point; 1H-NMR; Elemental analysis of C, H, N and S; X-ray diffraction on single crystal; absorption spectroscopy in Infrared and UV-vis. The complexes were characterized by the combination of elemental analysis, molar conductivity, infrared and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, cyclic voltammetry and/or differential pulse and electron paramagnetic resonance. Human serum albumin interaction constants for complexes [Mn(HSAL-Phtsc)2], [Mn(HHAC-Hsc)2] and [Mn(HSAL-Phsc)2] were in the range of 4.17-13.58 x 104 mol-1 s-1 L, indicating a poor interaction with the HSA and we can suggest that the suppression of the HSA dose not occur by dynamic collision since the values of Kq in the range of 2.08-6.79 x 1014 mol-1 s-1 L are higher than the maximum possible for dynamic removal (2.0 x 1010 mol-1 s-1 L), indicating the existence of a static extinguishing mechanism. All complexes and ligands were tested against MDA-MB-231 (human breast tumor) and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma) tumor cell lines. Among the complexing agents, salicylaldehyde-4(N)-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone showed IC50 of 8.77 ± 1.51 and 8.16 ± 1.45 ?mol L-1 in MDA- MB-231 and A549, respectively, where in line A549 the IC50 is lower than cisplatin. The best IC50 values in the MDA-MB-231 strain were from manganese complexes with thiosemicarbazones, complexes [Mn(SAL-Phtsc)2] and [Mn(HSAL-Phtsc)2] (5.89 ± 2.12 and 6.09 ± 1.18 µmol L-1, respectively). And in the A549 line the complex [Mn(HSAL-Phsc)2] obtained a better value of IC50 (12.23 ± 2.47 µmol L-1). The antimycobacterial tests of the compounds showed that the manganese complexes with thiosemicarbazones as well as the synthesized thiosemicarbazones are potential agents against mycobacterial infections, specifically against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv.

Oito complexos de manganês foram sintetizados com as tiossemicarbazonas ou semicarbazonas: salicilaldeído-4(N)-fenil-3-tiossemicarbazona (H2SAL-Phtsc), salicilaldeído-4(N)-metil-3-tiosemicarbazona (H2SAL-Metsc), salicilaldeído semicarbazona (H2SAL-Hsc), 2-hidroxiacetofenona semicarbazona (H2HAC-Hsc), salicilaldeído-4(N)-fenil-3-semicarbazona (H2SAL-Phsc) e 2-hidroxiacetofenona-4(N)-fenil-3-semicarbazona (H2HAC-Phsc). Estes agentes complexantes foram caracterizados por: ponto de fusão; RMN de 1H; análise elementar de C, H, N e S; difração de raios X em monocristal; espectroscopia de absorção no Infravermelho e UV-vis. Os complexos foram caracterizados pela combinação de analise elementar, condutividade molar, espectroscopia de absorção na região de infravermelho e UV-vis, susceptibilidade magnética, voltametria cíclica e/ou pulso diferencial e ressonância paramagnética de elétrons. Constantes de interação da albumina sérica humana com complexos [Mn(HSAL-Phtsc)2], [Mn(HHAC-Hsc)2] e [Mn(HSAL-Phsc)2] foram determinadas na faixa de 4,17-13,58 x 104 mol-1 s-1 L, indicando uma fraca interação com a HSA e podemos sugerir que a supressão da HSA não ocorre por uma colisão dinâmica, com valores de Kq na faixa de 2,08-6,79 x 1014 mol-1 s-1 L, superiores ao máximo possível para remoção dinâmica (2,0 x 1010 mol-1 s-1 L), indicando a existência de um mecanismo de extinção estática. Todos os complexos e ligantes foram testados contra linhagens celulares tumorais MDA-MB-231 (tumor de mama humano) e A549 (adenocarcinoma de pulmão humano). Entre os agentes complexantes, o que se destacou foi o salicilaldeído-4(N)-fenil-3-tiosemicarbazona, o qual apresentou IC50 de 8,77 ± 1,51 e 8,16 ± 1,45 mmol L-1, em MDA-MB-231 e A549, respectivamente, onde na linhagem A549 o IC50 é menor que a cisplatina. Os melhores valores de IC50 na linhagem MDA-MB-231 foram dos complexos de manganês com tiossemicarbazonas, complexos [Mn(SAL-Phtsc)2] e [Mn(HSAL-Phtsc)2] (5,89 ± 2,12 e 6,09 ± 1,18 µmol L-1, respectivamente). E na linhagem A549 o complexo [Mn(HSAL-Phsc)2] obteve melhor valor de IC50 (12,23 ± 2,47 µmol L-1). Os testes antimicobaterianos dos compostos mostraram que os complexos de manganês com tiossemicarbazonas, bem como as tiossemicarbazonas sintetizadas são potenciais agentes contra infecções micobacterianas, especificamente contra a Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. / Eight manganese complexes were synthesized with the thiosemicarbazones or semicarbazones: salicylaldehyde-4(N)-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (H2SAL-Phtsc), salicylaldehyde-4(N)-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (H2SAL-Metsc), salicylaldehyde semicarbazone (H2SAL-Hsc), 2-hydroxyacetophenone semicarbazone (H2HAC-Hsc), salicylaldehyde-4(N)-phenyl-3-semicarbazone (H2SAL-Phsc) and 2-hydroxyacetophenone-4(N)-phenyl-3-semicarbazone (H2HAC-Phsc). These complexing agents were characterized by: melting point; 1H-NMR; Elemental analysis of C, H, N and S; X-ray diffraction on single crystal; absorption spectroscopy in Infrared and UV-vis. The complexes were characterized by the combination of elemental analysis, molar conductivity, infrared and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, cyclic voltammetry and/or differential pulse and electron paramagnetic resonance. Human serum albumin interaction constants for complexes [Mn(HSAL-Phtsc)2], [Mn(HHAC-Hsc)2] and [Mn(HSAL-Phsc)2] were in the range of 4.17-13.58 x 104 mol-1 s-1 L, indicating a poor interaction with the HSA and we can suggest that the suppression of the HSA dose not occur by dynamic collision since the values of Kq in the range of 2.08-6.79 x 1014 mol-1 s-1 L are higher than the maximum possible for dynamic removal (2.0 x 1010 mol-1 s-1 L), indicating the existence of a static extinguishing mechanism. All complexes and ligands were tested against MDA-MB-231 (human breast tumor) and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma) tumor cell lines. Among the complexing agents, salicylaldehyde-4(N)-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone showed IC50 of 8.77 ± 1.51 and 8.16 ± 1.45 ?mol L-1 in MDA- MB-231 and A549, respectively, where in line A549 the IC50 is lower than cisplatin. The best IC50 values in the MDA-MB-231 strain were from manganese complexes with thiosemicarbazones, complexes [Mn(SAL-Phtsc)2] and [Mn(HSAL-Phtsc)2] (5.89 ± 2.12 and 6.09 ± 1.18 µmol L-1, respectively). And in the A549 line the complex [Mn(HSAL-Phsc)2] obtained a better value of IC50 (12.23 ± 2.47 µmol L-1). The antimycobacterial tests of the compounds showed that the manganese complexes with thiosemicarbazones as well as the synthesized thiosemicarbazones are potential agents against mycobacterial infections, specifically against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv.

Une nouvelle famille de porphyrines chirales bridées a été mise au point dans le but d'accéder à des systèmes présentant un processus redox irréversible, lié à une bistabilité conformationnelle, dans le but de les appliquer dans le domaine des mémoires moléculaires. Ces nouvelles porphyrines sont constituées de deux brides ancrées sur les quatre positions meso par des groupes cyclohexyle. Une amine secondaire a été insérée au centre des brides dans le but d'obtenir des métalloporphyrines présentant une seule conformation à l'équilibre pour une longueur de bride, un métal et un degré d'oxydation donnés et pour favoriser un changement conformationnel en fonction du degré d'oxydation d'un métal comme le manganèse. Pour cela, une nouvelle voie de synthèse des porphyrines bridées par pré-fonctionnalisation du dialdéhyde autour de la fonction amine a été conçue. Les porphyrines ont été caractérisées par spectroscopie RMN, spectroscopie UV-Visible et dichroïsme circulaire. Les conformations des bases libres, des complexes de zinc(II) et de nickel(II) ont été déterminées par RMN proton. Pour une longueur de bride de 9 atomes avec une amine secondaire, les conformations des complexes de zinc(II) et de nickel(II) sont respectivement αααα et ααββ. En partant de ce modèle, les complexes de manganèse(II) et de chloromanganèse(III) ont été synthétisés et caractérisés par spectroscopie UV-Visible, dichroïsme circulaire et RMN du carbone 13 afin d'étudier si des changements de conformation en fonction du degré d'oxydation du métal ont lieu. / A new family of chiral bridled porphyrins was designed in order to access systems presenting an irreversible redox process linked to a conformational switch. Such systems could be of high interest in the field of molecular memories. These new porphyrins are made of two bridles anchored to the four macrocycle meso positions through cyclohexyl groups. The first objective is to introduce a secondary amine in the centre of the bridles in order to allow metalloporphyrins with defined bridle length and specific metal with a given oxidation degree to be only under one conformation at equilibrium. The second objective is to favor a conformational switch dependent on the oxidation state of a redox metal such as manganese. To reach these goals, a new porphyrin synthetic pathway was established. The key steps of this new protocol were the synthesis of the bridle built around the central amine with two terminal aldehyde functions required for the macrocyle formation. Porphyrins were studied by NMR, UV-Visible and circular dichroism spectroscopies. The conformations of free base porphyrins, zinc(II) complexes and nickel(II) complexes were determined by 1H NMR. For a bridle with a chain length of 9 atoms including the secondary amine, the zinc(II) complex presents only an αααα conformation and nickel(II) complex an ααββ conformation. From these structural models, manganese(II) and chloromanganese(III) complexes were synthesised and characterised by UV-Visible spectroscopy, circular dichroism and 13C NMR in order to study the possible conformational switches dependent on the Mn redox state.

Les polymères fluorés sont des matériaux possédant des propriétés remarquables, ce qui donne lieu à des nombreuses applications. Cependant, même si la polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée (PRC ou RDRP) a connu un grand développement dès le milieu des années 90, l’obtention de polymères de taille et de structure bien définies pour certains monomères fluorés reste encore un réel défi. C’est le cas du fluorure de vinylidène (VDF), H2C=CF2, qui lors de la polymérisation radicalaire peut conduire à une addition normale (têtequeue) ou des additions inverses (têtetête et queuequeue). Ces défauts d’enchainement provoquent la formation d’espèces dormantes peu réactives lors d’une PRC. Ceci entraine l’accumulation de chaînes dormantes difficiles à réactiver qui conduit à une perte de contrôle et à l’augmentation de la polymolécularité. Des études récentes ont montré que l’utilisation de complexes organométalliques peut minimiser ce problème en rééquilibrant les énergies nécessaires pour réactiver les deux différentes chaînes dormantes. D’autre part, des calculs théoriques ont montré que les complexes de manganèse pentacarbonyle alkyle et fluoroalkyle, [Mn(CO)5R] et [Mn(CO)5RF] respectivement, peuvent former des espèces dormantes normales et inverses dont les énergies d’activation sont proches. Ceci pourrait entrainer un certain degré de contrôle de la polymérisation. Dans cette étude, plusieurs complexes de manganèse du type [Mn(CO)5R] et [Mn(CO)5RF] (R = CH(CH3)(COOCH3), CH(CH3)(OCOCH3) et CH(CH3)(C6H5); RF = CF3, CHF2, CH2CF3 et CF2CH3) ont été synthétisés et parfaitement caractérisés, puis ont été utilisés comme amorceurs de polymérisation de divers monomères et comme modèles de bouts de chaîne en PRC par des complexes organométalliques (OMRP). Pour cela, des mesures expérimentales de l’enthalpie de dissociation homolytique de la liaison MnC ont été réalisées par des méthodes cinétiques. De plus, une étude plus approfondie sur la formation de certains sousproduits lors de la décomposition thermique de complexes de manganèse fluoroalkyle en présence du tris(trimethylsilyl)silane en tant que piégeur de radicaux a été réalisée et soutenue par des calculs théoriques. Ces complexes ont également été testés en polymérisation du VDF et d’autres monomères nonfluorés. / Fluoropolymers are materials characterized by remarkable properties and are involved in many applications. However, although controlled radical polymerization (CRP or RDRP) has been extraordinarily developed since the mid90s, synthesizing welldefined polymers of certain fluorinated monomers still remains a crucial challenge. This is the case of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), H2C=CF2, which under radical polymerization can undergo normal additions (head to tail) or reverse additions (head to head and tail to tail). These chain defects cause the formation of less reactive dormant species during a CRP. This favors an accumulation of less reactive dormant chains and leads to a loss of the control as well as to an increase of the dispersity. Recent studies have concluded that the use of organometallic complexes can minimize this problem by equilibrating the energies needed to reactivate both types of dormant chains. On the other hand, theoretical calculations have shown that alkyl and fluoroalkyl manganese pentacarbonyl complexes, [Mn(CO)5R] and [Mn(CO)5RF] respectively, are able to lead to normal and inverse dormant species with a similar activation energy. This could afford some degree of controlled polymerization. In this study, several manganese complexes ([Mn(CO)5R] and [Mn(CO)5RF], where R = CH(CH3)(COOCH3), CH(CH3)(OCOCH3) and CH(CH3)(C6H5); RF = CF3, CHF2, CH2CF3 and CF2CH3) have been synthesized and fully characterized. They were then used as original initiators for the polymerization of various monomers and as chainend models in CRP mediated by organometallic complexes (OMRP). Experimental measurements of the dissociation enthalpy of the MnC bond were carried out by kinetic methods. In addition, a deeper study of the formation of certain byproducts during the thermal decomposition of the fluoroalkylpentacarbonylmanganese(I) complexes in the presence of tris (trimethylsilyl)silane as a radical trap was carried out and supported by theoretical calculations. These complexes were also tested in the polymerization of VDF and of other nonfluorinated monomers.

Metalorganic Chemical Vapour Deposition (MOCVD) is a versatile technique for the deposition of thin films of oxide materials as it offers advantages, such as deposition over large surface area, conformal coverage, selective area deposition, and a high degree of compositional control. The MOCVD process uses metalorganic (MO) complexes, such as β-diketonate and alkoxide-based complexes, as precursors. These complexes are stable and moderately volatile. Because of the direct bond between metal and oxygen, MO complexes are natural precursors for oxide coatings. As the process involves chemical reactions taking place on the substrate surface, growth of thin films by MOCVD depends on various parameters such as the chemical nature and concentration of precursors, reaction pressure, reaction temperature, and the nature of the substrate. Such a large parameter space of the CVD process, when combined with the dynamics (thermodynamics and fluid dynamics) and kinetics, makes it rather complex. This complexity allows one to make thin films of metastable phases, including amorphous materials. One of the important findings of the work is that MOCVD process is capable of making composite coatings of carbonaceous metal oxide. Manganese is multivalent and forms various stable oxides, such as MnO, Mn2O3, Mn3O4 and MnO2. There are various potential applications of manganese oxides. MnO2 is a very well studied material for its electrochemical applications in dry cells, lithium-ion batteries, and in supercapacitors. Hence, it becomes pertinent to explore the properties of thin films of manganese oxides prepared by MOCVD for various electrochemical and other applications. The thesis work is divided into two parts. Part 1 describes the synthesis of manganese complexes, their characterization, and their application to the CVD of coatings, especially those of carbonaceous MnO. Part 2 is devoted to a detailed study of electrochemical aspects of the carbonaceous MnO coatings, followed by a report on their unusual transport properties. Chapter 1 begins with a brief introduction to thin film deposition processes. In particular, the CVD process is described with reference to various parameters such as carrier gas flow, pressure, temperature and most importantly, the CVD precursor. The chapter ends with a description of the scope of the work undertaken for the present thesis. Chapter 2 deals with “Synthesis and Characterization of MO complexes”. It begins with a description of the classification of CVD precursors with the description of MO complexes such as β-diketonates, which are generally subliming crystalline solids. Manganese β-diketonate complexes are discussed in detail. Due to the multivalent nature of Mn, there are two possible complexes namely Mn(acac)2(H2O)2 and Mn(acac)3. These complexes have been synthesised and characterized (confirmed) by various techniques, such as elemental analysis (CHN), X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy, and mass spectroscopy. Thermal analysis of the complexes shows that they are suitable as MOCVD precursors. We have used Mn(acac)2(H2O)2 as a precursor in the present work. Metalorganic complexes, where metal ion is directly bonded with both nitrogen and oxygen, can be potential candidates for the precursor for oxynitrides coatings. We have therefore studied solid crystalline anthranilate complexes of various metal ions, such as Mn2+, Co2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ and confirmed their formation. Thermal analysis shows that anthranilate complexes are fairly volatile below 250oC and decompose below 500oC. These complexes were pyrolysed in open air and in sealed tube at different temperatures, and the resulting powder product examined by XRD, SEM, EDAX and FTIR. This preliminary study shows that anthranilate complexes yield different oxides of Mn, Co and Cu under different pyrolysis conditions, with very interesting morphological features. Pyrolysis of Zn(aa)2 in a sealed tube leads to the formation of a nanocomposite of carbon and zinc oxide (wuerzite), rich in carbon, with potential for applications in catalysis. On the other hand, the pyrolysis of Zn(aa)2 in air at the same temperature leads to leads to crystalline, nanostructured zinc oxide (wuerzite). However, no attempt has been made to use these anthranilates as CVD precursors. Chapter 3 deals with “MOCVD of Manganese Oxides and their Characterization”. It begins with a brief review of various manganese oxides and their properties. This is followed by description of the CVD reactor used for the present work, together with the conditions employed for the deposition of MnOx films. Depositions have been carried out on different substrates such as SS-316, ceramic alumina and Si (111), while varying various deposition parameters, viz., substrate, reactor pressure, carrier gas (argon) flow rate, and the duration of deposition. Significantly, depositions are divided into two categories: one, carried out in argon ambient, in the absence of a supply of oxygen (or any other oxidant) and the second one, under oxygen flow, using argon as carrier gas. The films deposited in the absence of oxygen flow are thick, black in colour, and electrically conducting, indicating the presence of carbon. The growth rate follows a typical thermal pattern, with activation energy of ~ 1.7 eV. Detailed characterization by XRD, TEM/ED, Raman, FTIR and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) shows that these films are composed of MnO in a carbon-rich amorphous matrix. High-resolution SEM (fig. 1) reveals a fractal pattern of cauliflower morphology, comprising very fine particles (4 – 10 nm), characteristic of very large specific surface area of the film, which is confirmed by volumetric BET measurement (~2000 m2/g). We conclude that growth in argon ambient leads to a homogenous nanocomposite film of hydrated MnO in carbon-rich matrix. Thus, our study reveals that MOCVD is a novel one-step chemical method to produce homogenous composite thin films, wherein all components of the nanocomposite film emerge from the same chemical precursor. Carbon incorporation is generally avoided by empirical process design, as it is viewed as an impurity. The potential advantages of carbon incorporation are thus not examined and the composite nature of carbonaceous films not recognized in the literature. Carbonaceous nanocomposite film can be significant as an electrode in supercapacitors, as discussed in part 2 of the thesis. Chapter 3 describes films deposited under oxygen flow, which are no longer black and are highly resistive, indicating the absence of carbon in the film, as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. XRD, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy reveal that the films obtained under oxygen flow are more crystalline than the ones obtained in the absence of oxygen flow, and that the films are generally nanocrystalline composites of two manganese oxides, such as MnO and Mn3O4. Given the context of the carbonaceous MnO films described above, chapter 4 begins with a review of electrochemical capacitors (also called supercapacitors or ultracapacitors), which are emerging as important energy storage devices. Until now, in the Mn-O system, hydrated MnO2 has been well-studied as an electrode material due to its low cost and environmental compatibility, but the low electrical conductivity of MnO2, together with irreversible redox reactions, reduces its performance. In electrochemical capacitor applications, metal-oxide/carbon composites are finding importance. Chapter 4 deals with “MnO/C Nanocomposite Coatings as Electrodes for Electrochemical Capacitor”. In this chapter, we have examined the novel EM, i.e., the hydrated MnO/C nanocomposite coating prepared by the MOCVD process on a conducting substrate (current collector) such as SS-316 as an electrode. Electrochemical measurements have been carried out for both the 3-electrode assembly (for basic aqueous electrolyte) and 2-electrode assembly (for gel polymer electrolyte) using cyclic voltammetry (CV), AC impedance and charge-discharge techniques. The studies lead to a maximum specific capacitance of 230 – 270 F/g at 1 mA/cm2 discharge current density for the MnO/C nanocomposite coating grown at 680oC. The Bode plot shows a maximum phase angle of around 74 – 82o, indicating capacitive behaviour. The MnO/C nanocomposite film shows a very small time constant (0.5 – 3 msec), which is good for high frequency applications. The pulse power figure of merit is found to be 650 – 2000 W/g. Capacitance determined for a large number of charge-discharge cycles (~20000), and at large current densities (50 mA/cm2) show promising results. The energy density (5 - 32 Wh/kg) and power density (2 – 4 kW/kg) estimated from charge-discharge data at 1 mA/cm2 shows the potential of the nanocomposite MnO/C as electrode for superior capacitor devices. Gel polymer electrolytes (GPE) offer the advantage of large electrochemical potential window due to its structural and chemical stability. Studies have been carried out to show that the MnO/C nanocomposite film is compatible with gel polymer electrolytes based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) with salts of magnesium triflate and magnesium perchlorate, respectively) and plasticizers (ethylene carbonate (EC) + propylene carbonate (PC)), in a 2-electrode assembly. Chapter 5 deals with “Magnetoconductance in MnO/C Nanocomposite Coatings on Alumina”. Amorphous systems, such as MnO/C composites wherein carbon is amorphous and MnO is nearly so, are highly symmetric condensed phases, which do not possess long range translational or orientational order. Disorder in the system creates Anderson localized states just above the valence band, which lead to reduced electrical conductivity. Amorphous systems show either a small negative magnetoresistance (~ 5%) or a small positive magnetoconductance (~ 7%) at very low temperatures (~ 10 K). As such, the transport properties of the MnO/C nanocomposite film have been investigated, and are reported in chapter 5. Transport and magnetotransport measurements have been made on the MnO/C nanocomposite film grown on alumina. It is found that the MnO/C nanocomposite coating exhibits a giant negative MR (22.3%) at a temperature as high as 100 K, which is unusual because pure MnO is anti-ferromagnetic and does not ordinarily show any magnetoresistance (MR), while amorphous carbon is known to show a small MR at very low temperatures (~7 K), due to weak-localization. The present results mean that a mechanism other than weak-localization plays a role in this nanocomposite material. Further study of this material is called for, which can perhaps lead to giant magnetoresistance (GMR) at room temperature in a metal-oxide/carbon nanocomposite. A summary of the work and an outlook for further research are given in the concluding chapter 6.

Des ligands diiminopyrrolides portant deux substituants N-méthylbenzyle chiraux ont été préparés par condensation du 1H-pyrrole-2,5-dicarbaldéhyde et de la S-méthylbenzylamine. La réaction de ce ligand avec du Cu(OMe)2 en présence de 2 équivalents de pyridylméthanol ou de diméthylaminoéthanol a donné les catalyseurs dimèriques de Cu(II) L2Cu2(μ-OR)2. L'application de ces complexes dans la polymérisation du rac-lactide a permis d’obtenir respectivement des PLA isotactiques (Pm = 0,73) et atactiques (Pm = 0,50). Les études cinétiques menées sur ces deux complexes ont indiqué la présence de deux espèces actives différentes. Les résultats de GPC obtenus pour le catalyseur cuivrique contenant deux pyridylméthoxyde pontant indiquent la croissance d'une seule chaîne par dimère (un des alcoolates reste en tant que ligand spectateur), alors que dans le cas du complexe portant deux diméthylaminoéthoxydes, les deux alcoolate attaquent le lactide. Un mécanisme de "ligand mediated chain-end control", se faisant par l'épimérisation du site catalytique par rapport à la chiralité de la dernière molecule de lactide insérée, est proposé. La présence d'un "bras" iminé coordonné et non coordonné facilite l'épimérisation car celle-ci ne nécessite qu'une dissociation / ré-coordination. Les effets du ligand (encombrement stérique) sur l'activité et le stéréocontrôle du catalyseur ont été étudiés par utilisations de divers substituants sur l’imine : benzyle, bromobenzyle, xylyle, diphénylméthyle et cyclohexyle. Les subtituants imino-benzyle, -bromobenzyle et -cyclohexyle one été les seuls fournissant les catalyseurs de cuivre dimèrique désiré avec le pyridylméthoxyde. Les complexes portant les groupes benzyle et cyclohexyle ont produit du PLA isotactique. La chiralité portée par le liguand n'était donc pas requise pour le stéréocontrôle. Le complexe bromobenzyl-substitué a été le seul à fournir un site catalytique achirale avec les deux imines coordinées et produit un PLA atactique. Des complexes monoiminopyrrolidiques de cuivre(II) avec des ligands pyridylméthoxydes ont été préparés avec des substituants imino N-naphtyle, -diphénylméthyle, -xylyle et -2,6-diisopropylphényle. Ils ont démontré un stéréocontrôle réduit, qui est présument due à une épimérisation plus lente (une rotation autour de la liaison Cu-pyrrole est désormais nécessaire). Tous les complexes ont fourni des PLA isotactiques, mais le stéréocontrôle obtenu n'a pas dépassé celui des complexes diiminopyrrolidiques. La substitution de la position 5 du pyrrole par un Chlore conduit à une perte d'activité tandis qu'un substituant méthyle fournit un PLA atactique. Les ligands phénoxy-imine ont été préparés par condensation de dérivée de salicylaldéhydes et d’une amine (benzyle, cyclohexyle, xylyle et diphénylméthyle). Leurs complexes de Cuivre(II) portant soit un ligand diméthylaminoéthoxyde ou pyridylméthoxyde étaient structurellement similaires aux complexes iminopyrrolidiques. Tous les complexes étaient actifs dans la polymérisation du rac-lactide, mais bien que les résultats GPC indiquaient la croissance d'une seule chaîne par dimère pour les complexes de pyridylméthoxyde et ainsi une espèce active similaire, seul du PLA atactique était produit. Un analogue de zinc du complexe de cuivre isotactique avec le ligand N,N'-bis (méthylbenzyl-diiminopyrrolide) a été préparé et structurellement caractérisé, mais a produit du PLA hétérotactique (Pr = 0,75). Les complexes de zinc de 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-aminométhylphénol, où les substituants amino sont le N,N,N',N'-tétraméthyldiéthylènetriamine ou le di-(2-picolyl)amine ont été préparés et structurellement caractérisés. Ils ont montré un centre zincique tétrahédrique chiral avec un "bras" coordiné et un non coordinné pour l'éthylènediamine et un centre zincique pentacoordiné avec les deux groupes picolylamine. Les analyses par RMN ont indiqué une épimérisation rapide du centre métallique, sur l'échelle de temps de la RMN. Les deux complexes de zinc sont hautement actifs dans la polymérisation du lactide et atteignent une conversion complète en seulement quelques minutes, les plaçant parmi les catalyseurs de zinc les plus actifs connus à ce jour. Un PLA légèrement isotactique (Pm jusqu'à 0,6) a été obtenu pour les deux complexes, démontrant en principe l'avantage de l'introduction d'un site catalytique capable de s’épimériser. Le complexe substitué par le ligand picolylaminique présentait une suppression du stéréocontrôle à des concentrations élevées de catalyseur, qui n'est pas entièrement compris. La polymérisation en masse du lactide a été réalisée avec des complexes de manganèse diamino-diphénolate suivant un mécanisme de coordination-insertion. Leur activité était faible et seul un PLA hétérotactique a été obtenu. Des complexes tri / tétradentate de phénoxy-imine-cuivrique ont également été utilisés dans la polymérisation en masse, en suivant un mécanisme de monomère activé et utilisant de l'alcool benzylique en tant que co-initiateur. Les polymérisations étaient stables dans l'air et en présence d'eau ou d'acide acétique, mais le contrôle du poids moléculaire du polymère était faible du à des réactions de transestérification intramoléculaire aisées. Des PLA hétérotactiques étonnamment élevées ont été obtenues dans le monomère fondu (Pr jusqu'à 0,85), mais il n'y avait aucune preuve que le site basique additionnel des ligands participe au stéréocontrôle. / Diiminopyrrolide ligands bearing two chiral N-methylbenzyl substituents were prepared by a condensation reaction of the 1H-pyrrole-2,5-dicarbaldehyde and S-methylbenzylamine. Reaction of the ligand with Cu(OMe)2 in the presence of 2 equiv of pyridylmethanol or dimethylaminoethanol yielded the dimeric Cu(II) catalysts L2Cu2(μ-OR)2. Application of these complexes in rac-lactide polymerization gave isotactic (Pm = 0.73) and atactic (Pm = 0.50) PLA, respectively. Kinetic studies conducted on these two complexes indicated the presence of two different active species. GPC results obtained for the copper catalyst containing two pyridylmethoxide bridges indicate the growth of only one chain per dimer (thus one alkoxide remains as a spectator ligand), while in the complex bearing two dimethylaminoethoxides both alkoxides inserted lactide. A ligand mediated chain-end control mechanism, which is accomplished by the epimerization of the catalytic site based on the chirality of the last inserted unit, is proposed. The presence of a coordinated and an uncoordinated imine “arms” facilitates epimerization since it requires only dissociation/re-coordination. The effects of the ligand framework (steric bulk) on activity and stereocontrol of the catalyst were investigated by variation of the imine substituents to benzyl, bromobenzyl, xylyl, diphenylmethyl and cyclohexyl. Benzyl, bromobenzyl and cyclohexyl were the only imine substituents providing the desired dimeric copper catalyst with pyridylmethoxide. Benzyl and cyclohexyl substituted complexes produced isotactic PLA. Substituent chirality was thus not required for stereocontrol. The bromobenzyl-substituted complex was the only one providing an atactic catalytic site with both imines coordinated and produced atactic PLA. Monoiminopyrrolide copper(II) complexes with pyridylmethoxide ligands were prepared with naphtyl, diphenylmethyl, xylyl and 2,6-diisopropylphenyl N-substituents. They showed reduced stereocontrol which is assumed to be due to slower epimerization (rotation around the Cu-pyrrole bond is now required). All complexes provided isotactic PLA, but the stereocontrol did not surpass that of the diiminopyrrolide complexes. Substitution of the 5-position of the pyrrole by chloride led to loss of activity while a methyl substituent provided atactic PLA. Phenoxy-imine ligands were prepared by a condensation reaction of the salicylaldehyde derivative and the desired amine (benzyl, cyclohexyl, xylyl and diphenylmethyl). Their complexes bearing either dimethylaminoethoxide or pyridylmethoxide ligands were structurally similar to the iminopyrrolide complexes. All complexes were active in rac-lactide polymerization, but although GPC results indicated the growth of only one chain per dimer for the pyridylmethoxide complexes and thus indicated a similar active species, only atactic PLA was produced. A zinc analog of the isotactic copper complex with the N,N’-bis(methylbenzyldiiminopyrrolide ligand was prepared and structurally characterized, but produced heterotactic PLA (Pr = 0.75). Zinc complexes with 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-aminomethyl-phenol ligands with amino = N,N,N’,N’-tetramethyldiethylenetriamine or di-(2-picolyl)amine substituents were prepared and structurally characterized. They showed a chiral tetrahedral zinc center with one coordinated and one uncoordinated for the ethylenediamine substituents and a five-coordinated zinc center with both amino groups coordinated for picolylamine. NMR investigations indicated fast epimerization of the metal center on the NMR time scale. Both zinc complexes are highly active in lactide polymerization and reach full conversion in only a few minutes, placing them among the most active zinc catalysts known. Slightly isotactic PLA (Pm up to 0.6) was obtained for both complexes, showing in proof-of-principle the advantage of introducing catalytic site epimerization. The picolylamine-substituted complex showed a suppression of stereocontrol at high catalyst concentrations, which is not fully understood. Bulk polymerization of lactide was conducted with manganese diamino-diphenolate complexes following a coordination-insertion mechanism. Their activity was low and only heterotactic PLA was obtained. Tri/tetradentate phenoxy-imine copper complexes were likewise used in bulk polymerization, following an activated monomer mechanism with benzyl alcohol as co-initiator. Polymerizations were stable in air and in the presence of water or acetic acid, but polymer molecular weight control was low with evidence for facile intramolecular transesterification reactions. Surprisingly high heterotacticities were obtained in molten monomer (Pr up to 0.85), but there was no evidence that the additional basic site on the ligand participates in stereocontrol.