Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 113-117).

In Nature sophisticated molecular machines are responsible for the synthesis of essential biomolecules and natural biopolymers. Inspired by these natural prototypes, scientist have begun to developed artificial systems that are able to perform complex synthetic tasks. Selected state-of-the-art examples, are presented and categorised according to their synthetic function: systems, which can distinguish between substrates and can also be regulated to produce different products, systems that selectively conduct multistep cascade reactions in mixtures of different reactants and systems that operate in a processive and sequence-specific fashion (Introduction).Following these examples, inspired by the ribosome, the synthesis and operation of the first artificial small-molecule machines based on a rotaxane structure capable of performing sequence-specific synthesis of a tri- and tetrapeptide from a molecular template is described. These machines operate through native chemical ligation (NCL), using a macrocyclic cysteine catalyst that iteratively removes proteinogenic amino acids from the strand and transfers them to a peptide elongation site. Successful operation on small scale generated milligram quantities of the peptides with a single sequence, determined by tandem mass spectrometry, corresponding to the original order of the amino acid building blocks on the strand (Chapter 1). Based on these first prototypes the system was extended to molecular machines operating on polymeric tracks. In this context the limits of the NCL mechanism were explored and the concept of the machine operation was investigated on a model system containing a polystyrene backbone with multiple leucine units. Here, machines with an average number of up to five L-leucyl groups were successfully operated. These initial studies represent the groundwork for the operation on longer polymeric systems containing sequences of amino acids (Chapter 2). Machines operating through a native chemical ligation (NCL) mechanism are restricted by a number of limitations: the rate of the reaction, the length and structure of the synthesised peptide, the cleavage of the product and finally the fact that peptide synthesis occurs in a reversed fashion to ribosomal synthesis (from C to N terminus). To overcome those limitations the development towards a 2nd generation molecular machine based on a transacylation catalyst was envisioned. Since this type of catalyst operates via a series of transacylation steps, the size of the transition state is kept the same throughout the operation, allowing access to longer peptides with fewer structural restrictions. Model systems using a thiophenol catalyst and a 1,2,4-triazol catalyst have been investigated (Chapter 3).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

This work describes an investigation into the solution-phase binding of anionic guests by bimacrocyclic lanthanide complexes. It outlines the preparation of different classes of complexes bearing two metallic domains, and the effects of association on both the complex and the guest. Chapter one provides a cursory introduction to the fundamental properties of the lanthanides with a focus on luminescence. A brief literature review is given on the use of emissive lanthanide probes for the sensing of analytes. Chapter two concerns the preparation and properties of a series of binuclear complexes in which the two centres are linked with a short spacer group, with the aim of selectively sequestering small anions such as the halides in solution. The concept of luminescence titration will be introduced and then used to assess the binding parameters of a selection of guests. Chapter three describes a related class of ditopic lanthanide complexes in which the two metal centres are separated by a semi-rigid butyne linking group. Luminescence studies are again used to evaluate the binding constants of homologous series of dianions to ascertain how the size, geometry and functionalization of the anionic guest impacts on binding. Chapter four explores the coordination of phosphate species and assesses the ability to bind biologically significant phosphates of some of the complexes from Chapter 3. Chapter five details an investigation into the effects on guest-selectivity of further lengthening the linking unit which separates the two macrocyclic binding domains. Chapter six summarises the work done throughout the thesis and draws some overarching conclusions, as well as highlighting areas for further study. Chapter seven describes the experimental procedures.

In der vorliegender Arbeit wurde die photochemische Bildung der Acridiniumionen in einem Pseudorotaxan und die daraus resultierende Transformation der Lichtenergie in die Translationsenergie, was als erster Schritt in Richtung der molekularen Maschinen angesehen wird, untersucht. 9-Phenyl-9-hydroxyacridan unterscheidet sich in ihrer Lichtabsorption, Molekülgeometrie und Elektronen- Donatorstärke gravierend von den korrespondierenden Acridiniumionen. Die Änderung der elektronischen Eigenschaften bei der Umwandlung der Acridane- in die Acridinium ist daher potentiell nutzbar, um nichtkovalente Bindungskräfte in supramolekularen Einheiten zu beeinflussen. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war die Erschließung eines neuen Zugangs zu linearen und makrocyclischen Systemen, die als Strukturelement eine Acridaneinheit besitzen. Die Makrocyclen mit elektronenreichen 9-Phenylacridanbausteinen wurden unter high-dilution-Bedingungen erhalten. Bei der Photoanregung wurden unter Abspaltung von Methoxidionen die elektronenarmen korrespondierenden Acridiniummakrocyclen gebildet. Die Photoheterolyse findet in alkoholischen Lösungsmitteln, Acetonitril und in Toluol statt. Die Lebensdauer des Acridiniummethoxids kann durch Mischen des Alkohols mit dem Acetonitril gesteuert werden. Auch nach zehn Schaltcyclen ist keine Ermüdung des Systems festzustellen. Als molekulare Fäden kommen für die neuen Makrocyclen entweder Moleküle mit elektronenarmen Erkennungstationen für die Acridanverbindungen oder elektronenreiche Erkennungsstationen für die Acridiniumringe in Frage. Es wurden zahlreiche Untersuchungen zur Komplexierung der neuen Makrocyclen mit Hilfe der spektroskopischen Titrationen durchgeführt. Dabei wurde das photoschaltbare Pseudorotaxan gefunden. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde ein neuer langlebiger Photoschalter optimiert und mit Hilfe der 1H-NMR-Spektroskopie wurde die durch Licht injizierte molekulare Bewegung beobachtet. / For this work we have examined the photolytic formation of acridinium ion within pseudorotaxanes and the resulting transformation of light energy into translational movement. This can be regarded as the first step towards (creating a) molecular machine. 9-phenyl-9-methoxyacridane distinguishes itself from its corresponding acridinium ions in terms of light absorption, shape, and electronic donor strength. The acridane can be regarded as candidates for photoswitching supramolecular units, because they can be transformed into positively charged acridinium ions. These ions generate an electron acceptor from an electron donor. The object of the following thesis is the development of a new synthetic approach to linear or makrocyclic systems, which contain acridane as a structural element. Macrocycles with electron-rich 9-phenyl-9-methoxyacridan units were prepared under high dilution conditions. The acridinium macrocycles are generated by photoheterolysis of this methoxy derivative, which has a thermal response to acridane macro cycles, thus closing the switching cycle. Heterolytic photodissociation occurs in alcohols, acetonitrile and toluene. Mixing alcohol with acentonitril can control the lifespan of the acridinium methoxide. Even after 10 switching cycles the system seemed unaffected. The molecular thread and macrocycles must be complementary in that they can interact by attracting forces, through generating an electron acceptor from an electron donor. The complex formation of acridan macrocycles with electron acceptor molecular thread was studied using spectrophotometric titration. As a result, photoswitchable pseudorotaxane was formed between acridan crown ethers and (2,2-bipyridine) molecular thread. In the context of this research, we have found that such a transformation is possible. A new, durable photoswitch has been developed, and using the 1H-NMR-spectroscope, we observed the molecular movement, which was made visible through the application of light.

This thesis covers combination of two independent works accomplished throughout the study. One part research is about the unexpected cyclization of Dipyridyl-glycoluril, and the other part is about synthesis of precursor calix[4]arene derivatives. In an attempted synthesis of peripherally pyridine substituted cucurbituril, an unexpected cyclized product was obtained. A careful NMR analysis followed by mass spectrometry and preliminary crystallographic analyses, helped us in resolving the structure. The structure has two quaternized pyridine functionalities and a groove suitable as a potential receptor site. In addition, just like the parent glycoluril structure, two remaining urea-derived nitrogens can be alkylated by alkyl halides. Thus, we believe this high yielding reaction may become an entry point to a new class of anion receptors. In the second work, certain important calix[4]arene derivatives were synthesized. They are the building blocks of important potential molecular, anion and cation sensing, and enzyme mimics. For these precursor molecules, functionalizations both on lower and upper rim have been studied. A careful study on NMR data has been performed and detailed investigation on the NMR data was discussed herein. Applying further one or two step procedures produces important target molecules having potential as sensors or artificial enzymes.

Le concept central de cette thèse est de mettre en avant trois grandes propriétés du liquide ionique, c'est à dire ses propriétés structurées et structurantes qui sont complémentaires à leurs propriétés usuelles (conductivité ionique, stabilité thermique, stabilité électrochimique), mais il ne s’agit là que d’une facette du travail. En effet, la synthèse des liquides ioniques rédox est l’un des ancrages fort de ce travail : ainsi des liquides ioniques biredox (porteur de groupements redox à la fois sur l’anion et le cation) ont pu être synthétisés pour la première fois. Cette électro-activité apporte un éclairage nouveau dans le développement d'électrolytes pour les supercondensateurs dont nos capacités spécifiques sont deux à cinq fois plus grandes que les valeurs de la littérature dans le domaine. Parallèlement, des liquides ioniques redox ont été associés à des nanotubes de carbone; les composites obtenus (nommé bucky Gel redox) ont été mis en œuvre avec succès comme matériaux d’électrode pour l’étude des dynamiques des cascades de transferts électroniques et ioniques. Outre l’obtention de ces résultats électrochimiques, les liquides ioniques ont été structurés par synthèse supramoléculaire. Ainsi des liquides ioniques polymérisés ont été obtenus et mis en forme par électrofilage puis testés en tant qu’électrolyte solide dans un dispositif supercondensateur. Les propriétés électrochimiques de l’ensemble de ces objets liquides ioniques ont fait l’objet d’études approfondies par voltammétrie cyclique, spectroscopie d’impédance électrochimique, cyclages galvanostatiques et microscopie électrochimique à balayage. Les résultats obtenus valident totalement le concept de départ dans le fait jouer sur les chimies moléculaire, supramoléculaire et macromoléculaire des liquides ioniques pour améliorer les dispositifs de stockage électrochimique de l’énergie. / The central concept of this project is to highlight three major ionic liquid properties. It lies on the control of the structured and structuring properties that are considered as complementary to the usual ionic liquids properties (ionic conductivity, thermal stability, electrochemical stability). However, this is a relatively small part of this work. The strong key point is the synthesis of redox ionic liquids. In this work a new biredox ionic liquids (contaning redox moieties both on the anion and the cation constituting the ionic liquid) have been successfully synthesized for the first time. This electro-activity opens the development of electrolytes for supercapacitors whose the specitific capacity is between two and five times larger than the values found in the literature. Meanwhile, redox ionic liquids have been associated with carbon nanotubes; the obtained composites were implemented as electrode materials for the study of dynamic electron transfer and ionic transfer. Besides these results, ionic liquids have been structured by supramolecular chemistry. Polymerized ionic liquids were obtained, shaped by electrospinning and tested as a solid electrolyte in a supercapacitor system. The electrochemical properties of these components (electrolyte materials or electrode materials) have been extensively studied by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, galvanostatic cycling and scanning electrochemical microscopy. The results completely validate the original concept to take advantage of molecular, supramolecular and macromolecular chemistries of ionic liquids to improve electrochemical energy storage devices.