In dieser Arbeit wurden zwei Klassen von analog-sensitiven (AS) Kinaseinhibitoren, welche wichtige pharmakologische Instrumente für die Untersuchung von Signalwegen darstellen, durch den Einbau von lichtempfindlichen Komponenten in ihre Struktur photoschaltbar gemacht. Die Einführung eines Cyclohexa-1,3-diens anstelle des zentralen Benzolrings im Staralog-Grundgerüst ermöglicht eine reversible 6π Elektrozyklisierung analog zu Diarylethenen (DAEs). Nach der Entwicklung eines Synthesewegs führte die iterative Verbesserung des strukturellen Designs schließlich zu einer Reihe von Photoschaltern, die in reinem Wasser bestrahlt werden können. Eine detaillierte Untersuchung des photochemischen Verhaltens ergab effizientes Schalten für beide Bestrahlungsprozesse, was auf hohe Quantenausbeuten und eine ausreichende Bandenseparation zwischen beiden Isomeren zurückzuführen ist. Die vorgestellte Studie demonstriert das Potenzial von DAE-basierten Kinaseinhibitoren und stellt eine vielversprechende Möglichkeit dar, um die momentanen Einschränkungen anderer Photoschalterklassen zu überwinden. Um die katalytische Aktivität von TgCDPK1 zu kontrollieren, wurden auf Grundlage des 5-Aminopyrazol-4-carboxamid Gerüsts photoschaltbare Kinaseinhibitoren entwickelt, die auf einer lichtinduzierten E/Z Isomerisierung eines Arylazopyrazols basieren. Aus einer Bibliothek von synthetisierten Inhibitoren wurden die effektivsten Derivate identifiziert, die ein optimales Verhältnis zwischen guten photochemischen Eigenschaften und Affinität gegenüber der Kinase aufweisen. Tatsächlich konnte so eine reversible Kontrolle der katalytischen Aktivität von TgCDPK1 durch die Anwendung von Licht verschiedener Wellenlängen erreicht werden. Es wurde gezeigt, dass die Wirksamkeit dieser Inhibitoren stark mit der Größe des Gatekeeper-Rests korreliert, was die Möglichkeit einer universellen Anwendung dieses Konzepts für die selektive lichtinduzierte Kontrolle von AS Kinasen in der Zukunft eröffnet. / In this work two general classes of analog-sensitive (AS) kinase inhibitors, which constitute pharmacological key elements for studying kinase-mediated signaling pathways, were rendered photoresponsive by implementing two photoswitchable moieties into the scaffold of their corresponding parent inhibitors. Photoswitchability was introduced to the staralog inhibitor scaffold by implementing a cyclohexa-1,3-diene capable of undergoing 6πelectrocyclization analog to diarylethenes (DAEs). A robust synthetic route was established, and iterative improvement of the structural design eventually led to a set of photoswitches which can be readily operated in pure water. In depth investigation of the photochemical behavior revealed high quantum yields for both processes resulting in efficient photoswitching and sufficient band separation between both isomers. This investigation illustrates the potential of DAE-based kinase inhibitors and presents an attractive strategy to address current limitations of other photoswitch classes and currently employed DAE motifs. Furthermore, photoswitchable kinase inhibitors based on the 5-aminopyrazolo-4-carboxamide (PCA) scaffold were used to control the catalytic activity of TgCDPK1 utilizing light-induced structural changes of an arylazopyrazole. Within a library of synthesized small molecule inhibitors, the best candidates exhibiting an optimal balance between good photochemical properties and target affinity were identified. A substantial difference in IC50 values was achieved between both photostationary states and consequently, the catalytic activity of TgCDPK1 was controlled effectively in a reversible fashion by applying light of different wavelengths. The potency of these inhibitors strongly correlates with the size of the gatekeeper residue, highlighting the potential of these photoswitchable inhibitors for the selective light-induced control over AS kinases in the future.

This thesis reports the investigation of Bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) semiconductor material as an efficient photocatalyst for the sunlight harvesting as well as environmental cleanup. I have utilised different synthetic methodologies to obtain BiOBr and its derivatives, such as co-precipitation, ultrasonification, and photo-deposition; and have studied their structural and optical properties by X-ray diffraction and surface analysis techniques. I report the synthesis and characterisation of two new p-n heterojunction systems, AgBr-BiOBr and BiOBr-ZnFe₂O₄, and have performed initial studies on photocatalytic reaction and their catalytic decomposition mechanisms. I have also reported the surface modification method including the deposition of noble metal on BiOBr to investigate the role played by the noble metal and the interactions between semiconductor and metal using various characterisation measurements. Furthermore, a continuous series of BiOBr-BiOI solid solutions were synthesised, characterised and the photocatalytic degradation was performed on the as-obtained semiconductors, to study the band structure properties of the solid solutions.

<p>This thesis presents and uses the techniques of computational chemistry to explore two different processes induced in human skin by ultraviolet light. The first is the transformation of urocanic acid into a immunosuppressing agent, and the other is the enzymatic action of the 8-oxoguanine glycosylase enzyme. </p><p>The photochemistry of urocanic acid is investigated by time-dependent density functional theory. Vertical absorption spectra of the molecule in different forms and environments is assigned and candidate states for the photochemistry at different wavelengths are identified. </p><p>Molecular dynamics simulations of urocanic acid in gas phase and aqueous solution reveals considerable flexibility under experimental conditions, particularly for for the <i>cis</i> isomer where competition between intra- and inter-molecular interactions increases flexibility. </p><p>A model to explain the observed gas phase photochemistry of urocanic acid is developed and it is shown that a reinterpretation in terms of a mixture between isomers significantly enhances the agreement between theory and experiment , and resolves several peculiarities in the spectrum. </p><p>A model for the photochemistry in the aqueous phase of urocanic acid is then developed, in which two excited states governs the efficiency of photoisomerization. The point of entrance into a conical intersection seam is shown to explain the wavelength dependence of photoisomerization quantum yield. </p><p>Finally some mechanistic aspects of the DNA repair enzyme 8-oxoguanine glycosylase is investigated with density functional theory. It is found that the critical amino acid of the active site can provide catalytic power in several different manners, and that a recent proposal involving a S<i>N</i>1 type of mechanism seems the most efficient one.</p>

No description available.

This dissertation investigates the origins of tunable and efficient photochemistry in three different photoactive proteins, bacteriorhodopsin (BR), rhodopsin (RHO) and green fluorescent protein (GFP). In all cases, significant differences exist between the photoreactivity of model chromophores in solution and in the protein environment, in terms of excited state lifetime and efficiency of the primary photochemical process (opsin proteins) or the type of reaction (excited state proton transfer versus C=C double bond photoisomerisation for GFP). The work presented here investigates for each case to what extent the protein environment is necessary to alter the photochemistry of model chromophores in solution. For GFP and BR steric and electrostatic interactions between the protein pocket and the chromophore are shown to be likely responsible for shaping the excited state surface along which the photoreactions take place. For RHO it is suggested, contrary to current belief, that selection of a reactive ground state conformer might be the main effect generating the observed differences between solution and protein environment. The solution photochemistry of structurally modified retinal protonated Schiff bases, taken as model chromophores for the opsin proteins, is studied with continuous wave irradiation experiments and ultrafast transient spectroscopies. Surprisingly large differences are observed for the isomerisation reaction depending on the starting configuration (trans or cis) of the photoactive double bond. The current model for BR based on the tuning of the excited state barrier encountered along the isomerisation coordinate is expanded to include the changes in selectivity, speed and efficiency observed for a series of all-trans derivatives. For 11-cis, the photoisomerisation in solution is proposed to take place along a barrierless isomerisation coordinate, in contrast with the models currently available in literature. It is suggested that the protein might be discriminating between ground state conformers rather than significantly changing the topography of the reaction coordinate. For GFP, excited state Raman spectra are recorded for the wild-type protein, two mutants and a model chromophore in solution. It is suggested that the high frequency vibrational modes observed in the excited state spectra of the proteins but not of the model chromophore in DMSO are a sign of a tighter chromophore environment that inhibits the photoisomerisation reaction occurring in solution.

This thesis reports the study of metal oxide semiconductors for the application of photoelectrochemical water splitting with a particular emphasis on both anion and cation-doped zinc oxides. A study of the mechanisms of visible light absorption in both anion and cation-doped ZnO semiconductors, the potentials of metal oxide materials modified by impurities as one of the ideal photocatalysts in harvesting solar light has been explored. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-Vis spectroscopes have been performed to establish the electronic structures of anion and cation-doped ZnO. Aluminium impurities in ZnO thin films reveal the relationship between the bandgap broadening and the so-called Burstein Moss effect. Both cadmium and sulphur dopants were incorporated in ZnO either as powders by the solid state synthesis or as thin films by spray pyrolysis technique. Cadmium and sulphur dopants demonstrate effective electronic bandgap reduction and an increasing absorption of visible light. Furthermore, the incorporation of cadmium and sulphur in ZnO were prepared as photoanodes and evaluated in a custom-built photoelectrochemical workstation for the measurement of photon energy conversion efficiencies.

No description available.

Foram realizadas análises por espectros absorção, fluorescência e excitação para anilina e orto-toluidina em água, com e sem a adição de HCl. Os resultados indicam que as propriedades do meio dependem das concentrações de amina e de HCl, sendo observado principalmente pelos espectros de excitação de fluorescência. Espectros de 1H RMN parecem indicar um efeito de agregação destas moléculas pelas mudanças observadas na forma e na posição dos sinais dos prótons. Foi realizada a síntese de polianilina e de poli-o-toluidina, sendo o acompanhamento efetuado por espectroscopia ultravioleta-visível e pela técnica de perfil de potencial, indicando similaridades entre os dois métodos. As sínteses de polianilina e de poli-o-toluidina também foram realizadas via fotoquímica, sendo os produtos de reação caracterizados por espectroscopia ultravioleta visível e por infravermelho. / The aim this work was to study aniline and orto-toluidine in aqueous solution with or without HCl addition. The analyses were realized by absorption and fluorescence spectrum. The results show that the proprieties are relation on amines and chloridric acid concentrations, especially it was observed by fluorescence excitation spectrum. Changes in protons sign position and in the form can be indicating an effect of aggregation with these molecules though 1H RMN spectrum. UV-Vis spectroscopy and open circuit potential measurements were used for monitor the synthesis of polyaniline and the poly-o-toluidine. Theses methods show similar results. Also, the synthesis of polyaniline and the poly-o-toluidine were realized by photochemistry via, which the reaction products were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and FTIR.

Uma nova série de porfirinas catiônicas e seus respectivos metalocomplexos de Zn(II) e Cu(II) foi sintetizada. Esta nova série apresenta resíduos benzílicos substituídos ligados aos grupos piridínicos presentes nas posições meso do anel porfirínico. Estes compostos foram caracterizados e investigados utilizando várias técnicas, tais como: espectroscopia eletrônica de absorção e de emissão, RMN-1H, espectroscopia vibracional IR e raman ressonante, voltametria cíclica, espectroeletroquímica e fotólise por pulso de laser. Não foram observadas evidências de auto-agregação destes compostos em água, entretanto, estes apresentam agregação diferenciada em função da força iônica do meio, do ânion do eletrólito utilizado e do tamanho do substituinte periférico. Os potenciais de redução apresentam dependência ao caráter aceptor/doador de elétrons dos substituintes benzílicos. As porfirinas desta série apresentam parâmetros fotofísicos da mesma ordem de grandeza e comparáveis ao composto modelo 5, 10, 15,20-tetrakis(1-metilpiridínio-4-il)-porfirina (H2TMPyP) e seus metaloderivados em meio homogêneo. Em meio microhetrogêneo são observadas alterações nestes parâmetros fotofísicos, existindo um comportamento diferenciado em relação à H2TMPyP. Uma análise global dos resultados evidência que estes derivados são promissores fotossensibilizadores em sistemas de terapia fotodinâmica. / A new series of cationic porphyrins and metalloporphyrins derivatives of Cu(II) and Zn(II) has been synthesized. These compounds show substituted benzylic residues attached to the piridil groups at the meso porphyrin ring positions. All porphyrins and metalloporphyrin have been fully characterized and investigated, employing approaches such as elemental analysis, electronic, vibrational and proton NMR spectroscopy, flash photolysis, and cyclic voltammetry. There is no evidence of self-aggregation of the porphyrin derivatives in pure water, however the addition of inorganic electrolytes to water solution induces aggregation in different extension, which depends on the nature of the electrolyte, the total ionic strength, and the benzylic substituent. Studies of cyclic voltammetry show that the reduction potentials are directly dependent on the electron donor/acceptor characteristics of the benzylic substituent and of the coordinated metal ion. All photophysical parameters investigated in homogeneous media are very similar through porphyrins and metalloporphyrins studied and are comparable to the model compound, the 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin (H2TMPyP). Therefore, in micro-heterogeneous media, the new series of porphyrins presents some differences in the photophysical parameters, when compared to the model compound. In conclusion, the present results reveal that these new cationic porphyrins can be useful as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy.

A determinação do Fator de Proteção Solar (FPS) de protetores solares atualmente é uma exigência regulatória na grande maioria dos países e blocos econômicos mundiais. Para tal, adota-se exclusivamente o uso de métodos que requerem a irradiação UV de voluntários humanos nos procedimentos de determinação do FPS. Alguns métodos in vitro não-invasivos estão descritos na literatura, mas até o momento nenhum deles foi aceito pela comunidade internacional para a determinação do Fator de Proteção Solar de preparações cosméticas. Portanto, o desenvolvimento de métodos para a determinação do FPS in vitro, com boa correlação com os métodos in vivo, é de enorme interesse de pesquisadores e empresas do setor. Visando oferecer alternativas não-invasivas para a determinação do FPS de protetores solares, serão descritos procedimentos de preparo de um dispositivo fotoquímico nanoestruturado e sua aplicação no desenvolvimento de metodologias in vitro para a determinação do FPS de protetores solares. Todas as amostras utilizadas no desenvolvimento das metodologias foram previamente avaliadas em estudos clínicos para a determinação do Fator de Proteção Solar. Os resultados obtidos in vitro apresentaram boa correlação com os resultados in vivo, demonstrando que os dispositivos apresentam grande potencialidade e viabilidade para aprimoramento e construção de um equipamento capaz de reduzir ou até substituir os ensaios clínicos in vivo atualmente exigidos e praticados. / The determination of the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of sunscreen formulations is currently a regulatory requirement in most countries and economic blocs in the world. Strict methodologies are adopted to determine the SPF, based on the UV irradiation of human volunteers in order to induce an erythemal response in the presence and absence of sunscreen applied to the skin. Some non-invasive in vitro test methods can be found in the scientific literature but, so far, none of them have been accepted by the international community as a standard for determination of the Sun Protection Factor. Therefore, the development of in vitro methods for determination of the SPF, exhibiting good correlation with the in vivo methods, is of enormous interest for researchers and companies. Thus, a non-invasive alternative for in vitro determination of the SPF of sunscreens, based on nanostructured photochemical devices, is described. The accuracy and reprodutibility of the new methodology were verified using clinicaly evaluated samples and correlating the in vitro with the in vivo Sun Protection Factors data. The in vitro results showed good correlation with in vivo results, demonstrating that UV-dosimeters are suitable for FPS measurements, having great potentiality for the development of equipments that would reduce or even replace the in vivo clinical trials currently in use