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Polynuclear lanthanide complexes have attracted increasing interest in coordination and materials chemistry as they generally possess aesthetically pleasing molecular structures and display interesting properties possibly for useful chemical and materials applications. The work described herein concerned with the exploratory synthesis, structural characterization, and property investigation of a number of polynuclear lanthanide and silver complexes with selected organic ligands. Details of this thesis work are summarized in the following chapters: Chapter 1 offers a background of the research, with an emphasis on lanthanide-containing compounds and polynuclear silver complexes. Synthetic methodologies, novel structural characteristics, and interesting physical properties toward possible applications are surveyed in order to convey the justification of this thesis work. Chapter 2 describes the design and synthesis, structural characterization of a series of dinuclear lanthanide complexes with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol. The photophysical properties of these complexes pertinent to optical-limiting applications are evaluated. Chapter 3 details the halide-templated assembly of dodecanuclear and pentadecanuclear lanthanide hydroxide complexes featuring histidine as supporting ligand via the ligand-controlled hydrolysis. Salient structural features of these complexes are discussed. Chapter 4 reports the synthesis, structural characterization, and spectroscopic studies of the giant polynuclear lanthanide complexes containing a 60-metal cluster core when threonine was used as the supporting ligand. Carbonate has been identified as a novel anionic template in these clusters. These Ln60 cluster complexes feature a sodalite cage structure with 24 vertex-sharing cubane-like [Ln₄(μ₃-OH) ₄]⁸⁺ units. Their magnetic and optical properties are measured and discussed. Chapter 5 describes the unexpected discovery of a polynuclear silver complex with histidine, first isolated from the reaction of a halide-containing polynuclear lanthanide hydroxide complex and then rationally prepared by using silver nitrate and histidine. A series of analogous silver complexes with other amino acids have subsequently prepared and structurally characterized. Chapter 6 details two silver-amino acid helicates composed of individual helical coordination polymers. Optically pure helicates were obtained by using enantiomerically pure amino acids. While silver-glutamate possesses a double-helical structure, silver-aspartate displays an unprecedented six-strand helical structure. Chapter 7 summarizes the results presented in Chapters 2-6 and elaborates on some future research directions toward which each of these projects may be heading.

Desenvolveu-se sistemática de trabalho para coletar valores da função ñ vs. concentração de ligante e processos de cálculo de constantes de equilíbrio. Os sistemas Co(II)/N-3 e Ni(II)/N-3 foram analisados com o objetivo de identificar os complexos formados e determinar as respectivas constantes de estabilidade. O estudo desses sistemas foi realizado a (25,0 ± 0,l) °C e em força iônica 2,0 M ajustada com NaClO4. Com base na formação de soluções tampão N-3/ HN3 e na variação de pH provocada pela adição do íon metálico Co(II) ou Ni(II), realizou-se um estudo potenciométrico para cada um dos sistemas acima indicados. Estes estudos foram realizados numa ampla faixa de concentração analítica de azoteto (0 a 2,000 M) e para diversas concentrações do íon metálico, para possibilitar uma análise mais detalhada sobre a formação dos complexos. Em relação ao sistema Co(II)/N-3 foi possível determinar a formação de cinco espécies mononucleares. As respectivas constantes de estabilidade foram calculadas por três métodos diferentes. A comparação dos desvios calculados para os valores de ñ obtidos a partir de cada um dos três conjuntos de constantes permitiu decidir pelo seguinte conjunto de constantes: β1 = 5,67 ± 0,20 M-1 β2 = 19,5 ± 2,1 M-2 β3 = 6,52 ± 4,66 M-3 β4 = 15,8 ± 2,0 M-4 β5 = 4,83 ± 0,31 M-5 Num comportamento diverso ao dos íons Co (II) o niquel levou à formação de complexos polinucleares. Realizou-se então um estudo monográfico envolvendo aspectos estruturais, qualitativos e quantitativos sobre a formação de complexos polinucleares. O sistema Ni(II)/-3 foi então analisado através do método potenciométrico citado mas em condições que permitiram a obtenção de um número maior de dados experimentais em relação ao sistema Co(II)/N-3, para tornar possível a determinação da composição assim como o cálculo das constantes de estabilidade das espécies existentes em equilíbrio. Dois métodos de cálculo foram utilizados, adotando-se o seguinte conjunto de constantes de equilibrio: mononucleares Ni(N3)+ β11 = 5,80 Ni(N3)2 β12 = 9,69 Ni(N3)-3 β13 = 7,54 Ni(N3)=4 β14 = 534 binucleares Ni2(N3)3+ β21 = 4,06 Ni2(N3)2+2 β22 = 31,8 Ni2(N3)+3 β23 = 175 Ni2(N3)4 β24 = 2,06x104 Ni2(N3)-5 β25 = 2,30x105 Ni2(N3)=6 β26 = 7,15x105 trinucleares Ni3(N3)2+4 β34 = 2,28x104 Ni3(N3)+5 β35 = 3,51x106 Ni3(N3)6 β36 = 1,17x108 Três estudos complementares foram realizados para o sistema Ni(II)/N-3. A utilização de métodos espectrofotométrico e potenciométrico em condições de excesso de metal em relação ao ligante permitiu determinar as contantes de estabilidade das espécies mono e binucleares mais simples: NiN+3 e Ni2N3+3. O método espectrofotométrico forneceu um valor de β11 = 6,90 M-1, enquanto que o segundo método forneceu β11 = 7,53 ± 0,10 M-1 e β21 = 4,29 ± 0,15 M-2. Medidas espectrofotométricas realizadas nas condições do segundo método permitiram calcular as absortividades molares das duas espécies, em cinco comprimentos de onda na faixa do ultravioleta. No comprimento de onda de absorção máxima dos complexos (293 nm) os valores de ε encontrados foram os seguintes: ε11 = 362 e ε21 = 475 cm-1mol-11. Finalmente, um estudo condutométrico feito em alta concentração de Ni(II) (0,4 M) e para concentrações variáveis de azoteto permitiu identificar a formação da espécie Ni2(N3)-5. Fez-se uma série de diagramas de distribuiçao, os quais mostraram as contribuições de cada espécie em função do ligante e, eventualmente, da concentração total do íon metálico (sistemas polinucleares). / A systematic approach in order to obtain ñ data vs. free ligand concentration was developed as well as calculation procedures for treatment of the data to obtain stability constants. The Co(II)/N-3 and Ni(II)/N-3 systems were analysed with the purpose to identify the formed complexes and to compute its stability constants. The equilibria studies were performed at 25.0 ± 0.1° C and 2.0 M ionic strength maintained with NaClO4. The pH change in azide/hydrazoic acid buffers caused by the metal cation addition was the basis of the potentiometric method to study the complex formation. A wide range of azide concentration was used at several metal cation (cobalt or nickel) concentration in order to provide reliable results. With regard to the Co(II)/N-3 system the formation of five stepwise complexes was detected. The stability constants were computed from three different calculation procedures. The best set of formation constants is: β1 = 5,67 ± 0,20 M-1 β2 = 19,5 ± 2,1 M-2 β3 = 6,52 ± 4,66 M-3 β4 = 15,8 ± 2,0 M-4 β5 = 4,83 ± 0,31 M-5 The nickel(II)/azide system presented a quite different behaviour as compared with the cobalt(ll) one, as extensive polynuclear complex formation is attained. A monographic study about this kind of complex formation seemed interesting to be included in this thesis. An extensive study of the nickel(II)/azide system was performed at conditions wich provide enough experimental data to be treated on basis of polynuclear complex formation. Two different calculation procedures lead to the following set of equilibrium constant: mononuclear Ni(N3)+ β11 = 5,80 Ni(N3)2 β12 = 9,69 Ni(N3)-3 β13 = 7,54 Ni(N3)=4 β14 = 534 binuclears Ni2(N3)3+ β21 = 4,06 Ni2(N3)2+2 β22 = 31,8 Ni2(N3)+3 β23 = 175 Ni2(N3)4 β24 = 2,06x104 Ni2(N3)-5 β25 = 2,30x105 Ni2(N3)=6 β26 = 7,15x105 trinuclears Ni3(N3)2+4 β34 = 2,28x104 Ni3(N3)+5 β35 = 3,51x106 Ni3(N3)6 β36 = 1,17x108 Two complementary studies, potentiometric and spectrophotometric, were performed at high metal cation/1igand ratio in order to create conditions for the existence of on1y a few species as Ni(N3)+ and Ni2(N3)3+. β11 from spectrophotometric method is 6.90 M-1; from potentiometric method β11 is 7.53 ± 0.10 M-1 and β21 is 4.29 ± 0.15 M-2. The molar absorptivities at λmax, 293 nm, was calcu1ated as ε11 = 362 cm-1. mol-1.1 and ε21 = 475 cm-1. mol-1.1. Finally a conductometric titration of 0.4 M niekel(II) with 3.9 M sodium azide showed a high contribution of Ni2(N3) -5 in agreement with the potentiometric study. A series of distribution diagrarns were plotted in order to have the percent contribution of each species vs. the ligand concentration and, eventually, vs. the metal concentration when polynuclear complexes are formed.

Desenvolveu-se sistemática de trabalho para coletar valores da função ñ vs. concentração de ligante e processos de cálculo de constantes de equilíbrio. Os sistemas Co(II)/N-3 e Ni(II)/N-3 foram analisados com o objetivo de identificar os complexos formados e determinar as respectivas constantes de estabilidade. O estudo desses sistemas foi realizado a (25,0 ± 0,l) °C e em força iônica 2,0 M ajustada com NaClO4. Com base na formação de soluções tampão N-3/ HN3 e na variação de pH provocada pela adição do íon metálico Co(II) ou Ni(II), realizou-se um estudo potenciométrico para cada um dos sistemas acima indicados. Estes estudos foram realizados numa ampla faixa de concentração analítica de azoteto (0 a 2,000 M) e para diversas concentrações do íon metálico, para possibilitar uma análise mais detalhada sobre a formação dos complexos. Em relação ao sistema Co(II)/N-3 foi possível determinar a formação de cinco espécies mononucleares. As respectivas constantes de estabilidade foram calculadas por três métodos diferentes. A comparação dos desvios calculados para os valores de ñ obtidos a partir de cada um dos três conjuntos de constantes permitiu decidir pelo seguinte conjunto de constantes: β1 = 5,67 ± 0,20 M-1 β2 = 19,5 ± 2,1 M-2 β3 = 6,52 ± 4,66 M-3 β4 = 15,8 ± 2,0 M-4 β5 = 4,83 ± 0,31 M-5 Num comportamento diverso ao dos íons Co (II) o niquel levou à formação de complexos polinucleares. Realizou-se então um estudo monográfico envolvendo aspectos estruturais, qualitativos e quantitativos sobre a formação de complexos polinucleares. O sistema Ni(II)/-3 foi então analisado através do método potenciométrico citado mas em condições que permitiram a obtenção de um número maior de dados experimentais em relação ao sistema Co(II)/N-3, para tornar possível a determinação da composição assim como o cálculo das constantes de estabilidade das espécies existentes em equilíbrio. Dois métodos de cálculo foram utilizados, adotando-se o seguinte conjunto de constantes de equilibrio: mononucleares Ni(N3)+ β11 = 5,80 Ni(N3)2 β12 = 9,69 Ni(N3)-3 β13 = 7,54 Ni(N3)=4 β14 = 534 binucleares Ni2(N3)3+ β21 = 4,06 Ni2(N3)2+2 β22 = 31,8 Ni2(N3)+3 β23 = 175 Ni2(N3)4 β24 = 2,06x104 Ni2(N3)-5 β25 = 2,30x105 Ni2(N3)=6 β26 = 7,15x105 trinucleares Ni3(N3)2+4 β34 = 2,28x104 Ni3(N3)+5 β35 = 3,51x106 Ni3(N3)6 β36 = 1,17x108 Três estudos complementares foram realizados para o sistema Ni(II)/N-3. A utilização de métodos espectrofotométrico e potenciométrico em condições de excesso de metal em relação ao ligante permitiu determinar as contantes de estabilidade das espécies mono e binucleares mais simples: NiN+3 e Ni2N3+3. O método espectrofotométrico forneceu um valor de β11 = 6,90 M-1, enquanto que o segundo método forneceu β11 = 7,53 ± 0,10 M-1 e β21 = 4,29 ± 0,15 M-2. Medidas espectrofotométricas realizadas nas condições do segundo método permitiram calcular as absortividades molares das duas espécies, em cinco comprimentos de onda na faixa do ultravioleta. No comprimento de onda de absorção máxima dos complexos (293 nm) os valores de ε encontrados foram os seguintes: ε11 = 362 e ε21 = 475 cm-1mol-11. Finalmente, um estudo condutométrico feito em alta concentração de Ni(II) (0,4 M) e para concentrações variáveis de azoteto permitiu identificar a formação da espécie Ni2(N3)-5. Fez-se uma série de diagramas de distribuiçao, os quais mostraram as contribuições de cada espécie em função do ligante e, eventualmente, da concentração total do íon metálico (sistemas polinucleares). / A systematic approach in order to obtain ñ data vs. free ligand concentration was developed as well as calculation procedures for treatment of the data to obtain stability constants. The Co(II)/N-3 and Ni(II)/N-3 systems were analysed with the purpose to identify the formed complexes and to compute its stability constants. The equilibria studies were performed at 25.0 ± 0.1° C and 2.0 M ionic strength maintained with NaClO4. The pH change in azide/hydrazoic acid buffers caused by the metal cation addition was the basis of the potentiometric method to study the complex formation. A wide range of azide concentration was used at several metal cation (cobalt or nickel) concentration in order to provide reliable results. With regard to the Co(II)/N-3 system the formation of five stepwise complexes was detected. The stability constants were computed from three different calculation procedures. The best set of formation constants is: β1 = 5,67 ± 0,20 M-1 β2 = 19,5 ± 2,1 M-2 β3 = 6,52 ± 4,66 M-3 β4 = 15,8 ± 2,0 M-4 β5 = 4,83 ± 0,31 M-5 The nickel(II)/azide system presented a quite different behaviour as compared with the cobalt(ll) one, as extensive polynuclear complex formation is attained. A monographic study about this kind of complex formation seemed interesting to be included in this thesis. An extensive study of the nickel(II)/azide system was performed at conditions wich provide enough experimental data to be treated on basis of polynuclear complex formation. Two different calculation procedures lead to the following set of equilibrium constant: mononuclear Ni(N3)+ β11 = 5,80 Ni(N3)2 β12 = 9,69 Ni(N3)-3 β13 = 7,54 Ni(N3)=4 β14 = 534 binuclears Ni2(N3)3+ β21 = 4,06 Ni2(N3)2+2 β22 = 31,8 Ni2(N3)+3 β23 = 175 Ni2(N3)4 β24 = 2,06x104 Ni2(N3)-5 β25 = 2,30x105 Ni2(N3)=6 β26 = 7,15x105 trinuclears Ni3(N3)2+4 β34 = 2,28x104 Ni3(N3)+5 β35 = 3,51x106 Ni3(N3)6 β36 = 1,17x108 Two complementary studies, potentiometric and spectrophotometric, were performed at high metal cation/1igand ratio in order to create conditions for the existence of on1y a few species as Ni(N3)+ and Ni2(N3)3+. β11 from spectrophotometric method is 6.90 M-1; from potentiometric method β11 is 7.53 ± 0.10 M-1 and β21 is 4.29 ± 0.15 M-2. The molar absorptivities at λmax, 293 nm, was calcu1ated as ε11 = 362 cm-1. mol-1.1 and ε21 = 475 cm-1. mol-1.1. Finally a conductometric titration of 0.4 M niekel(II) with 3.9 M sodium azide showed a high contribution of Ni2(N3) -5 in agreement with the potentiometric study. A series of distribution diagrarns were plotted in order to have the percent contribution of each species vs. the ligand concentration and, eventually, vs. the metal concentration when polynuclear complexes are formed.

Les polymères de coordination poreux appelés Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF) sont envisagés pour des développements et applications prometteuses dans la catalyse par exemple. La compréhension des mécanismes de synthèse et leurs croissances cristallines restent cependant un défi. Actuellement, seules quelques études in-situ ont été réalisées pour rationnaliser la synthèse des MOFs, comme des suivis par résonance magnétique nucléaire, par spectroscopie de masse ou par diffraction des rayons X en dispersion d'énergie. Nous proposons, l'analyse thermodifférentielle qui est une technique plus aisée à mettre en oeuvre et permet un suivi calorimétrique en continu pour identifier les phénomènes thermiques régissant la synthèse tels que la réaction de formation et la cristallisation. Grâce à ces analyses thermiques, le domaine réactionnel est déterminé et l'importance des différents paramètres influençant la synthèse sont étudiés, comme la température et les vitesses de chauffage et de refroidissement ainsi que la concentration des réactifs. Ce suivi calorimétrique a été appliqué à la synthèse de nouveaux composés de coordination poreux à base d'un dérivé tetra acide carboxylique de la porphyrine pour en comprendre les étapes réactionnelles importantes. La détermination des structures cristallines montre que certains appartiennent à la classe des Porphyrin Paddle-Wheel Frameworks. De nouvelles approches pour la synthèse de MOFs sont également proposées, en utilisant des ligands organiques acides, imines, oximes et bases de Schiff / Porous coordination polymers so called Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are considered for promising development and applications such as in catalyst. However, the understanding of the synthesis mechanisms and crystal growth is a challenge. Currently, only a few in-situ studies have been done to rationalize the synthesis of MOFs, such as monitoring by nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray diffraction. In this manuscript the differential scanning calorimetry is proposed as an easier technique to implement that allows a continuous calorimeter tracking to identify the phenomena which govern the synthesis such as the formation reaction and crystallization temperatures. With such thermal analyses, the temperature range of the reaction was determined and the importance of various parameters influencing the synthesis was studied, such as heating temperatures and cooling speeds or reactant concentration. This was applied to the synthesis of new porous coordination compounds based on porphyrin acid derivative in order to understand the important reaction steps. Crystal structure determinations show that some are Porphyrin Paddle-Wheel Frameworks. New approaches to the MOFs synthesis are also proposed using organic ligands like acids, imines, oximes and Schiff bases

L’objectif consistant à élaborer des «aimants par conception» peut être atteint en adaptant les structures moléculaires des complexes de coordination. Les molécules conçues devraient présenter les caractéristiques requises pour des applications spécifiques, qui résultent de leur riche diversité structurale. Des complexes mononucléaires à base de Ni avec une grande anisotropie magnétique et des molécules polynucléaires à base de Ni et de Co sont préparés et étudiés dans cette thèse. Les synthèses, les études magnétiques et les propriétés électrochimiques des complexes contenant un ligand pontant non innocent sont étudiées. Les complexes mononucléaires Ni(II) à géométrie bipyramide trigonale sont préparés avec des ligands axiaux et les contre-anions différents. L'effet de la nature des ligands axiaux et du changement structural induit par les contre-anions sur l'anisotropie magnétique est étudié expérimentalement et analysé à l'aide de calculs théoriques. Des molécules organiques sont utilisées pour concevoir des complexes trinucléaires à grande anisotropie magnétique et à couplage d'échange faible. Plusieurs complexes polynucléaires à base de Ni et de Co où le TTC³⁻ agit comme un ligand pontant innocent et le HHTP³⁻ comme un ligand non innocent typique sont cristallisés avec diverses structures (TTC = Trithiocyanurate; HHTP = Hexahydroxytriphénylène). Pour les complexes contenant le ligand non innocent (HHTP), les anions radicalaires sont produits par électrochimie. La combinaison de la spectro-électrochimie et de la spectroscopie à résonance paramagnétique électronique couplée à des études d'électrochimie permet d'étudier la délocalisation des électrons sur les radicaux organiques générés et le couplage d'échange entre les ions métalliques. / The objective of elaborating “magnets by design” can be achieved by tailoring the molecular structures of coordination complexes. The designed molecules are expected to exhibit the characteristics required for specific applications, virtually resulting from their rich structural diversity. Mononuclear Ni-based complexes with large magnetic anisotropy and polynuclear Ni- and Co-based molecules are designed in this dissertation. The syntheses, magnetic studies, and electrochemical properties of the complexes containing non-innocent bridge ligand are investigated. The Ni(II) mononuclear complexes with trigonal bipyramid geometry are prepared by tuning the axial ligands and the counter anions. The effect of the nature of the axial ligands and the structural change induces by the counter anions on magnetic anisotropy is studied experimentally and analyzed with the help of theoretical calculations. Large organic molecules are used to design trinuclear complexes with large magnetic anisotropy and weak exchange coupling. Several polynuclear Ni- and Co-based complexes with TTC³⁻ acting as an innocent bridging ligand and HHTP as a typical non-innocent ligand, are crystallized with various structures (TTC = Trithiocyanurate; HHTP = Hexahydroxytriphenylene). For the complexes containing the non-innocent ligand (HHTP), radical anions are produced by electrochemistry. The combination of spectroelectrochemical and Electron Paramagnetic Spectroscopy coupled to electrochemistry studies allow investigating the delocalization of the electrons on the generated organic radicals and the exchange coupling among the metal ions.

Les molécules-aimants, ou Single-Molecule Magnets en anglais, sont des complexes polymétalliques qui possèdent la propriété remarquable de se comporter individuellement comme des aimants. Synthétisées selon les méthodes de la chimie de coordination elles sont devenues l’objet d’une intense activité de recherche multidisciplinaire à l’interface de la chimie et de la physique. C’est dans ce contexte que se situe notre travail de thèse qui nous a conduit à synthétiser plusieurs séries de complexes polynucléaires nouveaux puis a les caractériser cristallographiquement et étudier leurs propriétés magnétiques dont les résultats sont présentés dans ce mémoire. Le premier chapitre présente l’approche théorique, expérimentale et les avancées scientifiques principales dans le domaine des molécules-aimants. Le deuxième chapitre concerne quatre séries de composés obtenus avec des ligands de type oxime. Deux de ces composés [Mn3]n et [Mn6] sont des complexes homonucléaires à base de manganèse et les deux autres [Ln2Cu2] et [Ln3Cu8] (LnIII = Dy, Gd, Tb, Y) des complexes hétéronucléaires CuII - LnIII. D’après les études magnétiques nous avons constaté que [Mn3]n, [Dy2Cu2] et [Dy3Cu8] se comportent comme des molécules-aimants mais que [Mn6] ne manifeste pas les propriétés d’une molécule-aimant. Le troisième chapitre concerne un composé tetranucléaire [Mn4] et une série de complexes dodecanucléaires [Ln4Cu8] (LnIII = Dy, Gd, Tb, Y) obtenus avec des ligands de type benzoxazoles. Les études des propriétés magnétiques ont mis en évidence le couplage antiferromagnétique des ions Mn dans le cubane [Mn4]. Pour la série [Ln4Cu8] (LnIII = Dy, Gd, Tb, Y) sur la base du complexe d’yttrium le couplage Cu-Cu a été négligé et pour le complexe [Gd4Cu8] nous avons mis en évidence des interactions Cu-Gd ferromagnétiques et Gd-Gd antiferromagnétiques. Les mesures faites sur le composé [Dy4Cu8] ont mis en évidence le comportement caractéristique d’une molécule-aimant. Le dernier chapitre présente les résultats obtenues pour un complexe tetradécanucléaire à valence mixte MnII – MnIII [Mn14] que nous avons obtenu a partir d’un ligand de type base de Schiff et dans lequel coexistent des interactions antiferromagnétiques et ferromagnétiques entre les ions manganèse avec un zero-field splitting important. La conclusion générale fait le bilan de nos résultats et donne quelques perspectives ouvertes par notre travail. / The Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs) are polymetallic complexes containing unpaired electrons that have the remarkable property to behave individually as magnets. Synthesized according to the methods of coordination chemistry they have become the subject of intense multidisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry and physics. In this context our thesis was focused on the synthesis of several series of new polynuclear complexes and their characterization by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The obtained results are discussed in this manuscript. The first chapter presents the theoretical approach and scientific advances in the field of molecular magnets. The second chapter describes the coordination compounds obtained using the oxime-based ligands: two homonuclear complexes, [Mn3]n and [Mn6], and two heteronuclear series, [Ln2Cu2] and [Ln3Cu8] (LnIII = Dy, Gd, Tb, Y). According to the magnetic studies [Mn3]n, [Dy2Cu2] and [Dy3Cu8] behave as SMM. The third chapter is related to a tetranuclear [Mn4] cluster and a series of dodecanuclear benzoxazoles-based complexes [Ln4Cu8] (LnIII = Dy, Gd, Y). The magnetic measurements made on [Dy4Cu8] showed the characteristic behavior of a SMM. The final chapter presents a valence-mixed MnII - MnIII [Mn14] complex with ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions between manganese ions obtained using a Schiff base ligand. To conclude the main obtained results will be discussed and some perspectives opened by our work will be proposed.

Thin film nanostructures may be defined as assemblies, arrays, or randomly distributed nanoparticles, nanowires, or nanotubes, which together form a layer of materials supported on a substrate surface. Because such nanostructures are supported on a substrate surface, their potential applications cover a wide area in optical, magnetic, electrochemical, electromagnetic, and optoelectronic devices. The focus of the present thesis is the development of methodologies to grow certain thin film nanostructures of some transition metal oxides (TMOs), including copper oxides and LixCoO2, through CVD, sol-gel, and electromagnetic radiation-mediated approaches. The work towards this objective can be divided into three parts: first, the design, synthesis, and systematic identification of novel metalorganic precursors of copper (monometallic) and Li and Co (bimetallic); second, the growth of nanostructured oxides thin films using these precursors; and third, the application of electromagnetic radiation to control or tailor the growth of as grown nanostructures. The underlying growth mechanisms substantiated by appropriate evidence have been put forward, wherever found relevant and intriguing. It may be added that the principal objective of the work reported here has been to explore the several ideas noted above and examine possibilities, rather than to study any specific one of them in significant detail. It is hoped earnestly that this has been accomplished to a reasonable extent. Chapter 1 reviews briefly the reports available in the literature on three specific methods of growing thin films nanostructures, namely chemical vapour deposition, sol-gel processing and light-induced approach. The objective of this chapter has been to provide the background of the work done in the thesis, and is substantiated with a number of illustrative examples. Some of the fundamental concepts involved, viz., plasmons and excitons, have been defined with illustration wherever found relevant in the context of the work. Chapter 2 describes the various techniques used for synthesis and characterisation of the metalorganic complexes as well as of the thin films. This chapters covers mostly experimental details, with brief descriptions of the working principles of the analytical procedures adopted, namely, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and thermal analysis for characterisation of the metalorganic complexes. This is followed by a similarly brief account of techniques employed to characterize the thin films prepared in this work, viz., glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), electrostatic force microscopy (EFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), glancing incidence infra-red spectroscopy (GIIR) and, UV-visible spectroscopy. The metalorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) systems built in house and used for growth of films are described in detail. The topics in the different sections of the chapter are accompanied by pertinent diagrams. Chapter 3 deals with the design, synthesis and characterisation of novel polynuclear complexes of copper and cobalt. Keeping in mind the various advantages such as low toxicity, ease of synthesis, non-pyrophoricity, and low temperature volatility, of environmentally benign complexes based on biologically compatible such as triethanolamine, diethanolamine, the objective has been to synthesize complexes containing triethanolamine and diethanolamine of transition metals such as cobalt and copper, and to investigate their applicability in MOCVD processes as a novel class of precursors. With the notion of ‘better’ and efficient design of precursors, an attempt has been made, through a semi-empirical modeling, to understand the correlation between volatility and various intrinsic molecular parameters such as lattice energy, vibrational-rotational energy, and internal symmetry. Chapter 4 discusses the growth of nanoporous Cu4O3-C composite films through the MOCVD process employing Cu4(deaH)(dea)(oAc)5.(CH3)2CO as the precursor. The various characteristic aspects of as-grown films, such as their crystallinity, morphology, and composition have been covered elaborately in various sections of this chapter. The chapter describes the efficient guiding and confining of light exploiting the photonic band gap of these nanoporous films, which indicates the potential usefulness of these and similar films as optical waveguides. A model described in the literature on absorbing photonic crystals, wherein a periodically modulated absorption entails an inevitable spatial modulation of dispersion, i.e., of the index contrast to open a photonic band gap, has been used to calculate the indices of refraction of one of these nanoporous films. The chapter also reports briefly the preliminary electrochemical investigations carried out on a typical film, examining the notion of its application as the anode in a Li-ion rechargeable battery. Chapter 5 describes the synthesis of nanocrystalline LixCoO2 films by the sol-gel method. Reports available in literature indicate that the various phases of LixCoO2 are extremely sensitive to processing temperature, making it difficult to control dimensionality of a given phase using temperature as one of process parameters. We have investigated the possibility of using incoherent light to tailor the particle size/shape of this material. The as-grown and irradiated films were characterised by X-ray diffraction, and by microscopic and spectroscopic techniques.Optical spectroscopy was carried out in order to gain insight into the physico-chemical mechanism involved in such structural and morphological transformation. Chapter 6 deals with the synthesis of self-assembled nanostructures from the pre-synthesized nanocrystals building blocks, through optical means of exciton formation and dissociation. It has been demonstrated that, upon prolonged exposure to (incoherent) ultraviolet-visible radiation, LixCoO2 nanocrystals self-assemble into acicular architectures, through intermediate excitation of excitons. Furthermore, it has been shown that such self-assembly occurs in nanocrystals, which are initially anchored to the substrate surface such as that of fused quartz. This new type of process for the self-assembly of nanocrystals, which is driven by light has been investigated by available microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Chapter 7 describes the stabilisation of chemically reactive metallic lithium in a carbonaceous nanostructure, viz., a carbon nanotube, achieved through the MOCVD process involving a lithium-alkyl moiety. This moiety is formed in situ during deposition through partial decomposition of a metalorganic precursor synthesized in house, which contains both lithium and cobalt. It is surmised that the stabilization of metallic Li in the nanostructure in situ occurs through the partial decomposition of the metalorganic precursor. Quantitative X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy carried out on such a film reveals that as much as 33.4% metallic lithium is trapped in carbon. Lastly, Chapter 8 briefly highlights the outlook for further investigations suggested by the work undertaken for this thesis. Novel precursors derived from biologically compatible ligands can open up possibility of growing new type of micro/nano-structures, and of unusual phases in the CVD grown films. Furthermore, it is proposed that the novel method of growth and alignment of nanocrystals through irradiation with incoherent light, employed for the specific material LixCoO2, may be employed for various other metallic and semiconducting materials.

L’objectif de ce travail fut la synthèse de ligands fonctionnels de type N,N'-diphosphanyl-NHC (NHC = carbènes N-hétérocycliques) et l’étude de leur chimie de coordination. La synthèse du nouveau ligand tridentate, stable et rigide, N,N'-diphosphanyl-imidazol-2-ylidene a permis des études expérimentales et théoriques et l’accès à des complexes mono-, di-, tri-, penta-, et hexanucléaires des métaux du groupe 11 (Cu, Ag et Au) originaux et aux propriétés structurales uniques. Les complexes mono- et dinucléaires avec un ou deux atomes de phosphore libres ont permis d’accéder à des complexes hétérotrinucléaires à interactions d10-d10 qui sont luminescents. La transmétallation partielle ou totale des complexes homotrinucléaires de Cu ou d’Ag avec des réactifs contenant du Pd(0) ont conduit à des complexes hétérotrinucléaires à interactions d10-d10. En plus de son comportement pontant, ce ligand peut se agir en chélate dans des complexes du palladium et du chrome. Dans le cas du Cr(III), ils montrent une activité catalytique en oligomérisation de l’éthylène supérieure à celle des complexes du Cr(II) et conduisent principalement à des oligomères. / The purpose of this work was the synthesis of N,N'-diphosphanyl-functionalized NHC ligands andtheir coordination chemistry. The novel stable and rigid tridentate N,N'-diphosphanyl-imidazol-2-ylidene was synthesized and experimental and computational information on its stability weregained. It served as a unique platform for the synthesis of novel mono-, di-, tri-, penta-, hexanuclear complexes with the coinage metals (Cu, Ag and Au), exhibiting rare structural features. The mono- and dinuclear complexes with one or two dangling P-donors provided rational access to heterotrinuclear complexes. All these coinage metal complexes have short metal-metalseparations, indicating the presence of d10-d10 interactions, and display excellent luminescentproperties. Partial or complete transmetallation of the homotrinuclear Cu or Ag complexes withPd(0) precursors led to hetero-trinuclear complexes with d10-d10 interactions. In addition to itsbridging behavior, this ligand also showed its chelating behavior in Pd or Cr(III) complexes. Thelatter displayed superior performance in ethylene oligomerization than the Cr(II) complexes andgave mostly oligomers.

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