A Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) relata o câncer como uma das principais causas de morte no mundo. O câncer de próstata é o segundo tipo de câncer mais prevalente em homens, com cerca de 1,1 milhão de casos diagnosticados em 2012. Braquiterapia com iodo-125 é uma método de radioterapia que consiste na introdução de sementes com material radioativo no interior do órgão a ser tratado. As sementes de iodo-125 podem ser inseridas soltas ou em cordas poliméricas bioabsorvíveis, mais comumente o poli(ácido lático-co-ácido glicólico) (PLGA). A função do polímero é reduzir a possibilidade de migração das sementes, o que poderia ser prejudicial para órgãos e tecidos saudáveis. De modo a reduzir os custos do tratamento, a síntese dos dímeros L-lactídeo e glicolídeo, para posterior utilização para preparação do PLGA, por meio da polimerização por abertura de anel, é proposta neste trabalho. Adicionalmente, propõe-se a utilização do amino-alcóxido tris(fenolato) de zircônio (IV) como alternativa ao usual octanoato de estanho (SnOct2), uma vez que a toxicidade do estanho permanece como obstáculo na produção do PLGA para aplicações biomédicas. Embora o iniciador de zircônio seja mais lento do que o SnOct2, massas molares relativamente elevadas foram obtidas quando razões monômero/iniciador (M/I) de 1000/1 (24 h), e 5000/1 (48 h) foram utilizadas. Considerando que as unidades glicolila (GA) são mais reativas do que as unidades lactila (LA), tempos longos de reação são necessários para atingir uma razão LA/GA próxima do objetivo do trabalho (85/15). O grau de racemização também depende do iniciador utilizado. As reações de polimerização realizadas com o iniciador de zircônio mostraram um maior grau de racemização, quando comparadas com aquelas realizadas com o SnOct2. Também foi observado um ligeiro aumento na racemização com o tempo. Considerando os resultados obtidos na síntese e purificação dos dímeros, e na síntese do PLGA em condições semelhantes às industriais, foi possível preparar o polímero de alta massa molar com um custo dezenas de vezes inferior ao custo do PLGA no mercado internacional. Os efeitos da radiação gama no PLGA também foram estudados. Doses normalmente aplicadas para esterilizar materiais para aplicações biomédicas foram empregadas: 10, 18, 25 e 50 kGy. A massa molar de todas as amostras irradiadas diminuiu de uma forma proporcional à dose até 56% de perda para 10 kGy e 72% para 50 kGy porém, são menos pronunciadas para doses mais elevadas. Alterações nas propriedades térmicas, tais como temperatura de fusão, temperatura de transição vítrea e a entalpia de cristalização e fusão foram também observadas após a irradiação. / The World Health Organization (WHO), reports cancer a leading cause of death worldwide. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, with 1.1 million diagnoses in 2012. Brachytherapy is a method of radiotherapy where encapsulated radioactive sources (seeds) are placed inside or very close to the area requiring treatment. Iodine-125 seeds can be inserted loose or stranded in bioresorbable materials most commonly poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA). The main function of the polymer is to reduce the possibility of seeds migration, which could potentially harm healthy organs and tissues. In order to reduce the cost of the treatment, we propose in this work the synthesis of L-lactide and glycolide dimers, for the production of PLGA using the ring-opening polimerisation route. Additionally, we also propose the use of a Zr (IV) amine tris(phenolate) alkoxide initiator as an alternative to the usual SnOct2, which is still considered an unsolved problem for biomedical applications due to its toxicity. Although the zirconium alkoxide initiator is less active and slower than SnOct2, relatively high molecular weights were obtained at a temperature of 130°C, for a monomer to initiator ratio of 1000/1 (24 h), and 5000/1, in 48 h. Since glycolyl units are more reactive than lactyl counterpart, longer reaction times are needed to achieve a LA/GA ratio closer to the initial (85/15). The degree of racemisation of the polymer depended upon the initiator used. The reactions carried out with the zirconium initiator showed a higher degree of racemisation when compared to those carried out with SnOct2. A modest increase in the degree of racemisation with time was also observed. Considering the results obtained for the synthesis and purification of the dimers, and for the synthesis of PLGA under industrial-like conditions, we concluded that it was possible to produce a high molecular weight polymer that costs far less than the usual price of PLGA on the market. The effects of gamma radiation on PLGA were also studied. We used doses commonly applied to sterilise materials for biomedical applications: 10, 18, 25 and 50 kGy. All irradiated samples showed a reduction in the molecular weight in a dose dependent fashion - up to 56% loss for 10 kGy and 72% for 50 kGy - but these reductions were less pronounced for higher doses. Changes in thermal properties, such as melting point, glass transition temperature and enthalpy of crystallisation and fusion were also observed after irradiation.

A review of the chemistry of poly(lactic acid) was carried out with a focus on techniques and applications of PLA polymer and copolymers with reference to some of the work that has been accomplished over the last 20 years or so. A review of the characterisation techniques used to analyse PLA polymers and copolymers was also carried out giving reference to the equipment and methods used herein. An investigation into the potential of PLA as the hydrophilic portion of a polymeric surfactant was carried out. To develop PLA based surfactants, the ring opening polymerisation of lactide was carried out in a melt in the presence of a long chain alcohol (C₇ to C₂₀) or diol (C₄ & C₆) to produce AB or ABA type polymers that follow the traditional surfactant template. Stannous octanoate and 4-dimethylaminopyridine were typically used as catalysts due to their high activity and relative cheapness. PLA only shows good hydrophilicity with up to 12 lactic acid units in the chain. Above this the electrostatic interactions between polymer chains reduced water solubility. It was also noted that D,L-lactide produced more water soluble polymers (syndiotactic) than the enantiomerically pure L-lactide (isotactic polymer chains). An investigation of the hydrophobic properties of PLA was carried out to evaluate their usefulness for other biodegradable surfactant applications. To this end an investigation of sugars as the hydrophilic portion of the molecule was carried out. Due to problems with solubilising sugars, they were deemed unsuitable for use as initiatiors within the scope of this research. Choline chloride was then investigated as a potential hydrophilic initiator and indeed has produced some of the most water soluble of PLA polymers. Choline chloride presented several challenges as an initiator, its high melting point resulted in polar solvents such as t-butanol being employed. Alternatively, more success was achieved by preparation of a choline chloride eutectic mixture prior to the polymerisation. It was discovered that a choline chloride/urea eutectic mixture was capable of self initiation, thus required no further addition of catalyst, this result shows a potential step forward in PLA green chemistry. A final investigation into producing surface-active PLA in a one-pot process that required only a hydroxycarboxylate initiator was carried out. The production of PLA sodium or potassium salts was carried out in a melt polymerisation and the results show some promise. Initiators that have been employed include a range of a, b and g-hydroxycarboxylic acids. These work through tautomerisation to the alkoxide, which then initiates a living type polymerisation of lactide to produce surface-active polymers. As well as the synthesis of these polymers some analysis of the physical and aqueous properties of these materials was carried out. PLA sodium salts were shown to have reasonable surfactant ability (~45 mNm⁻¹) and low CMC values of around 5x10⁻⁹ mol cm⁻³. They were also shown to have some properties as emulsifiers, and in some cases showed non-Newtonian fluid behaviour such as shear-thinning (thixotropy) and shear-thickening (dilatant). The thermal characteristics of the polymers such as T[subscript]g and stability were assessed as well as their ability to retain water.

L’objectif de cette étude est de synthétiser et de caractériser des polyesters entre le diméthylcétène et des composés carbonylés choisis (acétone, méthyléthylcétone et acéthaldéhyde) par deux voies distinctes : une copolymérisation directe, et une voie passant d’abord par la synthèse de la beta-lactone puis sa polymérisation par ouverture de cycle. La caractérisation a mis en évidence la structure parfaitement alternée du polyester entre le diméthylcétène et l’acétone, et des structures plus complexes avec la méthyléthylcétone et l’acétaldéhyde. Les analyses ont également montré le caractère polymorphe complexe de ces copolymères. Les trois beta-lactones correspondantes ont également été synthétisées. Seule la polymérisation de la beta-lactone avec l’acétaldéhyde a été menée à bien, du fait de son faible encombrement stérique. Enfin, une étude cinétique par infrarouge a également été effectuée et a permis de mieux connaître les cinétiques de polymérisation par ouverture de cycle. / The aim of this study is to synthesise and to characterise polyesters between dimethylketene and chosen carbonyled compounds (acetone, methylethylketone and acetaldehyde) by two distinct pathways: a direct copolymerisation, and another path proceeding in the synthesis of the beta-lactone then its ring opening polymerisation. The characterisation has highlighted the perfectly alternated structure of the polyester between dimethylketene and acetone, and more complex structures with dimethylketone and acetaldehyde. The analyses have also shown the complex polymorphism of these copolymers. The three corresponding beta-lactones have been synthesised. Only the polymerisation of the acetaldehyde beta-lactone has been accomplished because of its weak steric hindrance. At last, an infrared kinetic study has also been carried out and has permitted a better comprehension of the kinetic of the ring opening polymerisation.

Le poly(acide lactique) (PLA), un polyester bio-ressourcé et biodégradable, est un candidat majeur pour la substitution des polymères issus de ressources fossiles. Le contrôle méticuleux de sa microstructure permet de modifier ses propriétés physiques. Dans ce contexte, ce manuscrit rapporte le design de complexes originaux de métaux trivalents et leur utilisation pour la polymérisation par ouverture de cycle (ROP) stéréosélective du lactide racémique (rac-LA). Ainsi, (i) les complexes M-Salen chiraux (M = Al, Ga, In, Salen = (1,2-diphényléthane)bis(phénoxyimine)) ont permis de confirmer l’aptitude des précatalyseurs aluminiques à être isosélectifs (Pm = 0.90) pour la ROP du rac-LA dénotant toutefois de leur faible activité. L’utilisation du gallium et de l’indium dans le but d’augmenter l’activité des systèmes catalytiques correspondants n’a pas permis de conserver la stéréosélectivité. Des études cinétiques et microstructurales ont permis d’établir les mécanismes de ROP et de stéréocontrôle ; (ii) les nouveaux ligands Salan rigidifiés par un cœur hydropyrimidine ((hydropyrimidine)bis(méthylène))diphénol), ont révélé une activation Csp3-H intramoléculaire inattendue avec le gallium et l’indium menant à des entités zwitterioniques originales. Les études mécanistiques par RMN, GC et calculs DFT ont permis de décrire le mécanisme alors mis en œuvre ; (iii) un précatalyseur hétéro-bimétallique yttrium/lithium et basé sur un ligand chiral dérivé de la binaphthylamine, a permis d’engendrer un PLA quasiment parfaitement hétérotactique (Pr = 0.99) ; (iv) finalement, de nouveaux ligands chiraux à base de proline pourront permettre de s’orienter vers l’utilisation de métaux divalents (Zn, SnII…), dans le but d’accéder à des systèmes stéréosélectifs faisant preuve d’une meilleure activité catalytique. / Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most promising bio-resourced and biodegradable polymers and may constitute a viable alternative to petroleum-based materials. Its physical properties can be tuned by an accurate control of his microstructure. In this context, this manuscript relates the design of original complexes of trivalent metals and their further use for the stereoselective ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of racemic lactide (rac-LA). Hence, (i) the chiral M-Salen complexes (M = Al, Ga, In, Salen = (1,2-diphenyl-ethane)bis(phenoxyimine)) have confirmed the isoselectivity exhibited by aluminium precatalysts for the ROP of rac-LA (Pm = 0.90) but also their limited activity. The gallium and indium congeners were prepared to enhance the catalytic activity, but resulted on substantial loss of stereoselectivity. The ROP and stereocontrol mechanisms were both investigated by kinetic monitoring and by microstructural analysis of the polymer; (ii) novel Salan ligands rigidified by a hydropyrimidine core ((hydropyrimidine)bis(methylene))-diphenol) have led to unexpected intramolecular Csp3–H activation with gallium and indium, affording unusual zwitterionic complexes. NMR and GC studies as DFT computations have been implemented to understand the mechanism for this process; (iii) a hetero-bimetallic yttrium/lithium precatalysts based on a chiral binaphthylamine backbone has led to highly heterotactic PLA (Pr = 0.99); (iv) finally, new chiral ligands should afford complexes of divalent metals (Zn, SnII…) that should yield access to stereoselective catalytic systems featuring increased activity.

This Thesis describes the synthesis and characterisation of new Main Group and Rare Earth alkyl, amide, alkoxide and borohydride complexes and their use as catalysts for the ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of &epsilon;-caprolactone and rac-lactide. <strong>Chapter 1</strong> introduces ROP from an industrial and academic perspective, as well as polymer characterisation techniques. A literature review is given, with an emphasis placed on Main Group catalysts. <strong>Chapter 2</strong> describes the synthesis and characterisation of new homo- and hetero-scorpionate Main Group complexes. An introduction to homo- and hetero-scorpionate ligands is given, as well as a discussion of the ε-caprolactone and rac-lactide ROP activity displayed by the new complexes. <strong>Chapter 3</strong> describes the synthesis and characterisation of new neutral and cationic Main Group borohydride complexes supported by the tris(pyrazolyl)methane and tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate ligands. A review of borohydride complexes is also given. The ε-caprolactone and rac-lactide ROP activity shown by the complexes presented is also discussed. <strong>Chapter 4</strong> describes the synthesis and characterisation of new mono- and di-cationic yttrium complexes supported by the tris(pyrazolyl)methane and triazacyclononane ligands. An introduction to the synthesis of neutral and cationic Rare Earth complexes is given. An overview of immortal ROP is also provided. The activity of the new complexes towards the immortal ROP of rac-lactide is also discussed. <strong>Chapter 5</strong> contains experimental details and characterising data for the new complexes reported in this thesis. CD Appendix</strong> contains .cif files for all of the new crystallographically characterised complexes.

This Thesis describes the synthesis and characterisation of sulfonamide supported titanium, zirconium and aluminium complexes and their use as ring opening polymerisation catalysts for ε-caprolactone and rac-lactide. Chapter 1 introduces polyester use, development and characterisation in general. Metal catalysed ring opening polymerisation of cyclic esters is considered in a literature review of the field. Titanium, zirconium and aluminium complexes supported by polydentate sulfonamide ligands are also discussed. Chapter 2 describes the synthesis and characterisation of new sulfonamide supported titanium amide, isopropoxide and zirconium isopropoxide complexes. Their application as catalysts for the ring opening polymerisation of ε-caprolactone and rac-lactide is discussed and compared with known zirconium isopropoxide complexes supported by bis(phenolate) amine ligands. Chapter 3 describes the synthesis and characterisation of Cs symmetric titanium amide and alkoxide complexes supported by dianionic, tri- and tetradentate sulfonamide ligands. Zirconium alkyl and amide complexes supported by C3- symmetric trianionic ‘tren’ type ligands bearing three different sulfonamide groups are also presented. The application of these complexes for the ring opening polymerisation of ε-caprolactone and rac-lactide is described and compared with the complexes presented in Chapter 2. Chapter 4 provides an overview of the synthesis and characterisation of aluminium alkoxide and alkyl complexes supported by dianionic, tri- and tetradentate sulfonamide ligands. Solution state behaviour and solid state structures are presented and discussed. An assessment of these complexes for the ring opening polymerisation of rac-lactide is presented. Chapter 5 presents full experimental procedures and characterisation data for the new complexes reported. CD Appendix contains .cif files for all new crystallographically characterised complexes described, and additional polymerisation graphs.