CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Este trabalho teve como objetivo a preparaÃÃo de nanopartÃculas de derivados da galactomanana. O polissacarÃdeo (galactomanana) foi extraÃdo de sementes da Dimorphandra gardneriana com rendimento de 29Â3% e razÃo manose/ galactose (M:G) de 1,93Â0,02. A galactomanana foi modificada por reaÃÃo de sulfataÃÃo (FDS), oxidaÃÃo (FDO) e por acilaÃÃo com anidrido acÃtico (FDAc) e com anidrido propiÃnico (FDPr). Os derivados foram utilizados no desenvolvimento de nanopartÃculas por interaÃÃo com a quitosana via complexaÃÃo polieletrolÃtica, por formaÃÃo de base de Schiff, e por auto-organizaÃÃo. Os derivados da galactomanana foram caracterizados por espectroscopia na regiÃo do infravermelho (IV), por ressonÃncia magnÃtica nuclear, por anÃlise elementar, por cromatografia de permeaÃÃo em gel e por viscosidade intrÃnseca. O grau de substituiÃÃo para reaÃÃo de sulfataÃÃo foram 0,32 e 0,42. A razÃo de unidades glicosÃdicas/unidades oxidadas para os derivados oxidados foram 10:2; 10:4 e 10:8. Os derivados hidrofÃbicos foram confirmados pelo aparecimento de uma nova absorÃÃo em 1740 cm-1 no IV, atribuÃda ao estiramento C=O e a insolubilidade em Ãgua. NanopartÃculas com perfil unimodal foram obtidas nas trÃs rotas estudadas. As partÃculas de quitosana e galactomanana sulfatada foram obtidas por complexaÃÃo polieletrolÃtica com diÃmetros variando de 10Â6 a 377Â29 nm, Ãndice de polidispersividade de 0,11Â0,02 a 0,5Â0,1 e potencial zeta de â28Â2 a 59Â4 mV. Para as de quitosana e galactomanana oxidada obtidas via base de Schiff com diÃmetros variando de 8Â2 a 20Â9 nm, Ãndice de polidispersividade de 0,36Â0,04 a 0,57Â0,08 e potencial zeta de 0,4Â0,5 a 14Â1 mV. PartÃculas de galactomanana modificadas hidrofobicamente foram obtidas via auto-organizaÃÃo com diÃmetros variando de 35,3Â0,6 a 213Â28 nm, Ãndice de polidispersividade de 0,093Â0,003 a 0,9Â0,1 e potencial zeta de â26,3Â0,9 a â3Â2 mV. O diÃmetro, potencial zeta e Ãndice de poidispersividade sÃo influenciados pela metodologia e derivado utilizado, mas para todos os derivados da galactomanana obteve-se, em pelo menos uma condiÃÃo, nanopartÃculas compatÃveis para um potencial uso como carreadores de fÃrmacos. Fatores como: grau de modificaÃÃo, razÃo, ordem de adiÃÃo e concentraÃÃo dos polissacarÃdeos, pH e a adiÃÃo de fÃrmaco influenciaram no tamanho, Ãndice de polidispersividade, potencial zeta e estabilidade em soluÃÃo das partÃculas. / This work aimed the preparation of nanoparticles galactomannan derivatives. The polysaccharide (galactomannan) was from seeds of Dimorphandra gardneriana with yield of 29Â3% and mannose/galactose ratio (M:G) of 1.93Â0.02. The galactomannan was modified by sulfation raction (FDS), oxidation (FDO) and by acylation with acetic anhydride (FDAc) and proponic (FDPr) and derivates were used in the developmentof nanoparticles by interaction with chitosan by polyelectrolyte complexes, Schiff base formation and by self-assembled. Galactomannan derivatives were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance, elemental analysis, gel permeation chromatography and intrinsic viscosity. The degree of substitution for sulfataion reaction were 0.32 and 0.42; the ratio of glycosidic/oxidized units in oxidized derivatives was 10:2; 10:4 and 10:8. The hydrophobic derivatives were confirmed by the appearance of new absorption at 1740 cm-1 in IR, assigned to C=O stretching and water insolubility. Nanoparticles with unimodal profile were obtained on three routes studied. The particles of chitosan and sulfated galactomannan were obtained by complexation polyelectrolytic with diameters ranging from 10Â6 to 377Â29 nm, polydispersity index from 0.11Â0.02 to 0.5Â0.1 and zeta potential of â28Â2 to 59Â4 mV. For chitosan and oxidized galactomannan nanoparticles, obtained by Schiff base, diameters ranging from 8Â2 to 20Â9 nm, polydispersity index from 0.36Â0.04 to 0.57Â0.08 and zeta potential of 0.4Â0.5 to 14Â1 mV were obatined. Hydrophobically modified galactomannan particles were obtained by self-assembled with diameters ranging from 35.3Â0.6 to 213Â28 nm, polydispersity index from 0.093Â0.003 to 0.9Â0.1 and zeta potential of â26.3Â0.9 to â3Â2 mV. The diameter, zeta potential and polydispersity index are influenced by the methodology and derived used, but for all derivatives of galactomannan at least one condition shows nanoparticles compatible for potential use as drug carriers. Factors such as degree of modification, ratio, order of addition and concentration of polysaccharides, pH and addition of drug have influence on size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and solution stability of the particles.

Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2016-06-28T17:52:25Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Melo-MCA_dissertacao.pdf: 6271738 bytes, checksum: ce55245b114aac78286d16fa3cabf5d4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-28T17:52:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Melo-MCA_dissertacao.pdf: 6271738 bytes, checksum: ce55245b114aac78286d16fa3cabf5d4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-12 / CAPES / O Staphylococcus (S.) aureus é responsável por inúmeros casos de infecções em animais e seres humanos. Essa bactéria secreta uma grande variedade de exoproteínas, incluindo quatro hemolisinas: alfa, beta, gama e delta. A atividade hemolítica da alfa-toxina (α-HL) se deve a formação de poros em membranas celulares. A α-HL é um monômero solúvel em água, que se torna mais estável ao se oligomerizar e formar poros heptaméricos transmembranares. Devido sua importância na patogênese bacteriana, essa proteína tem sido alvo de estudos no desenvolvimento de agentes terapêuticos. Sabe-se que os compostos de base de Schiff têm apresentado significativos resultados em testes de atividade biológica, incluindo antibacteriana. Neste contexto, avaliou-se a atividade de complexos de cobre-base de Schiff no bloqueio de poros da α-HL de S. aureus. Simultaneamente, foram realizados estudos conformacionais da δ-toxina em solução aquosa. Experimentos com eritrócitos de coelho expostos a α-HL foram utilizados na seleção dos compostos. Membranas lipídicas planas artificiais com canais individuais de α-HL, em condições de fixação de voltagem, foram utilizados para entender o mecanismo de ação dos compostos. Finalmente, avaliou-se através de docking molecular a interação entre os compostos e o canal de α-HL, visando corroborar o mecanismo de bloqueio. No estudo da δ-toxina, dinâmica molecular foi usada para determinar sua conformação em solução aquosa. Observou-se que os complexos de cobre inibiram parcialmente a atividade hemolítica da α-HL, devido ao bloqueio parcial dos canais desta toxina. O mecanismo molecular desse bloqueio ocorre pela interação dos compostos com a região de constrição do poro. Observou-se ainda que a δ-toxina em solução aquosa apresenta de 5 a 14 resíduos enovelados. Sugere-se que os complexos de cobre são potenciais candidatos a futuros agentes coadjuvantes no tratamento de infecções por S. aureus. / Staphylococcus (S.) aureus is responsible for a great number of infecctions in animals and humans. This bacteria produces several exoproteins and virulence factors, including four hemolysins: alfa, beta, gama and delta. The alfa-toxin (α-HL) hemolytic activity occurs due to the formation of pores in cellular membranes. α-HL is a soluble monomer in water, but becomes more stable when oligomerize and form transmembranar heptameric pores. Considering its importance for bacterial patogenesis, this protein has been target of studies on new antimicrobial agents. For example, base Schiff copper compounds have been observed to show significative results in biological activity assays, including antibacterial. In this context, the present work intended to evaluate the activity of a base Schiff-copper compounds to block the S. aureus α-HL ion channel. The most effective compounds were selected based on the exposition of rabbit erythrocytes to α-HL, and tested against control conditions. The mechanism of action of these compounds were evaluated through single channel experiments in planar lipid bilayrs, through eletrophisiological techniques. Finally, molecular docking studies were employed to confirm the blocking mechanism of such compounds. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations were used to determine δ-toxin conformation in aqueous solutions. The obtained results indicated that the copper(II) compounds were capable of partially blocking the α-HL hemolytic activity, due to partial blockade of the ionic channels. The molecular mechanis of pore blockade was identified to mainly occur due to the interaction of the compounds to the pore constriction. Additionally, it was observed that δ-toxin in aqueous solution presents from 5 to 14 amino acids showing α-helical content. Based on these results, we suggest that such compound may be further evaluated as a coadjuvante agent for the treatment of staphylococcal infections

Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-27T18:56:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3 Maura Zubiaurre dos Santos.pdf: 1338832 bytes, checksum: 234dfe007337129aa96815091aad7c42 (MD5) Maura Zubiaurre dos Santos.pdf.txt: 74878 bytes, checksum: fe3a8ab94635867f402fde8650d28b72 (MD5) Maura Zubiaurre dos Santos.pdf.jpg: 3071 bytes, checksum: 63c016cce951cddaa53f7b933b5a025c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In the present work, several compounds derived from monosacharide D-Glucosamine were synthetized. These compounds were used successfully against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. In the synthesis of compounds, classical methods in organic chemistry were used.The products were readily prepared from D-Glucosamine in few easy steps. In the first step, we have obtained he imine derivatives 2a or 2b. The resultant imines were protected in the OH groups at C1, C3, C4 and C6 positions with acetyl group. Selective desprotection of C2 aminogroup and coupling with cmnamic acid fford compound 5. All compounds were tested as antimicrobial agents against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. Best results were obtained when compound 2b was used. / No presente trabalho, foram sintetizados vários compostos derivados da D-Glucosamina. Estes compostos foram usados com sucesso contra microorganismos grampositivos e gram-negativos. Na síntese dos compostos, foram utilizados métodos clássicos em química orgânica. Os produtos foram facilmente preparados a partir da D-glucosamina em poucas etapas. Na primeira etapa, foram obtidas as iminas derivadas 2a ou 2b. As iminas resultantes foram protegidas nos grupamentos OH ligados nas posições C1, C3, C4 e C6, por grupos acetila. Desproteção seletiva do grupamento amino ligado na posição C2, e posterior acoplamento com ácido cinâmico, forneceu o composto 5. Todos os compostos foram testados como agentes antimicrobiannos contra microorganismos gram-positivos e gram-negativos. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos quando o composto 2b foi utilizado.

Submitted by MARCIA ROVADOSCHI (marciar@unifra.br) on 2018-08-14T19:20:28Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao_MauraZibiaurreDosSantos.pdf: 1335791 bytes, checksum: 7c6832365c99c38917af3d9b5b44e517 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T19:20:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao_MauraZibiaurreDosSantos.pdf: 1335791 bytes, checksum: 7c6832365c99c38917af3d9b5b44e517 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-26 / In the present work, several compounds derived from monosacharide D-Glucosamine were synthetized. These compounds were used successfully against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. In the synthesis of compounds, classical methods in organic chemistry were used. All steps of synthesis are shown in the Scheme below. The products were readily prepared from D-Glucosamine in few easy steps. In the first step, we have obtained he imine derivatives 2a or 2b. The resultant imines were protected in the OH groups at C1, C3, C4 and C6 positions with acetyl group. Selective desprotection of C2 aminogroup and coupling with cmnamic acid fford compound 5. All compounds were tested as antimicrobial agents against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. Best results were obtained when compound 2b was used. / No presente trabalho, foram sintetizados vários compostos derivados da D-Glucosamina. Estes compostos foram usados com sucesso contra microorganismos grampositivos e gram-negativos. Na síntese dos compostos, foram utilizados métodos clássicos em química orgânica. Todas as etapas da síntese estão resumidas no esquema abaixo. Os produtos foram facilmente preparados a partir da D-glucosamina em poucas etapas. Na primeira etapa, foram obtidas as iminas derivadas 2a ou 2b. As iminas resultantes foram protegidas nos grupamentos OH ligados nas posições C1, C3, C4 e C6, por grupos acetila. Desproteção seletiva do grupamento amino ligado na posição C2, e posterior acoplamento com ácido cinâmico, forneceu o composto 5. Todos os compostos foram testados como agentes antimicrobiannos contra microorganismos gram-positivos e gram-negativos. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos quando o composto 2b foi utilizado.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Environmental pollution is a major threat to all life, which needs to be addressed. Heavy metals are well-known environmental pollutants due to their toxicity and, persistence in the environment toxicity for living organisms and having a bioaccumulative nature. Environmentally, the most common hazardous heavy metals are: Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, and As. Remediation using conventional physical and chemical methods is uneconomical and generates waste chemicals in large quantities. This study focuses on the extraction and determination of heavy metals (Nickel, Copper and Cobalt) by chelating Schiff base ligands of the type [O,N,N,O] with these metal ions. Two Schiff base ligands [N,N’-ethylenebis(salicylimine)] (Salen) and ligand [1,3-bis(salicylideneamino)-2-propanol] (Sal-DAP) were synthesized and characterised using FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR spectrometry and GC-MS techniques. Electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions in this work was achieved via ligand-metal complexation via two approaches. The in-situ method in which the metal and ligands were added to the electrochemical cell and stirred to allow complexation to occur and monitored by square wave voltammetry. While the ex-situ approach involved modifying the electrode surface by depositing a thin film of Schiff base on the electrode surface and immersed into a heavy metal solution to allow the complexation. Three modified GCE were used viz. Salen coated GCE, reduced graphene oxide-Salen coated GCE and a nafion-Salen coated GCE. The two approaches used for the electrochemical detection were successful and effective. The ex-situ approach was selected for the modification of the electrode surface since it demonstrated a higher capacity for heavy metal ion extraction.

This work is concerned with the design and synthesis of the cheap, late first row transition metal complexes of Schiff base ligand systems. The prepared complexes readily afford systematic variation in order to probe potency and understand the role of metal, chelating ligands and anionic ligands when carrying out their cytotoxic effect. This study has lead to a better understanding of the action of these classes of complex and will be used to direct the design of new anti-cancer metallopharmaceuticals going forward. This thesis details the synthesis of a library of Schiff base macroacyclic ligands and their novel late first row transition metal complexes with varying anionic counterparts. The creation of a library with several degrees of variability provides a wide array of parameters to afford subtle variation in structure and chemistry e.g. denticity, co-ordination mode, chelate hole size, metal centred redox potentials, hydrolysis rates, co-ordinative saturation, lipophilicity, solubility and more. Complexation of the ligands was carried out by the free ligand and a novel macroacyclic metal template approach using the cheap late first row transition metal salts of Cobalt (II), Nickel (II), Copper (II) and Zinc (II) plus one Ru (III) complex. Structural studies of the 80 generated complexes was carried out by vibrational spectroscopy, elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility and NMR. Single crystal X-ray structures have been determined with 20 reported in this thesis. All ligands act as tridentate ligands in all except one case to form monomeric distorted trigonal-bipyramidal, square-pyramidal or octahedral structures. In the case of zinc nitrate, the ligand L2PhMe acts as a tetradentate ligand to give a distorted octahedral structure. Paramagnetic NMR and solution magnetic susceptibility of paramagnetic complexes was achieved by the Evans NMR method and analysis of the solution NMR showed that L2R and L3R ligands display 2-fold symmetry and are likely either tetradentate in solution or a fast exchange between imine N-donar sites is occurring even down to -65°C. The majority of the resulting complexes of L1R were screened against a panel of three cancer cell lines. Several categories of complex were able to afford structure activity relationships. It was discovered that the ligand is indeed essential for activity of the metal salts against the panel of cell lines and it was largely discovered that the variation in ¿tail group¿ and anionic coordinating ligands played little role in providing a dramatic variation in activity of the metal salt. In general all L1R complexes displayed moderate cytotoxicity showing a trend in activity with respect to the metal in the order RuIII¿CoII>CuII¿ZnII>NiII, over a 6 day exposure to the three cell panel RuIII was shown to be the most potent metal of the L1R series providing IC50 values of 4.6 (0.7) and 7.5 (1.2) ¿M against the DLD-1 and H460 cell lines respectively, which is Ca. 4.6 and 15 iii times less potent than cisplatin to the same cell panel respectively. RuIII was also discovered to be the only metal to provide an IC50 value from a 1 hour exposure to the DLD-1 cell panel. The value of 20.4 (3.5) ¿M is a moderate figure but again Ca. 10 fold less potent than cisplatin for the same test. The L2R and L3R complexes could not be screened by the same comprehension due to their low solubilities. However the lone screen that was possible from the very sparingly soluble complex [CuCl2(L3Bui)] gave the most exciting result and most potent complex of this thesis. After a 6 day exposure, [CuCl2(L3Bui)] gave IC50 values of 4.3 (0.1) and 2.9 (0.1) ¿M against the DLD-1 and H460 cell lines respectively. These values are merely 4 and 6 fold more than Cisplatin to the same cell lines respectively and demonstrates the potential of this class of complex as cytostatic agents. Further studies utilising a semi-quantitative DNA damaging assay, demonstrated that all first row complexes can damage DNA when in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, with the exception of ZnII complexes. CoII appeared to afford the greatest DNA damage with the most intsense bands for double strand breaks and the CuII complex of the ligand L3Bui also demonstrated a greater DNA damage as opposed to its L1Bui analogue.

Disertacijoje nagrinėjamas galimas aplinkos poveikis organinių molekulių elektroninių būsenų savybėms. Tam tikslui yra naudojami kompiuterizuotieji kvantinės mechanikos metodai, kuriais remiantis nagrinėjamos įvairių molekulių savybės. Ištirtos 2-(N-metil-α-iminoethyl)-fenol ir N-triphenylmethylsalicylidene imine molekelulių, esančių poliniame tirpiklyje, struktūros pagrindinėje ir sužadintose elektroninėse būsenose. Pirmą kartą parodyta, kad, norint gauti teisingą kokybinį ir artimą kiekybiniam vidujmolekulinės protono pernašos potencinės energijos paviršių, būtina atsižvelgti į polinių tirpiklio molekulių kuriamą vandenilinių ryšių tinklą bei į nulinių svyravimų energijas. Pastarieji ir nulemia protono pernašos vyksmo kryptį bei efektyvumą. Parodyta, kad anilų klasės molekulių konformerų susiformavimas priklauso nuo tirpiklio poliškumo, o jų susidarymas savo ruožtu konkuruoja su klasterių iš tirpiklio molekulių susiformavimo galimybėmis. Pirmą kartą parodyta, kad dipolinio momento vertė bakteriorodopsine yra nulemta membranos paviršiuose esančių radikalų. Pademonstruota, kad stilbazolio molekulė deformuojasi ir sudaro naujus konformerus (pademonstruota dviejų formų atsiradimo galimybė) tik esant molekulėms tirpalo apsuptyje. Šis rezultatas paaiškino eksperimente stebimus skirtuminių spektrinių pokyčių evoliucijos prigimtį. Apskaičiuotos ir išanalizuotos karotinoidų - luteino, violaksantino ir zeaksantino molekulių - žemiausios sužadintos elektroninės būsenos. Parodyta... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / To explore changes caused by the environment on the internal characteristics of an organic molecule is the objective of the thesis. For this purpose we investigate a variety of organic molecules. Using various methods of quantum mechanics calculations possible influence of a polar solvent on the ground and excited states of 2-(N-metil-α-iminoethyl)-fenol and N-triphenylmethylsalicylidene imine is considered. It is shown for the first time that in order to obtain the correct qualitative and quantitative interpretation of possible pathways of the intermolecular proton transfer the hydrogen network of the polar solvent molecules together with the zero point energy have to be taken into consideration. It is also shown that conformational variability of anil-type molecules in polar solvents is competing with clusters formation of solvent molecules. It is shown for the first time that the dipole moment of bacteriorhodopsin is mainly defined by cytoplasmic and extracellular coils on the surfaces of the membrane. It is also demonstrated that the stilbazole molecule experiences the deformation resulting in formation of new conformers (at least two forms are present) in the solvent surrounding. The experimental data of the transient spectroscopy were explained in the basis of these model calculations. The lowest excited states of carotinoids, such as lutein, zeaxanthin and violoxantin are calculated and analyzed. Sensitivity of the excited electronic state on the polar environment is... [to full text]

La capacité des complexes de lanthanides divalents à promouvoir des réductions inhabituelles suscite actuellement un grand intérêt, tout particulièrement leur aptitude à activer des petites molécules telles CO2 et N2 dans des conditions douces. Les ions lanthanides, de par leurs propriétés de coordination tout à fait uniques pourraient offrir une alternative aux métaux de transition couramment utilisés pour la conception de catalyseurs. Cependant, comparativement aux métaux du bloc d, la chimie de coordination des lanthanides est exclusivement dominée par des transferts mono-électroniques qui impliquent uniquement les capacités rédox du centre lanthanide. C'est pourquoi le développement de nouveaux complexes de lanthanides capables de réaliser des réductions poly-électroniques est particulièrement intéressant. Dans un premier temps, nous avons utilisé des ligands rédox-actifs de type base de Schiff π-conjuguées pour étudier la chimie des ions lanthanides en réduction. Cela nous a permis d'isoler des complexes dans lesquels deux ou quatre électrons sont stockés sur le ligand via la formation de liaisons C-C. Ces mêmes liaisons sont rompues en présence d'agents oxydants et les électrons sont libérés pour réaliser des transformations multi-électroniques. Ce procédé a été observé pour des bases de Schiff tridentates et tétradentates, ce qui nous a permis de moduler les propriétés rédox des composés. La réactivité avec CO2 des complexes synthétisés a également été étudiée et nous avons identifié des complexes de néodyme capables de réduire le CO2. Dans un second temps, nous nous sommes intéressés à l'étude de complexes de cobalt contenant des ligands rédox-actifs de type base de Schiff π-conjuguées capables de stocker des électrons sous forme de liaisons C-C. Ce système, déjà étudié dans les années 1990, avait démontré sa capacité à activer le CO2. Avec l'intention de déterminer l'espèce active dans la réaction avec CO2, nous avons revisité ce système et mis en lumière un équilibre d'isomérie rédox entre un complexe de Co(I) et un complexe de Co(II) où un électron peut être localisé sur le métal ou sur le ligand. Nous nous sommes également intéressés aux paramètres qui régissent cet équilibre. En particulier, nous avons étudié l'influence de l'architecture du ligand sur les propriétés rédox des complexes de cobalt. Ces études offrent de nouvelles perspectives pour le développement de complexes capables d'effectuer la réduction électrocatalytique du CO2. / The redox chemistry of lanthanide complexes is attracting increasing interest because of the potential of divalent lanthanide complexes to promote unusual redox chemistry. For example they are able to activate small molecules such as CO2 and N2 in mild conditions. Due to the unique coordination and bonding properties of the lanthanide ions, their compounds could provide an attractive alternative to transition metals for the catalytic transformation of small molecules. However, metal-based multi-electron processes remain uncommon in lanthanide chemistry especially in comparison with the d-block metals; the chemistry of low-valent lanthanides being dominated by single-electron transfers. In this context, the first aim of this project was to investigate the association of lanthanides with a redox-active ligand acting as an independent electron reservoir within the same molecule. Accordingly, we examined the use of highly π-delocalized Schiff base ligands to study the reductive chemistry of lanthanide ions. This led to the isolation of electron-rich complexes which are stabilized by storing two or four electrons on the ligands through the formation of C-C bonds. Interestingly, these C-C bonds can be cleaved by oxidizing agents and the electrons released can participate in multi-electron redox reactions. This process was observed within different tridentate and tetradentate Schiff-base ligand scaffolds, allowing a tuning of the properties of the compounds. The ability of these complexes to react with CO2 has been studied, which lead to the identification of some neodymium complexes capable of reducing CO2. The second part of this work was dedicated to the study of cobalt complexes bearing redox-active and highly π-delocalized Schiff base ligands able to store electrons through the formation of C-C bonds. Seminal studies on Schiff base complexes of cobalt had been carried out in the 1990's and they demonstrated the ability of these complexes to activate CO2. With the aim to identify the active species responsible for CO2 activation, we have revisited these systems and highlighted a redox-isomeric equilibrium between a Co(I) and a Co(II) complexes where the electron can be localized on the cobalt or on the ligand. We also investigated the parameters influencing this equilibrium. In particular we have investigated the effect of the ligand architecture on the redox reactivity of cobalt complexes. Such studies pave the way to the development of new complexes for the electrocatlytic reduction of CO2.

Neste trabalho alguns complexos diimínicos de cobre(II) com ligantes do tipo base de Schiff, já estudados em nosso laboratório, além de um novo complexo de zinco foram sintetizados e caracterizados por análise elementar, espectroscopias UV/Vis, Infravermelho e de Ressonância Paramagnética Eletrônica (EPR). Estudos sobre a reatividade destes complexos de cobre(II) frente à oxidação de carboidratos por oxigênio molecular foram então realizados. Estes estudos envolveram várias etapas, com variação das concentrações do catalisador, do substrato e do tampão e variação do pH, verificando-se a influência de cada um destes fatores na cinética de reação. Para tentar entender a interação da albumina bovina (BSA) com os complexos diimínicos de cobre(II) estudados, foram realizados experimentos utilizando-se a técnica de dicroísmo circular e espectroscopia eletrônica. A estabilidade termodinâmica relativa dos vários compostos foi assim determinada, estimando-se os respectivos valores das constantes de estabilidade. Experimentos sobre a atividade oxidante destes complexos frente à albumina bovina, causando danos oxidativos à proteína, também foram efetuados, determinando-se a formação de grupos carbonil na proteína, que foram monitorados espectrofotometricamente, através da obtenção das correspondentes dinitrofenil-hidrazonas, pela reação com dinitrofenil-hidrazina (DNPH). Através da técnica de EPR, foram realizados estudos para a detecção e identificação de espécies radicalares na interação da albumina com os complexos de cobre(II) em presença de peróxido de hidrogênio, com o uso de um captador de spin apropriado. Estudos sobre as possíveis interações dos complexos de cobre(II) com a albumina humana (HSA) e com o plasma sanguíneo foram realizados através das técnicas de EPR e SDS-PAGE. Além disso, a reatividade dos complexos de cobre(II) frente a glutationa, um agente redutor presente em alta concentração no citosol, foi investigada através de experimentos de fluorescência. Finalmente, a influência dos complexos imínicos de cobre(II) sobre a respiração mitocondrial foi investigada, já que estes complexos se mostraram indutores eficientes de apoptose frente a diferentes células tumorais. Para este estudo utilizou-se um oxígrafo para monitorar o consumo de oxigênio durante a respiração mitocondrial, em presença dos complexos de cobre estudados. / In this work some copper(II) complexes with Schiff base ligands, already studied in our laboratory, have been prepared, as well as a new similar zinc complex. After being characterized, especially by spectroscopic techniques (UV/Vis, IR, and EPR), these complexes had their reactivity as catalysts for the oxidation of carbohydrates by molecular oxygen verified. The influence of different factors on the kinetics of reaction, such as variation of the catalyst concentration, substrate concentration, buffer concentration and pH of the solution, was investigated. In order to understand the possible interactions of the copper(II) complexes studied with the protein albumine, studies using CD and electronic spectroscopies were carried out by adding the copper complexes to bovine serum albumine (BSA), and determining the corresponding relative stability constants for each complex. The activity of such copper complexes as oxidant agents toward the protein was also verified, with the formation of carbonyl groups in the protein observed by monitoring spectrophotometrically the corresponding dinitrophenylhydrazones, after reaction with dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). By using EPR spectroscopy and an appropriate spin scavenger, reactive oxygen species were detected and identified as a result of the oxidative damage to the protein occurring in the presence of the copper complexes and hydrogen peroxide. Interactions of the human serum protein (HSA) and human plasma with the copper complexes studied were verified by EPR and SDS-PAGE techniques. Additionally, the reactivity of these complexes toward the reductive agent glutathione, present in the citosol at high concentration, was investigated by fluorescence measurements. Finally, the influence of the complexes in the mitochondrial respiration was verified, since those compounds are able to induce efficiently apoptosis in the presence of different tumoral cells, monitoring the oxygen consumption with a selective oxygen electrode

Neste trabalho alguns complexos diimínicos de cobre(II) com ligantes do tipo base de Schiff, já estudados em nosso laboratório, além de um novo complexo de zinco foram sintetizados e caracterizados por análise elementar, espectroscopias UV/Vis, Infravermelho e de Ressonância Paramagnética Eletrônica (EPR). Estudos sobre a reatividade destes complexos de cobre(II) frente à oxidação de carboidratos por oxigênio molecular foram então realizados. Estes estudos envolveram várias etapas, com variação das concentrações do catalisador, do substrato e do tampão e variação do pH, verificando-se a influência de cada um destes fatores na cinética de reação. Para tentar entender a interação da albumina bovina (BSA) com os complexos diimínicos de cobre(II) estudados, foram realizados experimentos utilizando-se a técnica de dicroísmo circular e espectroscopia eletrônica. A estabilidade termodinâmica relativa dos vários compostos foi assim determinada, estimando-se os respectivos valores das constantes de estabilidade. Experimentos sobre a atividade oxidante destes complexos frente à albumina bovina, causando danos oxidativos à proteína, também foram efetuados, determinando-se a formação de grupos carbonil na proteína, que foram monitorados espectrofotometricamente, através da obtenção das correspondentes dinitrofenil-hidrazonas, pela reação com dinitrofenil-hidrazina (DNPH). Através da técnica de EPR, foram realizados estudos para a detecção e identificação de espécies radicalares na interação da albumina com os complexos de cobre(II) em presença de peróxido de hidrogênio, com o uso de um captador de spin apropriado. Estudos sobre as possíveis interações dos complexos de cobre(II) com a albumina humana (HSA) e com o plasma sanguíneo foram realizados através das técnicas de EPR e SDS-PAGE. Além disso, a reatividade dos complexos de cobre(II) frente a glutationa, um agente redutor presente em alta concentração no citosol, foi investigada através de experimentos de fluorescência. Finalmente, a influência dos complexos imínicos de cobre(II) sobre a respiração mitocondrial foi investigada, já que estes complexos se mostraram indutores eficientes de apoptose frente a diferentes células tumorais. Para este estudo utilizou-se um oxígrafo para monitorar o consumo de oxigênio durante a respiração mitocondrial, em presença dos complexos de cobre estudados. / In this work some copper(II) complexes with Schiff base ligands, already studied in our laboratory, have been prepared, as well as a new similar zinc complex. After being characterized, especially by spectroscopic techniques (UV/Vis, IR, and EPR), these complexes had their reactivity as catalysts for the oxidation of carbohydrates by molecular oxygen verified. The influence of different factors on the kinetics of reaction, such as variation of the catalyst concentration, substrate concentration, buffer concentration and pH of the solution, was investigated. In order to understand the possible interactions of the copper(II) complexes studied with the protein albumine, studies using CD and electronic spectroscopies were carried out by adding the copper complexes to bovine serum albumine (BSA), and determining the corresponding relative stability constants for each complex. The activity of such copper complexes as oxidant agents toward the protein was also verified, with the formation of carbonyl groups in the protein observed by monitoring spectrophotometrically the corresponding dinitrophenylhydrazones, after reaction with dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). By using EPR spectroscopy and an appropriate spin scavenger, reactive oxygen species were detected and identified as a result of the oxidative damage to the protein occurring in the presence of the copper complexes and hydrogen peroxide. Interactions of the human serum protein (HSA) and human plasma with the copper complexes studied were verified by EPR and SDS-PAGE techniques. Additionally, the reactivity of these complexes toward the reductive agent glutathione, present in the citosol at high concentration, was investigated by fluorescence measurements. Finally, the influence of the complexes in the mitochondrial respiration was verified, since those compounds are able to induce efficiently apoptosis in the presence of different tumoral cells, monitoring the oxygen consumption with a selective oxygen electrode