Substituent effects in eta5-cyclopentadienyl (Cp) transition metal complexes have been intensely studied since the discovery of the first such complex, ferrocene. Modifications of the Cp ligand framework effect changes in the physical properties and chemical reactivity of the coordinated transition metal. This concept is useful when applied to catalysis mediated by Cp complexes, because the performance of the catalyst can be markedly improved using well-chosen ligand substituents. Studies of electronic substituent effects ideally employ a wide range of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups. Unfortunately, most of the available electron-withdrawing groups suffer from problems with Cp ligand synthesis, Cp anion stability, and electron-withdrawing group stability under catalytic conditions. This dissertation shows that the pentafluorophenyl (C6F5) substituent is highly electron-withdrawing but avoids all of these problems. Several new C6F5-substituted cyclopentadienes are prepared by the reaction of sodium cyclopentadienide and hexafluorobenzene (C6F6) under varying conditions. Corresponding C6F5-substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands (sodium salts) are obtained upon deprotonating the dienes with NaH. Complexes of Mn(I), Re(I), Fe(II), Co(II), Zr(IV) are synthesized by reacting these ligands with transition metal halides. The acidities of several C6F5- and C5F4N-substituted cyclopentadienes and indenes are measured using 19F NMR spectroscopy. The electron-withdrawing fluorinated aryl groups have a substantial acidifying effect. The identity and number of substituents (C6F5, C5F4N, CH3, and t-Bu), the position of the substituents on the cyclopentadiene, and the intramolecular (vicinal) steric effects also influence acidity. The electron-withdrawing ability of the C6F5 group is also characterized by infrared spectroscopic analysis of substituted CpM(CO)3 (M = Mn(I) and Re(I)) and electrochemical analysis of substituted ferrocenes. X-ray crystal structures of several C6F5-substituted Cp complexes reveal interesting structural motifs, including pi-stacking of the C6F5 substituents, Cp-M bond elongation, and CO-C6F5 interactions. In addition, dynamic Cp-C6F5 and Cp-M rotational barriers are measured by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. Finally, ethylene polymerizations and ethylene/1-hexene copolymerizations are conducted using C6F5- and C6H5-substituted zirconocene dichlorides as catalysts. Contrary to findings published elsewhere, this study shows that substituent electronic effects induce substantial changes in comonomer incorporation. / Ph. D.

Flavonols are hydroxyl-substituted flavonoids and naturally occur as secondary metabolites in plants. Several studies have discovered extensive medicinal properties of flavonols. The present work reports on structural and functional investigation of the B ring substituted flavonols based on spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of the B ring substitutions on the hydrogen bonding interactions, the electronic effects in ruthenium complexes and the Al3+ chelation of B ring substituted flavonols. The electronic effects of the B rings were changed by introducing methyl, methoxy and nitro groups at position 4ʹ on the B ring. The 3ʹ-methyl substitution was performed in order to increase the electronic density of the B ring via inductive effects. The 2ʹ-methyl and 2ʹ, 6ʹ-dimethyl substitutions increased the steric effects around the inter-ring bond between the B and the C rings, and the B ring was highly deconjugated from the AC rings. The intramolecular hydrogen bonding distances at 3-hydroxy-4-carbonyl units of the B ring substituted flavonols were elongated while the dihedral angles between the B and AC increased. Strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions were also observed in the crystal structures of 4ʹ-methylflavonol, 4ʹ-methoxyflavonol, 4ʹ-nitroflavonol and 2ʹ,6ʹ-dimethylflavonol. Furthermore, several crystal packing patterns were observed, and it is postulated that dihedral angles and intramolecular hydrogen bonding distances are both affected by the intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions and the crystal packing forces. In addition, the ruthenium complexes of B ring substituted flavonols were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. B ring substitution effects were minimal in IR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The levels of the conjugation of the rutheniumlavonolate complexes were demonstrated by electronic absorption spectra recorded in methanol at room temperature. The most positive oxidation potential was obtained with the electron withdrawing nitro group substitution, and the electron donating substitutions resulted in more negative oxidation potentials. The spectroscopic investigation of the complex formation of Al(III) with flavonols and 3-hydroxychromone is described. The stoichiometric composition and stability constants are also given. The comparison of the results obtained from Al(III) chelation shows significant effects of the B ring substitutions.

ABSTRACT Light emitting diodes of non-fully conjugated coil-like homopolymers and fully conjugated rigid-rod homopolymers with electron withdrawing or donating group were studied. A series of Poly[2,2-(m-2-X-phenylene)-4-4¡A-hexafluoroisopropane- bibenzoxazoles] (6F-PBO-X, with X = amine, hydrogen and nitro) and poly-p-(2-X- phenylene)-benzobisoxazole (PBO-X, with X = amine, hydrogen and nitro) were synthesized for light emitting diode applications to observe electroluminescence emission affected by electron withdrawing or donating group. All polymers were fabricated identically to form bi-layer light emitting diodes. In the devices, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonite)(PEDOT:PSS) was applied to be a hole transport layer; indium tin oxide (ITO) was the anode; and aluminum was the cathode. Devices of the non-fully conjugated coli-like polymers (6F-PBO-X) and the fully conjugated rigid-rod polymers (PBO-X) all showed threshold voltage about 4 V. In the electroluminescence (EL) spectrum, the maximum intensity of non-fully conjugated polymer (6F-PBO-X) with amine (-NH2), hydrogen (-H) or nitro (-NO2) functional group was at 499 nm, 505 nm and 515 nm, respectively, showing a 20 nm wavelength shift. From ¡VNH2, -H and ¡VNO2 groups, their Commission International de l`Eclairage (C. I. E.) coordinates were (0.30, 0.46), (0.34, 0.45) and (0.40, 0.46), respectively. The EL maximum intensity for fully conjugated rigid-rod polymer PBO-X was at 521 nm (-NH2) and 474 nm (-NO2) showing a 50 nm wavelength shift. Their C. I. E. coordinates were (0.42, 0.45) and (0.25, 0.38), respectively. This is attributed to the fully conjugated, collinear, coplanar, rigid-rod polymers (PBO-X) backbone readily affected by the push-pull functional groups showing a large red shift.

We have studied fundamental aspects of photo-induced dissociation kinetics and dynamics in several phenyl halides. By combining femtosecond pump-probe measurements with ab initio calculations we are able to account for several observations. In mixed phenyl halides, the dissociation kinetics is found to be dependent on the nature, the number, and the position of the substituents, and also on the excitation wavelength. A surprisingly large reduction in the dissociation time constant, compared to that of bromobenzene (~30 ps), is observed when having two or more fluorine atoms. For example, in bromopentafluorobenzene a subpicosecond time constant is obtained. This can be explained by a significant lowering of the repulsive potential energy curves (PEC) along the C-Br bond. However, several of the experimental results cannot be accounted for by one-dimensional PECs. Therefore, we suggest a refined model for the dissociation, in which the excited states of the same spin multiplicity are coupled by employing multidimensional potential energy surfaces. This model has been explicitly evaluated by quantum dynamics simulations in the case of 3-BrFPh, and it seems to be capable of capturing the main features in the measured kinetics. Thereby we are also able to clarify the role of spin-orbit coupling in these molecules.

A new instrument using a time-of-flight (TOF) mass filter (MF) for resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) studies of gas phase molecules was developed. This instrument was designed to make use of the selectivity of the REMPI process and the sensitivity of a TOF-MF with a microchannel plate detector. A pulsed valve inlet system was tested to determine its effectiveness in “cooling” molecules but it was not used for the bulk of the studies performed. The instrument was tested using molecular and atomic bromine, atomic carbon, and atomic iodine. The atomic bromine, carbon, and iodine, were generated by the photodissociation of molecular bromine, hydrocarbons, and methyl iodide respectively. Nitrogen gas in air was used to test the pulsed valve system. The instrument was then used to conduct REMPI studies of five dichlorotoluene (DCT) isomers (2,4-DCT; 2,5-DCT; 3,4-DCT; 2,6-DCT; and 2,3-DCT). REMPI studies of six dichloroaniline (DCA) isomers, including 2,5-DCA; 3,4-DCA; 3,5-DCA; 2,6-DCA; 2,4-DCA; and 2,3-DCA were conducted. Six isomers of dichlorophenol (DCP) were studied (2,5-DCP; 3,4-DCP; 3,5-DCP; 2,3-DCP; 2,4-DCP; and 2,6-DCP). It was determined that the 2,3-DCP; 2,4-DCP; and 2,6-DCP isomers photodissociated to form CCl, which itself could be observed through a REMPI process. The results from the REMPI studies of the dichloroaromatics and data from previous ultraviolet, infrared, and RAMAN studies of these molecules was used in order to assign the observed peaks. The observed 0,0 π→π* transition energies of the dichloroaromatics studied were used along with ultraviolet 0,0 π→π* transition energies from previous works in order to discuss substituent effects. A qualitative method of predicting the relative location of 0,0 π→π* transition energies of dichloroaromatics was developed.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) drugs in therapy are limited to acetylcholine esterase inhibitors and memantine. Newly developed drugs against a single target structure have an insufficient effect on symptomatic AD patients. Results: Novel aromatically anellated pyridofuranes have been evaluated for inhibition of AD-relevant protein kinases cdk1, cdk2, gsk-3b and Fyn. Best activities have been found for naphthopyridofuranes with a hydroxyl function as part of the 5-substituent and a hydrogen or halogen substituent in the 8-position. Best results in nanomolar ranges were found for benzopyridofuranes with a 6-hydroxy and a 3-alkoxy substitution or an exclusive 6-alkoxy substituent. Conclusion: First lead compounds were identified inhibiting two to three kinases in nanomolar ranges to be qualified as an innovative approach for AD multitargeting.

<p>In this thesis we have performed core-electron spectroscopy studies of gas phase molecular systems starting with smaller diatomic, continuing with triatomic and extending our research to more complex polyatomic ones. We can subdivide the results presented here into two categories: the first one focusing on electronic fine structure and effect of the chemical bonds on molecular core-levels and the other one dealing with nuclear dynamics induced by creation of a core hole. In our research we have mostly used synchrotron radiation based techniques such as X-ray Photoelectron (XPS), X-ray Absorption (XAS), normal and Resonant Auger (AES and RAS, respectively) and Energy-Selected Auger Electron PhotoIon COincidence (ES-AEPICO) spectroscopies.</p><p>We have demonstrated that resonant Auger spectroscopy can be used to aid interpretation of the features observed in XAS for Rydberg structures in the case of Cl₂ and C1s⁻¹π*¹ states of allene molecules. The combined use of high-resolution spectroscopy with <i>ab initio</i> calculations can help the interpretation of strongly overlapped spectral features and disentangle their complex profiles. This approach enabled us to determine the differences in the lifetimes for core-hole 2p sublevels of Cl₂ which are caused by the presence of the chemical bond. We have shown that contribution in terms of the Mulliken population of valence molecular orbitals is a determining factor for resonant enhancement of different final states and fragmentation patterns reached after resonant Auger decays in N₂O.</p><p>We have also performed a systematic study of the dependence of the C1s resonant Auger kinetic energies on the presence of different substituents in CH₃X compounds. For the first time we have studied possible isomerization reaction induced by core excitation of acetylacetone. We could observe a new spectral feature in the resonant Auger decay spectra which we interpreted as a signature of core-excitation-induced keto-enol tautomerism.</p>

In this thesis we have performed core-electron spectroscopy studies of gas phase molecular systems starting with smaller diatomic, continuing with triatomic and extending our research to more complex polyatomic ones. We can subdivide the results presented here into two categories: the first one focusing on electronic fine structure and effect of the chemical bonds on molecular core-levels and the other one dealing with nuclear dynamics induced by creation of a core hole. In our research we have mostly used synchrotron radiation based techniques such as X-ray Photoelectron (XPS), X-ray Absorption (XAS), normal and Resonant Auger (AES and RAS, respectively) and Energy-Selected Auger Electron PhotoIon COincidence (ES-AEPICO) spectroscopies. We have demonstrated that resonant Auger spectroscopy can be used to aid interpretation of the features observed in XAS for Rydberg structures in the case of Cl2 and C1s−1π*1 states of allene molecules. The combined use of high-resolution spectroscopy with ab initio calculations can help the interpretation of strongly overlapped spectral features and disentangle their complex profiles. This approach enabled us to determine the differences in the lifetimes for core-hole 2p sublevels of Cl2 which are caused by the presence of the chemical bond. We have shown that contribution in terms of the Mulliken population of valence molecular orbitals is a determining factor for resonant enhancement of different final states and fragmentation patterns reached after resonant Auger decays in N2O. We have also performed a systematic study of the dependence of the C1s resonant Auger kinetic energies on the presence of different substituents in CH3X compounds. For the first time we have studied possible isomerization reaction induced by core excitation of acetylacetone. We could observe a new spectral feature in the resonant Auger decay spectra which we interpreted as a signature of core-excitation-induced keto-enol tautomerism.

The English translation of the chapters written in French is available in Appendix. / La motivation initiale de ce travail provient de l'importance que les composés de coordination ont dans notre vie quotidienne. Leurs propriétés les rendent attrayants pour un large éventail d'applications, dans des domaines allant de la catalyse et de la conversion et stockage de l'énergie solaire jusqu’au domaine des matériaux et des sciences de la vie. Poussée par l'évolution et le progrès général de notre société, la recherche en chimie de coordination moderne évolue vers la complexité au niveau moléculaire, où la Nature représente une source majeure d'inspiration, comme dans le cas de la photosynthèse artificielle et de la chimie métallo-supramoléculaire. Dans le même temps, l'étude des complexes de coordination nourrit la curiosité scientifique et les approches pluridisciplinaires ouvrent de nouveaux mondes fascinants, tout en repoussant les frontières de la connaissance à des niveaux sans précédent. En continuité avec l'étude et le développement de composés de coordination pour des applications spécifiques, le thème central de cette thèse est l'interaction Métal - Ligand et les moyens de la moduler par le design du ligand, afin de générer les propriétés nécessaires pour les applications ciblées. Le design de complexes de coordination est considéré comme un «ensemble de composants modulables» – le ligand: les groupes fonctionnels des atomes donneurs, les substituants et leurs effets électroniques et stériques, le type et la dimension du cycle chélate; l’ion métallique; l'environnement. Les ligands étudiés ici sont les oxydes d’amidines N,N’-disubstitués (AMOXs) (aussi appelés α-aminonitrones ou hydroxyamidines). L'influence du motif de substitution du ligand sur les propriétés des composés est étudiée pour des complexes bis(AMOX) de cobalt(II) et de zinc(II). Les bis(chélates) de cobalt(II) sont plan carré (bas spin) à l'état solide, mais présentent une isomérisation de la structure plan carré (bas spin) vers une structure tétraédrique (haut spin) en solution dans des solvants non-coordinants. L'équilibre d'isomérisation est fortement influencé par le motif de substitution sur le ligand, du fait d’une combinaison de facteurs stériques et électroniques. Une approche théorique (DFT/ TD-DFT) et expérimentale combinée a montré que, dans la famille des chélates bis(AMOX) de zinc(II), le gap optique peut être finement modulé pour de potentielles applications dans des dispositifs optoélectroniques par la modification spécifique des ligands. Un cas spécial de solvatomorphisme a été identifié: des modifications de la géométrie et de l’état de spin sont induites par la présence ou l’absence de liaisons hydrogènes dans un même composé de cobalt(II). L’influence de l'environnement est ainsi illustrée. Les interactions faibles sont les principaux facteurs responsables pour la stabilisation du système vers une combinaison spécifique géométrie - état de spin à l'état fondamental, de façon similaire au contrôle allostérique et aux interactions hôte-invité dans les systèmes biologiques. Des études préliminaires vers des systèmes supramoléculaires à base des ligands AMOX ont été effectuées (assemblées multimétalliques vers des matériaux fonctionnels et des systèmes photocatalytiques pour conversion d'énergie solaire, en particulier la photocatalyse pour la production de H2). J’espère que les résultats et les perspectives présentées dans cette thèse incitent à la poursuite de la chimie de coordination des AMOXs. / The underlying motivation for this work stems from the importance that coordination compounds play in our daily lives. Their properties make them suitable and attractive for a wide range of applications in fields going from catalysis and solar energy conversion/ storage to materials and life sciences. Driven by the general progress of our society, research in modern coordination chemistry evolves toward complexity at the molecular level, with Nature representing a major source of inspiration as shown by artificial photosynthesis and metallosupramolecular chemistry. At the same time, the study of coordination complexes nurtures scientific curiosity, and multidisciplinary approaches are opening fascinating new worlds, while pushing the frontiers of knowledge to unprecedented depths. In line with the study and the development of coordination compounds for specific applications, the central theme of this thesis is the Metal-Ligand interaction and how it can be modulated through ligand design to generate the properties targeted for particular applications. The design of coordination complexes is seen as a ‘collection of adjustable components’ (e.g. the ligand: the donor atoms and their functional groups, the type and the size of the chelating ring, the ring substituents and their electronic and steric effects; the metal-ion; the environment). The ligands under study are the N,N’-disubstituted amidine oxides (AMOXs) (also known as α-aminonitrones/ hydroxyamidines). The influence of the ligand substitution pattern on the properties of the compounds is investigated in series of cobalt(II) and zinc(II) bis(AMOX) complexes. The cobalt(II) bis(chelates) are square-planar (low spin) in the solid state, but show square-planar (low spin) to tetrahedral (high spin) isomerization in solution of non-coordinating solvents. The isomerization equilibrium is highly sensitive to the substitution pattern on the ligand due to a combination of steric and electronic influences. A combined experimental and theoretical approach [DFT and time dependent (TD-DFT)] has shown that in the family of zinc(II) bis(AMOX) chelates, by specific modification of the ligands, the optical band gap can be fine-tuned for potential applications in optoelectronic devices. A special case of hydrogen-bonding-induced geometry and spin change at a cobalt(II) centre within a same cobalt(II) bis(chelate) has been identified. It highlights the influence of the environment on the properties of the complex. Weak interactions are the main factors responsible for biasing the system toward a specific geometry – spin state combination in the ground state, in a similar fashion to allosteric control and host-guest interactions in biological systems. Preliminary studies were conducted toward AMOX-based supramolecular systems: multimetallic assemblies toward functional materials and photocatalytic systems for solar energy-conversion (in particular photocatalysis for H2 production). It is my hope that the above results and the perspectives presented in this work motivate further developments in AMOX coordination chemistry.

Die vorliegende Arbeit hat die Synthese und Charakterisierung von chromophoren Arylboronsäureestern mit besonderem Augenmerk auf einer breiten strukturellen Variation zum Inhalt. An dieser Verbindungsklasse wird die Wechselwirkung mit Lewis-Basen tiefgehend untersucht. Die Koordination von Lewis-Basen am Bor-Atom führt zu einer Beeinflussung der elektronischen Eigenschaften des borbasierten Substituenten, wobei der Charakter eines direkt am Bor-Atom gebundenen pi-Elektronensystems von pull zu push-pull geschaltet werden kann. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird beschrieben, wie geometrische und elektronische Strukturmerkmale von boronsäureesterfunktionalisierten Chromophoren durch die Lewis-Säure-Base-Wechselwirkung am Bor-Atom beeinflusst werden. Die Veränderung von molekularen Eigenschaften wird mit Hilfe der UV/vis-Absorptions- und Fluoreszenzspektroskopie, 1H- und 11B-NMR-Spektroskopie sowie mit röntgendiffraktometrischen Methoden untersucht. Die experimentellen Daten werden durch quantenchemische Berechnungen auf DFT-Niveau unterstützt.