The synthetic methodology of tri- and pentamethine carbocyanines and their interactions with biomolecules will be discussed in two chapters. The first chapter describes the preparation of halogenated carbocyanine dyes that display multiple charges; furthermore, these particular compounds were examined for their ability to bind G-quadruplex DNA with selectivity over duplex DNA and have potential for developing novel chemotherapeutic agents. The second section discusses the synthetic methods utilized to prepare trimethine cyanine fluorophores. This chapter will show how varying the N-indolenyl substituients’ hydrophobicity from ethyl to phenylpropyl influences the binding to Human Serum Albumin (HSA); additionally, alternating the terminal heterocyclic moieties of the cyanine dye has a direct quantitative effect on the biomolecular interaction. These identical compounds were recognized to be structurally analogous to agents that commonly interact with Protein Arginine Methyl Transferase (PRMT) and these compounds display low IC50 values toward inhibition of PRMT1 with unique NIR imaging properties.

Camadas de fosfato tricatiônico são largamente utilizadas na indústria automotiva como proteção contra corrosão e adesão de revestimentos orgânicos ao substrato de aço. A combinação do fosfato e revestimento proporciona à superfície metálica, alta durabilidade à corrosão. Porém a camada cristalina obtida com este tipo de fosfato apresenta poros entre os cristais, expondo o substrato metálico ao ambiente corrosivo, tornando importante um tratamento de passivação após fosfatização. O tratamento comercial de fosfatização tricatiônico e subsequente passivação envolvem o uso de elementos tóxicos, tais como níquel e cromo hexavalente, produzindo resíduos que são prejudiciais ao ambiente e seu uso têm sido cada vez mais proibido. O objetivo do presente estudo é investigar o efeito da troca do níquel, no processo de fosfatização, pelo composto de nióbio (oxalato de nióbio e amônio) com relação à resistência à corrosão do aço fosfatizado. Esta investigação foi realizada através de métodos eletroquímicos, utilizando-se principalmente ensaios de polarização potenciodinâmica e técnicas de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE); como também ensaios de névoa salina. Para caracterização superficial das camadas de fosfato foram adotadas, entre outras, as análises por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), espectroscopia de energia dispersiva (EDS) e difração de raios-X. Foram adotados dois tipos de banho de fosfato tricatiônico. Inicialmente utilizou-se uma composição de banho preparada em laboratório baseada em formulação usada por indústria de eletrodomésticos. Posteriormente foi adotado um banho com composição típica da indústria automotiva, especialmente preparado para estudos sem a presença do níquel. Os resultados dos testes eletroquímicos mostraram que a camada de fosfato obtida em solução contendo nióbio (zinco, manganês e nióbio) produziu melhor proteção contra corrosão do substrato, comparativamente àquela obtida em banho contendo níquel (zinco, manganês e níquel). O ensaio de névoa salina, por outro lado, sugeriu um desempenho similar com relação à corrosão para estes dois tipos de camadas de fosfato. O oxalato de nióbio e amônio parece apresentar um efeito de passivação mesmo quando usado em banhos de fosfatização. Mas como agente de passivação para aço carbono fosfatizado, os resultados apontaram para a necessidade de se realizar novas pesquisas. / Tricationic phosphate layers are largely used in the automotive industry for corrosion protection and coatings adhesion to the steel substrate. The combination of phosphate and coating provides to the metallic surface long life protection against corrosion. The crystalline phosphate layer however presents porosities that exposes the metallic substrate to the corrosive environment and, consequently, a passivating treatment subsequent to phosphating is advisable. The commercial treatments of tricationic phosphating and subsequent passivation involve the use of toxic elements, such as nickel and hexavalent chromium, producing residues that are harmful to the environment and their use is being increasingly prohibited. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of replacement of nickel in the phosphating process by a niobium compound (ammonium niobium oxalate) on the corrosion resistance of the phosphated steel. The corrosion resistance evaluation of the phosphated steel was investigated by electrochemical methods, mainly polarization tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and salt spray tests. Characterization of the phosphate layer was also carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction. Two types of tricationic phosphate baths were adopted. Initially, a laboratory prepared type based on the composition used in the electro domestic industry was utilized. Subsequently, another bath with a composition typical of the automotive industry, but specially prepared for this study with no nickel, was used. The results from electrochemical tests showed that the phosphate layer obtained in the niobium containing solution (zinc, manganese and niobium) produced better corrosion protection of the substrate comparatively to that produced in the nickel containing one (zinc, manganese and nickel). The salt spray tests, on the other hand, suggested similar corrosion performance for the samples with the two types of phosphate layers. The oxalate of niobium and ammonium seems to present a passivating effect when it is used in the phosphating bath. But to passivating effect the results pointed out to the need to carry out further research on the effect of niobium compound as a passivating agent for phosphated carbon steel.

Camadas de fosfato tricatiônico são largamente utilizadas na indústria automotiva como proteção contra corrosão e adesão de revestimentos orgânicos ao substrato de aço. A combinação do fosfato e revestimento proporciona à superfície metálica, alta durabilidade à corrosão. Porém a camada cristalina obtida com este tipo de fosfato apresenta poros entre os cristais, expondo o substrato metálico ao ambiente corrosivo, tornando importante um tratamento de passivação após fosfatização. O tratamento comercial de fosfatização tricatiônico e subsequente passivação envolvem o uso de elementos tóxicos, tais como níquel e cromo hexavalente, produzindo resíduos que são prejudiciais ao ambiente e seu uso têm sido cada vez mais proibido. O objetivo do presente estudo é investigar o efeito da troca do níquel, no processo de fosfatização, pelo composto de nióbio (oxalato de nióbio e amônio) com relação à resistência à corrosão do aço fosfatizado. Esta investigação foi realizada através de métodos eletroquímicos, utilizando-se principalmente ensaios de polarização potenciodinâmica e técnicas de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE); como também ensaios de névoa salina. Para caracterização superficial das camadas de fosfato foram adotadas, entre outras, as análises por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), espectroscopia de energia dispersiva (EDS) e difração de raios-X. Foram adotados dois tipos de banho de fosfato tricatiônico. Inicialmente utilizou-se uma composição de banho preparada em laboratório baseada em formulação usada por indústria de eletrodomésticos. Posteriormente foi adotado um banho com composição típica da indústria automotiva, especialmente preparado para estudos sem a presença do níquel. Os resultados dos testes eletroquímicos mostraram que a camada de fosfato obtida em solução contendo nióbio (zinco, manganês e nióbio) produziu melhor proteção contra corrosão do substrato, comparativamente àquela obtida em banho contendo níquel (zinco, manganês e níquel). O ensaio de névoa salina, por outro lado, sugeriu um desempenho similar com relação à corrosão para estes dois tipos de camadas de fosfato. O oxalato de nióbio e amônio parece apresentar um efeito de passivação mesmo quando usado em banhos de fosfatização. Mas como agente de passivação para aço carbono fosfatizado, os resultados apontaram para a necessidade de se realizar novas pesquisas. / Tricationic phosphate layers are largely used in the automotive industry for corrosion protection and coatings adhesion to the steel substrate. The combination of phosphate and coating provides to the metallic surface long life protection against corrosion. The crystalline phosphate layer however presents porosities that exposes the metallic substrate to the corrosive environment and, consequently, a passivating treatment subsequent to phosphating is advisable. The commercial treatments of tricationic phosphating and subsequent passivation involve the use of toxic elements, such as nickel and hexavalent chromium, producing residues that are harmful to the environment and their use is being increasingly prohibited. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of replacement of nickel in the phosphating process by a niobium compound (ammonium niobium oxalate) on the corrosion resistance of the phosphated steel. The corrosion resistance evaluation of the phosphated steel was investigated by electrochemical methods, mainly polarization tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and salt spray tests. Characterization of the phosphate layer was also carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction. Two types of tricationic phosphate baths were adopted. Initially, a laboratory prepared type based on the composition used in the electro domestic industry was utilized. Subsequently, another bath with a composition typical of the automotive industry, but specially prepared for this study with no nickel, was used. The results from electrochemical tests showed that the phosphate layer obtained in the niobium containing solution (zinc, manganese and niobium) produced better corrosion protection of the substrate comparatively to that produced in the nickel containing one (zinc, manganese and nickel). The salt spray tests, on the other hand, suggested similar corrosion performance for the samples with the two types of phosphate layers. The oxalate of niobium and ammonium seems to present a passivating effect when it is used in the phosphating bath. But to passivating effect the results pointed out to the need to carry out further research on the effect of niobium compound as a passivating agent for phosphated carbon steel.

Coordination chemistry usually applies to transition metals, but has recently been extended to the p-block elements. For the pnictogen atoms (group 15), this type of coordination chemistry has already been applied to antimony and bismuth, where they behave as Lewis acceptor centres. However, complexes with nitrogen and phosphorus as Lewis acidic centres are rare, due to their relatively small atomic radii and inherent basic nature. Instead, these elements (Pn(III)) are typically observed as donor centres because they are better at donating their electron pair, than they are at accepting them. To enhance the Lewis acidity at the phosphorus and nitrogen centres, a cationic charge can be introduced by heterolytically abstracting a halide and replacing it with a weakly coordinating anion, providing more opportunities for new reactivity. The presence of a stereochemically active lone pair at the acceptor site also introduces new reactivity patterns to be explored. The formation of these main group coordination complexes opens doors to potential applications in catalysis, small molecule activation, or as material precursors. 2,2’-bipyridine (bipy) has been a prototypical ligand used in transition metal coordination chemistry due to its high basicity and oxidative resistance. This property has been exploited to enable a comprehensive study of a series of Pn(III) tricationic and dicationic complexes using 2,2’-bipyridine (bipy); 4,4’-di-tert-butyl-2,2’-bipyridine (tBu2bipy); 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP); and other main group containing ligands. / Graduate

Les liquides ioniques à base de sels d’imidazolium sont une classe très importante de composés, compatibles avec de nombreuses réactions organiques et largement employés dans la synthèse organique en tant que solvants, catalyseurs ou ligands. En particulier, les liquides ioniques peuvent être récupérés à la fin de la réaction. Les sels d’imidazolium présentent également des propriétés d’organisation intéressantes, aussi bien en phase solide, liquide et en solution. Cependant, les liquides ioniques traditionnels présentent certains désavantages lorsqu’utilisés comme solvant dans des réactions intramoléculaires, surtout dans le cas où le réactif est apolaire. La faible solubilité de ce dernier dans le milieu ionique conduit à la formation des produits intermoléculaires. Les travaux présentés dans cette thèse portent sur l’utilisation des propriétés d’organisation des sels d’imidazolium, tout d’abord pour le développement des nouveaux cristaux liquides ioniques, comme le milieu réactionnel pour la réaction de Diels-Alder intramoléculaire, et ensuite pour la préparation des nanparticules d’or anisotropes. Dans un premier temps, le développement des sels d’imidazolium dicationiques portant des chaînes alkyles flexibles et un cœur rigide, avec des unités imidazolium attachées directement à un noyau naphthalène est rapporté. Par la suite, leurs propriétés thermiques et mésomorphes ont été étudiées. Ces sels sont stables thermiquement et forment une phase cristal liquide de type Smectique T, sur une plage de températures appropriées pour des réactions organiques. En utilisant le milieu cristal liquide comme milieu réactionnel dans la réaction de Diels-Alder, le réactif a été piégé dans la structure organisée de cette phase, ce qui a empêché l’interaction entre deux molecules de réactifs, limitant la formation du produit intermoléculaire. D’ailleurs, le milieu cristal liquide ionique a pu être récupéré et reutilisé à la fin de la réaction. Dans un deuxième temps, l’influence de la structure de la mésophase sur la réaction de Diels-Alder intramoléculaire a été étudiée. Des sels d’imidazolium tricationiques ayant une symétrie C3 ont ete développés dans le but d’obtenir des phases colonnaires. Ces sels possèdent un cœur rigide formé par trois cations imidazolium liés à un noyau benzène et des chaînes alkyles flexibles. Des études thermiques et mésomorphes sur ces composés ont été ensuite réalisées. Ces composés possèdent une haute stabilité thermique et forment une phase colonnaire rectangulaire, stable sur une large gamme de températures. L’influence de cette phase sur la réaction de Diels-Alder a ete étudiée. L’utilisation de la phase colonnaire favorise également la réaction intramoléculaire. En particulier, elle s’est avèree plus efficace que la phase Smectique T, probablement dû à sa structure plus organisée, indiquée par une enthalpie de tranisition cristal liquide – liquide isotrope plus élevée. Dans un dernier temps, nous nous sommes intéressés à l’utilisation des propriétés d’organisation des sels d’imidazolium dans la préparation des nanoparticules d’or anisotropes. Dans cette optique, différents mélanges binaires, composés d’un sel d’imidazolium et le diméthylformamide (DMF), ont été préparés et utilisés comme solvants et stabilisants, dans la synthèse des nanoparticules d’or à température ambiante. L’utilisation de ces milieux nous a permis d’obtenir des particules d’or avec différentes géométries. La forme des nanoparticules d’or obtenus dépend de la structure des sels d’imidazolium utilisés et de la concentration du mélange binaire, à la fois. / Ionic liquids based on imidazolium salts are an important class of compounds, possessing a very good compatibility with various organic reactions, and are widely used as solvents, catalysts and ligands in organic synthesis. Moreover, imidazolium salts possess interesting supramolecular organization in the solid, liquid and solution state. However, ionic liquids present some disadvantages when used as solvents for intramolecular reactions, especially in the case of apolar reactants. The low solubility of ionic compounds in ionic media promote the formation of intermolecular products. The main goal of the research presented in this thesis is to explore the supramolecular organization of imidazolium salts, first in the development of ionic liquid crystals as reaction media for intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions and secondly for the preparation of anisotropic gold nanoparticles. First, the development of dicationic imidazolium salts having a rigid core and flexible alkyl chains is reported. The rigid core is forned by direct attachment of two imidazoliums on a naphthalene moiety. Their thermal and mesomorphic analyses were then carried out. These dicationic salts show a high thermal stability and form a very ordered smectic T phase, over a wide range of temperatures. This mesophase was subsequently used as reaction medium for intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions. In this phase, reactants are trapped in the highly organized structure of the liquid crystal medium, limiting the formation of intermolecular products. Moreover, the ionic liquid crystal, was recoved at the end of reaction by simple extraction. Secondly, the influence of the mesophase’s structure on the Diels-Alder reaction was explored. Tricationic imidazolium satls having a C3 symmetry were developed in order to obtain columnar phases. The rigid core of these salts is composed of three imidazolium units directly attached to the benzene ring. Their thermal stabilities and mesomorphic properties were investigated. The columnar phase formed by these salts was then used as reaction media for Diels-Alder reactions, and it proved to be more efficient than the previously used smectic T phase, due to their more organized structure, as indicated by the higher enthalpy value of the liquid crystal - isotropic liquid transition. iv Finally, the supramolecular organization in solution of two imidazolium salts was explored with the aim to prepare anisotropic gold nanoparticles. Different binary mixtures composed of an imidazolium salt and dimethylformamide (DMF) were prepared and used both as solvent and capping agent in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles, at room temperature. The use of these binary mixture allowed us to synthesize nanoparticles with various geometries. The form of the gold nanoparticles prepared in these binary mixtures was influenced by both, the structre and the concentration of the imidazolium salt used.