This thesis deals with the study of microbial pigment violacein in the real sample of lyophilized microorganisms. The sample was investigated by using methods of vibrational spectroscopy with focusing on the applicability of surface enhanced and resonance micro-Raman spectroscopy. For this purpose several different systems for enhancing Raman intensity together with the set of excitation lasers emitting in the visible light region were used. The conclusion of this thesis are the recommendations connected with the appropriateness of using each amplifying systems and excitation wavelengths for the successful identification of violacein pigment in the sample. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Electron-ion recombination and ion-neutral interactions play a piv- otal role in the chemical evolution of molecules in the Interstellar Medium (ISM). Physical conditions under which these processes un- dergo in the ISM include a wide range of temperatures and particle number densities. This work contributes to the experimental study of named low temperature phenomena in the range of 30 K to 300 K focusing on the reactions of hydrogen-containing light molecules. The employed experimental techniques are based on a combination of a Stationary Afterglow (SA) instrument with a Continuous Wave Cavity Ring-down Spectrometer (cw-CRDS). The main contributions of this work can be split into three topics. (1) The proton and deuteron con- taining isotopic system of H3 + ions. The isotopic fractionation process in collisions with hydrogen and deuterium gas was investigated in low temperature discharges, nominal ion temperatures of 80 K to 140 K, to deduce relative ion densities in the experiments. These are necessary for afterglow studies of isotopic effects in electron-ion recombination of the studied ions. (2) Vibrational spectroscopy of N2H+ ions focusing on first overtone (2ν1 band) transitions and ion thermometry, the first step towards studies of electron-ion recombination. (3) The role of para/ortho spin...

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Directed assembly of molecular solids continues to attract widespread interest with its fundamental application in a wide range of commercial settings where control of the crystalline state of materials corresponds with product performance. These arenas include pharmaceuticals, personal care formulations, foods, paints and pigments and explosives. In recent times, the assembly of multicomponent organic systems has achieved considerable impetus with the widespread interest in co-crystal systems. However, cogent assembly (or engineering) of multicomponent materials is still in its infancy. Considerable advances in crystal design have been made through consideration of intermolecular ‘synthons’ – identifiable motifs utilising hydrogen bonds – but the translation of other molecular information (conformation, chirality, etc.) into solid state properties (e.g. long-range (translational) symmetry, crystal chirality) remains poorly understood. In this study, we have attempted to evaluate the influence of a chiral centre adjacent to molecular synthons to identify potential translation of information into the solid form. We have compared the co-crystallisation of nicotinamide with both the racemic mixture of malic acid against that with an enantiomerically pure form of the acid (L-malic acid). As well as DL-phenyllactic acid and L-phenyllactic acid. iii It is apparent that recognition between enantiomeric molecular forms play a significant role in the assembly of these systems. This mechanism can be considered independently from the H-bonding networks supporting the hetero-molecular interactions (e.g. acid-amide recognition). Discrimination and control of such interactions may play a role in transmitting chiral molecular information into solid state multi-component assemblies. In order to develop an understanding of co-crystal formation in chiral and achiral forms with intermolecular interactions, the CSD and crystal structures were obtained to do the analysis of how co-crystals pack. This study has also investigated the use of boronic acids. The aim of this study was to investigate the modification of the hydrogen bonding environment within the hydrogen bonded multi-component systems of boroxines. The study also attempted to determine how the starting materials drive the systems between the boronic acid co-crystal and the boroxine adduct.

Directed assembly of molecular solids continues to attract widespread interest with its fundamental application in a wide range of commercial settings where control of the crystalline state of materials corresponds with product performance. These arenas include pharmaceuticals, personal care formulations, foods, paints and pigments and explosives. In recent times, the assembly of multicomponent organic systems has achieved considerable impetus with the widespread interest in co-crystal systems. However, cogent assembly (or engineering) of multicomponent materials is still in its infancy. Considerable advances in crystal design have been made through consideration of intermolecular ‘synthons’ – identifiable motifs utilising hydrogen bonds – but the translation of other molecular information (conformation, chirality, etc.) into solid state properties (e.g. long-range (translational) symmetry, crystal chirality) remains poorly understood. In this study, we have attempted to evaluate the influence of a chiral centre adjacent to molecular synthons to identify potential translation of information into the solid form. We have compared the co-crystallisation of nicotinamide with both the racemic mixture of malic acid against that with an enantiomerically pure form of the acid (L-malic acid). As well as DL-phenyllactic acid and L-phenyllactic acid. iii It is apparent that recognition between enantiomeric molecular forms play a significant role in the assembly of these systems. This mechanism can be considered independently from the H-bonding networks supporting the hetero-molecular interactions (e.g. acid-amide recognition). Discrimination and control of such interactions may play a role in transmitting chiral molecular information into solid state multi-component assemblies. In order to develop an understanding of co-crystal formation in chiral and achiral forms with intermolecular interactions, the CSD and crystal structures were obtained to do the analysis of how co-crystals pack. This study has also investigated the use of boronic acids. The aim of this study was to investigate the modification of the hydrogen bonding environment within the hydrogen bonded multi-component systems of boroxines. The study also attempted to determine how the starting materials drive the systems between the boronic acid co-crystal and the boroxine adduct.

In this thesis both an experimental and computational study of selected prospective materials for nonlinear optics is presented. The main focus was put on 2-aminopyrimidinium hydrogen- phosphite (AMPPO3), a salt with high SHG efficiency and Type I. phase matching properties. AMPPO3 had been studied by our research group and its favourable qualities such as easy preparation, colourlessness, great water solubility and good crystallinity motivated further in- terest and the attempts for the growth of bulk single crystals from thermostated aqueous solu- tions as presented here. The products are meant to be probed by laser in a specific direction to determine the maximum SHG efficiency, so far the polarized microscopy study revealing the extreme dispersion effects is provided. AMPPO3 is an example of H-bond stabilized framework with both organic and inorganic building blocks. The computational study was led as to understand the structure which is typical for one of the classes of compounds exhibiting nonlinear optical properties. DFT implemented in parallel CP2K was used and for the comparison three other optically active materials of sim- ilar composition were studied - urea, guanylurea hydrogenphosphite and 2-aminopyrimidine- boric acid 3/2 cocrystal. After the constrained geometry optimization and cell...

Le peptide antimicrobien Cateslytine (bCGA RSMRLSFRARGYGFR ) inhibe la libération des catécholamines des cellules chromaffines. Des études biologiques ont montré que ce peptide est capable d’inhiber aussi la croissance de nombreux microorganismes notamment des bactéries, des levures ainsi que le parasite Plasmodium falciparum responsable de la malaria. Cependant, le mode d’action moléculaire demeurait inconnu. Afin de mieux comprendre le ciblage et la sélectivité de ce peptide sur les membranes de mammifères ou de microorganismes, nous avons donc envisagé la reconstitution du système biologique composé initialement de peptides en contact avec des cellules, en le substituant par des modèles de membrane, de composition mimant celle des différents microorganismes. Des études structurales ont été menées en utilisant la technique d’ATR-FTIR polarisé, le dichroïsme circulaire et la RMN à haute résolution. La dynamique membranaire a été étudiée en utilisant la RMN des solides du phosphore et du deutérium. Des expériences de patch-clamp ont été effectuées afin de mesurer des flux d’ions au travers de la membrane. Enfin, de la simulation par ordinateur a permis de comprendre cette interaction au niveau moléculaire. Trois résultats principaux sont ressortis de cette approche pluridisciplinaire : i) Des flux ioniques au travers de la membrane attestent de la présence de cannaux. ii) La formation de domaines membranaires rigides constitués de lipides chargés négativement est démontrée. iii) Une structuration des peptides en feuillets ß antiparallèles est observée sur des membranes chargées négativement mimant les microorganismes. L’ensemble de ces résultats conduit à la proposition d’un mode d’action dans lequel la déstabilisation membranaire est induite par les domaines rigides stabilisés par les agrégats de peptides structurés en feuillets ß. / The antimicrobial peptide Cateslytin (bCGA RSMRLSFRARGYGFR ) is a five positively charged arginin rich peptide known to inhibit the release of catecholamine in chromaffin granules. Although biological data showed that it is able to inhibit the growth of several microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and Plasmodium falciparum parasite involved in malaria, the mechanism of action has not been yet studied. In order to better understand both targeting and selectivity of this peptide towards microorganisms, model membranes of variable compositions have been chosen to respectively mimic microorganisms or mammalian membranes. Structural studies have been performed using polarised ATR-FTIR, circular dichroïsm and high resolution NMR Membrane dynamics has been followed using deuterium labelled lipids and solid state NMR Patch clamp experiments were also performed on lipid vesicles to measure channe conductivity. All-atom molecular dynamics on hydrated peptide-lipid membrane systems was also used to assess the interaction from the atomic level. Main results from this interdisciplinary approach are three-fold. i) Electric current passages through membranes demonstrate permeation akin to pore formation. ii) Peptide-induced formation of rigid domains mainly made of negatively charged lipids is found. iii) Peptide antiparallel ß-sheets are observed preferentially with negatively charged lipids mimicking microorganism membranes. The general picture leads to the proposal that membrane destabilization/permeation is promoted by rigid domains stabilised by peptide ß-sheets.

O Nafion é um ionômero constituído por uma matriz de politetrafluoroetileno (PTFE) contendo ramificações laterais terminadas em grupos sulfônicos. Neste trabalho, a membrana na forma ácida e nas formas salinas (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+ e Cs+) foram analisadas, via espectroscopia vibracional e análise térmica. Para proceder à análise vibracional, dividiu-se o ionômero em três grupos, cada qual pertencente a um grupo pontual distinto: o grupo sultanato (C3v) ; o grupo éter (C2v) e a matriz fluorocarbônica D(14π/15). O grupo sulfonato apresenta modos vibracionais de estiramento simétrico (1060 cm-1) e de estiramento degenerado (na região de 1300 cm-1). O Nafion apresenta dois grupos éter, os quais deram origem no espectro a duas bandas: uma em 984 e outra na região de 970 cm-1. Verificou-se que apenas a banda em 970 cm-1 sofre uma influência mais direta do ambiente iônico. A atribuição das bandas da matriz polimérica foi feita considerando-se que a cadeia de PTFE apresenta estrutura helicoidal (157) . Nesta estrutura são previstas a existência de quatro espécies de simetria que apresentam atividade nos espectro Raman e infravermelho. No Raman são ativos os modos de espécie A1, E1 e E2 e no infravermelho são ativos os modos de espécie A2 e E1. A análise térmica dividiu-se em: termogravimetria e calorimetria exploratória diferencial. A termogravimetria mostrou que a membrana na forma ácida apresenta um padrão de decomposição distinto das membranas nas formas salinas. A calorimetria exploratória diferencial mostrou que a membrana na forma ácida apresenta três eventos endotérmicos: em 134ºC, em 250ºC e o último em 325ºC. Na membrana nas formas salinas apenas o primeiro pico endotérmico é bastante evidente, o segundo pico é pouco pronunciado e o terceiro está completamente ausente. / Nafion is an ionomer that consists of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) backbone with side chains terminated with a sulfonate group. In this work, Nafion in acid and saline forms (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+ e Cs+) forms were investigated by vibrational spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. To proceed to the vibrational analysis the ionômero was splitted into three regions and which one has its own symmetry group. Sulfonate group (C3v), ether group (C2v) and the polymeric matrix D(14π/15). The sulfonate group presents two modes: the symmetric stretching (1060 cm-1) and the degenerated stretching (around 1300 cm-1). Nafion has two ether groups which originated two bands: one in 984 and the other in 970 cm-1. We verify that only the band in 970 cm-1 is affected by the ionic ambient. The assignment of the polymeric band was made considering that the PTFE has helicoidal structure (157). In this structure four symmetry species are predicted. In Raman spectra the following species are active: A1, E1 and E2 and the infrared are active the species: A2 and E1. Thermal analysis consisted of thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermogravimetry shows that water content is dependent of cation change. Thermogravimetry also shows that the membrane in the acid and saline forms have different mechanisms of decomposition. Differential scanning calorimetry of Nafion-H shows three endothermic peaks: the first in 134ºC, the second in 250ºC and the last in 325ºC. Nafion saline forms shows only the first peak.

O dióxido de enxofre (SO2) é um dos principais poluentes atmosféricos e a busca por sistemas capazes de absorver, detectar e/ou quantificar este gás tem sido de grande interesse. Neste contexto, os líquidos iônicos (LI) têm demonstrado potencial aplicação em metodologias de captura e armazenamento de gases. Neste estudo, nosso maior interesse consiste em entender os principais fatores que governam as interações entre o SO2 e diferentes íons formadores de líquidos iônicos. Em particular, foi explorada a interação específica de transferência de carga entre ânions (base de Lewis) e o SO2 (ácido de Lewis). A abordagem deste trabalho foi baseada em uma investigação sistemática de LI formados pelo cátion 1-butil,3-metilimidazólio (BMI) e diferentes ânions, utilizando da espectroscopia vibracional (Raman e IR), sobretudo a espectroscopia Raman ressonante, aliada a cálculos teóricos baseados na teoria do funcional da densidade (DFT). Os resultados de espectroscopia vibracional Raman e IR, mostraram mudanças na posição e formato da banda referente ao modo de estiramento simétrico vs(SO2) dependendo do ânion e da concentração de SO2 em LI. Verificou-se deslocamentos significativos para menor número de onda em relação ao SO2 líquido puro (1145 cm-1) em menores concentrações de SO2 em LI. Na série dos haletos, Cl-, Br- e I-, quanto maior o ânion, maior o deslocamento (1138, 1133 e 1123 cm-1, respectivamente para a fração molar 0,5). No caso do tiocianato, considerado como um pseudo-haleto, a banda do modo vs(SO2) aparece em cerca de 1130 cm-1 na mesma fração molar, ou seja, em um valor intermediário entre o Br- e o I-. Esses deslocamentos observados podem ser interpretados de acordo com a interação específica de transferência de carga do ânion para o SO2. Um resultado observado que merece destaque consiste na dependência da banda Raman do modo vs(SO2) com a energia da radiação excitante, o que é denominado de dispersão Raman. Tal fenômeno pôde ser explicado utilizando o modelo de \"excitação seletiva do estado de solvatação\" em que foi possível caracterizar os diferentes estados de solvatação do SO2 em líquidos iônicos. / Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is one of the main atmospheric pollutants and the search for systems capable of absorbing detect and/or quantify such gas has been of great interest. In this context, ionic liquids (IL) have shown potential application in capture methodologies and gas storage. In this study, our interest consists in the understanding of the main factors that govern the interactions between SO2 and diferents ions of ionic liquids. In particular, the charge transfer specific interaction was explored between anions (Lewis base) and SO2 (Lewis acid). The approach of this study was based on a systematic investigation of LI formed by 1-butyl cation, 3-methylimidazolium (BMI) and different anions, using vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and IR), especially resonance Raman spectroscopy, allied with theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). The vibrational spectroscopic results (Raman and IR) showed changes in the position and shape of the band assigned to the symmetric stretching mode vs(SO2) depending on the anion and SO2 concentration in LI. There were significant shifts to lower wavenumbers with respect to pure liquid SO2 (1145 cm-1) at lower SO2 concentrations in IL. In the series of halides, Cl-, Br- and I-, the bigger the anion, the larger the displacement (1138, 1133 and 1123 cm-1, respectively at 0.5 mole fraction). In the case of thiocyanate, regarded as a pseudo-halide, the band vs(SO2) appears at about 1130 cm-1 at the same molar fraction, i.e. at an intermediate value between the Br- and I-. The observed displacement can be interpreted accordingly to the specific interaction of charge transfer from the anion to SO2. A result that is worth mentioning is the dependence of the wavenumber of the Raman band vs(SO2) with the energy of the exciting radiation, which is called Raman scattering. This phenomenon could be explained using the model of \"solvation state selective excitation\" in which was possible to characterize the diferente solvation states of the SO2 in ionic liquids

O estudo da interação de moléculas orgânicas com a água é de grande importância para diversas áreas das ciências, como por exemplo, na compreensão de sistemas biológicos. Uma elevada diversidade de estudos nesta área já foram realizados, no entanto, alguns aspectos do estudo de filmes finos de aminas anfifílicas não foram satisfatoriamente esclarecidos. Este trabalho aborda filmes de Langmuir de octadecilamina em função do pH e da força iônica de subfases aquosas, investigando a estrutura da monocamada orgânica e sua interação com a água, em diversos graus de ionização. Foi utilizada a Espectroscopia Vibracional por Geração de Soma de Frequências (Sum Frequency Generation - SFG), uma técnica que utiliza o princípio da óptica não-linear para estudar superfícies e interfaces, com o objetivo de investigar a conformação molecular dos filmes de Langmuir de aminas anfifílicas de cadeias longas, seu grau de ionização e a estrutura da água interagindo com a monocamada orgânica. Pôde-se acompanhar a ionização da monocamada em função do pH da subfase pela intensidade do modo de estiramento do grupo NH3+, e verificou-se que ela depende do pH local da interface, que por sua vez é alterado pela ionização da monocamada e é sensível à força iônica da subfase. A água interage com a monocamada via ligações de H com os grupos NH2/NH3+ e forma uma camada com alto grau de orientação perpendicular à superfície, mas relativamente desordenada do ponto de vista da rede de ligações de H (como na água líquida). A conformação das cadeias alquila depende da ionização do filme de Langmuir, sendo bastante compacta e ordenada a altos pHs (filme neutro) e mais expandida e desordenada a baixos pHs. Além disso, foram fabricados filmes de Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) de octadecilamina para comparar a estrutura dos filmes na superfície da água e em substratos sólidos. / The study of the interaction of organic molecules with water is of great importance for many areas of science, such as the understanding of biological systems. A large diversity of studies in this area have been performed, however some aspects of the study of thin films of amphiphilic amines have not been satisfactorily clarified. This dissertation focuses on Langmuir films of Octadecylamine as a function of pH and ionic strength of the aqueous subphase, investigating the structure of the organic monolayer and its interaction with water at various degrees of ionization. Sum-Frequency Vibrational Spectroscopy (SFG spectroscopy), a non-linear optical technique to study surfaces and interfaces, was used in order to investigate the molecular conformation of the Langmuir films, its degree of ionization and the structure of water interacting with the organic monolayer. The monolayer ionization could be monitored by the intensity of the NH3+ group stretch mode, and it was found that it depends on the local pH at the interface, which in turn is changed by the monolayer ionization and is sensitive to the subphase ionic strength. Water interacts with the monolayer by H bonds with NH2/NH3+ groups, forming a layer with a high degree of orientational order along the surface normal, but relatively disordered regarding the H-bonding network (like in the bulk liquid). The conformation of the alkyl chains depends on the monolayer ionization, being compact and all-trans at high pHs, but more expanded and disordered at low pHs. In addition, Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of Octadecylamine were fabricated to compare their structure on the solid substrate to those on the water surface