<p>This thesis describes the use of 2H-azirines as reactivesubstrates in Lewis acid catalysed nucleophilic additions andin the Diels-Alder reaction.A number of carbon nucleophiles have been added to aseries of 2H-azirines in the presence and absence ofBF3·Et2O. 3-(2-Naphthyl)-2H-azirine has been used as amodel substrate in the enantioselective addition oforganolithium reagents to an 2H-azirine.A selection of Lewis acids has been screened for theirpossible use in the normal electron demand Diels-Alder reactionbetween 3-alkyl-, 3-aryl-, and 3- carboxyl-2H-azirines and avariety of dienes. Lewis acid activation was found to shortenreaction times and facilitate lower reaction temperatures.These cycloadditions proceeded with endo selectivity providinga single diastereoisomeric product.DFT calculations of Lewis acid activated 2H-azirineshave been carried out.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>2H-azirines, Lewis acid activation, chiralligands, organolithium reagents, Diels-Alder reactions,DFT-calculations</p>

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Orientadores: João Alexandre Ferreira da Rocha Pereira, Cesar Augusto Moraes de Abreu / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T05:19:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Barauna_OsmarSouto_D.pdf: 2829115 bytes, checksum: bf2e35aadb3829156a0b6febbd04582f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: A utilização de argilas do tipo esmectita como agente descorante de óleo de soja, satisfazendo as exigências comerciais e se equivalendo à capacidade adsortiva da argila-padrão importada (Tonsil Supreme 180 FF), foi praticada através do desenvolvimento do processo adsortivo de pigmentos clorofila e carotenóides. A argila esmectítica adsorvente de origem da bacia sedimentar do Araripe/PE é constituída por argilomine rais (predominantes) e uma fração detrítica grosseira composta essencialmente por quartzo, calcita e gipsita. Procedeu-se à ativação ácida (HCl), previamente à aplicação no descoramento, favorecendo-se o desenvolvimento de atividades adsortivas da argila. Os parâmetros com base no desenvolvimento do processo de adsorção de pigmentos com a argila esmectítica ácido-ativada comprovaram a sua aptidão para produzir a despigmentação do óleo vegetal em teor da clorofila-a, repre sentando uma capacidade adsortiva de qAm = 144,93 mg.g-1, significan do ordem de grandeza próxima àquela determinada para a argila Tonsil de qAm = 166,67 mg.g-1. Equilíbrios de isotermas favoráveis nos dois ca sos foram quantificados segundo os parâmetros de adsorção de KAargila = 23,00 cm3.g-1 e KAtonsil = 20,00 cm3.g-1. Resultantes de avalia ções cinéticas experimentais, fundamentados em um modelo do tipo Langmuir-Freundlich, foram estimadas as constantes cinéticas de adsorção da argila (kaAargila = 0,2488 ± 0,0913) e do adsorvente Tonsil (kaAtonsil = 0,0839 ± 0,0219). Caracterizadas as atividades adsortivas das argilas em razão de suas acidez superficiais, traduzidas em números de sítios ácidos, foram identificadas características de sítios fortes (183,90 x 1020 sítios/g de argila), responsáveis pela adsorção dos pigmentos. A argila esmectítica acidificada demonstrou possuir propriedades adsortivas similares a do adsorvente importado, tendo servido à aplicação no processo de descoramento de óleo de soja / Abstract: Smectite clays from the Araripe sedimentary basin were employed as bleaching agents of soy bean oil and compared with adsorption capacity of the imported reference-clay (Tonsil Supreme 180 FF). The system was tested with chlorophyllous pigments and carotenoids. The smectite was mainly composed by a coarse detrital fraction of quartz, calcite and gypsum. To develop its adsorption capacity it was previously activated with acid (HCl). The parameters of the process indicated that the bleaching property of the activated clay in terms of chlorophyll-a representing an adsorption capacity of qm = 144.93 mg.g-1, which had an order magnitude near to that of Tonsil, qm = 166.67 mg.g-1. The adsorption parameters of the equilibrium isotherms for the two cases were KAclay = 23.00 cm3.g-1 KAtonsil = 20.00 cm3.g-1. From the experimental kinetic evaluations, based on a Langmuir-Freundlich model, the estimated kinetic adsorption constants for the clay and the Tonsil were kaAclay = 0.2488 ± 0.0913 kaAtonsil = 0.0839 ± 0.0219 respectively. The number of sites responsible for the pigments adsorption identified on the clay surface, were of the order of 183.90 x 1020 sites/g of clay. The acidified clay presented similar adsorptive properties to the imported product, showing that it may be employed to bleaching soy bean oil / Doutorado / Sistemas de Processos Quimicos e Informatica / Doutor em Engenharia Química

This thesis describes the use of 2H-azirines as reactivesubstrates in Lewis acid catalysed nucleophilic additions andin the Diels-Alder reaction.A number of carbon nucleophiles have been added to aseries of 2H-azirines in the presence and absence ofBF3·Et2O. 3-(2-Naphthyl)-2H-azirine has been used as amodel substrate in the enantioselective addition oforganolithium reagents to an 2H-azirine.A selection of Lewis acids has been screened for theirpossible use in the normal electron demand Diels-Alder reactionbetween 3-alkyl-, 3-aryl-, and 3- carboxyl-2H-azirines and avariety of dienes. Lewis acid activation was found to shortenreaction times and facilitate lower reaction temperatures.These cycloadditions proceeded with endo selectivity providinga single diastereoisomeric product.DFT calculations of Lewis acid activated 2H-azirineshave been carried out. Keywords:2H-azirines, Lewis acid activation, chiralligands, organolithium reagents, Diels-Alder reactions,DFT-calculations / <p>NR 20140805</p>

A novel truncate of Influenza A M2 protein (residues 22-62), incorporated into a uniquely tailored proteoliposome proton uptake assay, demonstrated proton flux more characteristic of an ion transporter than a traditional ion "channel." The liposome paradigm was essential for testing the conductance activity of this M2 truncate at a range of extraphysiological pHs appropriate for channel vs. transport function determination. In addition to transporter-typical proton flux, M2(22-62) showed the key characteristics of functional integrity: selective proton uptake into liposomes and block of uptake by amantadine. Two sets of proteoliposome proton flux assays were carried out, Set 1 at pH values of 6.5, 6.0. 5.5, 5.0, and 4.5; Set 2 at pH values of 6.25, 6.0, 5.75, 5.5, 5.25, 5.0, and 4.75. Observed flux rates followed a proton transport saturation curve similar to that observed in mouse erythroleukemia cells1. Proton transport was maximal at pH 5.5 in Set 1 (139 H+/second/tetramer) and at pH 5.75 in Set 2 (43 H+/second/tetramer). Amantadine block was strongest at pH 5.5 in Set 1 and 6.25 in Set 2, and apparent desensitization of the protein severely reduced proton flux and amantadine sensitivity below pH 5.5 in both sets of experiments. Decreased external pH increased proton uptake with an apparent pKa of 6 (Set 1) or 6.5 (Set 2). These data indicate acid activation of M2(22-62) between pH 5.5-6, optimal amantadine block between pH 5.5-6.25, and a loss of peptide functionality between pH 5.9-4.7.

Os nanotubos naturais da paligorsquita, por apresentarem propriedades físicas e químicas específicas, têm potencial uso como nano sorventes e matrizes para imobilização, retenção, e solidificação de radionuclídeos presentes em efluentes nucleares. No processo de desenvolvimento de materiais com propriedades de sorção visando a incorporação e imobilização de radionuclídeos, as etapas mais importantes são a geração de sítios ativos simultaneamente com o aumento da área superficial específica e tratamento térmico adequado para conduzir ao colapso estrutural. Neste estudo foram avaliados parâmetros e condições determinantes no processo de ativação dos nanotubos naturais da paligorsquita visando a sorção de radionuclídeos de interesse na estrutura dos nanotubos e a avaliação posterior dos parâmetros que afeitam ao colapso estrutural por tratamento térmico. Por este estudo constatou-se que a otimização do processo de ativação ácida é fundamental para o aumento da capacidade de sorção de níquel usando estruturas de nanotubos naturais ativados. A condição otimizada de ativação superficial, mantendo a integridade estrutural foi removido cerca de 33,3% dos cátions de magnésio, equivalente a 6,30·10-4 mol·g-1 de magnésio em massa, aumentando a área superficial específica em 42,8%. Este aspecto permitiu a incorporação de mesma concentração molar de níquel presente nos rejeitos radioativos líquidos em um tempo de processo de 80min. / Natural palygorskite nanotubes show suitable physical and chemical properties and characteristics to be use as potential nanosorbent and immobilization matrix for the concentration and solidification of radionuclides present in nuclear wastes. In the development process of materials with sorption properties for the incorporation and subsequent immobilization of radionuclides, the most important steps are related with the generation of active sites simultaneously to the increase of the specific surface area and suitable heat treatment to producing the structural folding. This study evaluated the determining parameters and conditions for the activation process of the natural palygorskite nanotubes aiming at the sorption of radionuclides in the nanotubes structure and subsequent evaluation of the parameters involve in the structural folding by heat treatments. The optimized results about the maximum sorption capacity of nickel in activated natural nanotubes show that these structures are apt and suitable for incorporation of radionuclides similar to nickel. By this study is verified that the optimization of the acid activation process is fundamental to improve the sorptions capacities for specifics radionuclides by activated natural nanotubes. Acid activation condition optimized maintaining structural integrity was able to remove around 33.3 wt.% of magnesium cations, equivalent to 6.30·10-4 g·mol-1, increasing in 42.8% the specific surface area and incorporating the same molar concentration of nickel present in the liquid radioactive waste at 80 min.

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-03-26T21:02:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 BRUNO RAFAEL PEREIRA NUNES - TESE PPGEQ 2015..pdf: 3320363 bytes, checksum: d83a00c2d4dc7666e6ffe3a4d74cc8de (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-26T21:02:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 BRUNO RAFAEL PEREIRA NUNES - TESE PPGEQ 2015..pdf: 3320363 bytes, checksum: d83a00c2d4dc7666e6ffe3a4d74cc8de (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-03 / A biomassa tem sido uma interessante fonte de energia renovável, pois está disponível em grandes quantidades, possui baixo custo e se apresenta como uma alternativa viável para conversão em produtos químicos de alto valor agregado e de biocombustíveis. No Brasil, no curto prazo, o bagaço de cana-de-açúcar é a fonte de biomassa com maior potencial para uso como insumo industrial. Dentre os métodos utilizados para conversão da biomassa, a hidrólise utilizando catalisadores sólidos têm despertado interesse em pesquisadores de todo mundo e surge como alternativa às técnicas mais utilizadas. Devido a disponibilidade, baixo custo e propriedades de superfície, objetivou-se a avaliação do uso da argila vermiculita como catalisador no processo de hidrólise do bagaço de cana. Realizou-se a ativação ácida da argila, utilizando os ácidos sulfúrico (3M) e fluorídrico (4M), e os pré-tratamentos químico, com hidróxido de sódio (4%) e ácido sulfúrico (3%), e hidrotérmico do bagaço de cana, sendo os processos conduzidos com controle de tempo e de temperatura. Antes e após a aplicação dos tratamentos foram determinadas a composição do bagaço e as propriedades texturais da argila, além da caracterização dos materiais por meio de análises de DRX, MEV, TG/DTG e DSC. Com relação a composição do bagaço, quando se utilizou o método químico de pré-tratamento foram alcançados 75,88 e 73,88% de solubilização das frações lignina e hemicelulose, respectivamente, enquanto que para o método hidrotérmico não houve alteração significativa. As análises por DRX permitiram verificar alterações na cristalinidade do material e as análises por MEV mostraram modificações na morfologia do bagaço, para os dois tipos de pré- tratamento. Por meio das análises de TG/DTG e DSC comprovou-se a degradação da hemicelulose e lignina, quando se utilizou o pré-tratamento químico. A caracterização da vermiculita mostrou que o tratamento ácido provocou alterações significativas no material, tornando-o amorfo, com maior área superficial e volume de poros. A argila natural apresentou área superficial de 14,69 m²/g e as tratadas com ácido sulfúrico e fosfórico 296,65 e 306,88 m²/g, respectivamente. O volume de poros foi elevado de 0,019 cm³/g para 0,273 e 0,297 cm³/g, respectivamente. Entretanto, não foram observadas mudanças expressivas na estabilidade térmica, no arranjo lamelar e no diâmetro de poros, que apresentou um valor médio de 3,8 nm, sendo o material classificado como mesoporoso. Os testes catalíticos utilizando a argila, natural e ativada com ácido, como catalisador na hidrólise da celulose comercial e do bagaço de cana, in natura e pré-tratado, foram realizados em autoclaves e estufa onde avaliou-se a influência da temperatura, do tempo de reação e da quantidade de catalisador presente no meio reacional. A vermiculita apresentou atividade catalítica em todas as reações. Os melhores resultados na geração de açúcares fermentescíveis foram observados quando se utilizou a argila tratada com ácido fosfórico na hidrólise do bagaço de cana pré-tratado pelo método hidrotérmico, alcançando-se rendimentos em glicose e xilose de 38,02% e 80,26%, respectivamente, para os tempos de 2 e 1h, temperatura de 200°C e razão entre a massa de catalisador e biomassa de 2:1. / Biomass has been an interesting renewable energy source because it is available in large quantities, has low cost and is presented as a viable alternative for conversion into chemical products with high added value and biofuels. In Brazil, in the short time, the sugarcane bagasse is the source of biomass with the greatest potential for use as an industrial input. Among the methods used for conversion of biomass hydrolysis using solid catalysts have attracted interest in researchers from around the world and is an alternative to commonly used technique. Due to the availability, low cost and surface properties, aimed to evaluate the use of vermiculite clay as a catalyst in the process of hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse. Performed by acid activation of the clay, using sulfuric (3M) and fluoridric acid (4M) and the chemical, with sodium hydroxide (4%) and sulfuric acid (3%), and the hydrothermal pre-treatments of sugarcane bagasse. The processes were conducted with control of time and temperature. Before and after the treatments application were determined the composition of the bagasse and textural properties of the clay, in addition the material was characterized by XRD, SEM, TG/DTG and DSC analysis. Regarding the composition of the bagasse, when using the chemical method of pre-treatment was achieved 75.88 and 73.88% solubilization of lignin and hemicellulose fractions, respectively, while for the hydrothermal method showed no significant alteration. The XRD analysis allowed to verify changes in crystallinity and SEM analysis showed changes in the morphology of bagasse, for the two types of pre-treatment. The TG / DTG and DSC analysis proven to degradation of hemicellulose and lignin, when using chemical pre-treatment. The characterization of vermiculite showed that acid treatment caused significant changes in the material making it amorphous, with higher surface area and pore volume. The natural clay presented surface area of 14.69 m²/g and treated with sulfuric and phosphoric acid 296.65 and 306.88 m²/g, respectively. The pore volume was 0.019 cm³/g to 0.273 and 0.297 cm³/g, respectively. However, there were no significant changes in thermal stability, the lamellar arrangement and diameter of pores, which presented an average value of 3.8 nm, classified as mesoporous materials. The catalytic tests using natural and activated with acid clay as a catalyst in the hydrolysis of commercial cellulose and in nature and pre-treated sugarcane bagasse were performed in autoclaves and greenhouse where it was evaluated the influence of temperature, time reaction and the amount of catalyst present in the reaction medium. The vermiculite showed catalytic activity in all reactions. The best results in the generation of fermentable sugars were observed when using treated with phosphoric acid clay in the hydrolysis of pretreated bagasse by hydrothermal method, achieving glucose and xylose yields of 38.02% and 80.26% respectively, for times of 2 and 1 h, 200 °C and the mass ratio of the catalyst and biomass 2:1.

Os nanotubos naturais da paligorsquita, por apresentarem propriedades físicas e químicas específicas, têm potencial uso como nano sorventes e matrizes para imobilização, retenção, e solidificação de radionuclídeos presentes em efluentes nucleares. No processo de desenvolvimento de materiais com propriedades de sorção visando a incorporação e imobilização de radionuclídeos, as etapas mais importantes são a geração de sítios ativos simultaneamente com o aumento da área superficial específica e tratamento térmico adequado para conduzir ao colapso estrutural. Neste estudo foram avaliados parâmetros e condições determinantes no processo de ativação dos nanotubos naturais da paligorsquita visando a sorção de radionuclídeos de interesse na estrutura dos nanotubos e a avaliação posterior dos parâmetros que afeitam ao colapso estrutural por tratamento térmico. Por este estudo constatou-se que a otimização do processo de ativação ácida é fundamental para o aumento da capacidade de sorção de níquel usando estruturas de nanotubos naturais ativados. A condição otimizada de ativação superficial, mantendo a integridade estrutural foi removido cerca de 33,3% dos cátions de magnésio, equivalente a 6,30·10-4 mol·g-1 de magnésio em massa, aumentando a área superficial específica em 42,8%. Este aspecto permitiu a incorporação de mesma concentração molar de níquel presente nos rejeitos radioativos líquidos em um tempo de processo de 80min. / Natural palygorskite nanotubes show suitable physical and chemical properties and characteristics to be use as potential nanosorbent and immobilization matrix for the concentration and solidification of radionuclides present in nuclear wastes. In the development process of materials with sorption properties for the incorporation and subsequent immobilization of radionuclides, the most important steps are related with the generation of active sites simultaneously to the increase of the specific surface area and suitable heat treatment to producing the structural folding. This study evaluated the determining parameters and conditions for the activation process of the natural palygorskite nanotubes aiming at the sorption of radionuclides in the nanotubes structure and subsequent evaluation of the parameters involve in the structural folding by heat treatments. The optimized results about the maximum sorption capacity of nickel in activated natural nanotubes show that these structures are apt and suitable for incorporation of radionuclides similar to nickel. By this study is verified that the optimization of the acid activation process is fundamental to improve the sorptions capacities for specifics radionuclides by activated natural nanotubes. Acid activation condition optimized maintaining structural integrity was able to remove around 33.3 wt.% of magnesium cations, equivalent to 6.30·10-4 g·mol-1, increasing in 42.8% the specific surface area and incorporating the same molar concentration of nickel present in the liquid radioactive waste at 80 min.

La NADPH oxydase du phagocyte est une enzyme impliquée dans la défense immunitaire contre les pathogènes. Après activation du phagocyte, cette enzyme produit des ions superoxyde par réduction du dioxygène par le NADPH. Elle est constituée de quatre sous- unités cytosolubles (p47phox ; p67phox ; p40phox et Rac), et deux membranaires (gp91 ; p22phox). Son activation fait intervenir un processus complexe qui met en jeu des changements d’interaction entre les protéines la constituant et qui permet l’assemblage des six sous- unités. Afin d’obtenir des informations sur les processus d’assemblage et d’activation, j’ai reconstitué le complexe dans un système cell free à l’aide de protéines recombinantes pour pouvoir contrôler tous les paramètres. Dans ce travail nous avons comparé les modes d’activation de p47phox par phosphorylation, par mutation substitutionelle sérine - aspartate en position S303,S304 et S328 pour mimer la phosphorylation et enfin par addition d’acide arachidonique (AA) activateur connu de l’enzyme in vitro mais aussi in vivo. Bien qu’il ai été montré que ces trois méthodes ouvrent la protéine vers une conformation ayant des propriétés similaires, nous avons trouvé que les effets de ces méthodes d’activation sont significativement différents. Ainsi, les changement de conformation observés par dichroisme circulaire, sont dissemblables. Pour p47phox, l’addition de AA déstructure la protéine. La phosphorylation induit un déplacement bathochrome des bandes de CD qualitativement similaire, alors que les mutations S-D de p47phox provoquent un déplacement opposé. Pour le complexe p47phox-p67phox l’addition d’AA destructure le mélange tandis que la mutation induit relativement peu de changement. Nous avons mesuré les constantes de dissociation Kd du complexe p47phox-p67phox. Alors que pour les protéines « sauvages », le Kd est faible (4±2 nM), les mutations de p47phox ainsi que l’addition d’AA augmentent cette valeur jusqu’à environ 50 nM, montrant une diminution de l’affinité entre p47phox-p67phox. De même, sur le complexe entier, l’effet de la phosphorylation de p47phox est différent de la mutation. Nous avons mesuré les valeurs de EC50 relatives à p67phox pour les différentes formes de p47phox. L’activation de p47phox par phosphorylation diminue l’EC₅₀, alors que les doubles ou triple mutations augmentent sa valeur. Nous avons confirmé que la phosphorylation et la mutation sont insuffisantes pour activer l’enzyme. La présence de AA est indispensable pour le fonctionnement du complexe. L’ordre de fixation des sous unités cytosoliques semble indifférent mais il faut que tous les composants soient présents lors de l’ajout de AA. Enfin, la délétion de p47phox dans la partie C-terminale (aa 343 à 390, domaine d’interaction avec p67phox) il n’y a plus de formation du dimère mais l’enzyme fonctionne normalement. Ces résultats apportent des éléments nouveaux sur le rôle de la dimérisation p47 phox-p67 phox, non indispensable à l’activité du système et sur le rôle mineur de la phosphorylation dans l’activation de la NADPH oxydase in vitro. / The NADPH oxidase of phagocytes is an enzyme involved in the innate defense of organisms against pathogens. After phagocyte activation, this enzyme produces superoxide ions by reduction of dioxygen by NADPH. It is constituted of four cytosolic sub-units (p47phox ; p67phox ; p40phox et Rac) and two membrane proteins (gp91 ; p22phox). Its activation takes place through a complex process that involves protein-protein interaction changes leading to assembly and functionning of the catalytic core. In order to obtain information on this process, I have reconstituted the enzyme in a cell free systeme using recombinant proteins, to be able to fully control all the measurement conditions. In this work, we have compared different activation modes of p47phox i) phosphorylation; ii) substitution serine - aspartate by mutations at positions S303, S304 and S328 to mimic phosphorylation; iii) addition of arachidonic acid (AA), a well known activator molecule in vitro. It has been shown that these three activating methods transform p47phox to an open configuration with similar characteristics. However, we have found that the effects of these methods are significantly different. Indeed, the conformational changes observed by circular dichroism are different. For p47phox, the addition of AA destructures the protein. Its phosphorylation induces a bathochromic displacement of the bands, whereas the mutations S-D lead to an opposite displacement. For the dimer p47phox-p67phox , the addition of AA destructures the proteins while mutations induce hardly no changes. We have measured the dissociation constant Kd of the complex p47phox-p67phox. For wild type proteins, Kd value is low (4±2 nM), while mutations of p47phox as well as addition of AA increase its value up to 50 nM, showing a decrease of affinity between p47phox and p67phox. Moreover, on the whole complex, the effect of phosphorylation of p47phox is different from mutations. We have shown that the EC50 values relative to p67phox are sensitive to the various modifications of p47phox. Phosphorylation of p47phox decreases EC₅₀, while double or triple mutations increase its value. We have confirmed that phosphorylation and mutation are not sufficient to activate the enzyme. The presence of AA is a prerequisite for the functionning of the complex, i.e. production of superoxide. The binding order of the cytosolic proteins seems random but it is necessary that all the components be present during the activation by AA. Finally, deletion of the C terminal part of p47phox (aa 343 to 390, interaction domain with p67phox) leads to the absence of dimer formation but does not affect the enzyme activity. These results bring new information on the role of dimerisation of p47-p67 and on that of phosphorylation in the activation of NADPH oxidase in vitro.

Current fossil fuels (Coal and Petroleum) based economy is not sustainable in the long run because of its dwindling resources, and increasing concerns of climate change due to excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) emission. To mitigate CO2 emission and climate change, scientists across the world have been looking for clean and sustainable energy sources. Among them hydrogen gas (H2) could be more promising because it is the most clean fuel and can be produced from cheap source (water) which is renewable and abundant. Nevertheless, the bottleneck for hydrogen economy is lying in the cost of hydrogen production from water. Still there are no any efficient systems developed which can deliver hydrogen from water in economically viable way. Meanwhile, recent research on old molecule ammonia-borane (H3N•BH3, AB) as hydrogen source has increased the hope towards the hydrogen economy, however, catalytic recycling (or efficient regeneration) of AB from the dehydrogenated product polyborazylene (PB or BNHx) is the biggest hurdle which prevents use of AB as practical hydrogen storage material. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the dehydrogenation pathways of ammonia-borane (or related amine-boranes) which lead to polymeric or oligomeric product(s). On the other hand, methane (CH4) is abundant (mostly untamed) but cleaner fuel than its higher hydrocarbon analogs. To develop highly efficient catalytic systems to transform CH4 into methanol (gas to liquid) is of paramount importance in the field of catalysis and it could revolutionize the petrochemical industry. Therefore, to activate CH4, it is crucial to understand its binding interaction with metal center of a molecular catalyst under homogenous condition. However, these interactions are too weak and hence σ–methane complexes are very elusive. In this context, σ-H2 and σ-borane complexes bear some similarities in σ-bond coordination (and four coordinated boranes are isoelectronic with methane) could be considered as good models to study σ-methane complexes. Studying the H−H and B−H bond activation in H2 and amine-boranes, respectively, would provide fundamental insights into methane activation and its subsequent functionalization. Moreover, the proposed methanol economy by Nobel laureate George Olah seems more promising because methanol can be produced from CH4 (CO2 as well). This in turn will gradually reduce the amount of two powerful greenhouse gases from the earth’s atmosphere. Thus, efficient and economic production of methanol from CH4 and CO2 is one of most challenging problems of today in the field of catalysis and regarded as the holy grails. Furthermore, very recently formic acid (HCOOH) is envisaged as a promising reversible hydrogen storage material because it releases H2 and CO2 in the presence of a suitable and efficient catalyst or vice versa under ambient conditions. Objective of the research work: Taking the account of the above facts, the research work in this thesis is mostly confined to utilize electrophilic Ru(II)-complexes for activation of small molecules such as ammonia-borane (H3N•BH3) [and related amine-borane (Me2HN•BH3)], hydrogen (H2), methane (CH4), formic acid (HCOOH) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and investigation of their mechanistic pathways using NMR spectroscopy under homogeneous conditions. Though these molecules are small, they have huge impacts on chemical industries (energy sector and chemical synthesis: drugs/natural products) and environment [CO2 and CH4 are potent green house gases] as well. However, they are relatively inert molecules, especially CH4 and CO2, and impose very tough challenges to activate and functionalize them into useful products under ambient conditions. The partial oxidation of the strong C−H bond in CH4 for its transformation into methanol under relatively mild condition using an organometallic catalyst is considered as a holy grail in the field of catalysis which is mentioned earlier. More importantly, to develop better and highly efficient homogeneous catalytic systems for the activation of these molecules, it is imperative to understand the mechanistic pathways using well defined homogeneous metal complexes. Thus, an understanding of the interaction of these inert molecules with metal center is obligatory. In this context, discovery of a σ-complex of H2 gave remarkable insights into H−H bond activation pathways and its implications in catalytic hydrogenation reactions. Subsequently, σ-borane complexes of amine-boranes were discovered and found to be relatively more stable because of stronger M−H−B interaction and hence act as good models to study the M−H−C interaction of elusive σ-methane complex. On the other hand, HCOOH, a promising hydrogen storage material and its efficient catalytic dehydrogenation/decarboxylation and CO2 hydrogenation back to HCOOH using well defined homogeneous catalysts could lead to a sustainable energy cycle. Therefore, it is quite significant to understand the mechanistic pathways of formic acid dehydrogenation/decarboxylation and carbon dioxide reduction to formic acid for the development of next generation efficient catalysts. Chapter highlights: Keeping all these in view, we carried out thorough studies on the activation of these small molecules by electrophilic Ru(II)-complexes. This thesis provides useful insights and perspective on the detailed investigation of mechanistic pathways for the activation of small molecules such as H3N•BH3 [and Me2HN•BH3], H2, CH4, HCOOH and CO2 using electrophilic Ru(II)-complexes under homogeneous conditions using NMR spectroscopy. In Chapter 1 we provide brief overview of small molecule activation using organometallic complexes. This chapter presents pertinent and latest results from literature on the significance of small molecule activation. Although there are several small molecules which need our attention, however, we have focused mainly on H3N•BH3 [and Me2HN•BH3], H2, CH4, HCOOH and CO2. In Chapter 2, we present detailed investigation of mechanistic pathways of B−H bond activation of H3N•BH3 and Me2HN•BH3 using electrophilic [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf] complex using NMR spectroscopy as a model for methane activation. In these reactions, using variable temperature (VT) 1H, 31P{1H} and 11B NMR spectroscopy we detected several intermediates en route to the final products at room temperature including a σ-borane complex. On the basis of elaborative studies using NMR spectroscopy, we have established the complete mechanistic pathways for dehydrogenation of H3N•BH3/Me2HN•BH3 and formation of B−H bond activated/cleaved products along with several Ru-hydride and Ru-(dihydrogen) complexes. Keeping the B−H bond activation of amine-boranes in view as a model for methane activation, we attempted to activate methane using [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf] complex. In addition, [Ru(OTf)(dppe)2][OTf] complex having better electrophilicity than [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf], was synthesized and characterized. The [Ru(OTf)(dppe)2][OTf] complex has highly labile triflate bound to Ru-metal and therefore its reactivity studies toward H2 and CH4 were carried out where H2 activation was successfully achieved, however, no any spectroscopic evidence was found for C−H bond activation of CH4. The Chapter 3 describes the synthesis and characterization of several Ru-Me complexes such as trans-[Ru(Me)Cl(dppe)2], [Ru(Me)(dppe)2][OTf], trans-[Ru(Me)(L)(dppe)2][OTf] (L = CH3CN, tBuNC, tBuCN, H2) with an aim to trap corresponding σ-methane intermediate at low temperature. However, interestingly, we observed spontaneous but gradual methane elimination and orthometalation of [Ru(Me)(dppe)2][OTf] complex at room temperature. We thoroughly investigated mechanistic details of methane elimination and orthometalation of [Ru(Me)(dppe)2][OTf] using VT NMR spectroscopy, NOESY and DFT calculations. Furthermore, H2 activation was confirmed unambiguously by [Ru(Me)(dppe)2][OTf] and Ru-orthometalated complexes using NMR spectroscopy under ambient conditions. An effort was also made to activate methane using Ruorthometalated complex in pressurized condition of methane in a pressure stable NMR tube. Moreover, preliminary studies on protonation reaction of [Ru(Me)(dppe)2][OTf] using VT NMR spectroscopy to trap σ-methane at low temperature was carried out which provided us some useful information on dynamics between proton and Ru-Me species. The Chapter 4 provides useful insights into the mechanistic pathways of dehydrogenation/decarboxylation of formic acid using [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf]. Catalytic dehydrogenation of HCOOH using [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf] was observed in presence of Hunig base (proton sponge). In addition, a complex [Ru(CF3COO)(dppe)2][OTf] was synthesized and characterized using NMR spectroscopy, and found to readily dehydrogenate HCOOH. Moreover, preliminary results on transfer hydrogenation of CO2 into formamide using [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf] as a precatalyst and tert-butyl amine-borane (tBuH2N•BH3) as secondary hydrogen source was confirmed using 13C NMR spectroscopy. The mechanisms were proposed for HCOOH dehydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation of CO2 based on our NMR spectroscopic studies. Furthermore, a few test reactions of transfer hydrogenation of selected alkenes such as cyclooctene, acrylonitrile, 1-hexene using [RuCl(dppe)2][OTf] as pre-catalyst and tert-butyl amine-borane (tBuH2N•BH3) as secondary hydrogen source showed quantitative conversion to hydrogenated products.