The synthesis of compounds containing α-arylated quaternary stereogenic centres is a significant synthetic challenge. This thesis describes the development of an organocatalytic methodology for the direct construction of this motif through the Michael addition of carbon-centered pro-nucleophiles to highly reactive and unstable ortho-benzoquinones. Proof-of-principle for the base catalysed Michael addition to ortho-quinones was established with stable 1,2-naphthoquinone (Chapter 2), however typical orthobenzoquinones were found to be too unstable to use in this process. Accordingly an oxidative coupling strategy was developed for in-situ generation of the obenzoquinone electrophile (Chapter 3.1). The base catalysed Michael addition followed by aromatisation allows for the direct construction of arylated quaternary stereocentres. An asymmetric variant was also developed by replacing the base catalyst with a cinchona alkaloid derived organocatalyst, up to 82% ee was achieved (Chapter 3.2).The methodology was then applied to the racemic total synthesis of the amaryllidaceae alkaloids powelline and buphanidrine (Chapter 4). The oxidative coupling methodology allowed rapid construction of the sterically congested arylated quaternary stereocentre in the key step of the syntheses, which were then completed in 13 and 14 steps respectively in 6% overall yield. Employing a quinidine derived organocatalyst in the oxidative coupling step gave the arylated product in 57% yield (3 steps) and 70% ee (Chapter 5). However, the enantioselective total synthesis was thwarted by racemisation during the Dieckmann-type cyclisation for the formation of enol ether 212 and an alternative synthetic strategy will berequired to synthesise the enantiopure alkaloid.

Exposure to benzene, a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, has been linked to leukemogenesis, although the mechanism of benzene initiated carcinogenesis remains unclear. It has been proposed that benzene can be bioactivated to toxic metabolites such as 1,4 benzoquinone (BQ), which can alter signalling pathways and affect chromosomal integrity. BQ has been shown to increase the activity of c-Myb, which is an important transcription factor involved in hematopoiesis, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation. The c-Myb protein also increases topoisomerase IIα (topo IIα) promoter activity specifically in cell lines with hematopoietic origin. Topo II is a critical nuclear enzyme that removes torsional strain by cleaving, untangling and religating double-stranded DNA. Since topo II mediates DNA strand breaks, aberrant topo II activity or increased protein levels may increase the formation of DNA strand breaks, leaving the cell susceptible to mutational events. I hypothesize that BQ increases c-Myb activity, which in turn increases topo IIα promoter activity resulting in increased DNA strand breaks. Using luciferase reporter assays in K-562 cells (human chronic myeloid leukemic cells) I confirmed that BQ exposure (25 and 37 µM) caused an increase in c-Myb activity after 24 hours. Contradictory to previous findings, overexpression of exogenous c-Myb or a polypeptide consisting of c-Myb’s DNA binding domain (DBD), which competitively inhibits the binding of endogenous c-Myb to DNA, did not affect topo IIα promoter activity. However, BQ exposure (37 µM for 24 hours) caused a significant increase in topo IIα promoter activity, which could be blocked by the overexpression of the DBD polypeptide. Western immunoblotting analysis did not show any significant increases in topo IIα protein levels in cells exposed to 37 µM BQ for 24 hours. Overall, this study suggests that BQ exposure increases topo IIα promoter activity through the c-Myb signalling pathway and furthers our understanding of BQ-mediated toxicity. / Thesis (Master, Pharmacology & Toxicology) -- Queen's University, 2008-01-02 14:09:00.011

Esta tese apresenta as reações entre o aduto de Diels-Alder 2,3-diclorobenzoquinona-ciclopentadieno e alguns nucleófilos, não descritas na literatura, conforme pode ser verificado pela revisão bibliográfica apresentada no primeiro capítulo. Assim, dezenove novos adutos dialquiltio- e diariltio-substituídos, bem como o correspondente difenilseleno derivado, foram sintetizados e caracterizados. As reações com alguns nucleófilos de oxigênio e nitrogênio falharam, fornecendo o aduto diclorado aromatizado. O aduto dimetiltio-substituído aromatizado foi obtido pela reação do aduto diclorado com excesso de metil mercapteto do sódio. Algumas reações dos adutos ditio-substituídos foram investigadas, tais como a de retro Diels-Alder, fotociclizacao e oxidação. A reação de retro Diels-Alder permitiu a síntese de três novas benzoquinonas 2,3-dialquiltio-substituídas, as quais foram identificados e caracterizadas. No caso da 2,3-dimetiltio benzoquinona, a sua reação com ciclopentadieno forneceu o aduto dimetiltio-substituído, que se mostrou idêntico àquele obtido a partir do aduto diclorado. As experiências de fotociclização com alguns adutos dialquiltio-substituídos não conduziram aos compostos \"gaiola esperados. Algumas experiências de oxidação do aduto dimetiltio substituído são descritas, bem como a síntese do aduto metiltiometilsulfinil-substituído. Este não sofreu posterior oxidação, nem ciclizou sob irradiação. Contudo, sua reação com cloreto de tionila foi bem sucedida, pois conduziu ao aduto cloro-alquiltio substituído, o qual não pode ser sintetizado diretamente pela reação entre quantidades equimolares do aduto diclorado e mercapteto. Os mecanismos destas reações são discutidos, apontando - se a importância do aduto cloro-alquiltio-substituído como intermediário em síntese de adutos mistos ditio-substituídos. Apesar desta inesperada falta de reatividade na fotociclização, os adutos ditio-substituídos mostraram possuir configuração endo, conforme foi demonstrado por evidências químicas e de espectroscopia de13C. As possíveis causas desta falta de reatividade, até agora não registrada na literatura em outros adutos endo, são discutidas. / This thesis presents reactions not yet described in the literature between the 2,3-dichlorobenzoquinone-cyclopentadiene Diels-Alder adduct and some nucleophiles, as shown by a bibliographic survey, initially presented. Thus, nineteen new dialkylthio and diarylthiobenzoquinones-cyclopentadiene adducts and the corresponding diphenylseleno one were synthesized. The reactions with some oxygen and nitrogen nucleophiles failed and afforded the aromatized dichloro adduct. The aromatized dimethylthio-substituted adduct was obtained by the reaction of the dichloro adduct with an excess of sodium methyl mercaptide. Some reactions of the dithio-substituted adducts were investigated, such as the retro Diels-Alder, photocyclization and oxidation. The retro Diels-Alder reaction led to the synthesis of three new 2,3-dialkylthiobenzoquinones, which were identified and characterized. The 2,3-dimethylthiobenzoquinone underwent Diels-Alder reaction with cyclopentadiene to give the dimethylthio- substituted adduct which showed to be identical to that obtained from the dichloro adduct. The irradiation of some dialkylthio- substituted adducts did not afford the expected \"cage\" compounds. Some oxidation experiments with the dimethylthio-substituted adduct are described, and the synthesis of the methylthio- methylsulphinyl-substituted adduct is reported. The latter did not undergo further oxidation nor cyclization on irradiation. However, successful reaction was obtained with thionyl chloride, leading to the chloro-alkylthio-substituted adduct which could not be synthesized by reaction between dichloro adduct and mercaptide in 1:1 proportion. The mechanisms for both reactions are discussed and the possibility of the chloro-alkylthio-substituted adduct being an intermediate for the synthesis of the mixed dithio-substituted adducts is suggested. Despite of the lack of reactivity on photocyclization the dithio-substituted adducts were shown to be endo by chemical and 13C spectroscopics evidences. Possible factors which would be responsible for this unusual inertness for the endo adducts, are discussed.

Esta tese apresenta as reações entre o aduto de Diels-Alder 2,3-diclorobenzoquinona-ciclopentadieno e alguns nucleófilos, não descritas na literatura, conforme pode ser verificado pela revisão bibliográfica apresentada no primeiro capítulo. Assim, dezenove novos adutos dialquiltio- e diariltio-substituídos, bem como o correspondente difenilseleno derivado, foram sintetizados e caracterizados. As reações com alguns nucleófilos de oxigênio e nitrogênio falharam, fornecendo o aduto diclorado aromatizado. O aduto dimetiltio-substituído aromatizado foi obtido pela reação do aduto diclorado com excesso de metil mercapteto do sódio. Algumas reações dos adutos ditio-substituídos foram investigadas, tais como a de retro Diels-Alder, fotociclizacao e oxidação. A reação de retro Diels-Alder permitiu a síntese de três novas benzoquinonas 2,3-dialquiltio-substituídas, as quais foram identificados e caracterizadas. No caso da 2,3-dimetiltio benzoquinona, a sua reação com ciclopentadieno forneceu o aduto dimetiltio-substituído, que se mostrou idêntico àquele obtido a partir do aduto diclorado. As experiências de fotociclização com alguns adutos dialquiltio-substituídos não conduziram aos compostos \"gaiola esperados. Algumas experiências de oxidação do aduto dimetiltio substituído são descritas, bem como a síntese do aduto metiltiometilsulfinil-substituído. Este não sofreu posterior oxidação, nem ciclizou sob irradiação. Contudo, sua reação com cloreto de tionila foi bem sucedida, pois conduziu ao aduto cloro-alquiltio substituído, o qual não pode ser sintetizado diretamente pela reação entre quantidades equimolares do aduto diclorado e mercapteto. Os mecanismos destas reações são discutidos, apontando - se a importância do aduto cloro-alquiltio-substituído como intermediário em síntese de adutos mistos ditio-substituídos. Apesar desta inesperada falta de reatividade na fotociclização, os adutos ditio-substituídos mostraram possuir configuração endo, conforme foi demonstrado por evidências químicas e de espectroscopia de13C. As possíveis causas desta falta de reatividade, até agora não registrada na literatura em outros adutos endo, são discutidas. / This thesis presents reactions not yet described in the literature between the 2,3-dichlorobenzoquinone-cyclopentadiene Diels-Alder adduct and some nucleophiles, as shown by a bibliographic survey, initially presented. Thus, nineteen new dialkylthio and diarylthiobenzoquinones-cyclopentadiene adducts and the corresponding diphenylseleno one were synthesized. The reactions with some oxygen and nitrogen nucleophiles failed and afforded the aromatized dichloro adduct. The aromatized dimethylthio-substituted adduct was obtained by the reaction of the dichloro adduct with an excess of sodium methyl mercaptide. Some reactions of the dithio-substituted adducts were investigated, such as the retro Diels-Alder, photocyclization and oxidation. The retro Diels-Alder reaction led to the synthesis of three new 2,3-dialkylthiobenzoquinones, which were identified and characterized. The 2,3-dimethylthiobenzoquinone underwent Diels-Alder reaction with cyclopentadiene to give the dimethylthio- substituted adduct which showed to be identical to that obtained from the dichloro adduct. The irradiation of some dialkylthio- substituted adducts did not afford the expected \"cage\" compounds. Some oxidation experiments with the dimethylthio-substituted adduct are described, and the synthesis of the methylthio- methylsulphinyl-substituted adduct is reported. The latter did not undergo further oxidation nor cyclization on irradiation. However, successful reaction was obtained with thionyl chloride, leading to the chloro-alkylthio-substituted adduct which could not be synthesized by reaction between dichloro adduct and mercaptide in 1:1 proportion. The mechanisms for both reactions are discussed and the possibility of the chloro-alkylthio-substituted adduct being an intermediate for the synthesis of the mixed dithio-substituted adducts is suggested. Despite of the lack of reactivity on photocyclization the dithio-substituted adducts were shown to be endo by chemical and 13C spectroscopics evidences. Possible factors which would be responsible for this unusual inertness for the endo adducts, are discussed.

No description available.

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-07-19T19:36:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 AllanAguiar.pdf: 1217972 bytes, checksum: 8d901c39af9d9a55e5fe7dbfb88a0ea9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-19T19:36:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AllanAguiar.pdf: 1217972 bytes, checksum: 8d901c39af9d9a55e5fe7dbfb88a0ea9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-30 / The 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (DCBQ), a subproduct of the water disinfection process, is a highly reactive molecule and has a redox cycle with its semiquinone radicals that lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These species can cause severe oxidative stress in cells leading to the formation of macromolecules, such as oxidized lipids, proteins and DNA. The induced cell damage occur through alkylation of proteins and/or DNA, moreover understanding how this occurs is very complex. Thus, the study of the electrochemical behaviour of DCBQ before and after degradation in aqueous solution on glassy carbon electrode, as well as the investigation of DCBQ and DNA using dsDNAelectrochemical biosensors were performed. The DCBQ showed a reversible process at pH range from 3.7 to 12.6 when was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. For differential pulse voltammetry the peak potential of DCBQ was pH-dependent until pH 9.2. After successive scans occurred the formation of a reversible oxidation product in a pH-dependent process to pH 5.4. The electrochemical behaviour of DCBQ and its oxidation products was also investigated by square wave voltammetry. The reversibility of these two redox processes was confirmed in a wide range of pH. By varying incubation time and electrolyte solutions, DCBQ showed spontaneous degradation which was electrochemically detected by the decrease of the current peak and appearance of a new oxidation peak at less positive potential. The oxidation of the degraded DCBQ was a reversible and pH-dependent process in the pH values of 3.7 ≤ pH ≤ 6.0. Moreover, the degradation of DCBQ in aqueous solution was confirmed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry experiments. Using incubated dsDNA solutions and dsDNA-electrochemical biosensors, it was observed that the DCBQ and pdDCBQ interacted with the dsDNA, through the release of the bases Gua and Ade. The interaction of DCBQ-dsDNA did not show any oxidative damage to DNA by the product(s) formed by DCBQ, since the 8-oxoGua/2,8-DHA was not detected. An analytical methodology for the determination of DCBQ, using gold microelectrode and square wave voltammetry, was developed in the range of 19.9 to 291.0 μmol L-1. The detection and quantification limits of 6.1 and 20.3 μmol L-1, respectively were detected. / A 2,6-dicloro-1,4-benzoquinona (DCBQ), um subproduto do processo de desinfecção da água, é uma molécula altamente reativa e apresenta um ciclo redox com seus radicais semiquinonas que levam à formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO). Essas espécies podem causar estresse oxidativo grave dentro de células por meio da formação de macromoléculas, como lipídios oxidados, proteínas e DNA. A compreensão de como isso ocorre é muito complexa e os danos celulares gerados se dão por meio de alquilação de proteínas e/ou DNA. Diante disso, um estudo do comportamento eletroquímico da DCBQ antes e após a sua degradação em solução aquosa sobre eletrodo de carbono vítreo (ECV) e a investigação da DCBQ com DNA, utilizando biossensores eletroquímicos de dsDNA (do inglês double stranded Desoxyribonucleic Acid), foram realizados. A DCBQ foi investigada inicialmente por voltametria cíclica (VC), apresentando um processo reversível no intervalo de pH de 3,7 a 12,6. Por voltametria de pulso diferencial (VPD) observou-se que o potencial de pico da DCBQ é dependente do pH da solução até pH 9,2. Após varreduras de potencial sucessivas, observou-se a formação de um produto de oxidação reversivelmente oxidado em um processo dependente do pH até pH 5,4. O comportamento eletroquímico da DCBQ e do seu produto de oxidação foram investigados por VOQ, confirmando, assim, a reversibilidade desses dois processos redox em toda a faixa de pH estudada. Após vários períodos de incubação, em diferentes eletrólitos, a degradação espontânea da DCBQ foi detectada eletroquimicamente pelo decaimento da sua corrente de pico e o aparecimento de um novo pico de oxidação, em potencial menos positivo. A oxidação da DCBQ degradada é um processo reversível e dependente do pH para valores de 3,7 ≤ pH ≤ 6,0. A degradação da DCBQ em solução aquosa foi confirmada por meio de experimentos realizados por espectrofotometria UV-Vis. Utilizando soluções de dsDNA incubadas e biossensores eletroquímicos de dsDNA, observou-se que a DCBQ e o(s) pdDCBQ (produtos de degradação da DCBQ) interagiram com o dsDNA, através da liberação das bases Gua e Ade. A interação da DCBQ-dsDNA não mostrou nenhum dano oxidativo causado ao DNA pelo(s) produtos(s) formados pela DCBQ, visto que a 8- oxoGua/2,8-DHA não foi detectada. Uma metodologia analítica, utilizando microeletrodo de ouro e VOQ foi desenvolvida para a determinação da DCBQ, obtendo-se um intervalo linear de 19,9 a 291,0 μmol L-1 com limites de detecção e de quantificação de 6,1 e 20,3 µmol L-1, respectivamente.

This thesis presents the potential of integrating chemical and biological treatment technologies for the removal of high concentrations of phenol in a bioremediation medium. High concentrations of phenol in wastewater are difficult to remove by purely biological methods. Chemical oxidation is one way to treat high concentrations of phenol but complete oxidation is not always possible or will make the treatment process uneconomical. An experimental design approach, based on central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used to evaluate the effects of process parameters on phenol oxidation by Fentons reagent and chlorine dioxide. Performance of the chemical oxidation was evaluated by determining the percentage of phenol oxidized at equilibrium. The reaction mechanism for the oxidation of phenol by Fentons reagent was proposed based on identification of the intermediate compounds.<p> The effects of H₂O₂ concentration (2000 to 5000 mg L^-1) and FeSO₄.7H₂O concentration (500 to 2000 mg L^-1) were investigated on phenol oxidation and optimal concentrations of H₂O₂ and FeSO₄.7H₂O for complete oxidation of 2000 mg L^-1 phenol in medium were found to be 4340 mg L^-1 and 1616 mg L^-1, respectively, at 25°C and pH 3. The main oxidation products were identified as catechol, hydroquinone and maleic acid.<p> In the case of phenol oxidation by chlorine dioxide, the effects of chlorine dioxide concentration (500 to 2000 mg L^-1), temperature (10 to 40°C) and pH (3 to 7) on the oxidation of 2000 mg L^-1 of phenol were determined. The optimal concentration of chlorine dioxide to completely oxidize 2000 mg L^-1 of phenol was 2000 mg L^-1. The other parameters did not significantly affect the oxidation over the ranges studied. The main oxidation products were identified as 1,4-benzoquinone and 2-chloro-1,4-benzoquinone.<p> Finally, the biodegradation of 1,4-benzoquinone, the main oxidation product of phenol oxidation by chlorine dioxide, was studied in batch and continuous systems using Pseudomonas putida 17484 in two dose McKinneys medium. The effects of 1,4-benzoquinone concentration and temperature were studied on biodegradation of 1,4-benzoquinone in batch reactors. Under optimal conditions, it was found that 150 mg L^-1 1,4-benzoquinone could be successfully biodegraded at 15°C. In a continuous reactor operating at 15°C the highest removal rate with 500 mg L^-1 of 1,4-benzoquinone was found to be 246 mg L^-1 h^-1. The values of µmax, Ks and yield were also determined as 0.74±0.03 h^-1 and 14.17±3.21 mg L^-1 and 2x10¹³ cell mg^-1, respectively.

This thesis presents the potential of integrating chemical and biological treatment technologies for the removal of high concentrations of phenol in a bioremediation medium. High concentrations of phenol in wastewater are difficult to remove by purely biological methods. Chemical oxidation is one way to treat high concentrations of phenol but complete oxidation is not always possible or will make the treatment process uneconomical. An experimental design approach, based on central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used to evaluate the effects of process parameters on phenol oxidation by Fentons reagent and chlorine dioxide. Performance of the chemical oxidation was evaluated by determining the percentage of phenol oxidized at equilibrium. The reaction mechanism for the oxidation of phenol by Fentons reagent was proposed based on identification of the intermediate compounds.<p> The effects of H₂O₂ concentration (2000 to 5000 mg L^-1) and FeSO₄.7H₂O concentration (500 to 2000 mg L^-1) were investigated on phenol oxidation and optimal concentrations of H₂O₂ and FeSO₄.7H₂O for complete oxidation of 2000 mg L^-1 phenol in medium were found to be 4340 mg L^-1 and 1616 mg L^-1, respectively, at 25°C and pH 3. The main oxidation products were identified as catechol, hydroquinone and maleic acid.<p> In the case of phenol oxidation by chlorine dioxide, the effects of chlorine dioxide concentration (500 to 2000 mg L^-1), temperature (10 to 40°C) and pH (3 to 7) on the oxidation of 2000 mg L^-1 of phenol were determined. The optimal concentration of chlorine dioxide to completely oxidize 2000 mg L^-1 of phenol was 2000 mg L^-1. The other parameters did not significantly affect the oxidation over the ranges studied. The main oxidation products were identified as 1,4-benzoquinone and 2-chloro-1,4-benzoquinone.<p> Finally, the biodegradation of 1,4-benzoquinone, the main oxidation product of phenol oxidation by chlorine dioxide, was studied in batch and continuous systems using Pseudomonas putida 17484 in two dose McKinneys medium. The effects of 1,4-benzoquinone concentration and temperature were studied on biodegradation of 1,4-benzoquinone in batch reactors. Under optimal conditions, it was found that 150 mg L^-1 1,4-benzoquinone could be successfully biodegraded at 15°C. In a continuous reactor operating at 15°C the highest removal rate with 500 mg L^-1 of 1,4-benzoquinone was found to be 246 mg L^-1 h^-1. The values of µmax, Ks and yield were also determined as 0.74±0.03 h^-1 and 14.17±3.21 mg L^-1 and 2x10¹³ cell mg^-1, respectively.

The chemisorption and electrochemical hydrogenation of hydroquinone (H2Q) at polycrystalline (pc) Pd, well-ordered Pd(100), and Pd-modified Au(hkl) electrodes were studied using a combination of ultra-high vacuum (UHV) surface spectroscopy, electrochemistry (EC), and electrochemical mass spectrometry (EC-MS). H2Q was found to form a slightly tilted flat-oriented quinone (Q) adlayer, when adsorbed from low concentrations; when chemisorbed from high concentrations, an edgewise-oriented H2Q adlayer was indicated. The hydrogenation of the chemisorbed layer is initiated at potentials before the onset of the hydrogen evolution region. As expected, the kinetics increases as the applied potential is increased, but the hydrogenation pathway appears to be independent of the potential. Hydrogenation in the absence of absorbed hydrogen (sub-surface) was studied at ultra-thin Pd films on Au single-crystal substrates. Hydrogenation and/or potential induced desorption were established, although non-volatile and/or hydrophobic products were detected. In comparison, negative excursions with benzene-coated electrodes resulted in nothing more than potential-induced desorption of the starting material. Negative-potential electro-desorption was more facile at terraces than at steps. Vibrational spectroscopic measurements suggested that hydrogenation occurs one molecule at a time to the fullest extent that resulted in desorption of product; that is, partially hydrogenated species do not exist on the surface.

Orientador: Douglas Soares Galvão / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Fisica Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T10:36:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ValegaMackenzie_FidelOrlando_M.pdf: 2711520 bytes, checksum: 6eef4b8eb7c976af1efdb0f0bb711dd0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Nesta dissertação foram estudados, utilizando um enfoque semiempírico e de primeiros princípios, a estrutura e as propriedades eletrônicas de alguns precursores de alomelaninas. As alomelaninas fazem parte de uma classe de pigmentos escuros presentes numa grande variedade de organismos e seus precursores são formados por unidades monoméricas de o-benzoquinona e catecol. Devido à limitada disponibilidade de dados experimentais realizamos inicialmente uma comparação das diferentes grandezas, como momentos de dipolo e entalpias de formação, obtidas a partir de diversas metodologias dentro as quais se incluem Hartree-Fock e DFT, para escolher um modelo semiempírico que descreva melhor o comportamento eletrônico da o-benzoquinona e do catecol. Os modelos semiempíricos utilizados foram o AM1 e o PM3, onde o primeiro parece oferecer melhores resultados reproduzindo as estruturas determinadas pelos métodos ab initio, assim como os dados experimentais disponíveis. Consideramos a formação de dímeros a partir de ligações carbono-carbono e carbono-oxigênio-carbono entre diferentes monômeros. Em geral estas estruturas resultaram ser boas aceitadoras de um e até dois elétrons. Nenhum tipo de régio-seletividade foi observada nos dímeros. É provável que a falta de sítios preferenciais na dimerização resulte no fato das alomelaninas serem amorfas. Os espectros de absorção para as formas neutras e iônicas dos precursores também foram simulados / Abstract: In this work we studied, on the basis of a semiempirical and ab initio approaches, the structure and electronic properties of some allomelanins precursors. Allomelanins are part of an ubiquitous class of dark pigments known as melanins and their precursors are formed by monomers of catechol and o-benzoquinone units. Due to the lack of extensive experimental data we first compared different quantities such as dipole moment and enthalpy of formation obtained from several methodologies including Hartree-Fock and DFT, in order to choose a semiempirical model that better describes the electronic behavior of o-benzoquinone and catechol. The semiempirical models used were AM1 and PM3, where the former seems to better reproduce the structures found by ab initio methods as well as the limited available experimental data. We have investigated monomers and some dimers formed through carbon-carbon and carbon-oxygen-carbon linkages from different monomers. In general those structures resulted to be good electron acceptors, accepting one, and in some cases, two electrons. No regioselectivity was found for the dimers. Perhaps the nonexistence of preferential dimerization sites can explain why allomelanins are amorphous. Absorption spectra for neutral and ionic forms of the precursors were also simulated / Mestrado / Física / Mestre em Física