Este trabalho está focado no desenvolvimento de complexos de rutênio binucleares baseados no ligante ponte 2,6-bis(2-piridil)benzodiimidazol (dpimH2) com potencial aplicação como catalisadores para oxidação da água. O acoplamento eletrônico entre os centros metálicos bem como as propriedades eletrônicas e catalíticas podem ser controlados via reações ácido-base no ligante bis-bidentado. Dessa forma, neste trabalho descrevemos o preparo e a caracterização do respectivo composto mononuclear, bem como do complexo binuclear simétrico [{RuCl(phtpy)}2(dpimH2)](Otf) 2 (onde phtpy=4-fenil-2,2\':6\',\'\'-terpiridina), e do análogo assimétrico [{Ru(bpy)2}(dpimH2){Ru(phtpy)Cl}](ClO4)3 (onde bpy=2,2\'-bypiridina), que possui um centro catalítico e um grupo cromóforo na mesma molécula como esperado em um fotocatalisador, em que os dois centros catalíticos estão covalentemente conectados através do ligante ponte funcional. As caracterizações estrutural e eletrônica de ambos os complexos por 1H RMN, ESI-MS e espectroscopia de absorção UV-Vis indicaram a presença de isômeros geométricos com perfis eletrônicos similares. Por outro lado, a análise eletroquímica por voltametria cíclica demonstrou menores potenciais Ru(III/II) quando comparados a complexos polipiridínicos análogos. Este potencial redox pode ainda ser catodicamente deslocado através da remoção de prótons dos grupos imidazóis do ligante ponte, possibilitando, dessa forma, a modulação das propriedades eletrônicas e catalíticas destes complexos de rutênio através de reações de protonação/desprotonação dos grupos -NH. Além disso, neste trabalho é investigada a inesperada formação do complexo [Ru(phtpy)2] nas reações do complexo [RuCl3(phtpy)] puro com ligantes bidentados, utilizando-se espectroscopia UV-Vis e de 1H RMN. / This work is focused on the development of dinuclear ruthenium complexes with potential application as catalysts for oxidation of water, that are characterized by a benzobisimidazole 2,6-bis(2-pyridyl)benzodiimidazole (dpimH2) bridging ligand, whose interaction between the metal centers as well as the electronic and catalytic properties can be tuned by acid-base reactions in that moiety. Thus, the preparation and characterization of the respective mononuclear species are described. The dinuclear complex [2(dpimH2)](Otf)2(phtpy=4-phenyl-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpiridine), in which two catalytic centers are covalently linked through that bridging ligand, and of the [(dpimH2)](ClO4)3 complex (where bpy=2,2\'-bypiridine) integrating a chromophore and a catalytic center in the same molecule as expected for a photocatalyst. The structural and electronic characterization of both complexes by NMR, ESI-MS and UV-vis spectroscopy indicated the presence of geometric isomers with similar electronic profiles. On the other hand, the electrochemical analysis by cyclic voltammetry displayed redox potential values for the Ru3+/Ru2+ couples lower than the respective polypyridyl complex counterparts. This redox potential can be even more shifted to less positive potentials by removal of protons from the imidazole groups in the bridging ligand, opening the possibility of tuning the electronic and catalytic properties of those ruthenium complexes based on protonation/deprotonation of the -NH groups. Furthermore, in this work is analyzed the unexpected formation of the bisterpyridine [Ru(phpy)2] complex in reactions starting with pure [RuCl3(phtpy)] complex with bidentated ligands, as through UV-Vis spectroscopy and RMN.

Mit dem Ziel stabile und photomodulierbare Fluorophore für ihre direkte Anwendung in der hochaufgelösten Mikroskopie, wurde die Synthese und Charakterisierung von neuen fern Rot emittierender photoschaltbarer Fluorophore erreicht. Hierbei wurde die elektronische Kopplung zwischen den Komponenten tiefgreifend untersucht, und die Struktur Eigenschafts Beziehung etabliert. Durch die Wechselwirkung der photochromen Einheit mit dem Fluorophor, konnte die Fluoreszenzemission ein- und ausgeschaltet werden. Zusätzlich wurden Einkapselungs Experimente in Micellen durchgeführt, um die Wasserlöslichkeit der synthetisierten Verbindungen zu untersuchen. Letzlich, wurden mögliche Anwendungen mittels Fluoreszenzmikroskopie geprüft. Mit dem Ziel hochaufgelöste Bilder unter biologischen Bedingungen zu erhalten, wurde die Verkapselung der Dyaden in riesige unilamellare Vesikel erprobt. Unter Ausnutzung der Vorteile nichtlinearer Prozesse wurde die Synthese und Charakterisierung von photochromen Verbindungen, die in der Lage indirekt durch einen anfänglichen sensibilisierten Prozess geschaltet werden, untersucht. Zu diesem Zweck wurde ein Triarylamin Chromophor als Zwei-Photonenabsorber kovalent an einen Azobenzol verbunden. Die Charakterisierung der angeregten Zustandsdynamik wurde ausgeführt und die zwei Photonen induzierte Isomerisierung der Dyade bestätigt. Eine detaillierte Untersuchung der elektrochemischen Eigenschaften wurde durchgeführt und Richtlinien zur Verbesserung des Systems wurden kurz genannt. / With the purpose of designing stable and photomodulable fluorophores for their direct application in subdiffraction microscopy techniques, the synthesis and characterization of new far-red emitting photoswitchable fluorophores was accomplished. Fluorescence emission was efficiently modulated or switched On and Off by the interaction of the photochromic unit with the fluorescent-unit. Additionally, encapsulation experiments in micelles were performed to investigate the water solubility of the synthesized compounds. Finally, potential applications were examined with fluorescence microscopy, encapsulating the dyads in giant uni-lamellar vesicles under biological conditions to explore the feasibility to obtain highly resolved subdiffraction images. Exploiting the advantages of nonlinear processes, the synthesis and characterization of photochromes which are able to be switched indirectly through an initial sensitized event were studied. With this determination a two-photon absorbing triarylamine chromophore was covalently linked to an electron poor azobenzene. In-depth characterization of the excited state dynamics was performed and two photon induced isomerization of the dyad was confirmed. A detailed study of the electrochemical properties was set and guidelines towards the improvement of the system were succinctly mentioned.

Este trabalho está focado no desenvolvimento de complexos de rutênio binucleares baseados no ligante ponte 2,6-bis(2-piridil)benzodiimidazol (dpimH2) com potencial aplicação como catalisadores para oxidação da água. O acoplamento eletrônico entre os centros metálicos bem como as propriedades eletrônicas e catalíticas podem ser controlados via reações ácido-base no ligante bis-bidentado. Dessa forma, neste trabalho descrevemos o preparo e a caracterização do respectivo composto mononuclear, bem como do complexo binuclear simétrico [{RuCl(phtpy)}2(dpimH2)](Otf) 2 (onde phtpy=4-fenil-2,2\':6\',\'\'-terpiridina), e do análogo assimétrico [{Ru(bpy)2}(dpimH2){Ru(phtpy)Cl}](ClO4)3 (onde bpy=2,2\'-bypiridina), que possui um centro catalítico e um grupo cromóforo na mesma molécula como esperado em um fotocatalisador, em que os dois centros catalíticos estão covalentemente conectados através do ligante ponte funcional. As caracterizações estrutural e eletrônica de ambos os complexos por 1H RMN, ESI-MS e espectroscopia de absorção UV-Vis indicaram a presença de isômeros geométricos com perfis eletrônicos similares. Por outro lado, a análise eletroquímica por voltametria cíclica demonstrou menores potenciais Ru(III/II) quando comparados a complexos polipiridínicos análogos. Este potencial redox pode ainda ser catodicamente deslocado através da remoção de prótons dos grupos imidazóis do ligante ponte, possibilitando, dessa forma, a modulação das propriedades eletrônicas e catalíticas destes complexos de rutênio através de reações de protonação/desprotonação dos grupos -NH. Além disso, neste trabalho é investigada a inesperada formação do complexo [Ru(phtpy)2] nas reações do complexo [RuCl3(phtpy)] puro com ligantes bidentados, utilizando-se espectroscopia UV-Vis e de 1H RMN. / This work is focused on the development of dinuclear ruthenium complexes with potential application as catalysts for oxidation of water, that are characterized by a benzobisimidazole 2,6-bis(2-pyridyl)benzodiimidazole (dpimH2) bridging ligand, whose interaction between the metal centers as well as the electronic and catalytic properties can be tuned by acid-base reactions in that moiety. Thus, the preparation and characterization of the respective mononuclear species are described. The dinuclear complex [2(dpimH2)](Otf)2(phtpy=4-phenyl-2,2\':6\',2\'\'-terpiridine), in which two catalytic centers are covalently linked through that bridging ligand, and of the [(dpimH2)](ClO4)3 complex (where bpy=2,2\'-bypiridine) integrating a chromophore and a catalytic center in the same molecule as expected for a photocatalyst. The structural and electronic characterization of both complexes by NMR, ESI-MS and UV-vis spectroscopy indicated the presence of geometric isomers with similar electronic profiles. On the other hand, the electrochemical analysis by cyclic voltammetry displayed redox potential values for the Ru3+/Ru2+ couples lower than the respective polypyridyl complex counterparts. This redox potential can be even more shifted to less positive potentials by removal of protons from the imidazole groups in the bridging ligand, opening the possibility of tuning the electronic and catalytic properties of those ruthenium complexes based on protonation/deprotonation of the -NH groups. Furthermore, in this work is analyzed the unexpected formation of the bisterpyridine [Ru(phpy)2] complex in reactions starting with pure [RuCl3(phtpy)] complex with bidentated ligands, as through UV-Vis spectroscopy and RMN.

"Ghadiri reported the first synthetic peptide nanotubue in 1993, which has triggered extensive studies on peptide-based nanotubes and their potential application in molecular wires, catalysts and novel drug delivery vehicles. Our concerns focus on chromophore-modified cyclic peptides, which open a new way to design and synthesize novel nanoscale electronic or photonic devices, and are expected to provide the highly efficient electron and energy transfer that such devices require. This research concerned the design and synthesis of chiral a-amino acids with specific chromophores, including N-ethyl-3-carbazolylalanine and 9-anthrylalanine, and an 8-mer linear peptide (H-Aib-Car-Aib-Phe-Aib-Bpa-Aib-Phe-OH) and its corresponding cyclic peptide cyclo(Aib-Car-Aib-Phe-Aib-Bpa-Aib-Phe) that incorporate the N-ethyl-3-carbazolylalanine. This thesis describes the relevant background, synthetic strategies, experiments and results in detail. The carbazole derivatives were found to be very labile to strong acid, which might have caused self-condensation. In order to avoid the formation of acid-derived side-products, the Wittig-Horner reaction was used successfully in preparation of N-protected-3-(N'-ethyl-3-carbazolyl)-DL-alanine methyl ester. Dual enzymatic hydrolyses were developed to produce the chiral amino acids with high enantiomeric excess. ChiroCLEC-BL was used to selectively hydrolyze the N-acetyl-L-amino acid methyl ester, while amanoacylase was adopted to remove the acetyl group from the resulting N-acetyl-L-amino acid. Two model peptides were synthesized, a 4-mer peptide (H-Car-D-Ala-Bpa-D-Ala-OH) via the Boc-strategy, and an 8-mer peptide (H-Ala-D-Ala-Npa-D-MeAla-Ala-D-Ala-Bpa-D-Ala-OH) by the Fmoc-strategy. Eventually, the target linear peptide was synthesized via the Fmoc-strategy and then cyclized in solution."

Développer de nouveaux fluorophores ayant une forte section efficace d’absorption à deux photons (ADP) et des propriétés d'émission dans le rouge lointain est important, en particulier pour l’imagerie in-vivo profonde. Cette gamme de longueur d'onde correspond en effet à la fenêtre de transparence optique des tissus. Cette thèse étudie le potentiel de nouveaux fluorophores émettant dans rouge construits sur un noyau fluorène pour la microscopie à deux photons in-vivo, en privilégiant l'imagerie du système vasculaire, d'une part, et la mesure optique de la pression d'oxygène dissous, d'autre part.Ainsi, une famille de chromophores asymétriques a été conçue et synthétisée. La plupart des chromophores présentent une forte émission dans le proche IR, induite par l'agrégation. De plus, une stratégie de co-protection basée sur un système micellaire / silice a été utilisé pour préparer des nanoparticules avec un intérieur apolaire et conserver les propriétés optiques des chromophores dipolaires en solution aqueuse. Des mesures de fluorescence excitée à deux photons ont été menées en solvant organique et en suspension aqueuse. Les agrégats et les nanoparticules ont été utilisés avec succès en imagerie biphotonique du système vasculaire sur petit animal en utilisant un modèle de tumeur à l'intérieur de la peau de l'oreille de la souris. Les nanoparticules de silice montrent une coloration exceptionnelle du système vasculaire qui en fait de parfaits marqueurs du système vasculaire.Dans un deuxième temps, quatre nouveaux chromophores, absorbant à deux photons, ont été synthétisés et leurs propriétés photo physiques à un et à deux photons ont été étudiées. Le chromophore le plus adapté a ensuite été greffé de manière covalente par chimie click, à un complexe de palladium avec un ligand porphyrine, cœur phosphorescent dont l’émission est sensible à la présence d’oxygène. Deux composés contenant quatre ou huit absorbeur à deux photons ont été obtenus et étudiés. Les résultats démontrent que l'incorporation d'un chromophore ADP approprié peut effectivement augmenter les propriétés d’ADP du système, ce qui permet une sensibilité efficace vis-à-vis de l'oxygène. / The development of fluorophores with efficient two-photon absorption (TPA) and emission properties in the far red/NIR is important, especially for in depth in-vivo optical imaging as this wavelength range corresponds to the optical transparency window of tissues. This thesis investigates the potential of new red emitting fluorophores containing a fluorene ring for in-vivo two-photon microscopy focusing on vascular imaging on one hand and on oxygen pressure measurement on the other hand.A new series of asymmetrical fluorene-based chromophores were designed and synthesized. Their structure-property relationships were systematically investigated. It was found that most of chromophores exhibit aggregation-induced emission behaviors in the NIR region. In addition, a micelle/silica coprotection strategy was proposed to prepare nanoparticles with a less polar interior, which can be used to conserve optical properties of dipole chromophores in aqueous solution. The two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) measurements indicate that they all display obvious TPA activities in organic solvent and aqueous suspension. Both the NIR-emissive aggregates and nanoparticles have been successfully used for TPEF imaging of blood vessels inside mouse ear skin. The silica nanoparticles show outstanding staining of the vascular system making them perfect blood pool markers.On a second part, four new fluorene-based two-photon absorbing chromophores have been synthesized and their one- and two-photon photophysical properties were investigated. The optimum chromophore was successfully attached covalently to an oxygen responsive phosphorescent Pd-porphyrin complex by click chemistry. Two new compounds contain four or eight TPA chromophores donor connected to the phosphorescent core. The result demonstrate that the incorporation of a suitable TPA chromophore can effectively enhance the TPA of the system, allowing efficient sensitivity towards oxygen.

Quantum chemical calculations have been used to model dye-sensitized nanostructured titanium dioxide systems that can be used in solar cells for solar energy to electricity conversion. Structural, electronic and spectral properties of isolated dyes and both bare and dye-sensitized TiO2 have been calculated with density functional theory, providing detailed information about both the separate parts and the dye-TiO2 interface. The connection between the geometry, the ligand field splitting and the lifetime of the triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited state has been explored for a series of ruthenium polypyridyl dyes. Moreover, the relative energetics of MLCT and metal centered triplet excited states have been studied for a number of such systems. It was found that small alterations of the polypyridyl ligands can result in significant changes in ligand field splitting and in the energetics of the triplet states. Attachment of the dyes to the TiO2 surface is achieved via anchor and spacer groups. The influence of such groups on various properties of the dye and their ability to act as mediators of photo-induced surface electron transfer has been studied. Delocalization of the lowest unoccupied dye orbital onto the spacer and/or anchor group indicates that certain unsaturated groups can mediate electron transfer. With a combination of methods that enables efficient computations and a scheme for construction of metal oxide clusters, chemical models for bare TiO2 nanocrystals in the 1-2 nm size range have been developed. The electronic structures show well-developed band structures with essentially no electronic band gap defect states. Atomistic models of the interface between TiO2 nanocrystals and Ru(II)-bis-terpyridine dyes, the so-called N3 dye as well as perylene dyes are reported. Electronic coupling strengths, which provide estimates for the electron injection times, are extracted from the interfacial electronic structure and the lowest electronic excitations are calculated.

This thesis provides an extensive study of the first molecular hyperpolarizability b of charge-transfer chromophores using hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS). The charge-transfer chromophores used in present work involve the tricyanohydrofuran¡]TCF¡^group as an electron acceptor, and/or thiophene in the pi-electron bridge. TCF is a very strong electron acceptor and thiophene greatly lowers the resonance energy. Their presence significantly increases the beta value of the chromophore, therefore enhancing potentials in applications. In hyper-Rayleigh scattering experiments, the laser radiation with tunable wavelengths is used as an excitation source for measuring the frequency dependence of beta. The experiment shows beta exhibiting a significant dispersion in the two-photon resonance region. Using the linear absorption spectrum in coordination with theory, we show that it is possible to use Kramers-Kronig (K-K) transform to reproduce the experimental beta value in the two-photon resonance region. The K-K approach provides an extension to the conventional Oudar-Chemla equation, which is invalid in the spectral region in which two-photon resonance occurs. Using the new approach, it is shown that reliable values of intrinsic hyperpolarizabilities beta_zero of charge-transfer chromophores can be extracted. The coordination of beta_zero with molecular structure provides one with an insight for the origin of the enhancement of the first molecular hyperpolarizability of charge-transfer chromophores. This thesis examines the variation of beta_zero with molecular structure. The same technique is also applied to a dendrimer that has charge-transfer nonlinear optical chromophores incorporated in the dendritic structure. The measured frequency dependent hyperpolarizability of the dendrimer is compared with that calculated from the linear absorption spectrum by the KK transform technique. The intrinsic hyperpolarizability beta_zero of the dendrimer obtained is compared with that of the single chromophore having a structure similar to that incorporated in the dendrimer. The comparison shows that the 3D dendritic structure is effective in reducing the interaction between chromophores by providing sufficient space between them, hence avoiding the possibility of aggregation formation due to attractive interactions between chromophores. The topic of two-photon fluorescence (TPF), which is related to HRS, is also investigated. The intensity of TPF is generally proportional to the square of the incident excitation intensity. Careful measurements of the TPF intensity of a nonlinear optical chromophore in conjunction with required auxiliary parameters have been used as a technique for determining the two-photon absorption cross-section. The TPF intensity measurement carried out in this thesis uses a variety of intensities. At low intensity excitation, the TPF intensity follows the usual quadratic intensity law (QIL), whereas deviations from the QIL are observed at higher incident intensities. The observation of similar lineshape associated with one- and two-photon fluorescence spectra suggests a 3-level model for the description of TPF excited by the incident intensity at various strengths. It is shown that by fitting the observed TPF intensity to an equation developed from the three-level model, it is possible to deduce the two-photon absorption cross section of the nonlinear optical chromophore in solution. The new technique developed using the three-level model is tested on a Rhodamine B/Chloroform solution. The two-photon absorption cross-section obtained by using the new technique is found in agreement with that reported in the literature. Having demonstrated the suitability of the new technique, it is used to determine the two-photon absorption cross-section of a novel nonlinear optical chromophore. The two-photon absorption cross-section using the new technique is then compared with that obtained by the nonlinear transmittance method. The two results are in good agreement, indicating the applicability of the new technique. The new technique is more convenient than the conventional low excitation TPF method as it does not require various auxiliary parameters, some of them are difficult to obtain. The second harmonic generation (SHG) of a chromophore/polymer film which is optically poled by using a coherent superposition of a fundamental and its second harmonic beams. The growth rate of the SHG intensity is found to be proportional to the fourth power of the incident intensity of the fundamental beam, and the plateau intensity SHG is proportional to the square of the incident intensity. These observations are not in agreement with the published theory. While the reason for disagreement is yet to be clarified, the information obtained is useful for the development of nonlinear optical devices.

Ce projet de thèse consistait à synthétiser de nouveaux bio-conjugués Lipide-Polymère fluorescents émettant dans le rouge lointain, composés d'une chaîne polymère portant à la fois de nombreux chromophores en position latérale et un lipide en extrémité de chaîne. La structure de ces bio-conjugués est basée sur des copolymères poly(N-acryloylmorpholine-co-N-acryloxysuccinimide), hydrophiles, réactifs, modulables et d'architecture contrôlée obtenus par le procédé RAFT. Les copolymères réactifs ont ensuite été utilisés pour le couplage, en position latérale, de chromophores émettant dans le rouge lointain. La stratégie utilisée pour la synthèse des bio-conjugués se divise en trois étapes : la synthèse d'Agents de Transfert de Chaîne (ATC) fonctionnalisés avec un lipide suivant un protocole déjà décrit suite à des travaux de notre équipe, et dont les étapes de purification ont été améliorées afin d'obtenir des ATC les plus purs possible (90% de pureté molaire) ; l'utilisation de ces ATC fonctionnels pour la synthèse de polymères α fonctionnels, et enfin, le couplage covalent, rapide et efficace, de chromophores en position latérale. Il a été mis en évidence que les ATC lipidiques permettent un très bon contrôle de la copolymérisation des monomères NAM et NAS. L'utilisation de la composition azéotropique pour ce couple de monomère permet également d'obtenir des chaînes polymère de microstructure très contrôlée et présentant des valeurs de Mn comprises entre 5 900 et 33 200 g.mol-1. Les propriétés optiques des bio-conjugués ont été déterminées, ce qui a permis de mettre en évidence que ces propriétés, et notamment le rendement quantique de fluorescence, sont très sensibles à la structure des bio-conjugués synthétisés. Tous les bio-conjugués présentent des brillances améliorées (jusqu'à 13 000 M-1.cm-1 dans l'eau et 50 0000 M-1.cm-1 dans CHCl3) par rapport à celle du chromophore. La capacité des bio-conjugués à interagir avec les bicouches lipidiques a été mise en évidence à travers l'utilisation de systèmes modèles (SUVs, LUVs et GUVs). Enfin, les évaluations biologiques réalisées ont montré à la fois une absence de cytotoxicité des bio-conjugués et une capacité de ces derniers à être internalisés rapidement (< 10 min) au sein de différentes lignées de cellules vivantes.

This thesis gives a detailed description of the design and synthesis of new organic sensitizers for Dye sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs). It is divided in 7 chapters, where the first gives an introduction to the field of DSCs and the synthesis of organic sensitizers. Chapters 2 to 6 deal with the work of the author, starting with the first publication and the other following in chronological order. The thesis is completed with some concluding remarks (chapter 7). The DSC is a fairly new solar cell concept, also known as the Grätzel cell, after its inventor Michael Grätzel. It uses a dye (sensitizer) to capture the incident light. The dye is chemically connected to a porous layer of a wide band-gap semiconductor. The separation of light absorption and charge separation is different from the conventional Si-based solar cells. Therefore, it does not require the very high purity materials necessary for the Si-solar cells. This opens up the possibility of easier manufacturing for future large scale production. Since the groundbreaking work reported in 1991, the interest within the field has grown rapidly. Large companies have taken up their own research and new companies have started with their focus on the DSC. So far the highest solar energy to electricity conversion efficiencies have reached ~12%. The sensitizers in this thesis are based on triphenylamine or phenoxazine as the electron donating part in the molecule. A conjugated linker allows the electrons to flow from the donor to the acceptor, which will enable the electrons to inject into the semiconductor once they are excited. Changing the structure by introducing substituents, extending the conjugation and exchanging parts of the molecule, will influence the performance of the solar cell. By analyzing the performance, one can evaluate the importance of each component in the structure and thereby gain more insight into the complex nature of the dye sensitized solar cell. / QC 20110505

xx, 318 p. ： ill. (some col.) / Highly conjugated, carbon rich molecules are of great interest due to their unique optoelectronic properties. These molecules are now recognized as suitable materials for advanced materials applications such as light-emitting diodes, photovoltaics, and thin film transistors. Of particular interest is the indenofluorene (IF) scaffold, a 6-5-6-5-6-fused ring system that holds a striking topological similarity to pentacene, a very successful electron donating organic semiconductor. Also of interest is another class of compounds referred to as tetrakis(arylethynyl)benzenes, TAEBs, which are cruciform-shaped molecules that possess numerous pathways for electronic and photonic transfer and are amenable to a host of substitution patterns. Chapter I examines the history of the IF scaffold and its development over the last century through the use of literature examples relating to both its synthesis and potential use as an emerging class of electron accepting materials. Chapter II introduces the feasibility of stable, fully conjugated IFs. Two examples of 5,6,11,12-tetraethynyl-indeno[1,2- b ]fluorenes are synthesized where their structural and optoelectronic properties are explored. Chapter III further explores the IF scaffold and outlines the synthesis of a series of 6,12-diethynylindeno[1,2-b ]fluorenes in conjunction with detailed computational, structural, and photophysical studies. Chapter IV discusses the synthesis and characterization of a series of 6,12-diarylindeno[1,2- b ]fluorenes and examines their structural and optoelectronic properties. Chapter V describes a series of donor/acceptor-functionalized TAEBs that incorporate the 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a,-diaza-s -indacene moiety, better known as BODIPY, as the acceptor unit. Additionally, two TAEB molecules and three structurally related bis(arylethynyl)benzene (BAEB) isomers where only acceptors are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the donor group are synthesized. This dissertation includes both previously published and unpublished co-authored material. / Committee in charge: Professor David R. Tyler， Chairperson； Professor Michael M. Haley， Advisor； Professor Victoria J. DeRose， Member； Professor Shih-Yuan Liu， Member； Professor Scott D. Bridgham， Outside Member