Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / In this study we investigated the electropolymerization isomers hydroxyphenylacetic acid, for their application in the construction of polymeric systems, by immobilizing synthetics molecules for development of biological sensors. The graphite electrodes electrochemically modified were characterized for morphology and electrochemical behavior showing that the poly(2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid), poly(3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) and poly(4-hydroxyphenylacetic) are electroactive, and the latter showed a lower yield in electrosynthesis in agreement with the images of atomic force microscopy showed that the surface of graphite electrodes were changed less with this material compared to its isomers. The electrochemical impedance spectra of poly (4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) showed that this material is more resistive with respect to its other isomers which are more conductive in accordance with the values of current and voltage shown by tests ion exchange the probes positive and negative. The ratio between the masses electrodeposited and the loads required to carry out the redox process these materials remained constant demonstrating that the same number of electrons are involved in reduction and oxidation of these materials according to the diagnostic reversibility applied by cyclic voltammetry are unanimously reversible systems, however poly(3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) was more stable during repeated cycling electrochemically in perchloric acid. The optimized tridimensional structures justify the electrochemical and morphologic behavior of these three platforms, wherein the poly(2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) and poly(3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) have structures with a more ordered arrangement, unlike poly(4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid), which has a rather more disordered structure and therefore more resistive, while isomers are more conductors. The mechanistic proposal begins with the anodic oxidation of monomers whose square wave voltammetry experiments showed the loss of an electron. The couplings between cation radicals promote a formation of ether leaving the acetate groups exposed on the structure. The pairing occurs between the phenolic oxygen and carbon of the aromatic ring whose potential were studied by spin density and consistent with the resonance structures of the cation-radical that are in the suggested mechanisms. In tests incorporation of nitrogenous bases found that poly(3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) also proved more effective in the retention of the same and for this reason associated with their better electrochemical behavior described above, it was selected among others for applying isomers polimeric systems by immobilizing synthetics molecules by physical adsorption. In the first system froze synthetic oligonucleotides that mimic fragments of DNA from the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis able to recognize their genomic DNA in samples of pure cultures by differential pulse voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and this latter showed a better response sensitivity signal in relation to the increasing concentration of the target. In the second system, there immobilization of synthetic peptides compatible to the cell membrane of Anaplasma marginale able to selectively recognize antibodies in their sera samples from cattle. The images made by atomic force microscopy of the two procedures backing the effective recognition of both polimeric systems developed for the detection of Neisseria meningitidis and Anaplasma marginale bacteria causing bacterial meningitis and bovine anaplasmosis, respectively. / Neste trabalho foi investigada a eletropolimerização dos isômeros do ácido hidroxifenilacético, visando sua aplicação na construção de sistemas poliméricos, através da imobilização de moléculas sintéticas para o desenvolvimento de sensores biológicos. Os eletrodos de grafite eletroquimicamente modificados foram caracterizados quanto à morfologia e o comportamento eletroquímico, evidenciando que o poli(ácido 2-hidroxifenilacético), poli(ácido 3-hidroxifenilacético) e poli(ácido 4-hidroxifenilacético) são eletroativos, sendo que este último apresentou um menor rendimento em massa na eletrossíntese, em concordância com as imagens de microscopia de força atômica, que mostraram que a superfície dos eletrodos de grafite foram menos alteradas com este material em relação aos seus isômeros. Os espectros de impedância eletroquímica do poli(ácido 4-hidroxifenilacético), mostraram que esse material é mais resistivo em relação aos seus outros isômeros que são mais condutores em concordância com os valores de corrente e potencial evidenciados nos ensaios de troca iônica nas sondas positiva e negativa. A relação entre as massas eletrodepositadas e as cargas necessárias para realizar o processo redox nestes materiais foi constante, indicando que o mesmo número de elétrons está envolvido na oxidação e redução destes materiais, que se comportaram como sistemas reversíveis segundo os diagnósticos de reversibilidade aplicados por voltametria cíclica, todavia o poli(ácido 3-hidroxifenilacético) mostrou-se mais estável eletroquimicamente durante sucessivas ciclagens em ácido perclórico. As estruturas tridimensionais otimizadas justificam o comportamento eletroquímico e morfológico destas três plataformas, em que os poli(ácido 2-hidroxifenilacético) e poli(ácido 3-hidroxifenilacético) apresentam estruturas com um arranjo mais ordenado e por isso são mais condutores ao contrário do poli(ácido 4-hidroxifenilacético) que tem uma estrutura mais desordenada, e por isso mais resistiva. A proposta mecanística inicia-se com a eletrooxidação dos monômeros, cujas investigações experimentais por voltametria de onda quadrada, mostraram a perda de um elétron. Os acoplamentos entre os cátions radicais promovem uma formação de éter deixando os grupos acetato expostos na estrutura. O emparelhamento ocorre entre o oxigênio fenólico e carbonos do anel aromático, cujas possibilidades foram estudadas pela densidade de spin e concordantes com as estruturas de ressonância dos cátions-radicais que estão nos mecanismos sugeridos. Nos testes de incorporação de bases nitrogenadas, verificou-se que o poli(ácido 3-hidroxifenilacético) mostrou-se mais eficiente na retenção das mesmas e por este motivo associado ao seu melhor comportamento eletroquímico, foi selecionado dentre os outros isômeros como o sistema polimérico mais adequado para aplicação nas detecções, através da imobilização por adsorção física de moléculas sintéticas de reconhecimento. No primeiro sistema, imobilizou-se oligonucleotídeos sintéticos compatíveis a fragmentos de DNA da bactéria Neisseria meningitidis, capazes de reconhecer seu DNA genômico em amostras por voltametria de pulso diferencial e espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica, sendo que esta última mostrou uma melhor sensibilidade de resposta de sinal em relação ao aumento de concentração do alvo. No segundo sistema, ocorreu a imobilização de peptídeos sintéticos compatíveis à membrana celular da Anaplasma marginale, capazes de reconhecer seletivamente seus anticorpos em amostras de soros sanguíneos bovinos. As imagens feitas por microscopia de força atômica, respaldam o reconhecimento eficaz de ambos os sistemas poliméricos desenvolvidos para detecção das bactérias Neisseria meningitidis e Anaplasma marginale, causadores de meningite bacteriana e anaplasmose bovina, respectivamente. / Doutor em Química

Le développement de technologies électrosynthétiques pour la production de H2O2 est attrayant du point de vue de la durabilité. L’utilisation de dioxyde de carbone et/ou d’espèces carbonatées comme médiateurs dans l’oxydation de l’eau en peroxyde est apparue comme une voie viable pour y parvenir, mais de nombreuses questions demeurent quant au mécanisme qui doit être abordé avant que des systèmes pratiques n’émergent. À cette fin, ce travail combine des méthodes électrochimiques et spectroscopiques pour étudier les voies de reaction possibles et les facteurs influençant l'efficacité de cette réaction. Nos résultats électrochimiques indiquent que le CO32- est l'espèce clé qui subit une oxydation électrochimique, avant de réagir avec l'eau loin de la surface du catalyseur vers la production de H2O2. Grâce à des expériences spectroélectrochimiques infrarouges et Raman, nous avons noté que l'épuisement du CO32- est un facteur clé qui limite la sélectivité du procédé. À son tour, l'application de l'électrolyse pulsée peut augmenter cela, avec un ensemble initial de paramètres optimisés augmentant la sélectivité de 20 % à 27 %. Dans l’ensemble, ces travaux contribuent à ouvrir la voie au développement futur d’un système électrosynthétique H2O2 pratique. / The development of electrosynthetic technologies for H2O2 production is appealing from a sustainability perspective. The use of carbon dioxide and/or carbonate species as mediators in water oxidation to peroxide has emerged as a viable route to do so but still many questions remain about the mechanism that must be addressed before practical systems emerge. To this end, this work combines electrochemical and spectroscopic methods to investigate possible reaction pathways and factors influencing the efficiency of this reaction. Our electrochemical results indicate that CO32- is the key species that undergoes electrochemical oxidation, prior to reacting with water away from the catalyst surface en route to H2O2 production. Through spectroelectrochemical infrared and Raman experiments, we noted that CO32- depletion is a key factor that limits the selectivity of the process. In turn, showed how the application of pulsed electrolysis can augment this, with an initial set of optimized parameters increasing the selectivity from 20% to 27%. In all, this work helps pave the way for future development of practical H2O2 electrosynthetic system.

The work presented in this thesis examines the electrochemical behaviour of a number of species, both surface-bound and in the solution phase, in various room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), in order to identify systems which show altered reactivities in room-temperature ionic liquids, compared to that in conventional, molecular, aprotic solvents. The fundamentals of electrochemistry are outlined and an introduction to room-temperature ionic liquids is given, after which the results of six original investigations are presented, as follows; The electrochemical response of surface-bound anthraquinonyl films was investigated as a function of RTIL cation size. The reduction of oxygen to superoxide in the [C₂mim][NTf₂] RTIL was studied at different carbon electrodes. The mechanisms of electrodeposition and stripping of Zn(II) onto bulk zinc deposits, on glassy carbon electrodes, in the [C₄mPyrr][NTf₂] RTIL were investigated. A novel and successful method for the fabrication of zinc microdisk electrodes was developed and the electrochemical behaviour of these electrodes was investigated. The mechanisms for the electrochemical reductions of some bromo- and nitrobenzenes at platinum microelectrodes were determined in the [C₄mPyrr][NTf₂] ionic liquid, in order to identify systems which displayed changed reactivities in RTILs compared to those in molecular aprotic solvents. The altered reactivity of 1-bromo-4-nitrobenzene in the [C₄mPyrr][NTf₂] ionic liquid was utilised via electrochemical reduction at zinc microelectrodes in order to form arylzinc compounds. The work presented in this thesis shows that the oft-taken view that the reactivity of a given species in an ionic liquid will mimic that in conventional aprotic solvents is not always the case. Reactivities can be markedly different between RTILs and aprotic solvents and can also be highly dependent on the specific ionic liquid employed.

Neste trabalho apresenta-se o estudo do comportamento eletroquímico anódico - direto (oxidação na superfície do eletrodo) e indireto (oxidação através de um oxidante eletrogerado, ou mediador) de β-ceto-sulfetos e βhidróxi-sulfetos de estruturas variadas. Foram utilizadas as técnicas de voltametria cíclica (anodo:pérola de Pt; referência: Ag/AgI; solvente: MeCN anidra e NaClO4 0,1 M como eletrólito de suporte) e de oxidações anódicas preparativas (potencial controlado ou corrente constante; eletrodos de Pt polida 4 cm2; solvente:MeCN/H2O (9:1v/v); NaClO4 0,2 M). Foram sintetizadas e estudadas as seguintes cetonas α-sulfeniladas: 2-etiltio- (I.1), 2-etiltio-2-metil (I.2) e, 2-feniltio-(I.3)-ciclo-hexano-1-onas; 2-metiltio-(II.1) e 2-metiltio-2-metil-(II.2)-1-tetralonas; 1-fenil-2-metiltio-butano-1-ona (III.1); 2-etiltio-1,2-difenil-etano-1-ona (IV.1) e três derivados aril-substituídos [4.4-OMe (IV.2); 4-OMe (IV.3); 2.2-Cl (IV.3); 2,2-Cl (IV.4)]. Os mediadores preparados e eletroquimicamente investigados foram os derivados bromados da trifenilamina (V.1): tris(4-bromofenil)amina (V.2) e tris(2,4-dibromo-fenil)amina (V.3). Os álcoois correspondentes foram preparados por redução direta das cetonas. Os resultados dos estudos eletroquímicos das cetonas demonstraram que o diferente comportamento eletroquímico deve-se a fatores estereoeletrônicos. Somente (III.1) e (IV.1, 2 e 3) eram oxidados indiretamente. As oxidações anódicas diretas dos β-hidróxi-sulfetos mostraram-se mais seletivas que as das cetonas relativas. Além do mais, a comparação entre as oxidações direta e indireta destes álcoois revelou que enquanto diretamente obtem-se dois ou três produtos, indiretamente os sulfóxidos correspondentes são obtidos. Como único produto, de todos álcoois exceto daqueles relativos às cetonas (IV. 2, 3 e 4). Também foi observado que a estereoquimica cis entre os grupos hidroxila e alquiltio é fator determinante para as oxidações eletroquímicas indiretas. Os estereoisômeros trans não eram oxidados indiretamente. Um intermediário cíclico, formado durante o processo de oxidação, é sugerido como explicação para estes fatos. Também foi observado que ocorre clivagem da ligação carbono-carbono entre os grupos hidroxila e alquiltio na oxidação anódica, quando os carbonos substituídos são terciários (no caso de 2-etiltio-1,2-dimetil-ciclohexan-1-ol), ou estão ligados a grupos fenila (IV.1, 2, 3 e 4). São obtidos os compostos carbonílicos correspondentes em bons rendimentos. / In the present work a study of the electrochemical oxidation behaviour under direct (oxidation at the electrode) and indirect (oxidation by on in situ electrogenerated species, a mediator) conditions of several β-keto and β-hydroxysulphides is reported. Cyclic voltammetry (anode: Pt bead, reference: Ag/AgI, 0.1 M NaClO4) in anhydrous acetonitrile) and preparative scale electrolysis under controlled potential or at constant current (anode: Pt 2 x 2 cm, 0.2 M NaClO4 in acetonitrile - water (9:1 v/v) were employed. The studied mediators were tris-(4-bromophenyl) and tris-2,4-dibromophenyl)amines. The following α-sulphenylated ketones were synthesized: 2-ethylthio-(I.1), 2-ethylthio-2-methyl (I.2) and 2-phenylthio-(I.3)-cyclohexan-1-ones; 2-methylthio-(II.1) and 2-methylthio-2-methyl-(II.2)-1-tetralones; 1-phenyl-2-methylbutan-1-one (III.1); 2-ethylthio-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one (IV.1) and three aryl derivatives [4,4\'-OMe (IV.2), 4\'-Ome (IV.3), 2,2\'-Cl (IV.3)]. The corresponding alcohols were prepared by direct reduction of the ketones. The results of the electrochemical studies for the investigated ketones demonstrated that their different behaviour is due to stereoelectronic effects. Only (III.1, IV.1, IV.2 and IV.3) were indirectly oxidized. The direct anodic oxidations of the β-hydroxy-sulphides were more selective than those of the corresponding ketones. Moreover, a comparison between direct and indirect oxidations of such alcohols reveal that while the former can give two or three products, the latter yields the relatives sulphoxides as the only products with all the alcohols except the ones related to (IV.2, 3 and 4). It was also noticed that the cis stereochemistry between hydroxyl and alkylthio groups is the determining feature in the indirect electrochemical oxidation of cyclic alcohols. No oxidation was observed in the case of the trans stereoisomers. A cyclic intermediate, formed during the oxidation process, is suggested to explain these facts. In addition, a cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond between the hydroxyl and alkylthio groups was observed in the anodic oxidation, when the substituted carbons are tertiary (in the case of 2-ethylthio-1,2- dimethylciclohexan-1-ol), or linked to phenyl groups (IV.1, 2, 3 and 4). In these cases, the corresponding carbonyl compounds were obtained in good yields.

Neste trabalho apresenta-se o estudo do comportamento eletroquímico anódico - direto (oxidação na superfície do eletrodo) e indireto (oxidação através de um oxidante eletrogerado, ou mediador) de β-ceto-sulfetos e βhidróxi-sulfetos de estruturas variadas. Foram utilizadas as técnicas de voltametria cíclica (anodo:pérola de Pt; referência: Ag/AgI; solvente: MeCN anidra e NaClO4 0,1 M como eletrólito de suporte) e de oxidações anódicas preparativas (potencial controlado ou corrente constante; eletrodos de Pt polida 4 cm2; solvente:MeCN/H2O (9:1v/v); NaClO4 0,2 M). Foram sintetizadas e estudadas as seguintes cetonas α-sulfeniladas: 2-etiltio- (I.1), 2-etiltio-2-metil (I.2) e, 2-feniltio-(I.3)-ciclo-hexano-1-onas; 2-metiltio-(II.1) e 2-metiltio-2-metil-(II.2)-1-tetralonas; 1-fenil-2-metiltio-butano-1-ona (III.1); 2-etiltio-1,2-difenil-etano-1-ona (IV.1) e três derivados aril-substituídos [4.4-OMe (IV.2); 4-OMe (IV.3); 2.2-Cl (IV.3); 2,2-Cl (IV.4)]. Os mediadores preparados e eletroquimicamente investigados foram os derivados bromados da trifenilamina (V.1): tris(4-bromofenil)amina (V.2) e tris(2,4-dibromo-fenil)amina (V.3). Os álcoois correspondentes foram preparados por redução direta das cetonas. Os resultados dos estudos eletroquímicos das cetonas demonstraram que o diferente comportamento eletroquímico deve-se a fatores estereoeletrônicos. Somente (III.1) e (IV.1, 2 e 3) eram oxidados indiretamente. As oxidações anódicas diretas dos β-hidróxi-sulfetos mostraram-se mais seletivas que as das cetonas relativas. Além do mais, a comparação entre as oxidações direta e indireta destes álcoois revelou que enquanto diretamente obtem-se dois ou três produtos, indiretamente os sulfóxidos correspondentes são obtidos. Como único produto, de todos álcoois exceto daqueles relativos às cetonas (IV. 2, 3 e 4). Também foi observado que a estereoquimica cis entre os grupos hidroxila e alquiltio é fator determinante para as oxidações eletroquímicas indiretas. Os estereoisômeros trans não eram oxidados indiretamente. Um intermediário cíclico, formado durante o processo de oxidação, é sugerido como explicação para estes fatos. Também foi observado que ocorre clivagem da ligação carbono-carbono entre os grupos hidroxila e alquiltio na oxidação anódica, quando os carbonos substituídos são terciários (no caso de 2-etiltio-1,2-dimetil-ciclohexan-1-ol), ou estão ligados a grupos fenila (IV.1, 2, 3 e 4). São obtidos os compostos carbonílicos correspondentes em bons rendimentos. / In the present work a study of the electrochemical oxidation behaviour under direct (oxidation at the electrode) and indirect (oxidation by on in situ electrogenerated species, a mediator) conditions of several β-keto and β-hydroxysulphides is reported. Cyclic voltammetry (anode: Pt bead, reference: Ag/AgI, 0.1 M NaClO4) in anhydrous acetonitrile) and preparative scale electrolysis under controlled potential or at constant current (anode: Pt 2 x 2 cm, 0.2 M NaClO4 in acetonitrile - water (9:1 v/v) were employed. The studied mediators were tris-(4-bromophenyl) and tris-2,4-dibromophenyl)amines. The following α-sulphenylated ketones were synthesized: 2-ethylthio-(I.1), 2-ethylthio-2-methyl (I.2) and 2-phenylthio-(I.3)-cyclohexan-1-ones; 2-methylthio-(II.1) and 2-methylthio-2-methyl-(II.2)-1-tetralones; 1-phenyl-2-methylbutan-1-one (III.1); 2-ethylthio-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one (IV.1) and three aryl derivatives [4,4\'-OMe (IV.2), 4\'-Ome (IV.3), 2,2\'-Cl (IV.3)]. The corresponding alcohols were prepared by direct reduction of the ketones. The results of the electrochemical studies for the investigated ketones demonstrated that their different behaviour is due to stereoelectronic effects. Only (III.1, IV.1, IV.2 and IV.3) were indirectly oxidized. The direct anodic oxidations of the β-hydroxy-sulphides were more selective than those of the corresponding ketones. Moreover, a comparison between direct and indirect oxidations of such alcohols reveal that while the former can give two or three products, the latter yields the relatives sulphoxides as the only products with all the alcohols except the ones related to (IV.2, 3 and 4). It was also noticed that the cis stereochemistry between hydroxyl and alkylthio groups is the determining feature in the indirect electrochemical oxidation of cyclic alcohols. No oxidation was observed in the case of the trans stereoisomers. A cyclic intermediate, formed during the oxidation process, is suggested to explain these facts. In addition, a cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond between the hydroxyl and alkylthio groups was observed in the anodic oxidation, when the substituted carbons are tertiary (in the case of 2-ethylthio-1,2- dimethylciclohexan-1-ol), or linked to phenyl groups (IV.1, 2, 3 and 4). In these cases, the corresponding carbonyl compounds were obtained in good yields.

Ce mémoire est consacré à l’utilisation de l’électrochimie comme outil de synthèse alternatif pour la formation de nouvelles molécules de la famille des azoliums. Une nouvelle méthode de synthèse électrochimique a été mise au point pour la synthèse de carboxylates d’imidazoliums (carbènes masqués) conduisant à une grande variété de molécules. Cette méthode a été comparée aux synthèses chimiques déjà existantes. Dans un contexte actuel de développement durable, des produits bio sourcés ont été synthétisés et à partir de ces derniers l’optimisation du procédé a été réalisée afin de réduire les flux entrants et sortants de matière et d’énergie.Le rôle clé de l’ion hydrogénoxalate a été démontré dans la synthèse de liquides ioniques et/ou sels d’imidazoliums. Certains ont été par la suite employés comme catalyseurs recyclables pour l’estérification de Fischer.La réduction électrochimique directe de différents azoliums a aussi été étudiée. Le couplage des radicaux neutres ainsi électrogénérés conduit aux σ-dimères correspondant. Ce produit redonnant par oxydation l’azolium de départ, la renversabilité de la réaction a été prouvée ouvrant la voie à de nouveaux interrupteurs moléculaires.Une électrosynthèse d’azoliums à fragment aromatique a également été étudiée. Ainsi, l’oxydation électrochimique du pyrène en présence de différents nucléophiles azotés génère les sels d’azoliums pyrène. Ce procédé a été optimisé en termes de réduction de déchets et de simplification de mise en œuvre. Certaines molécules obtenues ont montré des propriétés antimicrobiennes. / This work deals with the use of electrochemistry as a tool for alternative synthesis of new azolium-based molecules.A new electrosynthesis method was developed for the synthesis of imidazolium carboxylates (masked carbenes) leading to a wide library of compounds. This approach was compared to already reported chemical syntheses. In the current context of sustainable development, bio based products have been synthesized and optimization of the process was achieved in order to reduce waste and energy consumption.The key role of the hydrogenoxalate anion was demonstrated in the synthesis of ionic liquids and/or imidazolium salts. Some of them were employed as recyclable catalysts for Fischer esterification.The direct electrochemical reduction of various azoliums was also studied. The coupling of two electrogenerated neutral radicals leads to the corresponding σ-dimers. The oxidation of this species gives back the starting azolium proving the “reversibility” of the reaction, paving the way for new molecular switches.Azolium containing pyrene moiety was also electrosynthesized. Thus, electrochemical oxidation of pyrene in presence of different nitrogen nucleophiles leads to azolium pyrenes. This process was optimized in order to reduce waste and simplify the experimental setup. Some products have shown antimicrobial activities.

À la lumière du changement climatique et de l'épuisement des réserves de combustibles fossiles, l'innovation dans les technologies énergétiques vertes et durables devient un défi crucial. La fabrication de produits chimiques consomme de grandes quantités d'énergie et est responsable d'une part importante des émissions mondiales de carbone. Dans ce contexte, l'électrosynthèse, alimentée par de l'électricité renouvelable, peut remplacer de nombreux procédés thermochimiques industriels pour générer des carburants, des produits chimiques et des engrais. Plutôt que de nous concentrer sur des domaines qui ont reçu beaucoup d'attention ces dernières années (par exemple, l'électrolyse de l'eau et la réduction du CO2), nous avons exploré les domaines émergents de l'électrosynthèse hétérogène pour lesquels il existe un besoin substantiel. Dans le chapitre 3, nous soulignons l'importance de concevoir des électrocatalyseurs avec des sites actifs bien définis. Nous rapportons l'utilisation de la chimie réticulaire pour concevoir un système de modèle électrocatalytique à base d'organo-métallique conducteur avec des sites actifs moléculaires M-O4 pour l'oxydation électrochimique du 5-hydroxyméthylfurfural (HMFOR). L'activité des MOF portant des sites actifs Ni-O4 (Ni-CAT) et Co-O4 (Co-CAT) a été analysée avec des techniques spectroscopiques électrochimiques et operando pour élucider le mécanisme de réaction se produisant à la surface. Les expériences électrochimiques révèlent que le Co-CAT a un potentiel d'apparition plus précoce pour activer le HMFOR, par rapport à la plupart des catalyseurs établis, tandis que le Ni-CAT présente une cinétique plus rapide pour la conversion du 5-hydroxyméthylfurfural (HMF) en acide 2,5-furandicarboxylique (FDCA) . Nous avons déterminé que Ni-CAT atteignait des rendements de FDCA (notre molécule cible) de 98,7 %. L'efficacité faradique peut atteindre 86,8% d'efficacité faradique. La spectroscopie infrarouge indique le HMF avec un groupe aldéhyde lié à la surface comme intermédiaire clé dans le cycle catalytique, qui se forme une fois que l'oxydation M (II \ III) se produit. Ce travail illustre l'avantage d'utiliser des sites actifs moléculairement définis couplés à la spectroscopie operando pour fournir des informations fondamentales sur une variété de réactions électrosynthétiques et ouvrir la voie à la conception future de catalyseurs. Suite à ce projet, nous nous sommes tournés vers l'utilisation d'un réacteur à membrane sélective pour l'hydrogène afin d'explorer de nouveaux concepts de réaction et de catalyseurs. La clé ici était d'utiliser une feuille de Pd comme matériau qui réduisait les protons en *H dans un compartiment aqueux et transférait l'hydrogène dans un compartiment organique où il hydrogénait le réactif de choix. À l'aide d'un réacteur à membrane, nous avons pu séparer physiquement la réduction électrochimique de l'hydrogène et la chimie de l'hydrogénation d'une manière qui contournait l'utilisation du gaz H2 qui serait autrement nécessaire. Nous choisissons comme point de départ un produit chimique produit industriellement en excès, l'acétonitrile. Le réacteur à membrane Pd est appliqué pour hydrogéner complètement la liaison C≡N de l'acétonitrile. Avec succès, nous avons obtenu de l'ammoniac et de l'acétaldéhyde comme produits de réaction à un potentiel de début record de 0,4 V vs Ag/AgCl. Enfin, en concevant soigneusement une cellule spectroélectrochimique unique, nous avons pu effectuer des mesures spectroscopiques infrarouges pour visualiser le processus de réaction dans la membrane Pd et par conséquent proposé un mécanisme unique de réaction d'hydrolyse de l'imine (Chapitre 4). Dans le chapitre 5, nous choisissons d'innover dans un domaine émergent : la formation de liaisons électrochimiques C-N à partir de réactifs de petites molécules (par exemple CO2, NH3). Le mécanisme conventionnel de formation de liaisons électrochimiques C-N est basé sur le CO2RR électrochimique. Dans ce chapitre, nous proposons une stratégie orthogonale pour activer simultanément le CO2 et les N-réactifs en appliquant respectivement des impulsions de potentiel négatives et positives. Les nanoparticules de Cu sont utilisées comme catalyseur modèle, le CO2 agit comme réactif C et le NH3 agit comme réactif N pour le couplage C-N. Dans des conditions optimisées dans lesquelles la couverture *NH2 est maintenue à l'état stable tandis que Cu reste métallique, l'électrolyse pulsée augmente à la fois le taux de formation et la sélectivité des produits C-N urée, formamide et acétamide de 3 à 20 fois. En étendant le champ d'application à des réactifs C et N supplémentaires, ainsi qu'au couplage C-S, cette nouvelle approche démontre davantage sa valeur générale en électrosynthèse. / In light of climate change and depleting fossil fuel reserves, innovating green and sustainable energy technologies becomes a critical challenge. Chemical manufacturing consumes large amounts of energy and is responsible for a substantial portion of global carbon emissions. Against this backdrop, electrosynthesis, powered by renewable electricity, can replace many industrial thermochemical processes to generate fuels, chemicals, and fertilizers. Rather than focusing on areas that have received much attention in recent years (e.g. water electrolysis and CO2 reduction), we explored emerging areas within heterogeneous electrosynthesis for which there is a substantial need. In chapter 3, we highlight the importance of designing electrocatalysts with well defined active sites. We report the use of reticular chemistry to design a conductive metal organic framework-based electrocatalytic model system with molecular M-O4 active sites for electrochemical oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMFOR). The activity of MOFs bearing Ni-O4 (Ni-CAT) and Co-O4 (Co-CAT) active sites were analyzed with electrochemical and operando spectroscopic techniques to elucidate the reaction mechanism occurring on the surface. Electrochemical experiments reveal that Co-CAT has an earlier onset potential for enabling HMFOR, relative to most established catalysts, while the Ni-CAT shows faster kinetics for the conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). We determined that Ni-CAT achieved FDCA (our target molecule) yields of 98.7% yield. The faradic efficiency can reach out to 86.8% faradic efficiency. Infrared spectroscopy points to HMF with a surface-bound aldehyde group as the key intermediate in the catalytic cycle, which forms once the M(II\III) oxidation occurs. This work illustrates the advantage of utilizing molecularly defined active sites coupled with operando spectroscopy to provide fundamental insights into a variety of electrosynthetic reactions and pave the way for future catalyst design. Following this project, we turned to the use of a hydrogen-selective membrane reactor to explore more new reaction and catalysts concepts. The key here was using a Pd foil as a material that reduced protons to *H at an aqueous compartment and transferred the hydrogen through to an organic compartment where it hydrogenated the reactant of choice. Using a membrane reactor, we could physically separate electrochemical hydrogen reduction and hydrogenation chemistry in a manner that circumvented the use of H2 gas as would otherwise be necessary. We choose a chemical that is industrially produced in excess, acetonitrile, as a starting point. The Pd membrane reactor is applied to fully hydrogenate the C≡N bond of acetonitrile. Successfully, we obtained ammonia and acetaldehyde as reaction products at a record onset potential of 0.4 V vs Ag/AgCl. Finally, by carefully designing a unique spectroelectrochemical cell, we were able to carry out infrared spectroscopic measurements to visualize the reaction process in Pd-membrane and consequently proposed a unique imine-hydrolysis reaction mechanism (Chapter 4). In Chapter 5, we choose to innovate in an emerging area: electrochemical C-N bond formation from small molecule reactants (e.g. CO2, NH3). The conventional electrochemical C-N bond formation mechanism is based on electrochemical CO2RR. In this chapter, we propose an orthogonal strategy to simultaneously activate CO2 and N-reactants by applying negative and positive potential pulses, respectively. Cu nanoparticles are used as a model catalyst, CO2 acts as the C-reactant, and NH3 acts as the N-reactant for C-N coupling. Under optimized conditions in which *NH2 coverage is maintained at steady state while Cu remains metallic, pulsed electrolysis increases both the rate of formation and the selectivity of the C-N products urea, formamide and acetamide by 3-20 times. By extending the scope to additional C- and N-reactants, as well as C-S coupling, this new approach further demonstrates its general value in electrosynthesis.

Nesta dissertação realizamos a síntese eletroquímica e a caracterização eletroquímica e óptica de polímeros conjugados eletroluminescentes no azul, como o poli(p-fenileno) (PPP) e alguns copolímeros. Filmes de PPP, poli(pirrol) (PPI), poli(3-metiltiofeno) (P3MET) e os copolímeros, copoli(p-fenileno-pirrol) (CPPI) e copoli(p-fenileno-3-metiltiofeno) (CP3MET), foram preparados por voltametria cíciica (VC) e cronoamperometria (CR) em eletrodos de óxido de estanho dopado com índio sobre vidro (ITO) em uma solução não-aquosa de acetonitrila e perclorato de tetrabutilamônio contendo os monômeros a diferentes concentrações. Durante a síntese eletroquímica dos filmes de PPP, PPI, P3MET, CPPI e CP3MET, foi usado CaC12 como agente secante em uma caixa-seca para reduzir a umidade do ar. Um tratamento de secagem permitiu um melhor controle sobre o crescimento dos filmes e a presença de umidade na síntese eletroquímica foi correlacionada as diferentes respostas eletroquímicas dos filmes. Os valores de potencial de ionização (PI) e de afinidade eletrônica (AE) foram calculados através da medida dos potenciais no início das curvas voltamétricas direta e inversa, quando foram obtidos os potenciais de oxidação e redução (Eoxd\' e Ered\'). Os valores de energia de gap eletrônico (EgapE) ara esses filmes foram também obtidos por medidas eletroquímicas. Através dos espectros de absorção no UVVIS, foi possível se calcular a energia de gap óptico (EgapO) para os diferentes filmes poliméricos. / In this work we describe the electrochemical and optical aspects of a series of electrochemically synthesized blue-electroluminescent conjugated polymers. The materials employed here comprised poly(p-phenylene) (PPP), poly(pyrro1e) (PPI), poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MET), poly(p-pheny1ene-pyrrole) (CPPI) copolymer and poly(p-phenylene3methyIthiophene) (CP3MET) copolymer. The films were electrochemically synthesized and deposited onto indium-tin-oxide covered glass (ITO) electrodes. The latter was carried out using either cyclic voltammetry (VC) or cronoamperometry (CR) in a acetonitrile nonaqueous medium containing tetrabutilammonium perclorate and different concentration of the respective monomers. As a further film quality control, the synthesis was carried out within a glove box containing a CaCI2 salt, which acted as drying agent. The latter procedure allowed us to correlate the amount of moisture present within the glove box with the electrochemical properties of the films. The ionization potential (PI) and the electronic affinity (AE) were calculated using the oxidation and reduction on-set potentials of the films (Eoxd\' e Ered\'). The electronic gap (EgapE)d the optical gap energies were calculated using electrochemical and UV-VIS. spectroscopy respectively.

Nesta dissertação realizamos a síntese eletroquímica e a caracterização eletroquímica e óptica de polímeros conjugados eletroluminescentes no azul, como o poli(p-fenileno) (PPP) e alguns copolímeros. Filmes de PPP, poli(pirrol) (PPI), poli(3-metiltiofeno) (P3MET) e os copolímeros, copoli(p-fenileno-pirrol) (CPPI) e copoli(p-fenileno-3-metiltiofeno) (CP3MET), foram preparados por voltametria cíciica (VC) e cronoamperometria (CR) em eletrodos de óxido de estanho dopado com índio sobre vidro (ITO) em uma solução não-aquosa de acetonitrila e perclorato de tetrabutilamônio contendo os monômeros a diferentes concentrações. Durante a síntese eletroquímica dos filmes de PPP, PPI, P3MET, CPPI e CP3MET, foi usado CaC12 como agente secante em uma caixa-seca para reduzir a umidade do ar. Um tratamento de secagem permitiu um melhor controle sobre o crescimento dos filmes e a presença de umidade na síntese eletroquímica foi correlacionada as diferentes respostas eletroquímicas dos filmes. Os valores de potencial de ionização (PI) e de afinidade eletrônica (AE) foram calculados através da medida dos potenciais no início das curvas voltamétricas direta e inversa, quando foram obtidos os potenciais de oxidação e redução (Eoxd\' e Ered\'). Os valores de energia de gap eletrônico (EgapE) ara esses filmes foram também obtidos por medidas eletroquímicas. Através dos espectros de absorção no UVVIS, foi possível se calcular a energia de gap óptico (EgapO) para os diferentes filmes poliméricos. / In this work we describe the electrochemical and optical aspects of a series of electrochemically synthesized blue-electroluminescent conjugated polymers. The materials employed here comprised poly(p-phenylene) (PPP), poly(pyrro1e) (PPI), poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MET), poly(p-pheny1ene-pyrrole) (CPPI) copolymer and poly(p-phenylene3methyIthiophene) (CP3MET) copolymer. The films were electrochemically synthesized and deposited onto indium-tin-oxide covered glass (ITO) electrodes. The latter was carried out using either cyclic voltammetry (VC) or cronoamperometry (CR) in a acetonitrile nonaqueous medium containing tetrabutilammonium perclorate and different concentration of the respective monomers. As a further film quality control, the synthesis was carried out within a glove box containing a CaCI2 salt, which acted as drying agent. The latter procedure allowed us to correlate the amount of moisture present within the glove box with the electrochemical properties of the films. The ionization potential (PI) and the electronic affinity (AE) were calculated using the oxidation and reduction on-set potentials of the films (Eoxd\' e Ered\'). The electronic gap (EgapE)d the optical gap energies were calculated using electrochemical and UV-VIS. spectroscopy respectively.