NMR is a powerful analytical spectroscopic tool used to perform detailed studies of structure and dynamics of molecules in solution. However, despite NMR's excellent spectral sensitivity, most NMR methods suffer from low detection sensitivity. This low detection sensitivity results largely from extremely small (Boltzmann) nuclear spin polarization at thermal equilibrium--in even the strongest of magnets. This dissertation focuses on selected research areas that maybe used to combat the limitations presented by NMR and measure weak spectral responses with atomic-scale precision. In particular, these methods involve the use of laser-polarized xenon, liquid crystals, and polarization transfer (cross-polarization) techniques to enhance NMR sensitivity and/or measure weak interactions. The potential use of these tools to study host-guest interactions is of particular interest. In certain systems the sensitivity problem of conventional NMR/MRI can be overcome by applying optical pumping (OP) methods to enhance nuclear spin polarization. For instance, OP of noble gases (such as xenon) is employed to dramatically increase their nuclear spin polarization by transferring angular momentum of laser light to electronic and then nuclear spins. Next, cryptophane complexes are ideal choices for fundamental studies of prototypical host-guest interactions. Of general interest when studying host-guest interactions is how (1) physical confinement at the nanoscale and (2) interactions between guest and host may affect the properties, dynamics, interactions, and/or reactivity of a trapped molecule and the host/guest complex as a whole. As a more specific example, we are interested in probing host-guest dynamic coupling, which refers to the relative motion of the guest within the host, determined by the relative sizes and geometries--as well as the interactions involved. With the development of new NMR methods and techniques, we hope to gain insight into mechanisms that underlie complex formation by probing the structures, dynamics and energetic contributions involved in ligand binding, where molecular contributions such as: orientational and motional freedom of the guest; and structure, dynamics, and ordering of the host can influence the behavior of inclusion complexes.

Hyperbranched poly(ethylene imine) with Mw 5,000 and 25,000 Da and different degrees of substitution with maltose (PEI-Mal) was firstly described by Appelhans et al. Its biocompatibility and the potential to complex anionic molecules was demonstrated previously. In this study, the characterisation of host-guest interactions of PEI-Mal with various anionic water-soluble guest molecules with aromatic moieties in the structure (adenosine triphosphate, rose bengal, and acid red 26) in solution was provided. Also, a multicomponent drug@PEI-Mal@hydrogel system was achieved.

A straightforward means to include explicit hydrogen bonds within the Universal Force Field (UFF) is presented. Instead of treating hydrogen bonds as non-bonded interaction subjected to electrostatic and Lennard-Jones potentials, we introduce an explicit bond with a negligible bond order, thus maintaining the structural integrity of the H-bonded complexes and avoiding the necessity to assign arbitrary charges to the system. The explicit hydrogen bond changes the coordination number of the acceptor site and the approach is thus most suitable for systems with under-coordinated atoms, such as many metalorganic frameworks; however, it also shows an excellent performance for other systems involving a hydrogen-bonded framework. In particular, it is an excellent means for creating starting structures for molecular dynamics and for investigations employing more sophisticated methods. The approach is validated for the hydrogen bonded complexes in the S22 dataset and then employed for a set of metal-organic frameworks from the Computation-Ready Experimental database and several hydrogen bonded crystals including water ice and clathrates. We show that the direct inclusion of hydrogen bonds reduces the maximum error in predicted cell parameters from 66% to only 14%, and the mean unsigned error is similarly reduced from 14% to only 4%. We posit that with the inclusion of hydrogen bonding, the solvent-mediated breathing of frameworks such as MIL-53 is nowaccessible to rapid UFF calculations, which will further the aim of rapid computational scanning of metal-organic frameworks while providing better starting points for electronic structure calculations.

Study of thermoresponsive porphyrins and their supramolecular complexes Abstract: We studied the water-soluble artificial compound meso-tetrakis{3,4,5-tris[2-(2-(2- methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy]phenyl}porphyrin prepared at NIMS, Japan, using the high-resolution NMR spectroscopy experimental method. We observed its LCST-type phase separation and applied the Flory-Huggins theory of polymer solutions in order to find its phase diagram (binodal and spinodal curves of the phase separation) and we also obtained molar enthalpies, entropies and critical temperatures of its phase separation; from the Flory-Huggins theory we discovered that its molecules form dimers in aqueous solutions. We also studied its host-guest interactions with the S-camphorsulfonic acid; we learned that the porphyrin binds cations and the porphyrin dimers break down when dissolved cations are available for complexation. We observed no phase separation in chloroform. We obtained no proof of the existence of molecular stacks larger than dimers. 1

Host–guest complexes are widely investigated because of their importance in many industrial applications. The investigation of their physico–chemical properties helps understanding the inclusion phenomenon. The hosts investigated in this work are cryptophane molecules possessing a hydrophobic cavity. They can encapsulate small organic guests such as halo–methanes (CH2Cl2, CHCl3). The encapsulation process was investigated from both the guest and the host point of view. With the help of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), the kinetics of complex formation was determined. The information was further used to obtain the activation energies of the processes. Having done this on five different cryptophanes, it is possible to relate the energies to structural differences between the hosts. Via the dipolar interaction between the guest’s and host’s protons, one can get information on the orientation of the guest inside the cavity. Moreover, the dynamics of the guest can be further investigated by its relaxation properties. This revealed restricted motion of the guest inside the host cavity. Not only the nature of the guest plays an important role. The host is also changing its properties upon encapsulation. All the cryptophanes investigated here can exchange rapidly between many conformers. These conformers have different–sized cavities. Quantum chemical optimization of the structure of the conformers makes volume estimation possible. Not only the cavity volumes, but also the quantum-chemically obtained energies and the calculated chemical shifts of the carbon–13 atoms can be helpful to follow the changes of the host upon complex formation. The host cannot be considered as a rigid entity. Analysis of variable temperature proton and carbon-13 spectra shows that the encapsulation can be considered as a mixture of conformational selection and induced fit. The structures of the formed complexes are further investigated by means of two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser spectroscopy (NOESY). The complex formation, its kinetics and thermodynamics are found to be a complicated function of structure elements of the host, the cavity size and the guest size and properties. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Accepted. Paper 5: Manuscript.</p><p> </p>

Hyperbranched poly(ethylene imine) with Mw 5,000 and 25,000 Da and different degrees of substitution with maltose (PEI-Mal) was firstly described by Appelhans et al. Its biocompatibility and the potential to complex anionic molecules was demonstrated previously. In this study, the characterisation of host-guest interactions of PEI-Mal with various anionic water-soluble guest molecules with aromatic moieties in the structure (adenosine triphosphate, rose bengal, and acid red 26) in solution was provided. Also, a multicomponent drug@PEI-Mal@hydrogel system was achieved.

Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Synthese eindimensionaler Nanoröhren basierend auf leichten Elementen. Inspiriert von Kohlenstoff Nanoröhren werden Interessante Eigenschafte für diese Materialien erwartet. Aktuell ist die Synthese solcher Kohlenstoff Nanorohren nur mit vergleichsweise aufwendigen Methoden möglich. Hierbei stellt besonders die uniforme Synthese von Röhren mit exakt gleichen Durchmessern und Symmetrien ein noch ungelöstes Problem dar. Durch diese Arbeit erhofften wir uns eine völlig neue Arte der Synthese für solche 1D Nanomaterialien zu etablieren. Dazu wurden in Kapitel 2 und 3 zwei verschiedene Typen von gespannten aromatischen Makrozyklen synthetisiert. Die synthetisierten Makrozyklen zeichnen sich durch einen hohen Grad an Funktionalisierung aus, welcher zukünftig dazu genutzt werden soll die Prinzipien der dynamisch kovalenten Chemie in der finalen Materialsynthese anzuwenden. Der durch die Funktionalisierung erzeugte innere Hohlraum dieser zyklischen Verbindungen lässt sich nutzen, um verschiedene molekulare Gäste zu binden. Die Erkenntnisse in Bezug auf die Synthese solcher Makrozyklen, die hierbei erzielt wurden, werden entscheidend dazu beitragen, dass anfänglich beschriebene Ziel der nasschemischen Synthese 1D organischer Nanoröhren in Zukunft zu erreichen. Die Methoden, der Makrozyklisierung sollten in Kapitel 4 dazu genutzt werden einen chiralen aromatischen Makrozyklus auf Basis von [5]Helicen-Untereinheiten zu synthetisieren, allerdings ohne Erfolg. Stattdessen wurde ein Nebenprodukt isoliert, dass sich als bisher unbekannter molekulare Schalter erwies. Dieser Schalter erlaubt es durch Bestrahlung bei tiefen Temperaturen reversibel ein paramagnetisches Isomer zu erzeugen. Dadurch eröffnet sich eine völlig neue Klasse an molekularen Schaltern, deren Anwendungspotential den Rahmen dieser Arbeit überschreitet. / The aim of this work was the synthesis of one-dimensional nanotubes based on light elements. Inspired by carbon nanotubes, interesting properties for these materials are expected. Currently, the synthesis of such carbon nanotubes is only possible with comparatively complex methods. Especially the uniform synthesis of tubes with exactly the same diameters and symmetries is still an unsolved problem. Through this work we hoped to establish a completely new way of synthesis for such 1D nanomaterials. To this end, two different types of strained aromatic macrocycles were synthesized in Chapters 2 and 3. The synthesized macrocycles are characterized by a high degree of functionalization, which will be used in the future to apply the principles of dynamic covalent chemistry in the final material synthesis. The internal cavity of these cyclic compounds created by functionalization can be used to bind various molecular guests. The knowledge regarding the synthesis of such macrocycles obtained here will be instrumental in achieving the initially described goal of wet chemical synthesis of 1D organic nanotubes in the future. The methods of macrocyclization were to be used in Chapter 4 to synthesize a chiral aromatic macrocycle based on [5]helicene subunits, but without success. Instead, a byproduct was isolated that proved to be a previously unknown molecular switch. This switch allows reversible generation of a paramagnetic isomer by irradiation at low temperatures. This opens up a completely new class of molecular switches whose potential applications are beyond the scope of this work.

L’approche « bottum-up » via l’auto-assemblage moléculaire est considéré comme une voie prometteuse pour contrôler la fabrication de nouveaux matériaux et leur intégration dans des dispositifs hybrides présentant de propriétés nouvelles. Dans ce travail, nous avons synthétisé plusieurs hybrides à base de molécules organiques (fullerène, porphyrines, phtalocyanine), d’oligonucléotides ou de nanotubes de carbone.Dans un premier temps, nous nous sommes intéressés à la synthèse d’une nouvelle famille de produits constituée d’une unité C60 lié à deux chromophores positionnés face à face et permettant la formation de complexes hôte-invités. Nous avons montré que ces composés s’assemblent pour donner des structures supramoléculaires en solution et sur surface. Les interactions électroniques et la compléxation entre le fullerène et les deux chromophores (porphyrines et phtalocyanines) ont été étudiées par spectroscopie optique et RMN ainsi que par voltammétrie cyclique.Parmi les outils de l’approche « bottom-up », l’ADN a montré son extraordinaire potentiel pour la fabrication d’assemblages bio-dirigés. En effet, la synthèse de matériaux hybrides à base d’ADN permet un contrôle précis (théoriquement à l’échelle d’une base, ~3,4Å) du positionnement des groupements fonctionnels dans un matériau. Dans le but de former des réseaux bi- et tridimensionnels à base d’ADN permettant le positionnement de nano-objets, nous avons synthétisé des hybrides à base d’oligonucléotides et de porphyrines (molécule 2D) ou d’adamantane (molécule 3D). Des édifices supramoléculaires simples ont été réalisés et le travail se poursuit en vue de la réalisation de réseaux fonctionnels.Enfin, dans une dernière partie, nous nous sommes intéressés à la fonctionnalisation des nanotubes de carbone monoparoi (SWNT) avec des chromophores de type porphyrines et phtalocyanines. Alors que les porphyrines présentent une absorption intense presque exclusivement dans le bleu, les phtalocyanines absorbent principalement dans le rouge. Combiner ces deux chromophores à la surface des nanotubes de carbone présente donc un intérêt particulier pour la collecte de lumière car les deux composés absorbent des régions complémentaires du spectre visible. Ce travail ouvre la voie vers l'étude des propriétés optoélectroniques des hybrides à base de nanotubes et en particulier leur utilisation pour la conversion d’énergie lumineuse en énergie électrique (application photovoltaïque). / An Approach "bottum-up" via molecular self-assembly is considered as a promising way to control the manufacture of new materials and their integration into hybrid devices with novel properties. In this work, we have synthesized several hybrids based on organic molecules (fullerene, porphyrin, phthalocyanine), oligonucleotides or carbon nanotubes.At first, we were interested in the synthesis of a new family of products consisting of a unit C60 linked to two chromophores positioned face to face and allowing the formation of host-guest complexes. We have shown that these compounds are combined to give supramolecular structures in solution and on the surface. Electronic interactions and complexation between fullerene and the two chromophores (porphyrins and phthalocyanines) were studied by NMR and optical spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry.Among the tools of the "bottom-up", DNA showed its tremendous potential for the production of bio-directed assembly. Indeed, the synthesis of hybrid materials based DNA allows precise control (theoretically on the scale of a base, ~ 3.4 Å) of the positioning of the functional groups in a material. In order to form networks and bi-dimensional DNA-based for positioning nano-objects, we have synthesized hybrid oligonucleotide-based and porphyrin molecule (2D) or adamantane molecule (3D). Supramolecular structures have been made and this work is ongoing to achieve functional networks.Finally, in a last part, we are interested in the functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with chromophores like porphyrins and phthalocyanines. While porphyrins exhibit almost exclusively an intense absorption in the blue (around 420-440 nm), phtalocyanines absorb mainly in the red spectral region. Taken together these two chromophores have interesting light harvesting, photophysical and redox properties; the two components will participate independently to increase the overall absorption in the visible range of the solar spectrum. This work opens the route to study the optoelectronic properties of hybrid nanotube and in particular their use for the conversion of light energy into electrical energy (photovoltaic application).

No description available.

The adhesive and frictional response of an AFM tip connected to a substrate through supramolecular host–guest complexes is investigated by dynamic Monte Carlo simulations. Here, the variation of the pull-off force with the unloading rate recently observed in experiments is unraveled by evidencing simultaneous (progressive) breaking of the bonds at fast (slow) rates. The model reveals the origin of the observed plateaus in the retraction force as a function of the tip-surface distance, showing that they result from the tip geometrical features. In lateral sliding, the model exhibits a wide range of dynamic behaviors ranging from smooth sliding to stick-slip at different velocities, with the average friction force determined by the characteristic formation/rupture rates of the complexes. In particular, it is shown that for some molecular complexes friction can become almost constant over a wide range of velocities. Also, we show the possibility of exploiting the ageing effect through slide-hold-slide experiments, in order to infer the characteristic formation rate. Finally, our model predicts a novel ‘‘antiageing’’ effect which is characterized by a decrease of the static friction force with the hold time. Such an effect is explained in terms of enhancement of adhesion during sliding, especially observed at high driving velocities.