Orientador: Chung Man Chin / Banca: Elizabeth Igne Ferreira / Banca: Maria Luiza Cruz / Resumo: A doença de Chagas é uma infecção generalizada, de natureza endêmica e evolução essencialmente crônica causada por um protozoário, o Trypanosoma cruzi. Esta continua a representar sérios problemas médico-sanitários na América Latina, sendo considerada como uma das maiores doenças parasitárias pela Organização Mundial de Saúde. Estima-se que entre 16 a 18 milhões de pessoas estejam infectadas, e aproximadamente 120 milhões expostas ao risco de infecção. Do ponto de vista terapêutico, apenas dois fármacos estão disponíveis, o benznidazol e o nifurtimox, sendo apenas o primeiro utilizado no Brasil. A quimioterapia para doença de Chagas é muito deficiente, estes agentes produzem sérios efeitos adversos e apresentam-se ativos apenas na fase aguda da doença. Dentre as alternativas de obtenção de novos fármacos, os processos de modificação molecular são promissores, destacando-se a latenciação, transformação do fármaco em transporte inativo, que in vivo, mediante reação química e/ou enzimática, libera a porção ativa no local de ação ou próximo dele. Uma das formas latentes obtidas mediante este processo denomina-se pró-fármaco. Para o desenvolvimento de fármacos mais seletivos e com menor toxicidade, a descoberta de alvos específicos é fator preponderante. Assim ao se promover a ligação do hidroximetilnitrofural a um transportador bifosfonato (ácido alendrônico) empregando-se o método da latenciação pode-se obter pró-fármaco recíproco com ação sinérgica e seletiva às células do T.cruzi, promovendo ataque a dois sistemas enzimáticos distintos do parasito, inibindo a tripanotiona redutase e comprometendo o sistema de defesa redox do parasito e favorecendo o acúmulo do bifosfonato nos acidocalcissomas e inibindo seu metabolismo do pirofosfato. / Abstract: Chaga's disease is a widespread infection, of endemic nature and chronicle evolution caused essentially by a protozoan, Trypanosoma cruzi. This continues to represent serious sanitarium problems in Latin America, being considered as one of the largest parasitic disease by the World Health Organization. About 16 to 18 million people are infected, and approximately 120 million exposed to the risk of infection. From therapeutic point of view, only two drugs are available, benznidazole and nifurtimox, but only the first is being used in Brazil. The chemotherapy available for Chaga's disease is very deficient, as these agents produce serious adverse effects and that drugs are not efficient in the chronic phase of the disease. Among the alternatives for developing new drugs, the molecular modification processes are promising, standing out the latentiation process, which comprehends the transformation of a drug in an inactive form that in vivo, through chemical or enzymatic reactions, release the drug either at or near the site of action. Prodrugs can be obtained by this process of latentiation. For the development of more selective drugs and with lower toxicity, the discovery of specific targets is a preponderant factor. This work proposes a mutual prodrug design, with synergic and selective action against T. cruzi using a nitrofurazone hydroxymethyl derivative and a bisphosphonate carrier (alendronic acid). This prodrug would be able to attack two distinct enzymatic systems of the parasite, inhibiting tripanotione reductase and committing its redox system of defense and promoting a specific accumulation of the bisphosphonate in acidocalcisomes, inhibiting the parasite pyrophosphate metabolism. / Mestre

Ressonância Paramagnética Eletrônica (RPE) e Absorção Ótica Eletrônica foram utilizadas para estudar-se os complexos de Cobre (II) com tris-hidroximetil aminometano em solução. A análise dos parâmetros de RPE e óticos medidos na solução a diversos pHs foi feita tendo-se à mão as curvas de formação dos complexos. Estas curvas foram construídas em função do pH da solução, usando os dados de equilíbrio químico publicado por K. S. Bai e Martell (J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem. 31 (1969) 1697-1707), numa faixa de concentração de tris na qual este reagente é usando como tampão em estudos biológicos e químicos. Determinou-se cinco conjunto de parâmetros de RPE (go, ao, a11 e A11, correspondentes a diferentes complexos de íon metálico. Cada um desses espectros é encontrado em determinados intervalos de pH, sendo possível associá-los aos complexos previstos nas curvas de formação. A maior estabilidade dos complexos que se formam a pHs mais altos segundo as constantes de equilíbrio é evidenciada pelos valores e go isotrópico (RPE) menores pelos desdobramentos hiperfino isotrópico ao (RPE) e de campo cristalino (ótica) maiores do que os encontrados nas soluções menos alcalinas. A formação do complexo quelato neutro a pH alcalino foi observada, e obteve-se seu tensor g, das medidas do cristal simples. Este tensor encontra-se em bom acordo com o valor de g isotrópico determinado em solução (go=1/3(gxx+gyy+gzz)). Existe evidência de que este complexo seja pentacoordenado). Observou-se similaridade entre os parâmetros para os complexos coordenados por: 2N e 1N+1 0‾ 3N e 2N+1 0&#8254 ; 4N e 2N+2 0&#8254. Isto leva à conclusão de que do ponto de vista energético a coordenação de nitrogênio Cu2+ e a coordenação do oxigênio negativo ao Cu2+ nestes complexos são equivalentes, pelo menos dentro de nossa resolução experimental. / Electron Paramagnetic Ressonance (EPR) and optical visible spectroscopies were used to study the complexes of Cu (II) íon with tris-hydroxymethylamino methane (tris) in solution. Analyses of EPR and optical parameters measured in solution were made using the calculated formation curvesof the complexes. These formation curves were calculated as function of the solution pH, on the basis of the equilibrium constants published by K.S. Bai and Martell (J. Inorg.Nucl. Chem. 31 (1969)-1967-1707), for a concentration of this normally employed in a buffer in biochemical studies. Five sets of EPR parameters ((go, ao, a11 e A11) were determined corresponding to different metal complexes. Each det is found in a characteristic pH range and it was possible to make a correlation of these complexes with the appear in the formation curve plot. The greater stability of the complexes in the high pH range is indicated by the values of go, wich are smaller and the values of the hyperfine splittings ao and the crystal field splittings (from optical measurements) which are greater tahn at the less alcaline solutions. The formation of the neural chelate complexa t alcaline pH was observed, and its g-factors were obtained from measurements with the single crystal. These g-factors agree very well with the solution value (go=1/3(gxx+gyy+gzz)) and the orthorombic symmetriy is obtained. Evidence is present that this complex is penta-coordinated. It was observed a similarity between the EPR parameters for the complexes coordinated by: : 2N e 1N+1 0‾ 3N e 2N+1 0&#8254 ; 4N e 2N+2 0&#8254. This lead us the conclusion that from the energetical point of view the coordination of Cu2+ to nitrogen or to negative oxigen in these cases are equivalent, at or our resolution is not sufficent to differentiate between them.

No description available.

<p>Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (THAM) was a readily-available and economical amino-triol that was viewed as having a large untapped potential as a starting material. The full chemoselective functionalization and differentiation of the amino group and the three primary alcohol residues present in THAM was extensively investigated. The development of this methodology allowed for the rapid assembly of a differentiated core that lead to existing and new potential drug scaffolds.</p> <p>The discovery of a novel oxidative fragmentation and rearrangement process was made leading to the synthesis of differentiated oxazolidinone rings. This process allowed for the creation of novel chemical library situated around THAM-based oxazolidinones, as well as THAM-based 1,3-dioxanes.</p> <p>THAM was also used as a starting material for sphingosine analogs, including sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and anticancer S1K inhibitors. Selective functionalization of the amine and one alcohol within an oxazolidinone ring allowed access to a new family of Linezolid-type oxazolidinones as well. Additionally, various triazole-based compounds were prepared, which allowed access to a new family of potential antifungal agents based on the lead compound Fluconazole.</p> <p>A total synthesis of the immunosuppressant molecule FTY720 was also reported, employing double Wittig-olefination protocol, from THAM. This synthesis avoided certain pitfalls that were present in previously documented literature methods. Along the pathway to FTY720, many intermediates and analogs were synthesized and tested for biological activity alongside the novel oxazolidinone compounds, resulting in interesting lead compounds for various biological applications. A UV-active FTY720 scaffold was also synthesized for potential future <em>in vivo</em> tracking of the immunosuppressant and its metabolites.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Hydroxymethyl resorcinol (HMR) is an effective adhesion promoter (primer) for wood bonding; it dramatically improves adhesion and enhances bond durability against moisture exposure. In an effort to improve understanding of the HMR mechanism of action, this work compared HMR with two other chemical treatments investigated as wood primers: alkyl-HMR (a-HMR), an HMR variant having reduced crosslink density, and a 5% solution of polymeric methylenebis(phenylisocyanate) in N-methylpyrrolidone (solution referred to as "pMDI"). The experimental system was red oak (Quercus rubra) bonded with a moisture-cure polyurethane adhesive (PUR). The objective was to document wood rheological changes induced by the three primers, and determine if these changes correlated to primer efficacy in PUR-bonded red oak. Adhesion was tested in mode-I (opening) fracture using dual cantilever beam specimens. HMR and a-HMR proved to be highly effective primers for PUR-bonded red oak; both primers dramatically improved bondline toughness and durability. Relative to HMR, the reduced crosslink density in a-HMR did not impair primer efficacy. In contrast, the pMDI primer was ineffective; it reduced bondline toughness and durability. Solvent-submersion, torsional dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was conducted on primer-treated red oak (with specimens immersed in dimethylformamide). Using all three grain orientations, the lignin glass/rubber transition was carefully studied with attention directed towards primer-induced changes in stiffness (storage modulus), the glass transition temperature (Tg), the associated damping (tan ° maximum intensity), and the breadth of tan ° transition. It was found that primer effectiveness correlated with a reduction in damping intensity, and also with a Tg increase greater than 5°C. Determination of these correlations was complicated by grain dependency, and also by rheological changes caused by solvent treatments that were used as primer control treatments. / Master of Science

Yes / One-pot reaction between 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (HQC) and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS) followed by in situ cyclization yielded an oxazolidine based ligand which produced four mononuclear complexes of MnII(1), CoII(2), NiII(3), ZnII(4), a tetranuclear iron (FeIII4) complex (5) and a trinuclear cobalt (CoIICoIII2) complex (6). Magnetic studies show dominant antiferromagnetic interaction in tetranuclear iron (FeIII4) complex 5 and presence of the slow relaxation of magnetisation in 6. The compounds were also studied for their antibacterial properties. The oxazolidine ligand (H3L2) of this study showed good antimicrobial activity not only against Gram-positive bacteria but against Gram-negative bacteria too. The antimicrobial efficacy of the metal complexes (1–6) is also reported.

A cadeia sucroenergética tem uma grande influência para economia nacional. Ao longo da safra 2013/2014, a cadeia movimentou cerca de US$ 100 bilhões, sendo que somente o açúcar gerou uma arrecadação de cerca de US$ 5.55 bilhões as usinas. O Produto Interno Bruto chegou a US$ 43 bilhões, representando assim aproximadamente 2,0% do PIB Nacional. Todavia, o setor está atravessando uma crise econômica que foi potencializada pela queda no valor da saca de açúcar e por uma severa seca que atingiu em especial o estado de São Paulo. A diminuição de perdas se torna essencial em momentos de dificuldades e uma maneira de atingir esse objetivo é melhorando o monitoramento do processo. Nesse cenário, o presente pesquisa monitorou a degradação de sacarose ao coletar amostras em uma usina da região de Piracicaba-SP, associando como causador não somente as elevadas temperaturas, como outros fatores e medidas utilizadas pela indústria. Conforme esperado aumentou a concentração de sacarose ao longo do processo, iniciando com média de 137,69 g/L na moenda e finalizando com 812,91 g/L no açúcar que saiu do secador. Todavia também apresentou um aumento de açúcares redutores (182,38 g/L no caldo da moenda para 245,81 g/L no xarope), indicando a degradação de sacarose. Inclusive, percebe-se uma razão de inversão maior durante da evaporação do que no tratamento (0,46 e 0,28, respectivamente). A justificativa pode estar associada a possível queda no pH, a evidente utilização de maior quantidade de calor em especial no primeiro efeito, a um tempo de residência maior do que o normal nos evaporadores ou mesmo através da entrada de vapor nos corpos, sendo o último mais raro. Os outros parâmetros levantados da degradação térmica de sacarose, 5-hidroximetilfurfural, furfural e as melanoidinas apresentaram uma alta correlação em função da concentração de açúcares redutores (0,99 para o HMF, 0,98 furfural e 0,96 melanoidinas), confirmando a tendência de perdas da molécula de interesse. Também foram levantadas as populações de bactérias mesófilas totais, cujas presenças estão associadas com as condições sanitárias em que o alimento foi processado e fungos (bolores e leveduras) que também diminuem o valor do produto. O tratamento de caldo mostrou-se eficiente na diminuição dos micro-organismos. Considerando a média dos dois meses, a queda foi de 4,10 x 106 UFC/mL para 6,62x102 UFC/mL para bactérias mesófilas, já para fungos a redução foi de 1,40 x 104 UFC/mL para 1,80 x 101 UFC/mL. Todavia, as altas concentrações encontradas no início e no final (bactérias apresentaram em média 3,00 x 103 UFC/g no xarope e 2,26 x 103 UFC/g no açúcar do secador, enquanto que para os fungos foram encontrados 3,50 x 101 UFC/g no xarope e 1,49 x 103 UFCmL no açúcar do secador) são indicativos de descuidos com a assepsia, aproveitando a falta de exigência de qualidade no açúcar VHP. A alta concentração do caldo da moenda apresentou potencial de estar relacionado com a perda de sacarose. Por fim, ao avaliar a situação e considerando que investimento em equipamentos novos é algo fora da realidade financeira da usina, sugere-se trabalhar em aprimorar as operações realizadas dentro e fora da indústria para se evitar as perdas. / The sugar-energy industry chain has a great influence on the Brazilian economy. Along the 2013/2014 crop, the industry accounted for about US$ 100 billion, and sugar alone yielded about US$ 5.55 billion to sugar mills. The industry yielded US$ 43 billion, accounting for approximately 2,0% of the Brazilian GDP. Nevertheless, the industry is facing an economic crisis aggravated by the drop prices of sugar bag and a severe drought that hit particularly the state of São Paulo in Brazil. Minimizing losses becomes essential in times of difficulties and a way to achieve it is to improve process monitoring. In this scenario, the present project monitored sucrose degradation in samples collected at sugar mill in the region of Piracicaba-SP, associating the degradation to high temperatures as well as other factors and measures used by the mill. As expected, sucrose concentration increased throughout the process, starting with an average of 137,69 g/L at milling and finishing with 812,91 g/L in sugar out of the dryer. However, there was also an increase of reducing sugars (182,38 g/L in milling juice to 245,81 g/L in syrup), indicating sucrose degradation. There was a larger reversal rate during evaporation than in the treatment (0,46 and 0,28, respectively). This is possibly attributed to a pH decrease, an evident use of greater amount of heat in particular in the first effect, a longer time than normal in evaporators or even due to steam inlet into the bodies, which is rarer. The other parameters arising from sucrose thermal degradation, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural and melanoidins, showed a high correlation with the concentration of reducing sugars (0,99 for HMF, 0,98 for furfural and 0,96 for melanoidins), confirming the trend for loss of the molecule of interest. We also investigated the total populations of mesophilic bacteria, whose presence is associated with health conditions where the food was processed, as well as fungi (molds and yeasts), which also decreases the value of the final product, may produce mycotoxins. The syrup treatment was effective to reduce microorganisms. Considering the average, the population of mesophilic bacteria decrease from 4,10 x 106 cfu/mL to 6,62 x102 cfu/mL. For fungi, the reduction was 1,40 x 104 cfu/mL to 1,80 x 101 cfu/mL. However, the high concentrations found at the beginning and end (Bacteria on average 3,00 x 103 cfu/g in syrup and 2,26 x 103 cfu/g in sugar at the dryer. Fungi 3,50 x 101 cfu/g in syrup and 1,49 x 103 cfu/mL in sugar at the dryer) of the process are indicative of oversights with asepsis, using the lack of demand for quality VHP sugar. The high concentration of juice at milling showed potential to be related sucrose loss. Finally, assessing the scenario and considering that investment in new equipment is something out of the financial reality of the sugar mill, improving the operations inside and outside the mill to avoid losses is suggested.

A cadeia sucroenergética tem uma grande influência para economia nacional. Ao longo da safra 2013/2014, a cadeia movimentou cerca de US$ 100 bilhões, sendo que somente o açúcar gerou uma arrecadação de cerca de US$ 5.55 bilhões as usinas. O Produto Interno Bruto chegou a US$ 43 bilhões, representando assim aproximadamente 2,0% do PIB Nacional. Todavia, o setor está atravessando uma crise econômica que foi potencializada pela queda no valor da saca de açúcar e por uma severa seca que atingiu em especial o estado de São Paulo. A diminuição de perdas se torna essencial em momentos de dificuldades e uma maneira de atingir esse objetivo é melhorando o monitoramento do processo. Nesse cenário, o presente pesquisa monitorou a degradação de sacarose ao coletar amostras em uma usina da região de Piracicaba-SP, associando como causador não somente as elevadas temperaturas, como outros fatores e medidas utilizadas pela indústria. Conforme esperado aumentou a concentração de sacarose ao longo do processo, iniciando com média de 137,69 g/L na moenda e finalizando com 812,91 g/L no açúcar que saiu do secador. Todavia também apresentou um aumento de açúcares redutores (182,38 g/L no caldo da moenda para 245,81 g/L no xarope), indicando a degradação de sacarose. Inclusive, percebe-se uma razão de inversão maior durante da evaporação do que no tratamento (0,46 e 0,28, respectivamente). A justificativa pode estar associada a possível queda no pH, a evidente utilização de maior quantidade de calor em especial no primeiro efeito, a um tempo de residência maior do que o normal nos evaporadores ou mesmo através da entrada de vapor nos corpos, sendo o último mais raro. Os outros parâmetros levantados da degradação térmica de sacarose, 5-hidroximetilfurfural, furfural e as melanoidinas apresentaram uma alta correlação em função da concentração de açúcares redutores (0,99 para o HMF, 0,98 furfural e 0,96 melanoidinas), confirmando a tendência de perdas da molécula de interesse. Também foram levantadas as populações de bactérias mesófilas totais, cujas presenças estão associadas com as condições sanitárias em que o alimento foi processado e fungos (bolores e leveduras) que também diminuem o valor do produto. O tratamento de caldo mostrou-se eficiente na diminuição dos micro-organismos. Considerando a média dos dois meses, a queda foi de 4,10 x 106 UFC/mL para 6,62x102 UFC/mL para bactérias mesófilas, já para fungos a redução foi de 1,40 x 104 UFC/mL para 1,80 x 101 UFC/mL. Todavia, as altas concentrações encontradas no início e no final (bactérias apresentaram em média 3,00 x 103 UFC/g no xarope e 2,26 x 103 UFC/g no açúcar do secador, enquanto que para os fungos foram encontrados 3,50 x 101 UFC/g no xarope e 1,49 x 103 UFCmL no açúcar do secador) são indicativos de descuidos com a assepsia, aproveitando a falta de exigência de qualidade no açúcar VHP. A alta concentração do caldo da moenda apresentou potencial de estar relacionado com a perda de sacarose. Por fim, ao avaliar a situação e considerando que investimento em equipamentos novos é algo fora da realidade financeira da usina, sugere-se trabalhar em aprimorar as operações realizadas dentro e fora da indústria para se evitar as perdas. / The sugar-energy industry chain has a great influence on the Brazilian economy. Along the 2013/2014 crop, the industry accounted for about US$ 100 billion, and sugar alone yielded about US$ 5.55 billion to sugar mills. The industry yielded US$ 43 billion, accounting for approximately 2,0% of the Brazilian GDP. Nevertheless, the industry is facing an economic crisis aggravated by the drop prices of sugar bag and a severe drought that hit particularly the state of São Paulo in Brazil. Minimizing losses becomes essential in times of difficulties and a way to achieve it is to improve process monitoring. In this scenario, the present project monitored sucrose degradation in samples collected at sugar mill in the region of Piracicaba-SP, associating the degradation to high temperatures as well as other factors and measures used by the mill. As expected, sucrose concentration increased throughout the process, starting with an average of 137,69 g/L at milling and finishing with 812,91 g/L in sugar out of the dryer. However, there was also an increase of reducing sugars (182,38 g/L in milling juice to 245,81 g/L in syrup), indicating sucrose degradation. There was a larger reversal rate during evaporation than in the treatment (0,46 and 0,28, respectively). This is possibly attributed to a pH decrease, an evident use of greater amount of heat in particular in the first effect, a longer time than normal in evaporators or even due to steam inlet into the bodies, which is rarer. The other parameters arising from sucrose thermal degradation, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural and melanoidins, showed a high correlation with the concentration of reducing sugars (0,99 for HMF, 0,98 for furfural and 0,96 for melanoidins), confirming the trend for loss of the molecule of interest. We also investigated the total populations of mesophilic bacteria, whose presence is associated with health conditions where the food was processed, as well as fungi (molds and yeasts), which also decreases the value of the final product, may produce mycotoxins. The syrup treatment was effective to reduce microorganisms. Considering the average, the population of mesophilic bacteria decrease from 4,10 x 106 cfu/mL to 6,62 x102 cfu/mL. For fungi, the reduction was 1,40 x 104 cfu/mL to 1,80 x 101 cfu/mL. However, the high concentrations found at the beginning and end (Bacteria on average 3,00 x 103 cfu/g in syrup and 2,26 x 103 cfu/g in sugar at the dryer. Fungi 3,50 x 101 cfu/g in syrup and 1,49 x 103 cfu/mL in sugar at the dryer) of the process are indicative of oversights with asepsis, using the lack of demand for quality VHP sugar. The high concentration of juice at milling showed potential to be related sucrose loss. Finally, assessing the scenario and considering that investment in new equipment is something out of the financial reality of the sugar mill, improving the operations inside and outside the mill to avoid losses is suggested.

À ce jour, les seul dosimètres purement tridimensionnels (3D) sont basés sur la détection d’une propriété physique résultant d’une série de réactions chimiques radio-induites dans un volume de gel ou de plastique. Les études initiales ont généré beaucoup d’enthousiasme mais ces dosimètres 3D ne sont pas parvenus à une utilisation répandue dans les départements de radio-oncologie pour l’assurance-qualité 3D et la vérification de traitements complexes de radiothérapie moderne. Le temps et la complexité de la préparation de ces dosimètres 3D ne sont pas les raisons principales qui empêchent leur déploiement clinique. Ce sont plutôt leurs performances et la reproductibilité des mesures qui doivent être améliorées. Les plus étudiés et les plus utilisés parmi les différents types de dosimètres 3D sont les dosimètres à gels de polymère. De nombreuses compositions chimiques ont été proposées et testées pour la dosimétrie à gels de polymère. L’utilisation d’un antioxydant s’est révélée une découverte majeure dans le domaine puisque l’oxygène interfère avec le mécanisme de réponse des gels. Pourtant, un nombre croissant d’erreurs inexpliquées ont été rapportées dans les écrits et ont soulevé un doute sur la reproductibilité et la justesse des doses déterminées avec ces gels. Cette thèse a été entreprise pour étudier les sources radiochimiques d’erreurs dans les dosimètres à gels de polymère. Il était admis dans les écrits que l’utilisation d’un antioxydant permettait de contoumer tous les effets non-désirés de l’oxygène. Cette thèse démontre que cela était faux. Une méthodologie a été développée pour isoler l’effet de l’oxygène dans un gel de polymère contenant ou non un antioxydant. Les résultats ont révélé que la présence conjointe d’oxygène et d’antioxydant modifie la réponse du dosimètre. Indépendamment de la composition du dosimètre et de l’antioxydant, cet effet peut induire des erreurs dosimétriques significatives dans des mesures simples et dont les origines étaient difficilement appréciables en ignorant l’effet de l'oxygène et de l’antioxydant. Nos résultats nous permettent de postuler les réactions dominantes des antioxydants étudiés et leur devenir chimique au sein d’un gel de polymère sous irradiation. Puisque l’effet de l’oxygène et de l’antioxydant était négligé, plusieurs autres facteurs physico-chimiques faisaient l’objet d’hypothèse pour expliquer les erreurs observées. Ces facteurs incluent la compression des gels et des variations de propagation et de terminaison de la polymérisation reliées à la chaleur générée pendant la polymérisation. Des études détaillées de ces effets nous permettent de refuter ces hypothèses. Nos résultats nous permettent d’analyser, de catégoriser et de proposer des explications sur l’origine des erreurs dosimétriques recensées dans les écrits. Finalement, l’effet d’un antioxydant en particulier, le chlorure de tetrakis-(hydroxyméthyle) phosphonium (THPC), a été étudié en relation avec la structure du polymère formé dans un gel de polymère basé sur l’acrylamide. Le THPC est l’antioxydant le plus utilisé dans les différents dosimètres à gels de polymère. La spectroscopie FT-Raman et la microscopie électronique ont révélé que le THPC réagit avec les monomères pendant la polymérisation. Notre interprétation suggère un rôle important du THPC dans les variations de réponse à la dose dans les gels de polymère. La conclusion générale de cette thèse est que l’élimination chimique de l'oxygène par un antioxydant facilite grandement la préparation des dosimètres mais leur performance en est grandement altérée en comparaison avec des préparations dites anoxiques. L’oxygène demeure une source majeure d’erreur dans les dosimètres à gels de polymère.

Increasing energy demand and various problems associated with fossil fuels such as environmental pollution, global warming and diminishing petroleum reserves have greatly stimulated production of fuels and chemicals from renewable sources. Lignocellulosic biomass has been considered as one of the potential sources for a variety of fuels and industrial chemicals. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) has been identified as an excellent platform molecule because it is a flexible intermediate for the synthesis of bio-renewable fuels and materials. HMF can be easily obtained from acid-catalyzed hydration of biomass-derived carbohydrates (hexoses) in various media. HMF can be converted to energy products such as 2,5-bis(alkoxymethyl)furans (BAMFs), monomers for high-value polymers such as 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF), and valuable intermediates for fine chemicals. Recently, magnetic nanoparticle based catalysts attracted more attention due to their good stability and easy separation from the reaction mixture by a permanent magnet. This unique magnetic separation property makes MNPs more effective than conventional filtration or centrifugation as it prevents loss of the catalyst. This dissertation work focuses on, firstly, studying the effectiveness of silica coated magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles MNPs supported with sulfonic acid groups (Fe3O4@SiO2-SO3H) on the dehydration of glucose to HMF. Secondly, preparing a cost-effective catalytic transfer hydrogenation system for the selective transformation of HMF into BHMF via Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reaction over the copper iron magnetic catalyst supported on activated carbon in ethanol solvent with the absence of molecular hydrogen. Thirdly, producing alkoxymethylfurans (AMFs) which are considered a potential biofuels by using two-step sequential reactions with cheap heterogeneous zinc-iron oxides magnetic nanocatalyst for the hydrogenation of HMF to furfuryl alcohols in various alcohols solvents in the absence of molecular hydrogen followed by solid Brønsted acid catalyst for the etherification reaction of furfuryl alcohol derivatives. All prepared heterogeneous catalysts were characterized by FTIR, XRD, H2-TPR, XPS, ICP-OES, HRTEM-EDX, and N2 adsorption-desorption isothermal analyses (BET and BJH) and were tested for recyclability. The chemical products were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and products quantities were calculated by using calibration curves of chemical standards. Various reaction conditions such as reaction temperature, reaction time, catalyst amount, and alcohol type were optimized.