This thesis deals with (i) complex nanoaggregates of cationic perfluorinated surfactant N-(1,1,2,2- tetrahydroperfluorodecyl)pyridinium chloride and of double hydrophilic block polyanions poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(methacrylate) and poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly((2-sulfamate-3- carboxylate)isoprene), and with (ii) mixed micelles of amphiphilic copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)- b-poly(e-caprolactone) and nonionic perfluorinated fluorosurfactant Zonyl FSN-100. The study was aimed at the characterization of the association behavior of the block copolymer-fluorosurfactant systems in aqueous solutions depending on the amount of the added surfactant, pH of the solvent and the structure of the copolymers.

Cancer is a leading cause of death in the western world and is increasing in frequency world-wide. Although diagnosis, treatment and therapeutic approaches to cancer have improved, many types of cancer are still lethal due to the lack of radical treatment. One of the fatal neoplastic disease types with poor prognosis is represented by malignant mesothelioma (MM). MM is characterised by very high mortality rate and limited therapeutic options. The etiology of the disease is mainly associated with exposure to asbestos fibres. The incidence of MM is increasing in many countries. The search for novel molecular targets, anti-cancer strategies and drugs, which would considerably improve the treatment is of great importance. Certain new drugs, especially those with specific molecular targets, show high selectivity in their action to cancer cells, and have considerably increased the cure rate in some types of cancer. Mitochondria have recently emerged as a very promising target for anti-cancer agents. A group of compounds with anti-cancer activity that induce apoptosis by way of mitochondrial destabilisation, termed 'mitocans', have been a recent focus of research. Several mitocans have been shown to selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells and suppress the growth of many types of carcinomas in...

Interactions of Metal Cations in Bioorganic Environment Computational Study Using Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Mechanics Tools Zdeněk Futera Biologically relevant interactions of piano-stool ruthenium(II) complexes with ds-DNA are studied by QM/MM computational technique. The whole re- action mechanism is divided into three phases - hydration of [RuII (η6 - benzene)(en)Cl]+ , consequent binding DNA and final intra-strand cross-link formation between two adjacent guanines. Free energy profiles of all reactions are explored by QM/MM MD umbrella sampling approach where the Ru(II) complex is described by DFT. For that purpose, special QM/MM software was developed to couple Gaussian and Amber programs. Calculated free energy barriers of Ru(II) hydration as well as DNA binding process are in good agreement with experimentally determined rate constants. Reaction pathway for cross-link formation was predicted that is feasible from both thermodynamical and kinetical point of view.

This diploma thesis is focused on the design and synthesis of new half-sandwich titanium complexes for anchoring to selected supports (SiO2, SBA-15) and the study of their catalytic activity and selectivity in ethylene trimerization to 1-hexene. The synthetic strategy of half-sandwich titanium complexes with a suitable leaving group for direct anchoring through Ti−O bond was carried out (Cl, Oi-Pr). In addition, the titanium complexes with pendant alkenyl group were prepared and utilised for anchoring to a SiMe2H modified support by Pt-catalysed hydrosilylation reaction. Prepared compounds were characterised by standard spectroscopic methods (IR, NMR, MS). The heterogeneous systems were characterised by MAS NMR and IR spectroscopy, powder XRD, ICP-OES, TGA and the textural parameters were determined from nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. For all prepared materials was studied the catalytic activity for ethylene trimerization and the selectivity to 1-hexene.

Plusieurs complexes de salphen à base de métaux transition (Cr, Co, Fe) ont été synthétisés et utilisés comme catalyseurs pour la copolymérisation d’époxydes avec du monoxyde de carbone (CO), des anhydrides ou du dioxyde de carbone (CO2). De nouveaux complexes à base de Zn, Al, Mg ont également été testés pour la copolymérisation d’époxydes avec CO2.La partie première s’intéresse principalement à la copolymérisation d’oxyde de propylène avec du monoxyde de carbone. Le complexe salphen de chrome et Co2(CO)8 ont été utilisées comme catalyseurs. Quel que soit le complexe utilisé, il a été observé une faible activité et les produits de carbonylation attendus (polyester et lactone) ont été obtenus en faible quantité. En revanche, la combinaison in-situ de ces deux catalyseurs a montré une activité supérieure. Cela a conduit à la formation de la lactone cyclique (β-butyrolactone) et de poly(ester-co-éther) de faible masse molaire, ce qui marque une faible compatibilité de ces complexes.La partie suivante traite de la copolymérisation d’époxydes avec des anhydrides catalysée par des complexes de salphen à base de chrome et fer ou d’une base organique simple. Les complexes utilisés sans co-catalyseur ont été inactifs, mais la combinaison avec la base organique (PPNCl) comme co-catalyseur a conduit à la copolymérisation alternée des deux monomères, produisant des polyesters avec des masses molaires jusqu’ à 10 kg.mol-1 et une faible dispersité. PPNCl s’est révélée être la base la plus efficace pour la copolymérisation alternée des époxydes et des anhydrides. Les bases organiques simples utilisées seules ont aussi permis l’obtention de polyesters, mais avec des temps de polymérisation cinq fois plus longs.Enfin, la troisième partie présente la copolymérisation des époxydes avec CO2 en présence de complexes salphen de Cr ou de Co. Les complexes salphen cobalt ont été significativement plus efficaces pour la copolymérisation de l’oxyde de propylène (PO) ou de l’oxyde de cyclohexène (CHO) avec CO2 que leurs homologues à base de chrome. Les polycarbonates obtenus avec les complexes de cobalt ont plus de 99% d’unités carbonate, des masses molaires allant de 10 à 35 kg.mol-1 et une faible dispersité. Les études cinétiques ont permis de montrer que la polymérisation est contrôlée. Des analyses par spectrométrie de masse MALDI-TOF ont permis de vérifier la microstructure et le mécanisme d’activation. Toutefois, pour la copolymérisation de PO avec CO2, les complexes salphen cobalt ont une activité plus faible (100-450 h-1) ainsi qu’une sélectivité en polycarbonate moindre (40-90%) que les complexes salen cobalt. Une sélectivité de 100% vers la synthèse de polycarbonate a néanmoins pu être obtenue lors de la copolymérisation de CHO avec CO2. Enfin, les complexes β-diminate, ketiminate et aminidate d’Al, Zn et Mg utilisés pour la copolymérisation d’époxydes avec CO2 se sont révélés décevants car présentant une activité très faible et seuls des homopolyéthers ont été obtenus. / A series of salphen complexes based on Cr, Co and Fe was synthesized and used as catalysts in ring-opening copolymerization of different substrates: (i) epoxides with carbon monoxide (CO), (ii) epoxides with anhydrides and (iii) epoxides with carbon dioxide (CO2). Additionally, a screening of catalytic activity for the last substrate was performed with novel Zn, Al and Mg non-salen based complexes.The first part of the Thesis deals with the copolymerization of propylene oxide with carbon monoxide using asymmetric salphen chromium complex and Co2(CO)8 in order to prepare a synthetic equivalent of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) otherwise accessible by fermentation of various substrates. Very poor catalytic performances towards carbonylated products (PHB or β-butyrolactone (BBL)) were observed with any of the two complexes. The combination of both salphen chromium and Co2(CO)8 complexes led to increased formation of BBL. Low molar mass poly(ester-co-ether) was only prepared, suggesting a poor compatibility of selected complexes.The second part of the work is focused on the copolymerization of epoxides with anhydrides catalyzed by salphen chromium or iron complexes combined with simple organic bases as cocatalysts. Salphen complexes alone were almost inactive, while in the presence of bis(triphenylphosphineiminium)chloride (PPNCl) they afforded highly alternating polyesters with molar mass up to 10 kg.mol-1 and low dispersity. Surprisingly, organic bases alone afforded similar, highly alternating polyesters at five-time lower polymerization rate. PPNCl was found to be an effective catalyst for the highly alternating copolymerization of various epoxides and anhydrides.The last part of our investigations refers to the copolymerization of epoxides with CO2 using salphen chromium and especially salphen cobalt complexes. Cobalt catalysts were significantly more active in propylene oxide (PO)/CO2 and cyclohexene oxide (CHO)/CO2 copolymerization compared to their chromium analogues. Highly alternating polycarbonates (> 99%) with low dispersity and molar mass 10-35 kg.mol-1 were prepared by salphen cobalt complexes. Kinetic studies showed that these polymerizations are controlled and MALDI-TOF MS analysis was used for initiation mechanism clarification. Compared to widely investigated salen Co catalysts, salphen Co complexes exhibit lower activity (100-450 h-1) and selectivity to polymer (40-90%) in propylene oxide/CO2 copolymerization, while 100% selectivity to polycarbonate was achieved in the copolymerization of CHO and CO2. Alternatively, new Al, Zn and Mg-based catalysts were tested for CO2 activation, however, they usually led only to epoxide homopolymerization. / V této práci byla připravena řada salfenových komplexů na bázi chromu, kobaltu a železa. Tyto komplexy byly použity jako katalyzátory pro kopolymerizace epoxidů s různými substráty: (i) s oxidem uhelnatým (CO), (ii) s anhydridy a (iii) s oxidem uhličitým (CO2). U nových komplexů na bázi zinku, hliníku a hořčíku byla dále testována možnost jejich použití jako katalyzátorů pro kopolymerizace epoxidů s CO2.První část práce se zabývá kopolymerizací epoxidů s oxidem uhelnatým s využitím asymetrického salfenového komplexu na bázi chromu a Co2(CO)8 s cílem připravit kopolymer na bázi přírodního polyhydroxybutyrátu (PHB). Salfenový komplex chromu i Co2(CO)8 vykazovaly velmi nízké aktivity při karbonylaci propylenoxidu a poskytovaly pouze nepatrné množství produktů (cyklického β-butyrolaktonu a PHB). Kombinace obou katalytických komplexů vedla k výraznému zvýšení aktivity ve prospěch cyklického produktu (β-butyrolaktonu) i polymeru. Kopolymerizací PO s CO byl získán pouze nízkomolekulární poly(ester-co-ether), což naznačuje špatnou vzájemnou kompatibilitu těchto komplexů.Druhá část je zaměřena na kopolymerizace epoxidů s anhydridy katalyzované salfenovými komplexy chromu a železa v kombinaci s jednoduchými organickými bázemi. Samotné salfenové komplexy chromu a železa nevedly ke vzniku polymeru. V kombinaci s nukleofilním kokatalyzátorem bis(trifenylfosfin)iminium chloridem (PPNCl) ovšem tyto komplexy poskytly alternující kopolymery epoxidu a anhydridu (polyestery) s molárními hmotnostmi do 10 kg.mol-1 a nízkou dispersitou. Dále bylo zjištěno, že samotné organické báze poskytují podobně jako salfenové komplexy vysoce alternující kopolymery se srovnatelnou molární hmotností i úzkou dispersitou, i když je zapotřebí 5x delších polymerizačních časů. Nejvyšší účinnost ze všech testovaných bází měl PPNCl. Tato báze byla dále efektivně použita pro kopolymerizace řady epoxidů a anhydridů za vzniku vysoce alternujících kopolymerů. Třetí část pojednává o kopolymerizacích epoxidů s CO2 s využitím salfenových komplexů chromu a kobaltu. Bylo zjištěno, že kobaltové komplexy jsou oproti chromovým mnohem efektivnější katalyzátory jak při kopolymerizacích propylenoxidu (PO) s CO2 tak i cyklohexenoxidu (CHO) s CO2. Salfenové komplexy kobaltu poskytly polykarbonáty s vysokým obsahem karbonátových jednotek v kopolymeru (> 99%), úzkou dispersitou a s molárními hmotnostmi 10-35 kg.mol-1. Studie kinetiky odhalila kontrolovaný průběh kopolymerizace. Dále byla provedena MALDI-TOF analýza výsledných polykarbonátů s cílem objasnit mechanismus iniciace kopolymerizace. Ve srovnání se salenovými komplexy kobaltu vykazují salfenové komplexy při kopolymerizacích PO s CO2 nižší aktivitu (100-450 h-1) i selektivitu na polykarbonát (40-90%). Při kopolymerizacích CHO s CO2 byla ovšem selektivita 100%. Nové komplexy na bázi Al, Mg a Zn byly také testovány jako katalyzátory pro kopolymerizace epoxidů s CO2, nicméně jejich aktivita byla nízká a výsledkem těchto reakcí byly pouze polykarbonáty s nízkým podílem karbonátových jednotek nebo polyethery.

Grafen v kombinaci s komplexy kovů by mohl poskytnout nové přísutpy v hybridních materiálech založených na grafenové bázi a v oblasti molekulárního magnetismu. Obě témata jsou velmi diskutovaná jako taková, nicméně, výzkumu vedoucího k možnosti jejich míchání není mnoho. Vzorky byly připraveny sonikací grafitu v kapalné fázi, což vedlo k exfoliaci grafenu. Následně byly nadeponovány pomocí modiikované Lagmuirovy– Schaeferovy depoziční metody různé komplexy kovů na substrát pokrytý grafenem. Klíčovým krokem bylo určení vlastností takto připraveného materiálu. Proto byly následně vlastnosti takového hybridního materiálu charakterizovány pomocí vysokofrekvenční elektronové paramagnetické rezonance (angl. HFEPR), rastrovacího elektronového mikroskopu, (angl. SEM), Ramanovou spektroskopií a čtyř bodovou metodou měření odporu. V této práci jsme potvrdili naši presumpci, že je možné vytvořit hybridní materiál smícháním exfoliovaného grafenu s molekulárními magnety pro získání nových magnetických a elektronických vlastností, které by mohly být využity v další generaci detektorů a elektroniky.

Diploma thesis deals with preparation of peripherally functionalized polydentate Schiff ligands, suitable for metal coordination, such as Fe(III) or Co(III). The compounds, formed by this functionalization using organic molecule or stable organic radical, provide coordination site for another central atom. The compounds were synthesized for their potential biological activity. The organic ligands series was prepared, and these ligands were submitted to coordination reactions with selected transition metals. The prepared compounds were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray structure analysis.

This master thesis deals with study of chitosan-lignohumate, chitosan-polystyrenesulfonate, chitosan-alginate and chitosan-carrageenan polyelectrolyte complexes. The work was motivated by research of finding suitable alternative substance for lignohumate. The molecular weights of substances were characterized using SEC-MALLS. A degree and a character of the interactions between polyelectrolyte were studied by isothermal titration calorimetry and dynamic light scattering method. The calorimetric experiments proved that decreasing concentration of samples causes decreasing of heat flow. The best calorimetric measurements were provided by adding chitosan into polymer solution. The interactions between chitosan and polyanions and influence of mixing order were proved also by measuring intensity of zeta potential, Z-average of particle size and turbidity. New chitosan-based materials have a big potential in agriculture and medicine.

This master thesis is dealing with the use of light scattering techniques in the study on formation of polyelectrolyte complexes in the system biopolymer-surfactant. Sodium hyaluronate was chosen as biopolymer and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and karbethopendecinium bromide were selected as surfactants. The first precipitation experiments were performed to determine the optimal concentration range of surfactants for subsequent titration measurements performed on Zetasizer Nano ZS and for SEC-MALS analysis. The key parameters obtained from these measurements were the values of critical aggregation concentrations in hyaluronate-surfactant systems. It was found out that the increasing molecular weight of hyaluronan in these systems is causing reduction of obtained values of critical aggregation concentrations. Changes of Z-average particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, conformation plot, radius of gyration and molecular weight in the hyaluronan-surfactant system were monitored during experiments.

Stroke is a serious brain injury, which causes sudden death or terminates in permanent neurological disability. Nowadays, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is used as the only effective treatment of stroke. One of the potential targets for novel therapy are T cells. Even though the explicit role of T cells in the pathogenesis of brain injury, amounts and timing of all T cell subtypes infiltrating into brain during the stroke still needs further investigation. The research in this field is complicated by the lack of efficient methods for in vivo cell tracking. Therefore the aim of this thesis was to develop a method of T cells labelling by MRI contrast agent in order to investigate T cells distribution in ischemic mice model using in vivo MR imaging. T cells were isolated from C57/BL6 mice in two step isolation protocol using gradient centrifugation and magnetic separation with the efficiency of 97 %. The isolated cells were labelled with 100 μg Fe/mL of Molday ION Rhodamine B contrast agent. The labelling efficiency after 17 hours of cells incubation was higher than 99 %. The labelled cells were cultured with CD3 and CD28 antibodies resulting into the 74 % viability of labelled T cells compared to 83 % viability of non labelled T cells. The labelled T cells were visualized by fluorescent...