[ES] Las zeolitas son catalizadores ampliamente utilizados en una gran variedad de procesos químicos, por lo que la optimización de sus propiedades físico-químicas es fundamental para mejorar su aplicación en procesos de interés industrial y medioambiental. En la presente tesis doctoral se proponen diversas metodologías de síntesis directa y post-sintéticas con el fin de controlar aspectos importantes de estos materiales desde la escala microscópica hasta la molecular y atómica, así como su implicación directa en su aplicación como catalizadores y/o materiales conductores. En un primer objetivo, se estudia la influencia del tamaño de cristal y la estructura zeolítica en la transformación selectiva de CO2 hacia productos de interés como olefinas y aromáticos cuando se combina con un catalizador de hierro dopado con potasio. Por un lado, la estructura zeolítica tipo MFI (poro medio) permite maximizar la formación de productos aromáticos, mientras que las zeolitas tipo CHA (poro pequeño) y beta (poro grande) favorecen la formación de olefinas ligeras en distinta proporción. La utilización de las zeolitas ácidas nanocristalinas permite incrementar la formación de olefinas ligeras y aumentar el tiempo de vida de los catalizadores bifuncionales. Asimismo, se estudia el efecto del confinamiento a nivel molecular de diferentes estructuras zeolíticas de poro pequeño con distinto tipo de cavidad para la reacción de metanol a olefinas (MTO), pudiéndose correlacionar la selectividad hacia distintas olefinas ligeras con un parámetro teórico que depende de las dimensiones y la forma de las cavidades de los materiales microporosos. En segundo lugar, se estudia la estabilización de distintas especies metálicas en posiciones extra-red de los materiales zeolíticos, controlando su formación desde átomos individuales a clústeres y/o nanopartículas. La estructura de la zeolita CHA permite encapsular nanopartículas de Pt en el interior de sus cavidades, que son activas y estables para la reacción de oxidación de CO incluso tras tratamientos de envejecimiento a elevadas temperaturas. Por otro lado, se racionaliza la formación de nanopartículas de germanio dispersas en distintas matrices zeolíticas híbridas aprovechando la labilidad del germanio en la red cristalina de las mismas para su aplicación como materiales conductores. Se realiza una optimización de dichos materiales híbridos orgánicos-inorgánicos basados en nanopartículas de Ge mediante diversos tratamientos post-sintéticos, maximizando la dispersión de las nanopartículas y la formación de especies carbonosas para, finalmente, evaluar sus propiedades como materiales conductores. En último lugar, se utiliza esa labilidad del Ge en posiciones cristalinas de las zeolitas como estrategia para controlar a escala atómica la incorporación selectiva de distintos heteroátomos (Si y Sn). La síntesis de la estructura ITT con poros extra-grandes está limitada a bajas relaciones de Si/Ge, presentando por tanto una limitada estabilidad hidrotermal. Por ello, se lleva a cabo una sustitución isomórfica de átomos de Ge por átomos de Si, mejorando la estabilidad hidrotermal de dicho material para su aplicación en la reacción de craqueo catalítico de un gasoil de vacío, posibilitando su regeneración, y obteniendo similar selectividad a diésel y más propileno que con la muestra de origen. Por otro lado, se incorpora selectivamente Sn en la estructura BEC (polimorfo C de la zeolita beta) mediante tratamientos post-sintéticos en los defectos estructurales generados tras la eliminación de átomos de Ge, favoreciéndose la formación de sitios "abiertos" de Sn, que han demostrado ser más activos para reacciones de moléculas oxigenadas en comparación a los sitios "cerrados" de Sn. Las ventajas catalíticas del material Sn-BEC sintetizado se demuestran en la reacción Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley-Oppenauer (MPVO), obteniéndose mayores velocidades de reacción por sitio de Sn "abierto" que con la zeolita Sn-beta(F) convencional. / [CA] Les zeolites són catalitzadors àmpliament utilitzats en una gran varietat de processos químics, per la qual cosa l'optimització de les seues propietats fisicoquímiques és fonamental per a millorar la seua aplicació en processos d'interès industrial i mediambiental. En la present tesi doctoral es proposen diverses metodologies de síntesi directa i post-sintètiques amb la finalitat de controlar aspectes importants d'aquests materials des de l'escala microscòpica fins a la molecular i atòmica, així com la seua implicació directa en la seua aplicació com a catalitzadors i/o materials conductors. Com a primer objectiu, s'estudia la influència de la grandària de cristall i l'estructura zeolítica en la transformació selectiva de CO¿ cap a productes d'interès com a olefines i aromàtics quan es combina amb un catalitzador de ferro dopat amb potassi. D'una banda, l'estructura zeolítica tipus MFI (porus mitjà) permet maximitzar la formació de productes aromàtics, mentre que les zeolites tipus CHA (porus xicotet) i beta (porus gran) afavoreixen la formació d'olefines lleugeres en diferent proporció. La utilització de les zeolites àcides nanocristalines permet incrementar la formació d'olefines lleugeres i augmentar el temps de vida dels catalitzadors bifuncionals. Així mateix, s'estudia l'efecte del confinament a nivell molecular de diferents estructures zeolítiques de porus xicotet amb diferent tipus de cavitat per a la reacció de metanol a olefines (MTO), podent-se correlacionar la selectivitat cap a diferents olefines lleugeres amb un paràmetre teòric que depèn de les dimensions i la forma de les cavitats dels materials microporosos. En segon lloc, s'estudia l'estabilització de diferents espècies metàl·liques en posicions extra-xarxa dels materials zeolítics, controlant la seua formació des d'àtoms individuals a clústers i/o nanopartícules. L'estructura de la zeolita CHA permet encapsular nanopartícules de Pt a l'interior de les seues cavitats, actives i estables per a la reacció d'oxidació de CO fins i tot després de tractaments d'envelliment a elevades temperatures. D'altra banda, es racionalitza la formació de nanopartícules de germani disperses en diferents matrius zeolítiques híbrides aprofitant la labilitat del germani en la xarxa cristal·lina de les mateixes per a la seua aplicació com a materials conductors. Es realitza una optimització d'aquests materials híbrids orgànics-inorgànics basats en nanopartícules de Ge mitjançant diversos tractaments post-sintètics, maximitzant la dispersió de les nanopartícules i la formació d'espècies carbonoses per a, finalment, avaluar les seues propietats com a materials conductors. En últim lloc, s'utilitza eixa labilitat del Ge en posicions cristal·lines de les zeolites com a estratègia per a controlar a escala atòmica la incorporació selectiva de diferents heteroàtoms (Si i Sn). La síntesi de l'estructura ITT amb porus extra-grans està limitada a baixes relacions de Si/Ge, presentant per tant una limitada estabilitat hidrotermal. Per això, es du a terme una substitució isomòrfica d'àtoms de Ge per àtoms de Si, millorant l'estabilitat hidrotermal d'aquest material per a la seua aplicació en la reacció de craqueig catalític d'un gasoil de buit, possibilitant la seua regeneració i obtenint una selectivitat similar a dièsel i més propilè que amb la mostra d'origen. D'altra banda, s'incorpora selectivament Sn en l'estructura BEC (polimorf C de la zeolita beta) mitjançant tractaments post-sintètics als defectes estructurals generats després de l'eliminació d'àtoms de Ge, afavorint-se la formació de llocs "oberts" de Sn, que han demostrat ser més actius per a reaccions de molècules oxigenades en comparació als llocs "tancats" de Sn. Els avantatges catalítics del material Sn-BEC sintetitzat es demostren a la reacció Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley-Oppenauer (MPVO), obtenint-se majors velocitats de reacció per lloc de Sn "obert" que amb la zeolita Sn-beta(F) convencional. / [EN] Zeolites are catalysts used in many chemical processes of industrial and environmental interest. The optimization of the physicochemical properties of these materials is essential to improve their efficiency and attractiveness to current and future technologies. This doctoral thesis aimed to control relevant aspects of the zeolites at the microscopic, molecular, and atomic scale that have a direct effect on their application as catalysts and conductive materials. With this in mind, several methodologies for the direct synthesis of zeolites and several post-synthetic treatments were proposed. Firstly, the influence of crystal size and zeolitic structure on the selective transformation of CO2 towards products of interest such as olefins and aromatics is studied when combined with an iron catalyst doped with potassium. On the one hand, the MFI-type zeolitic structure (medium pore) allows the formation of aromatic products to be maximized. Meanwhile, the CHA (small pore) and BEA (large pore) zeolites favour the production of light olefins in different proportions. The use of nanocrystalline acid zeolites allows to increase the production of light olefins and increases the lifetime of the bifunctional catalysts. Likewise, the effect of confinement at the molecular level of different small-pore zeolitic structures with different types of cavities for the reaction of methanol to olefins (MTO) is studied. Using a theoretical parameter, it was finally possible to correlate the selectivity towards different light olefins with the type of cavities in the microporous materials. Secondly, the stabilization of different metallic species in extra-framework positions of the zeolitic materials is studied by controlling the formation from the individual atoms towards clusters and/or nanoparticles. The structure of the CHA zeolite allows Pt nanoparticles to be encapsulated inside its cavities, which continues being active and stable for the CO oxidation reaction even after aging treatments at high temperatures. On the other hand, the formation of germanium nanoparticles dispersed in different hybrid zeolitic matrices is rationalized by taking advantage of the lability of germanium in their crystalline framework for their application as conductive materials. The optimization of these hybrid organic-inorganic materials based on Ge nanoparticles is carried out through various post-synthetic treatments by maximizing the dispersion of the nanoparticles and the formation of carbonaceous species to evaluate their properties as conductive materials. Finally, the mentioned lability of Ge in crystalline positions is used as a strategy to control the selective incorporation of different heteroatoms (Si and Sn) at the atomic scale. The fact that the synthesis of the ITT structure with extra-large pores is limited to low Si/Ge ratios leads to reduced hydrothermal stability. Therefore, an isomorphic substitution of Ge atoms with Si atoms is carried out. It improved the hydrothermal stability of the material to be applied in the catalytic cracking of a vacuum gasoil, enabling its regeneration. Moreover, the modified material presents similar selectivity to diesel and yields more propylene as compared to the original sample. Also, Sn is selectively incorporated into the BEC structure (polymorph C of beta zeolite) through post-synthetic treatments in the structural defects generated after the elimination of Ge atoms, favouring the formation of "open" Sn sites. It has been shown that this kind of site is more active for reactions involving oxygenated molecules compared to the "closed" sites of Sn. The catalytic advantages of the synthesized Sn-BEC material are demonstrated in the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley-Oppenauer (MPVO) reaction. Higher reaction rates per "open" Sn site than with the conventional Sn-beta(F) zeolite were obtained. / Rodríguez Fernández, A. (2024). Diseño racional de materiales zeolíticos: efectos de confinamiento y control de centros metálicos en posiciones de red y extra-red en aplicaciones de interés [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/202870

Zugl.: Aachen, Techn. Hochsch. und Metz, Univ., Diss., 2006 u.d.T.: Salin, Sophie: Verflechtung nietzscheanischfreudianischer Motive mit dem Werk Gilles Deleuzes und Salin, Sophie: Cryptologie de l'inconscient

In this study, C. S. Lewis's books, essays, stories, and poems, in addition to biographies and essays written about Lewis, were read in an attempt to understand the relationship between Lewis's spiritual quest and his total health. The spiritual quest is defined as the search for the ultimate truth and meaning of life. For Lewis, who was a Christian, the quest for the Spirit is a journey toward God-Jesus-the Holy Spirit. Health is defined as total experience; the interrelationship of the body, mind, and spirit with all there is, has been, and will be. Health is considered a changing perception, not a fixed state. The dimensions of Lewis's health—physical, psychological, social, and spiritual—are studied. Lewis's physical states, literary works, literary themes, friendships, ethics, marriage, and views on religion are considered as each relates to his determination to know and to love God. For Lewis, anything without God is nothing. God is the creator of all living things and all matter. He is the inventor of all loves and is Love. In Lewis's opinion, one's health is in direct proportion to one's love for God. When man loves God he is healthy, the more he loves Him the healthier, the less he loves Him the less healthy.

No description available.

This dissertation treats the theory and practice of C. S. Lewis's theological imagination, focussing upon the imaginative use he made of his professional expertise in medieval and renaissance literature. Its approach is principally expository rather than an evaluative. Chapter One outlines the centrality of the imagination to a proper understanding of Lewis's works. Chapter Two examines Lewis's own theory of imagination and surveys how he practised it as a literary critic. We compare and contrast Lewis's theory and practice of imagination with that of his friend, the theologian, Austin Faffer. Chapter Three looks in more detail at Lewis's imaginative practice, in particular his fascination with the images supplied by the seven planets of the Ptolemaic cosmos, which he termed 'spiritual symbols of permanent value'. We analyse what he meant by 'sprit' and 'symbol'. Chapter Four introduces the main argument of the dissertation namely that these seven spiritual symbols structure the works for which Lewis is best known, the seven 'Chronicles of Narnia'. We claim to have uncovered the governing imaginative blueprint of the septet. We address Lewis's capacity for and interest in secrecy and consider why this planetary theme has remained hitherto undetected. In Chapters Five to Eleven we take the seven planets in turn and trace the use Lewis made of them through out his writings. We analyse the planetary symbolism undergirding each Chronicle and conclude each chapter with an exegesis of the Christological message of each book so understood. Chapter Twelve examines factors which motivated Lewis to focus his imaginative energies upon Ptolemaic cosmology and suggests one particular occasioning factor behind the composition of the Chronicles. In addition, we consider theological and pedagogical reasons why he kept silent about the planetary theme. We conclude by indicating certain consequences that our argument has for future readings of these seven works.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate Pope's treatment of Lewis Theobald and Colley Cibber in their roles as the king of dunces in the Dunciad. After an introductory chapter that treats the battles between Pope and Theobald and Pope and Cibber, the second chapter gives a short factual biography of Theobald emphasizing the events relating to his battle with Pope. The third chapter analyzes the caricature of Theobald in the Dunciad Variorum, showing its variations from fact. By comparing Theobald and Cibber, the fourth chapter investigates the extent and effectiveness of the changes made in the Dunciad of 1743 to accommodate the change from Theobald to Cibber as the king of dunces. This paper attempts to demonstrate that Theobald and Cibber were treated unfairly by Pope, whose decision to enthrone both was based on a desire for personal revenge.

This thesis describes our physical organic and mechanistic investigations into N Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) mediated organocatalytic transformations, through a collaboration with the research group of Dr AnnMarie O'Donoghue and PhD student Richard Massey at Durham University. Initial research focused upon the determination of kinetic acidities and associated pKₐ values for a range of triazolium salts using C(3) H/D exchange, monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Estimates for pKₐ values in the range 16.6 17.4 were obtained, which are some ~2 and ~3 5 pK units lower than analogous imidazolium and thiazolium species respectively, with modest N substituent (0.3 pK units) effects observed. At lower pD values, an altered pD dependence indicates a dicationic triazolium species is formed (through N(1) protonation) with an estimated pKₐᴺ¹ of -0.2-0.5 and C(3) H pKₐ values at least 2 units lower than their monocationic analogues. This methodology was subsequently extended to mesoionic NHCs, where pKa values of 23.0 27.1 for a range of triazolium and 30.2 31.0 for a range of imidazolium salts were estimated. A detailed study of the NHC catalysed intramolecular Stetter reaction was also undertaken using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. A range of 3 (hydroxybenzyl)azolium salts (adducts), formed from the addition of NHC to aldehyde were isolated, enabling the generation of reaction profiles and the determination of rate constants. The reaction proceeds via rapid and reversible adduct generation, followed by rate limiting Breslow intermediate formation, with electron withdrawing N aryl substituents increasing the rate of product formation. Consistent with rate limiting deprotonation, deuterium exchange studies of O methylated adduct analogues found electron withdrawing N-aryl units gave faster exchange. Examination of the equilibrium constants for adduct formation revealed that both in the case of NHCs bearing 2,6 disubstituted N aryl units and aldehydes bearing a 2 ether substituent, the equilibrium position is significantly shifted towards adduct. Finally, studies at sub-stoichiometric NHC concentrations, monitored by HPLC, imply the reaction is first order with respect to NHC precursor, but zero order in aldehyde, again indicative of rate limiting deprotonation.

La glycosylation est un processus enzymatique permettant l'ajout de sucres à des composés (sucres, lipides ou protides), modifiant ainsi leurs propriétés. La glycosylation est impliquée dans la détoxification des xénobiotiques et des variations d'activité des enzymes responsables ont été identifiées comme facteur de risque de cancer en particulier dans les organes exposés aux xénobiotiques. Dans la première partie de notre travail nous étudions l'impact des polymorphismes génétiques de certaines enzymes responsables de la détoxification (UGT1A7, GST et XRCC1) sur le risque de carcinome hépatocellulaire. Nous montrons que la combinaison de certains polymorphismes génétiques peut entraîner une augmentation du risque de CHC. Des modifications d'expression des glycoprotéines de surface ont été observées dans les cellules cancéreuses jouant un rôle dans leurs interactions avec le microenvironnement. Dans la seconde partie, nous étudions l'effet de l'inhibition des interactions des cellules de CHC/cellules endothéliales par le blocage du couple sialyl Lewis x/E-sélectine sur la croissance tumorale. Ce blocage est obtenu, d'une part par transfert du gène de la Fucosyl-transferase I, inhibant l'expression de sLex à la surface des cellules de CHC, et d'autre part, par utilisation de cimétidine ou d'amiloride permettant une inhibition de l'expression de la E-sélectine par les cellules endothéliales. Nous obtenons une inhibition de la croissance tumorale in vivo par blocage de la néoangiogénèse. Ces travaux permettent donc d'identifier des facteurs de risque génétiques de CHC et d'envisager une autre voie de traitement du CHC. / Glycosylation is an enzymatic process that consists of the addition of glycosyl groups to compounds (sugars, lipids or proteins), thus modifying their properties. Glycosylation is involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics and variations in activity of enzymes responsible have been identified as a potential risk factor for cancer in particular in organs in contact with the external environment. In the first part of our work we study the impact of polymorphisms of detoxification enzyme (UGT1A7, GST and XRCC1) on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. We show that the combination of genetic polymorphisms of such enzymes may increase the risk of HCC. Modifications in the expression of surface glycoproteins have been observed in cancer cells and play a role in their interactions with the tumoral microenvironment. In the second part, we study the effect of inhibition of interactions of HCC cells / endothelial cells on tumor growth by blocking the interaction between sialyl Lewis x and E-selectin. First, we achieved the inhibition of the expression of sLex on the surface of HCC cells by introducing fucosyl transferase- I gene in HCC cells. In a second part of our work we used cimetidine and amiloride to inhibit the expression of E-selectin by endothelial cells. This approach resulted in inhibition of HCC cells / endothelial cells interaction and thereby tumor growth inhibition in vivo. This effect is mediated by an inhibition of tumor neoangiogenesis. This work therefore identifies genetic risk factors for HCC and allows considering another way of treatment of HCC.

No presente trabalho foram realizados estudos de regiosseletividade das reações de abertura de 2,3-epoxipropanoato de etila (1) utilizando diferentes nucleófilos de selênio e algumas dessas reações foram desenvolvidas com a adição do ácido de Lewis trifluoreto de boro dietil éter (BF3·Et2O). A abertura desse oxirano ao utilizar os nucleófilos MeSeMgCl e MeSeLi-BF3·Et2O ocorreu seletivamente no Carbono C-3 formando o composto de interesse (3-metilseleno 2-hidroxipropanoato de etila), já ao utilizar MeSeLi (em ausência ácido de Lewis) a abertura procedeu-se seletivamente no carbono C-2 formando 2-metilseleno-3-hidroxipropanoato de etila. A reação com o nucleófilo (Na[PhSeB(OEt)3]) levou à mistura desses regioisômeros. O ácido de Lewis BF3·Et2O em presença do selenolato levou a inversão de regiosseletividade da reação de abertura do epóxido 1 e a razão estequiométrica de BF3·Et2O adicionada ao meio reacional correspondeu, proporcionalmente, a porcentagem de obtenção do produto de abertura em C-3 (Tabela 1). Os resultados obtidos sugeriram que BF3·Et2O altera a nucleofilicidade do selenolato (RMN de 77Se) a partir de uma interação selênio-boro. A formação da ligação Se-B pode ocorrer com ou sem a liberação de fluoreto e esse mecanismo foi investigado por meio do emprego de uma sonda fluorescente seletiva desse haleto. O mecanismo dessas reações também foram investigados por cálculos teóricos, os quais mostram-se totalmente coerentes com os resultados experimentais. / In the present work was studied reactions of regioselective opening of 2,3-epoxyester using different selenolatos and some of this reactions were developed by adding Lewis acid BF3·Et2O. The opening reaction of this oxirane using the nucleofilms MeSeMgCl and MeSeLi-BF3·Et2O occurred selectively in carbon C-3 forming the compound of interest (ethyl 3-methylselene 2-hydroxypropanoato of ethyl), already using MeSeLi (in Lewis acid absence) the reaction was selectively on C-2 carbon to form ethyl 2-methylselene-3-hydroxypropanoate. The reaction with the nucleophile (Na[PhSeB(OEt)3]) formed a mixing of these regioisomers. The Lewis acid BF3·Et2O in presence of selenolate reverses the regioselectivity of opening epoxide (1) reaction and the stoichiometric value of BF3·Et2O added in the reaction corresponded proportionally with the percentage of C-3 product (Table 1). The results suggested that BF3·Et2O alters the nucleophilicity of selenolate (77Se NMR) from a selenium-boron interaction. Se-B bond formation may occur with or without fluoride release and this mechanism has been investigated by the use of a selective fluorescent probe of that halide. The mechanism of these reactions was also investigated by theoretical calculations, which are fully consistent with the experimental results.

Kationische Zinkkomplexe werden als katalytisch aktive Spezies zahlreicher Lewis-Säure-katalysierter Reaktionen vermutet. Die diesen Katalysereaktionen zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen sind jedoch unzureichend verstanden. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Dissertation ist die Synthese strukturell definierter kationischer Zinkorganyle als Modellverbindungen für katalytisch aktive Spezies zinkkatalysierter Reaktionen. Der Fokus liegt auf Zinkverbindungen mit Cyclopentadienylliganden (Cp-Liganden), da Cp-Liganden ungewöhnliche Bindungssituationen stabilisieren können. In dieser Arbeit wird die erfolgreiche Synthese und Charakterisierung mehrerer kationischer Zinkkomplexe des Pentamethylcyclopentadienylliganden (Cp*-Liganden) beschrieben. Ein gemeinsames Strukturmerkmal dieser Komplexe besteht in der Koordination des Zinkatoms durch einen Cp*-Liganden sowie durch Neutralliganden. Die hohe Elektrophilie dieser Verbindungen ließ sich durch Reaktivitätsuntersuchungen belegen. Ein weiterer Ansatz zur Stabilisierung kationischer Zinkverbindungen besteht in der Verwendung funktionalisierter Cp-Liganden, die über eine neutrale Donorgruppe in einer Seitenkette verfügen. Es wurden neutrale und kationische Zinkkomplexe amino- sowie thiofunktionalisierter Cp-Liganden synthetisiert und charakterisiert. Für die kationischen Komplexe konnte eine intramolekulare Stabilisierung des Zinkatoms durch die Donorgruppe nachgewiesen werden. Einige der in dieser Arbeit beschriebenen Zinkkomplexe wurden als Präkatalysatoren intermolekularer Hydroaminierungsreaktionen eingesetzt, wobei teilweise hohe katalytische Aktivitäten erreicht wurden. Untersuchungen zum Mechanismus der Katalysereaktionen zeigten, dass eine hohe Elektrophilie des Zinkzentralatoms für eine effektive Katalyse entscheidend ist. / Cationic zinc complexes are assumed to act as catalytically active species in various Lewis acid catalyzed reactions. However, the mechanisms of these reactions are poorly understood. The aim of this dissertation is to synthesize structurally well-defined cationic zinc organyls as model compounds for catalytically active species in zinc catalyzed reactions. The thesis focuses on zinc complexes bearing cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligands, as Cp ligands can stabilize unusual bonding situations. The successful synthesis and characterization of several cationic zinc complexes with pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) ligands is described. As a common structural feature of these complexes, the zinc center is coordinated by a Cp* ligand and additional neutral ligands. The highly electrophilic character of these compounds was proven in reactivity studies. A further approach to stabilize cationic zinc compounds is to apply functionalized Cp ligands featuring a donor group in a side chain. Neutral and cationic zinc complexes bearing amino- and thio-functionalized Cp ligands were synthesized and characterized. The cationic donor-functionalized complexes were shown to exhibit an intramolecular stabilization of the zinc atoms by the donor groups. Several zinc complexes which are described in this thesis were examined as precatalysts in intermolecular hydroamination reactions. In some cases high catalytic activities were achieved. Studies on the mechanism of the catalysis reactions revealed that the presence of a highly electrophilic zinc center is crucial for good catalytic performance.