Exploiting coordination bonding of aromatic carboxylic acids at metal surfaces, this thesis explores new directions in the design and application of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The SAMs are investigated using a multi-technique approach comprising of a complementary combination of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. In addition, the X-ray standing wave technique (XSW) was used to characterise the substrates. The process of layer formation and the final structures of the SAMs are found to be strikingly dependent on the combination of molecule and substrate, which is discussed in terms of the intermolecular and molecule-substrate interactions, bonding geometries and symmetry of the organic molecules. This is illustrated by the dramatic difference between molecular adsorption on Ag and Cu for molecules such as biphenyl-3,4',5-tricarboxylic acid and biphenyl-4-acetic acid. In the case of self-assembly on Cu, the molecule-substrate interactions play a decisive role in the resulting SAM structure, whereas on Ag, the intermolecular interactions dominate over the weaker molecule-substrate binding. This exploration of the balance of interactions that lead to the formation of these SAM structures lays the foundation for a systematic design of the structures and properties of aromatic carboxylic acid based monolayers. Finally, different applications and properties of some SAMs were investigated, namely coordination of a Pd(II) complex to a pyridine/pyrazole terminated molecule adsorbed on Ag. Evidence of coordination of Pd(II) to single molecules was provided by STM, XPS and NEXAFS spectroscopy. Additionally, controlled STM tip induced modification of local areas of a 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene SAM on Ag was performed, opening an exciting prospect for nanoscale molecular manipulation.

Les enzymes lipolytiques sont solubles en phase aqueuse mais hydrolysent des substrats insolubles. Leurs activités lipolytiques dépendent donc fortement de l’organisation des substrats lipidiques présents sous forme de structures interfaciales telles que des émulsions, des micelles, des liposomes, ou des bicouches lipidiques. Les propriétés cinétiques et la spécificité de substrat de ces enzymes résultent de l’étape initiale d’adsorption à l’interface lipide-eau et des interactions entre le substrat et le site actif. Dans le cadre de ce travail de thèse, la technique des films monomoléculaires a été utilisée pour étudier en détail les étapes séquentielles d’adsorption, de catalyse et d’inhibition de l’enzyme à l’interface lipide-eau. Dans une première partie, nous avons réalisé la caractérisation physico-chimique de la lipase gastrique de chien (DGL), avec l’étude :  de son adsorption sur un film non substrat de dilauroylphosphatidylcholine ; ‚ de l’hydrolyse interfaciale de la 1,2-dicaprine dans des films mixtes en présence d’Orlistat. Concernant l’étape de catalyse, nous avons étudié l’effet du propeptide sur la spécificité de substrat et l’activité interfaciale de la phospholipase A2 sécrétée de groupe X de souris. Enfin, dans une troisième partie, nous avons comparé les propriétés interfaciales de la lipase YLLIP2 de la levure Yarrowia lipolytica qui serait un bon candidat pour l’enzymothérapie de substitution chez les patients atteints d’insuffisance pancréatique exocrine (IPE), la lipase pancréatique humaine et la DGL. Nos résultats ont confirmé le rôle d’YLLIP2 en tant qu’excellent « substitut » non seulement de la HPL en cas d’IPE, mais aussi de la DGL. / Lipolytic enzymes are water-soluble whereas their substrates are insoluble in water. Their lipolytic activities depend strongly on the organization of the lipid substrates present in interfacial structures such as oil-in-water emulsions, micelles, liposomes, and membrane bilayers. The kinetic properties and substrate specificity of these enzymes result from both their adsorption at the lipid-water interface, and the interactions occurring between the substrate and the active site. In this thesis work, the monomolecular film technique was used to study in details the sequential steps of adsorption, catalysis and inhibition of model enzymes at the lipid-water interface. In a first part, we performed the physico-chemical characterization of the dog gastric lipase (DGL), by studying:  its adsorption onto a dilauroylphosphatidylcholine non-substrate film; ‚ its interfacial hydrolysis of 1,2-dicaprin in mixed films with various amounts of Orlistat. Regarding the catalysis step, we studied the effect of the propeptide on the substrate specificity and interfacial activity of the murine group X secreted phospholipase A2. A model of this enzyme with its propeptide was built from the available 3D structure of the corresponding mature human enzyme. Finally, in the third part, we compared the interfacial kinetic properties of YLLIP2 lipase of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica which has been identified as a good candidate for enzyme replacement therapy for patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), human pancreatic lipase and DGL. Our results confirmed the role of YLLIP2 as an excellent "substitute" not only for HPL in case of PEI, but also for the DGL at acidic pH values.