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This PhD project has explored the use of novel nitroxide annulated porphyrinic macrocycles as photosensitisers (PSs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The PSs have been synthesised, structurally, photophysically and photochemically characterised and investigated biologically through cell assays to determine their potential as photoactivated anticancer drugs. Tetra-nitroxide annulated phthalocyanines (Pcs) were initially investigated. Each of these compounds exhibit four annulated nitroxide-containing rings in a rigid, planar arrangement with fixed distance and geometry with respect to the macrocycle core, which is a novel structural motif in Pc chemistry. The presence of the nitroxides purportedly has two effects: to quench fluorescence and to increase photochemical singlet oxygen production by the compound. While nitroxides, as paramagnetic compounds, are non-fluorescent, their reduction to diamagnetic hydroxylamines results in an increased fluorescence yield. In this way, the nitroxide Pcs can potentially be used as probes for metabolic activity in biological systems, where the primary fate of the nitroxide moiety is reduction. Here, the fluorescence properties of the nitroxide-annulated Pcs were investigated through reduction of the nitroxide moieties by biologically significant reductants and calculation of fluorescence quantum yields. The singlet oxygen quantum yields of the Pcs were determined by two methods, the chemical trapping of singlet oxygen and the direct observation of singlet oxygen luminescence. While the quantum yields of the Pcs were promising when compared to clinically relevant PSs, the tetra-nitroxide Pcs did not exhibit increased quantum yields with respect to their nitroxide-free analogues. Additionally, there was minimal photodynamic action in cell assays. Subsequent fluorescence microscopy confirmed that this was most probably due to the fact that the Pcs were not localising within the cells. To improve the photodynamic action of the Pcs, two polymer-based delivery strategies were employed to enhance their delivery in biological environments. Firstly, the nitroxide Pcs were coupled to linear polymers to create polymer Pc hybrids. The second method involved the encapsulation of the nitroxide Pcs within polymer-based micelles. The synthesis of the polymer Pc hybrids was via a fast and efficient Atom Transfer Nitroxide Radical Coupling (ATNRC) reaction. The hybrids were synthesised as Mg, Zn or free-base (2H) Pc complexes, with either hydrophobic or hydrophilic polymer arms. The hybrids displayed high fluorescence quantum yields and reasonable singlet oxygen quantum yields. Again, these attributes this did not extend to any cell growth inhibition, even for the hydrophilic derivatives. Micellisation of the Pcs with a poly(styrene)-poly(acrylic acid) (PSty-PAA) star diblock copolymer afforded micelles with a range of concentrations of Pcs encapsulated within the glassy PSty core. Fluorescence studies showed that the micelles protected the nitroxide moieties from reduction by ascorbate, a result that could find application in EPR imaging and oximetry. During singlet oxygen experiments, the micelles were found to perform as nanoreactors, supramolecular assemblies which provide a reaction volume for other reagents. Pcs in the micelle cores effectively generated singlet oxygen and while this failed to escape the micelles, it was very effective in the oxidation of a hydrophobic model compound. Although there are potential applications for the micelle systems in waste-water remediation, these systems were ineffective in the PDT assays. With the difficulties associated with the biological delivery of the nitroxide Pcs in mind, hydrophilic mono-nitroxide annulated porphyrazine (Pz) macrocycles were designed and synthesised. Pzs exhibit many of the favourable optical properties of the Pcs. Synthesis of these compounds proceeded via Linstead macrocyclisation to give the target MgPz with A3B type substitution. A nitroxide-free A4 Pz was also isolated as a side-product. Transmetallation and/or hydrolysis gave access to Mg and Zn A3B and A4 carboxylate Pzs. These compounds were structurally characterised and their fluorescence characteristics investigated. The 1O2 quantum yields of the Pzs were also studied. Significantly, nitroxide annulation was found to enhance 1O2 generation of the Pzs relative to nitroxide-free analogues. The Zn carboxylate Pzs were shown to effectively inhibit the growth of tumour cell lines in PDT assay and the MgA4 carboxylate displayed strong 2-photon fluorescence within the cytoplasm of NFF cells. Experiments on freshly excised skin showed the carboxylate Pzs to be highly effective 2-photon PSs for PDT. In conclusion, we have identified several carboxylate Pzs which should be tested further in in vivo PDT experiments.

Polystyrene (PS) is an important commodity polymer. In its most commonly used form, PS is a high molecular weight linear polymer, typically produced through free-radical polymerization, which is a well understood and robust process. This process produces a high molecular weight, clear thermoplastic that is hard, rigid and has good thermal and melt flow properties for use in moldings, extrusions and films. However, polystyrene produced through the free radical process has a very broad molecular weight distribution, which can lead to poor performance in some applications. To this end, nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) can synthesize materials with a much more consistently defined molecular architecture as well as relatively low polydispersity than other methods. NMRP involves radical polymerization in the presence of a nitroxide mediator. This mediator is usually of the form of a stable radical which can bind to and disable the growing polymer chain. This will “tie up” some of the free radicals forming a dynamic equilibrium between active and dormant species, through a reversible coupling process. NMRP can be conducted through one of two different processes: (1) The bimolecular process, which can be initiated with a conventional peroxide initiator (i.e. BPO) but in the presence of a stable nitroxide radical (i.e. TEMPO), which is a stable radical that can reversibly bind with the growing polymer radical chain, and (2) The unimolecular process, where nitroxyl ether is introduced to the system, which then degrades to create both the initiator and mediator radicals. Based on previous research in the group, which included experimental investigations with both unimolecular and bimolecular NMRP under various conditions, it was possible to build on an earlier model and come up with an improved detailed mechanistic model. Additionally, it was seen that certain parameters in the model had little impact on the overall model performance, which suggested that their removal would be appropriate, also serving to reduce the complexity of the model. Comparisons of model predictions with experimental data both from within the group and the general literature were performed and trends verified. Further work was done on the development of an additionally reduced model, and on the testing of these different levels of model complexity with data. The aim of this analysis was to develop a model to capture the key process responses in a simple and easy to implement manner with comparable accuracy to the complete models. Due to its lower complexity, this substantially reduced model would me a much likelier candidate for use in on-line applications. Application of these different model levels to the model-based D-optimal design of experiments was then pursued, with results compared to those generated by a parallel Bayesian design project conducted within the group. Additional work was done using a different optimality criterion, targeted at reducing the amount of parameter correlation that may be seen in D-optimal designs. Finally, conclusions and recommendations for future work were made, including a detailed explanation of how a model similar to the ones described in this paper could be used in the optimal selection of sensors and design of experiments.

Nitroxide polymer brushes grafted on silica nanoparticles as binder-free cathode for organic radical battery have been investigated. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and electron spin resonance confirm that the nitroxide polymer brushes are successfully grafted onto silica nanoparticles via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The thermogravimetric analysis results indicate that the onset decomposition temperature of these nitroxide polymer brushes is found to be ca. 201 ◦C. The grafting density of the nitroxide polymer brushes grafted on silica nanoparticles is 0.74¡V1.01 chains nm−2. The results of the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance indicate that the non-crosslinking nitroxide polymer brushes prevent the polymer from dissolving into organic electrolytes. Furthermore, the electrochemical results show that the discharge capacity of the polymer brushes is 84.9¡V111.1 mAh g−1 at 10 C and the cells with the nitroxide polymer brush electrodes have a very good cycle-life performance of 96.3% retention after 300 cycles.

The electrochemical behavior of a poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin- 1-oxyl-4-yl methacrylate) (PTMA) cathode in organic radical batteries with lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide in N-butyl-N-methyl- pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI/BMPTFSI) ionic liquid electrolytes is investigated. The ionic liquid electrolytes containing a high concentration of the LiTFSI salt have a high polarity, preventing the dissolution of the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) binder and PTMA in the electrolytes. The results of cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance indicate that an increase in the LiTFSI concentration results in a decrease in the impedance of the lithium electrode, which affects the C-rate performance of batteries. The discharge capacity of the PTMA composite electrode in a 0.6 m LiTFSI/BMPTFSI electrolyte is 92.9 mAh g−1 at 1 C; its C-rate performance exhibits a capacity retention, 100 C/1 C, of 88.3%. Moreover, the battery with the 0.6-m LiTFSI/BMPTFSI electrolyte has very good cycle-life performance.

Significant advances have been made in the understanding of living/controlled radical polymerization processes since their discovery in the early 1990’s. These processes enable an unprecedented degree of control over polymer architecture that was previously not possible using conventional radical polymerization processes, and this has made possible the synthesis of many new and interesting materials. However, there has been only limited success in commercializing these new methods. Recently there has been increased focus on the development of more industrially viable processes. Dispersed aqueous phase reactions have received much attention because these water-based processes have several technical, economic, and environmental benefits over the more common solution and bulk reactions that were originally developed. Likewise, there has been some investigation of using continuous reactors that have potential technical and economic benefits over the more commonly employed batch reactors. This thesis presents an in-depth study that combines the three aforementioned technologies: living/controlled radical polymerization, dispersed phase aqueous reactions, and continuous reactors. Specifically, the system of interest is a nitroxide-mediated miniemulsion polymerization reaction in a continuous tubular reactor to produce polymer latex. Design of the continuous tubular reactor is discussed in some detail with a focus on specific technical challenges that were faced in building a functional apparatus for this system. Scoping experiments are described which identified a significant effect of temperature ramping rate that is critical to understand when moving to larger scale reactors for this system. The unexpected phenomenon of room temperature polymerization initiated by ascorbic acid is also described. There is demonstration for the first time that bulk and miniemulsion polymers can be produced in a tubular reactor under controlled nitroxide-mediated polymerization conditions, and copolymers can be produced. A detailed residence time distribution study for the tubular reactor is also shown, and several interesting phenomena are discussed that have implications on the practical operating conditions of the tubular reactor. This particular study makes it clear that one should experimentally verify the residence time distribution within a continuous system with the reactants of interest, and that model systems may not give an accurate picture of the real system. / Thesis (Ph.D, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2010-12-20 12:00:37.974

Polystyrene (PS) is an important commodity polymer. In its most commonly used form, PS is a high molecular weight linear polymer, typically produced through free-radical polymerization, which is a well understood and robust process. This process produces a high molecular weight, clear thermoplastic that is hard, rigid and has good thermal and melt flow properties for use in moldings, extrusions and films. However, polystyrene produced through the free radical process has a very broad molecular weight distribution, which can lead to poor performance in some applications. To this end, nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) can synthesize materials with a much more consistently defined molecular architecture as well as relatively low polydispersity than other methods. NMRP involves radical polymerization in the presence of a nitroxide mediator. This mediator is usually of the form of a stable radical which can bind to and disable the growing polymer chain. This will “tie up” some of the free radicals forming a dynamic equilibrium between active and dormant species, through a reversible coupling process. NMRP can be conducted through one of two different processes: (1) The bimolecular process, which can be initiated with a conventional peroxide initiator (i.e. BPO) but in the presence of a stable nitroxide radical (i.e. TEMPO), which is a stable radical that can reversibly bind with the growing polymer radical chain, and (2) The unimolecular process, where nitroxyl ether is introduced to the system, which then degrades to create both the initiator and mediator radicals. Based on previous research in the group, which included experimental investigations with both unimolecular and bimolecular NMRP under various conditions, it was possible to build on an earlier model and come up with an improved detailed mechanistic model. Additionally, it was seen that certain parameters in the model had little impact on the overall model performance, which suggested that their removal would be appropriate, also serving to reduce the complexity of the model. Comparisons of model predictions with experimental data both from within the group and the general literature were performed and trends verified. Further work was done on the development of an additionally reduced model, and on the testing of these different levels of model complexity with data. The aim of this analysis was to develop a model to capture the key process responses in a simple and easy to implement manner with comparable accuracy to the complete models. Due to its lower complexity, this substantially reduced model would me a much likelier candidate for use in on-line applications. Application of these different model levels to the model-based D-optimal design of experiments was then pursued, with results compared to those generated by a parallel Bayesian design project conducted within the group. Additional work was done using a different optimality criterion, targeted at reducing the amount of parameter correlation that may be seen in D-optimal designs. Finally, conclusions and recommendations for future work were made, including a detailed explanation of how a model similar to the ones described in this paper could be used in the optimal selection of sensors and design of experiments.

Adenosine and adenosine analogues are recognised as cardioprotective agents due to the responses that they induce through the activation of myocardial adenosine receptors. Antioxidants such as nitroxide radicals have also been found to possess cardioprotective properties in biological systems, namely through their ability to scavenge the oxygen-based free radicals that are potentially damaging to tissues and cells. It was envisaged that the linking of an antioxidant moiety to adenosine would produce an adenosine analogue that activates adenosine receptors and also scavenges oxygen-derived free radicals in the body. Consequently, one aim of this project was to synthesise a series of adenosine analogues that possessed a nitroxide or a phenolic antioxidant at the N6 position of the adenosine skeleton. Allosteric ligands have several advantages over orthosteric ligands as potential therapeutic agents, and research into the allosteric enhancement of adenosine receptors is a burgeoning field. It was envisaged that the linking of an antioxidant moiety to an allosteric enhancer would produce a compound that enhances the response of endogenous activation of adenosine receptors and also scavenges oxygen-based free radicals in the body. Consequently, a second aim of this project was to synthesise a series of allosteric enhancers of the A1 adenosine receptor that possessed antioxidant capability endowed by a nitroxide or a phenolic antioxidant functionality. This project has resulted in the synthesis and characterisation of 19 novel N6 substituted adenosine analogues, and additionally 12 novel derivatised thiophenes. Each of the target compounds was tested for its ability to bind to each of the adenosine receptor subtypes and some analogues were found to be potent and selective adenosine receptor agonists.

This thesis describes the synthesis of derivatives of 2'-ethynyl-2'-deoxynucleosides, and their conversion into phosphoramidite building blocks for DNA synthesis. Herein is also outlined the preparation of azide-bearing nitroxyl radicals. After site-selective incorporation of 2'-alkynylnucleosides into DNA using a standard solid-supported phosphoramidite protocol, the modified oligonucleotides were spin labelled with the azide-bearing nitroxyl spin labels via the Cu(I)-catalysed azide-alkyne [3+2] Huisgen cycloaddition (CuAAC or 'click' reaction). The destabilising effect of the spin labelling was determined by UV denaturation studies and circular dichroism, and the spin labelled DNA was investigated by EPR spectroscopy. It was found that this novel site-directed spin labelling strategy afforded conformationally restricted systems, and that the structure of the spin label exerts a significant influence on the results.

Orientador: Liliane Maria Ferrareso Lona / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Engenharia Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T10:01:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Goncalves_MariaCecilia_M.pdf: 1216282 bytes, checksum: 2482b360196051d5ed291cc3d7fa0ccc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: A polimerização via radical livre controlada mediante radicais nitróxido (NMRP) tem recebido cada vez mais atenção como uma técnica para produção de polímeros com estrutura altamente controlada. Distribuições de pesos moleculares estreitas são obtidas, com polidispersidades baixas. Neste trabalho, será estudado o processo NMRP, no qual ocorre a adição de um radical nitróxido estável, como o 2,2,6,6-tetrametil-l-piperidinoxil (TEMPO) para capturar o radical em crescimento. Embora o processo NMRP de ao polímero características controladas (polidipersidades baixas e pesos moleculares que aumentam linearmente com a conversão), ainda existe um desafio nos processos controlados, por apresentarem baixas velocidades de reação. O objetivo principal deste trabalho está focado num estudo experimental do processo NMRP visando aumentar a velocidade de reação sem perder as características principais do processo. O efeito de dois iniciadores BPO (peróxido de benzoíla) e TBEC (tert-butilperóxido-2-etilhexil carbonato) foi analisado. Observou-se que o TBEC (iniciador com constante de decomposição baixa) foi capaz de aumentar significativamente a taxa de polimerização do processo NMRP, quando comparado ao BPO, pois conversões mais altas foram obtidas, num mesmo tempo de reação, mantendo a característica controlada do sistema. O uso do TBEC apresenta uma vantagem frente ao BPO em processos controlados, não somente porque reduz o tempo de reação, mas também porque concentrações menores de iniciador e controlador foram usadas, obtendo uma taxa de reação ainda maior, o que reduz o custo operacional. Para as condições estudadas, comprovou-se experimentalmente que a taxa de reação é inversamente proporcional à concentração inicial de TEMPO, para uma mesma concentração de iniciador. A análise dos resultados através da aplicação da técnica de planejamento de experimento auxiliou numa melhor compreensão do sistema e na obtenção de condições ótimas de operação para se obter baixas polidispersidades e baixos tempos de polimerização / Abstract: NMRP process (Nitroxide Mediated Radical Polymerization) has received increasing attention as a technique for production polymers with highly controlled structures, narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) and polydispersity index dose to 1.0. In this work 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-l-piperidinoxyl (TEMPO) is used as the stable radical to reversibly terminate the growing polymer chain. Polymerizations were performed in ampoules, using TBEC (tert-butylperoxy-2-ethylhexyl carbonate) and BPO (benzoyl peroxide) as initiators. With the purpose of enhancing the reaction rate for NMRP process maintaining the controlled and living characteristics of the polymer synthesized (low polidispersity and molecular weights increasing linearly with conversion) an experimental study was done to evaluate the effect of two different initiators (BPO and TBEC). It was observed that TBEC (initiator with low decomposition rate) was able to enhance significant1y the polymerization rate compared to BPO, keeping the living and controlled characteristics of the system. The results show that TBEC seems to be a promising initiator that make the NMRP process more efficient, not only because it reduces the polymerization time, but also because it allows smaller amounts of controller and initiator to be used. For the operational conditions studied, experimental results with TBEC exposed that the polymerization rate in inversely proportional to the initial concentration of TEMPO, for the same amount of initiator. Using a statistical planning, it was possible to obtain a better understanding of the system and to search for operating conditions that bring low polydispersity and low reaction rates. Finally, the results are expected to have significant benefits for controlled polymerization on an industrial setting / Mestrado / Desenvolvimento de Processos Químicos / Mestre em Engenharia Química