A review of organic π-electron donor molecules is given. The focus is on tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) systems with particular emphasis on dimeric and oligomeric systems incorporating more than one TTF subunit. Such systems are reviewed based on the number and mode of linkage of the TTF subunits. A short discussion is given of the basic chemistry of the TTF system with emphasis on those areas which are utilised in the synthetic work undertaken. Various iodine substituted TTF systems have been synthesised, in some cases requiring the synthesis of previously unknown TTF precursors. The properties of these compounds as π-electron donors have been investigated and complexation studies yielded several salts. The structure of an insulating salt with tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (TCNQ) was elucidated by X-ray analysis. Homocoupling of these iodine substituted TTFs via an Ullman-type methodology yielded new bis(tetrathiafulvalenyl) derivatives, two of which have been studied by X-ray diffraction. Salts of these derivatives have been prepared and the structure of a perchlorate salt has been studied by X-ray diffraction. The possible effects of the conformation of these systems on their physical properties is also discussed. New bisTTF cyclophanes posessing a rare "Edge to Face" double linkage of the two TTF units have been prepared. The potential for isomerism is discussed and the X-ray structures of an isomerically pure cyclophane and a model compound have been obtained. Insulating and semiconducting salts were obtained of these systems with the structures of a perchlorate and poly iodide salt being elucidated by X-ray. New macrocyclic derivatives incorporating three TTF units have been synthesized with the aim of preparing molecular cavities capable of binding suitable guest molecules. New functionalised TTF derivatives have been synthesised as suitable precursors to these systems.

Amido-oligopyrroles/imidazoles and dimeric benzimidazoles are heterocyclic compounds which are nucleic acid minor groove binding agents. The targets for this project were symmetrical and unsymmetrical amide-linked di- and tri- and tetrameric benzimidazoles to evaluate as potential DNA binding agents. Syntheses involved linkage between C2 and C5 positions of 2-carboxy, 5-carboxy or 2,5-dicarboxy and 2-amino, 5-amino or 2,5-diamino-bearing benzimidazoles. This matrix of substrates could be coupled directly C2-C5 by amide linkage, or these same precursors could also be dimerized symmetrically using small bifunctional linkers (diamine or diacid), affording symmetrical C2-C2 or C5-C5 dimer types of orientation, such as head-to- head, and tail-to tail systems. Monomeric building block benzimidazoles were prepared by condensation of o- phenylene diamines with either aldehydes or carboxylic acids affording the corresponding C2 or C5 amino and C5 carboxybenzimidazoles. 2- Carboxybenzimidazoles were however prepared by condensation of o-phenylene diamines with trichloroacetimidate followed by hydrolysis. New different novel symmetrical and unsymmetrical-bis(benzimidazole) libraries (C2-C2, C5-C5 and C5- C2 orientation) were prepared via coupling of different aminobenzimidazoles with different carboxybenzimidazoles from the matrix of available monomers. Novel tris(benzimidazoles) with differently linked orientations were prepared either by coupling one equivalent of 2,5-dicarboxybenzimidazole with two equivalents of aminobenzimidazole or coupling one equivalent of 2,5-diaminobenzimidazole with two equivalents of carboxybenzimidazole. A second set of novel tris(benzimidazoles) was prepared via reduction of a nitro- to amino bearing dimer followed by coupling with another carboxybenzimidazole monomer. Novel symmetrical tetra(benzimidazoles) (C2-C2-C2-C2 and C5-C2-C2-C5 orientation) were synthesized via either coupling one equivalent 2-dicarboxy dimeric benzimidazole with two equivalents of 2 or 5-aminobenzimidazole or via coupling one equivalent of 2-diaminobis(benzimidazole) with two equivalents of 2 or 5- carboxybenzimidazoles. Novel symmetrical bis(benzimidazoles) piperidine derivatives were synthesized via coupling one equivalent of 2-dicarboxy dimericbenzimidazole with two equivalents of piperidine derivatives. Forty oligomeric benzimidazoles were evaluated using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) for binding to a series of three oligonucleotides containing A2T2, or A3T3 or A4T4 sequences. Data are presented showing the identification of four optimum ligands from a screen of 40, primarily 2L2552L2 tetramers but also several 2L5 dimers and dimeric 5,5-units without terminal additional benzimidazoles.

No description available.

No description available.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Oligomeric surfactants, sometimes referred to as gemini surfactants, consist of two or more amphiphilic ‘monomer’ units linked together by spacer groups. The chemical identity of the spacer group is unconstrained, and it joins the individual units at or near the hydrophilic headgroups. Oligomeric surfactants display a range of interesting properties, including very low critical micelle concentrations, high surface activity and unusual rheology and self-assembly. Consequently they have many potential applications, both scientific and industrial. Until now, their use has been limited by the cost of their synthesis, which in some cases involve long and difficult procedures. This project developed from the idea that a synthesis based on polymerization could prove a useful and versatile method for producing these surfactants. The chemical starting point for this project was a series of polymerizable surfactants (‘surfmers’), upon which polymerization was performed. Two families of surfmers were investigated, both cationic and based on methacrylate and vinylpyridinium moieties respectively. The physical behaviour of these surfactants – a number of which are new – was investigated using standard techniques; these included the determination of the critical micelle concentration, characterization of phase behaviour, neutron scattering and surface adsorption. In producing oligomers, the initial focus was on free-radical polymerization, with control of molecular weight to be achieved by chain-transfer techniques. Due largely to analysis problems, this work proved unsuccessful. In its place a new reaction, not based on conventional polymerization methods, has been developed. The vinylpyridinium surfmers mentioned above readily undergo addition across the double bond to produce alkyl ring substituents. Under basic conditions, these alkylpyridiniums undergo an elimination/addition reaction in which they link together to form oligomers. This reaction can be started or stopped by raising or lowering the pH of the reaction solution, and has been performed in both organic and aqueous solutions. It is referred to in this thesis as LELA(Linkage by ELimination/Addition). The LELA reaction was used to produce mixtures of oligomers, the phase behaviour and surface adsorption of which were examined. Small-angle neutron scattering was used to monitor the reaction in real time and identify changes in self-assembly as the average oligomer length increased. Progress was also made towards a chromatographic protocol that would allow mixtures to be separated into their components and the pure oligomers to be studied. Finally, some of the compounds studied display interesting pH-dependent chromophoric properties which were also found to occur with other simple alkylpyridinium species. They are tentatively ascribed to inter- and intramolecular charge-transfer complexes, and evidence towards this conclusion was collected and is presented along with relevant calculations.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Oligomeric surfactants, sometimes referred to as gemini surfactants, consist of two or more amphiphilic ‘monomer’ units linked together by spacer groups. The chemical identity of the spacer group is unconstrained, and it joins the individual units at or near the hydrophilic headgroups. Oligomeric surfactants display a range of interesting properties, including very low critical micelle concentrations, high surface activity and unusual rheology and self-assembly. Consequently they have many potential applications, both scientific and industrial. Until now, their use has been limited by the cost of their synthesis, which in some cases involve long and difficult procedures. This project developed from the idea that a synthesis based on polymerization could prove a useful and versatile method for producing these surfactants. The chemical starting point for this project was a series of polymerizable surfactants (‘surfmers’), upon which polymerization was performed. Two families of surfmers were investigated, both cationic and based on methacrylate and vinylpyridinium moieties respectively. The physical behaviour of these surfactants – a number of which are new – was investigated using standard techniques; these included the determination of the critical micelle concentration, characterization of phase behaviour, neutron scattering and surface adsorption. In producing oligomers, the initial focus was on free-radical polymerization, with control of molecular weight to be achieved by chain-transfer techniques. Due largely to analysis problems, this work proved unsuccessful. In its place a new reaction, not based on conventional polymerization methods, has been developed. The vinylpyridinium surfmers mentioned above readily undergo addition across the double bond to produce alkyl ring substituents. Under basic conditions, these alkylpyridiniums undergo an elimination/addition reaction in which they link together to form oligomers. This reaction can be started or stopped by raising or lowering the pH of the reaction solution, and has been performed in both organic and aqueous solutions. It is referred to in this thesis as LELA(Linkage by ELimination/Addition). The LELA reaction was used to produce mixtures of oligomers, the phase behaviour and surface adsorption of which were examined. Small-angle neutron scattering was used to monitor the reaction in real time and identify changes in self-assembly as the average oligomer length increased. Progress was also made towards a chromatographic protocol that would allow mixtures to be separated into their components and the pure oligomers to be studied. Finally, some of the compounds studied display interesting pH-dependent chromophoric properties which were also found to occur with other simple alkylpyridinium species. They are tentatively ascribed to inter- and intramolecular charge-transfer complexes, and evidence towards this conclusion was collected and is presented along with relevant calculations.

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and nearly 34% of U.S. adults are prediabetic. CTRP3 is an adipose secreted protein that has shown to play a key role in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, however, the research on CTRP3 total levels and its relationship to type 2 diabetes is controversial. The oligomeric state (protein structure) of CTRP3 in relation to metabolic dysfunction has not been studied. This study will be the first analysis of the circulating forms of CTRP3 in human blood. Hypothesis: The relative circulating amounts of the three oligomeric states of CTRP3 will differ in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Human serum samples are analyzed using western blotting under native, reduced non-denaturing, and denaturing conditions. Results: In reducing non-denaturing conditions, three oligomeric states of CTRP3 were visualized in human serum: the high molecular weight (HMW) oligomer, the low molecular weight (LMW) oligomer, and the trimer. Conclusion: Reduced, non-denaturing conditions appear to yield the most effective separation of the three oligomeric states of CTRP3, and further studies aim to observe a difference in oligomeric state with a diabetic phenotype. Investigating the relationship of CTRP3’s oligomeric state with diabetic phenotype could present novel understanding of this protein’s possible protective effects against certain metabolic disorders.

Cyanate ester (PT-15, Lonza Corp) composites containing the inorganic-organic hybrid polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS), octaaminophenyl(T8)POSS (C6H4NH2)8(SiO1.5)8, cyanopropylheptacyclopentyl(T8)POSS, (C5H9)7(SiO1.5)8(CH2) 3CN or TriSilanolPhenylPOSS (C42H38O12Si7), were synthesized respectively. These PT-15/POSS composites were characterized by FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (X-EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and three-point bending flexural tests. XRD, TEM and IR data are all consistent with molecular dispersion of octaaminophenyl(T8)POSS and TriSilanolPhenylPOSS due to the chemical bonding of the POSS macromer into the continuous cyanate ester network phase. In contrast to octaaminophenyl(T8) POSS and TriSilanolPhenylPOSS, cyanopropylheptacyclopentyl (T8)POSS has a low solubility in PT-15 and does not react with the resin before or during the cure. The TriSilanolPhenylPOSS (C42H38O12Si7) was incorporated into the aliphatic epoxy (Epoxy 9000, Clearstream Products, Inc.) in 99/1, 97/3, 95/5, 90/10 and 85/15 w/w ratios and cured. This same epoxy resin was also blended with an equal weight (50/50 w/w) of cyanate ester resin (PT-15, Lonza Corp) and TriSilanolPhenylPOSS was added in resin/POSS weight ratios of 99/1, 97/3, 95/5, 90/10 and 85/15 and cured. Both sets of composites were characterized by FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (X-EDS), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and three-point bending flexural tests. TriSilanolPhenyl-POSS was first thoroughly dispersed into the uncured liquid epoxy resin or the epoxy/PT-15 blend. XRD and X-EDS measurements after curing were consistent with partial molecular dispersion of the POSS units in the continuous matrix phase, while the remainder forms POSS aggregates. TEM and SEM show that POSS?enriched nanoparticles are present in the matrix resins of both the epoxy/POSS and epoxy-PT-15/POSS composites.

Consumers view natural antioxidants as a safe means to reduce spoilage in foods. In addition, these compounds have been reported to be responsible for human health benefits. Identification of these compounds in peanut skins may enhance consumer interest, improve sales, and increase the value of peanuts. This study evaluated analytical methods which have not been previously incorporated for the analysis of peanut skins. Toyopearl size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used for separating phenolic size-classes in raw methanolic extract from skins of Gregory peanuts. This allowed for an enhanced analysis of phenolic content and antioxidant activity based on compound classes, and provided a viable preparatory separation technique for further identification. Toyopearl SEC of raw methanolic peanut skin extract produced nine fractions based on molecular size. Analysis of total phenolics in these fractions indicated Gregory peanut skins contain high concentrations of phenolic compounds. Further studies revealed the fractions contained compounds which exhibited antioxidant activities that were significantly higher than that of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a common synthetic antioxidant used in the food industry. This indicates peanut skin extracts are a viable antioxidant source, and that synthetic antioxidants can be replaced with those naturally-derived from peanut by-products. Structures contained in each fraction were identified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) ion trap mass spectrometry (MSn). Prior to this study, approximately 20 compounds have been identified in peanut skins. The combination of Toyopearl SEC with ESI-HPLC-MSn allowed for the identification of 314 phenolic-based compounds, most of which are newly discovered compounds in peanut skins. Many compounds identified are known to have powerful antioxidant effects, and also have been reported to exhibit numerous beneficial chemical and biological activities, including the treatment of various human health-related conditions. It is evident that peanut skins may be a potential untapped source for the extraction of natural food antioxidants, nutracueticals, and even pharmaceuticals. Because peanut skins are largely a wasted resource to peanut processors, the novel polyphenols identified in this research could have a significant financial impact on the peanut industry. / Ph. D.

Nesse trabalho, foi investigada a obtenção de novos materiais a partir de reações de hidrólise e condensação ácida do (3-aminopropil)trimetoxisilano, que resultaram na formação de nanoestruturas híbridas com grupos amônios e contraíons cloreto (POSS-NH3Cl). As nanoestruturas posteriormente foram submetidas a trocas iônicas durante 0,5, 2, 12 e 48 h, para remoção dos íons cloreto. As análises titulométricas mostraram que a troca iônica ocorreu parcialmente. As partículas de POSS-NH2 formadas apresentam predominância de estruturas em forma de gaiola (T8) octafuncionalizadas. Após a troca iônica, as nanoestruturas possuem capacidade de se autoassociar por meio de interações eletrostáticas formando estruturas do tipo blackberry com aproximadamente 100 nm. Os aglomerados de POSS-NH2 são formados por partículas primárias com tamanho de 1,4 nm em forma de fractal de massa e tamanho de correlação () dependente da quantidade do tempo de troca iônica. Devido à característica eletrostática das partículas foi possível obter filmes híbridos opticamente transparentes com elevado grau de hidrofilicidade. As nanopartículas de POSS-NH2 foram utilizadas como aditivo de lubrificantes de fontes renováveis (ácidos graxos) por meio de reações de amidação direta assistida por micro-ondas, sem o uso de catalisadores. A formação das ligações amidas foi constatada por meio das técnicas FTIR e RMN de 1H, onde observaram-se bandas de deformação angular do NH em 1550 cm-1 e 1120 cm-1 e o aparecimento de um singleto alargado em 6,50 ppm (N-H). Em termos estruturais, para o biolubrificante foi constatado que uma molécula de ácido graxo liga com uma molécula de POSS-NH2, entretanto foi notada ainda a existência de aglomerados após a amidação, conforme resultados de MET dos lubrificantes. O uso de POSS-NH2 reduziu a taxa de oxidação dos biolubrificantes com dependência do tempo de troca iônica das partículas. Todos os biolubrificantes apresentaram comportamento reológico newtoniano, e a viscosidade a 25ºC mostrou-se dependente da quantidade de partículas e não do tempo de troca iônica. A adição de nanopartículas de POSS-NH2 melhorou o desempenho dos biolubrificantes aplicados em superfícies metálicas, visto que tribossistema estudado apresentou valores inferiores e mais estáveis de coeficiente de atrito em comparação com o óleo base. Além disso, os biolubrificantes apresentaram uma elevada capacidade do suporte de carga, que representa a carga crítica para a ocorrência de engripamento (scuffing) do sistema. A resistência ao desgaste das superfícies metálicas variou com a adição de partículas no óleo lubrificante e com os tempos de troca iônica adotados para a síntese das partículas. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2016-10-17T17:00:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Caroline Luvison.pdf: 4503708 bytes, checksum: 86b0b05a5ba2a8c5180438f872bfe537 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-17T17:00:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Caroline Luvison.pdf: 4503708 bytes, checksum: 86b0b05a5ba2a8c5180438f872bfe537 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-10-17 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, FAPERGS / In this work, was investigated the obtaining of new materials from the hydrolysis and acid condensation reactions of (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane, which resulted in the formation of hybrid nanostructures with ammoniums groups and counter ions chloride (POSS-NH3Cl). The nanostructures were subjected to ion exchange procedures for 0.5, 2, 12 and 48 h for the removal of chloride ions. The titrimetric and volumetric results showed that the ion exchange occurred partially. The synthesized particles are predominantly POSS-NH2 cage-shaped structures (T8). After the ion exchange, the nanostructures have ability to selfassembly through electrostatic interactions forming the blackberry-like structures with approximately 100 nm. The POSS-NH2 cluster are formed by primary particles with a size of 1.4nm structured in form of a mass fractal with correlation length () dependent on the ion exchange time. Due to the electrostatic characteristic of the particles was possible obtained hybrid films optically transparent with a high degree of hydrophilicity. POSS-NH2 nanoparticles were used as additive of lubricants of renewable sources (fatty acids) by means of microwave-assisted direct reactions of amidation, without the use of catalysts. The formation of amide bonds were confirmed through the FTIR and 1H NMR techniques, where angular deformation bands in NH in 1550 cm-1 and 1120 cm-1 and the appearance of an enlarged singlet in 6.50 ppm (NH) were observed. The biolubricants was found that an alloy fatty acid molecule with a POSS, but has not yet noticed the existence of agglomerates after amidation, as TEM results of biolubricants. The POSS-NH2 are bonded individually to only one fatty acid molecule, however it was noted the existence of cluster after amidation reactions, as observed in TEM results of the biolubricants. The addition of POSS-NH2 nanoparticles reduced the oxidation rate of the biolubricants and has dependence on the ion exchange time. All the biolubricants showed a Newtonian rheological behavior and the viscosity at 25°C dependent on the amount of particles and not the exchange time. The addition of POSS-NH2, improved the performance of the biolubricants applied on metallic surfaces, since the studied sliding pair showed lower and more stable values of coefficient of friction, as compared to the base oil. Moreover, the biolubricants showed a high load support capacity, which represents the critical load for the scuffing occurrence of the system. The wear resistance of the metallic surfaces changed with the addition of POSS particles in the lubricant oil and with the ionic exchange time adopted for the synthesis of the particles.