A series of oxovanadium(IV) complexes of Schiff bases derived from substituted salicylaldehyde and aminoalcohols has been prepared and characterized. The Schiff bases coordinate through 0, N, and 0 as tridentate bivalent ligands. The primary purpose of the investigation is to describe the structure and bonding in these complexes. The subnormal magnetic properties of the complexes provide much information about both the structure and the bonding in the complexes.

The present thesis deals with different aspects of the chemistry of oxovanadium(IV) complexes, their interaction with double stranded DNA, photo-induced DNA cleavage, photo-enhanced cytotoxicity in visible light and red light and localisation and cellular uptake to understand the mechanism of cell death. Chapter I presents a general introduction on potential of transition metal complexes as photochemotherapeutic agents. A brief introduction about Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) as a new alternative to chemotherapy for treating cancer has been made. Various modes of interaction of small molecules with duplex DNA are described. Recent reports on metal-based photocytotoxicity, photo-induced DNA cleavage activity and cellular localization are presented in detail. Objective of the present investigation is also dealt in this Chapter. Chapter II of the thesis deals with the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity of ternary oxovanadium(IV) complexes of ONO-donor 2-(2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)phenol (salamp) and phenanthroline bases to explore the photo-induced DNA cleavage activity in UV-A light of 365 nm and photocytotoxicity in visible light. Chapter III deals with the photo-induced DNA cleavage and photocytotoxicity of ternary oxovanadium(IV) complexes containing ONN-donor N-2-pyridylmethylidine-2-hydroxyphenylamine (Hpyamp) Schiff bases and phenanthroline bases. The objective of this work is to investigate the photo-induced DNA cleavage activity in near-IR light. Photocytotoxicity and cell cycle arrest have been studied in HeLa cancer cells. Chapter IV deals serendipitous discovery of planar triazinuim cationic species by vanadyl-assisted novel ring cyclization reaction. The compounds are synthesised, characterized and their DNA binding and anaerobic photoinduced DNA cleavage activity are presented. The importance of the thiazole moiety in the triazinuim species in cellular uptake has been investigated. Photocytotoxicity, localization and cell death mechanism have been studied in HeLa and MCF-7 cells. Chapter V describes the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding, photo-induced DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity of oxovanadium(IV) complexes containing 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)ethaneamine (Hpy-aebmz) and curcumin as photosensitizer. The effect of conjugating naphthalimide on Hpy-aebmz on photoinduced DNA cleavage and photocytotoxicity has been studied. Cellular uptake, localization and mechanism of cell death induced by complexes have been investigated. Chapter VI presents ternary oxovanadium(IV) complexes having, 2-((1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)methylimino-methyl)phenol (Hsal-ambmz) and phenanthroline bases. The complexes were synthesized, characterized and their DNA binding property studied. Photo-induced DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity in red light has been discussed. Anthracene has been conjugated to a tridentate ligand to investigate cellular uptake, localization and cell death mechanism. Mitochondria targeting property of the complexes having dipeptide has been studied and compared with clinically used drug Photofrin®. The references have been compiled at the end of each chapter and indicated as superscript numbers in the text. The complexes presented in this thesis are represented by bold-faced numbers. Crystallographic data of the complexes, characterized structurally by single crystal X-ray crystallography, are given in CIF format in the enclosed CD (Appendix-I). Due acknowledgements have been made wherever the work described is based on the findings of other investigators. Any unintentional omission that might have happened due to oversight or mistake is regretted.

Copper(II) and oxovanadium(IV) ions resemble one another magnetically in having one unpaired electron in their complexes irrespective of their geometrical structures and bond types involved. Copper(II) complexes with antiferromagnetic exchange are well known. On the contrary, antiferromagnetic exchange in oxovanadium(IV) complexes is rather new and not well established. Very few oxovanadium(IV) complexes have been reported to have this anomalous magnetic property. In the investigation of the magnetic properties of oxovanadium(IV) complexes, we have successfully prepared two series of new oxovanadium(IV) complexes with N-salicylideneamino acids.

The present thesis deals with different aspects of the chemistry of oxovanadium(IV) complexes, their interaction with DNA and protein and photo-induced DNA and protein cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity. Chapter I presents a general introduction on various modes of interactions of organic compounds and transition metal complexes capable of targeting DNA leading to DNA strand scission, emphasizing particularly the photo-induced DNA cleavage activities for their potential application in PDT. The mechanistic pathways associated with the DNA cleavage are discussed. A comparison has been made on the advantages of photoactive metal complexes over organic conjugates. Objective of the present investigation is also dealt in this Chapter. Chapter II of the thesis deals with the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity of ternary oxovanadium(IV) complexes of N-salicylidene-S-methyldithiocarbazate (salmdtc) and phenanthroline bases to explore the photo-induced DNA cleavage activity in UV-A light of 365 nm. Chapter III presents the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity of ternary oxovanadium(IV) complexes containing N-salicylidene-L-methionate (salmet) and N-salicylidene-L-tryptophanate (saltrp) Schiff bases and phenanthroline bases. The objective of this work is to investigate the photo-induced DNA cleavage activity in near-IR light and to see the effect of pendant thiomethyl and indole moieties in the DNA cleavage reactions. Chapter IV deals with the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding, red-light induced DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity of ternary oxovanadium(IV) complexes having N-salicylidene-L-arginine (sal-argH) and N-salicylidene-L-lysine (sal-lysH) Schiff bases and phenanthroline bases. The important results include the visible light-induced DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity of the complexes in human cervical HeLa cancer cells. Chapter V describes the synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and photo-induced DNA and protein cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity of oxovanadium(IV) complexes containing bis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine and phenanthroline bases. The significant results include DNA cleavage activity in near-IR light and photocytotoxicity of the dppz complex in non-small cell lung carcinoma/human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells in visible light. Further, we have studied the protein cleavage activity of the complexes in UV-A light of 365 nm by using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme. Finally, Chapter VI presents the binary oxovanadium(IV) complexes of phenanthroline bases. We have studied their synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and photo-induced DNA and protein cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity. Photocytotoxicity of dppz complex has been studied in human cervical HeLa cancer cells in visible light. Photo-induced protein cleavage activity of the complexes has been studied in UV-A light of 365 nm by using BSA and lysozyme. The references have been compiled at the end of each chapter and indicated as superscript numbers in the text. The complexes presented in this thesis are represented by bold-faced numbers. Crystallographic data of the complexes, characterized structurally by single crystal X-ray crystallography, are given in CIF format in the enclosed CD (Appendix-I). Due acknowledgements have been made wherever the work described is based on the findings of other investigators. Any omission that might have happened due to oversight or mistake is regretted.

A doença de Chagas, também chamada de tripanossomíase americana é a terceira doença parasítica mais presente no mundo, perdendo apenas para malária e esquistossomose. As terapias existentes atualmente para essa tripanossomíase são insatisfatórias e pouca atenção tem sido dada para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos. Os medicamentos utilizados atualmente apresentam boa atividade apenas na fase inicial da doença e geram efeitos colaterais severos nos pacientes. <br /> As hidrazonas representam uma classe de compostos imínicos de grande versatilidade estrutural e importante atividade biológica em diversos níveis, sendo observados resultados de atividade tripanocida interessantes de hidrazonas coordenadas a rutênio. Por outro lado, complexos com oxovanádio coordenado a derivados de quinoxalinas apresentam melhores atividades do que os ligantes na forma livre e que complexos formados por essas quinoxalinas com outros metais. <br /> Esse trabalho buscou unir as propriedades biológicas das hidrazonas e vanádio de forma a obter complexos com boa atividade tripanocida. Foram sintetizados dois ligantes hidrazonas derivados da 2-tiofenofenohidrazida, e através dos mesmos foram desenvolvidos dez novos complexos de oxovanádio (V). Os produtos foram caracterizados por ponto de fusão, análise elementar, espectroscopia na região do infravermelho e do UV-Vis., ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN 1H) e difração de raios X em monocristal, sendo obtidos três classes de complexos. Duas classe são formadas por complexos com ligantes mistos, na forma [VO(L)(OR)] com R=metil, etil, n-propil e L=hidrazona, e na forma [VO(L)(mal)] com L=hidrazona e mal= pirona maltol. Outra classe obtida é formada por binucleares de oxovanádio na forma [(VOL)2(&mu;-O)] com L=hidrazona e os centros de vanádio ligados por uma ponte &mu;-oxo. As estruturas obtidas para os complexos mistos com os alcóxidos e para os dímeros apresentam geometria piramidal quadrática distorcida, enquanto que os complexos mistos com maltol apresentam geométrica octaédrica distorcida. <br /> Ensaios in vitro contra cepas de T. cruzi mostraram resultados interessantes (SI iguais ou maiores que 10) para que continue a exploração dos tipos de complexos formados e novos ensaios biológicos devem ser realizados para verificar o mecanismo de ação e a atividade in vivo desses compostos, com intuito de obter um novo fármaco antichagásico baseado em vanádio no futuro. / Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiasis is the third most present parasitic disease in the world. The existing therapies for this trypanosomiasis are unsatisfactory and a little attention has been given to the development of new drugs. The drugs currently used exhibit good activity only in the early phase of the disease and generate severe side effects in patients. <br /> Hydrazones represent a class of iminic compounds with good structural variability and important biological activity at various levels, and interesting results of trypanocidal activity are observed for hydrazones coordinated to ruthenium. On the other hand, complexes with oxovanadium coordinated to quinoxaline derivatives have better activities than the free ligands and complexes with other metals coordinated to that quinoxalines. <br /> This study aimed to unite the biological properties of hydrazones and vanadium to obtain complexes with good trypanocidal activity. Two hydrazones ligands derived from 2- tiofenofenohidrazida were synthesized, and through that ligands, ten new complexes of oxovanadium (V) were developed. The products were characterized by melting point, elemental analysis, infrared and UV - Vis. spectroscopies, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and single crystals x-ray diffraction. Three classes of complexes were obtained. Two of them are formed by complexes with mixed ligands, one at [VO(L)(OR) ] form, with R = methyl , ethyl , n- propyl and L = hydrazone , and the other one with the [VO(L)(mal)] empirical form, with L = hydrazone and mal = pyrone maltol. Another class consists of binuclear oxovanadium complexes obtained at [(VOL)2(&mu;-O)] form, with L = hydrazone and the vanadium centers connected by a &mu;-oxo bridge. The structures obtained for the mixed complexes with the alkoxides and dimers have quadratic distorted pyramidal geometry, while the mixed maltol complexes have distorted octahedral geometry. <br /> In vitro assays against T. cruzi strains showed interesting results (SI equal to or greater than 10) to continue the exploration of the types of complexes formed and new biological tests must be conducted to verify the mechanism of action and in vivo activity of these compounds, in order to obtain a new vanadium-based antichagasic drug in the future.

As cucurbiturilas são moléculas versáteis empregadas em diversos ramos da química, essas gaiolas moleculares formam uma família de homólogos oriundos da condensação da glicolurila e do formaldeído em meio ácido. As aplicações se estendem para campos como catálise, fotoquímica, sínteses orgânica e inorgânica, química de materiais e supramolecular. Particularmente a cucurbit[6]urila, comumente chamada apenas de CB[6], uma molécula bastante simétrica, têm em seus opérculos, sítios propícios à coordenação, especialmente com espécies pequenas e pouco polarizáveis. Aproveitando o caráter dos portais, foi possível sintetizar um complexo inédito, com um sítio catalítico proveniente de íons vanadila, VO2+, ligados às extremidades do cavitando. O acesso ao centro catalítico desta molécula, seria determinado pela captura do substrato no interior do macrociclo, limitado pelo volume do substrato e pelas relações de solvofobicidade, pois a cavidade possui um caráter hidrofóbico. A estrutura desse complexo ainda não foi completamente elucidada, pois não foi possível obter um cristal único e determiná-la através de difração de raios-x. As técnicas de caracterização no estado sólido empregadas indicaram que esse novo complexo teria o seu centro metálico provavelmente numa configuração piramidal de base retangular, isso é evidenciado pelas medidas espectroscópicas que remetem a uma simetria C2V. Foram feitas tentativas de coordenação mono e binuclear, mas algumas técnicas apontam para a formação apenas da espécie mononuclear. Os primeiros testes catalíticos, em condições brandas para a conversão de hidrocarbonetos apresentaram bons resultados frente a substratos lineares e inatividade frente a substratos cíclicos mais volumosos. Os resultados obtidos nos levam a crer que as reações de oxidação de alcanos, com estas espécies, se dão pelo interior da cavidade, ao longo do orbital dz2 do íon (V=O)2+, e não pela parte superior através do átomo de oxigênio ligado ao vanádio. / Cucurbiturils are versatile molecules used in several branches of chemistry. These molecular cages form a family of homologues from the condensation of glycoluril and formaldehyde in acidic medium. Their applications range from catalysis, photochemistry, organic and inorganic synthesis, materials and supramolecular chemistry. Particularly cucurbit[6]uril, or simply CB[6], is a very symmetrical molecule, which posesses coordination points on its portals, especially with hard acids. Due to this characteristic, it was possible to synthesize a new complex, with a vanadyl, VO2+, catalytic center bonded to the extremity of the cavitand. The access to the catalytic center of this molecule should be determined by the entrance of the substrate inside the macrocycle, which is limited by its volume and by solvophobicity, because the cavity is strongly hydrophobic. The structure of this new complex could not be completely solved yet, because it was impossible to obtain a single crystal for X-rays diffraction analysis. The solid state characterization techniques indicated that this new complex has its metallic center in a rectangular-base pyramid configuration. This was shown by the spectroscopic evidences which point to a d1 ion in a C2V symmetry. Attempts were made to synthesize both mono and binuclear species, but all the techniques we have used have demonstrated that only the former one was obtained. The first catalytic tests for hydrocarbons convertion in mild conditions have shown good results towards for linear substrates and no activity at all towards more volumous cyclic molecules. The results we have obtained indicate that the alkane oxidation reactions with these complexes occur inside the cavity along the (V=O)2+ ion dz2 orbital , and not on its superior moiety on the vanadyl oxygen atom.

A doença de Chagas, também chamada de tripanossomíase americana é a terceira doença parasítica mais presente no mundo, perdendo apenas para malária e esquistossomose. As terapias existentes atualmente para essa tripanossomíase são insatisfatórias e pouca atenção tem sido dada para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos. Os medicamentos utilizados atualmente apresentam boa atividade apenas na fase inicial da doença e geram efeitos colaterais severos nos pacientes. <br /> As hidrazonas representam uma classe de compostos imínicos de grande versatilidade estrutural e importante atividade biológica em diversos níveis, sendo observados resultados de atividade tripanocida interessantes de hidrazonas coordenadas a rutênio. Por outro lado, complexos com oxovanádio coordenado a derivados de quinoxalinas apresentam melhores atividades do que os ligantes na forma livre e que complexos formados por essas quinoxalinas com outros metais. <br /> Esse trabalho buscou unir as propriedades biológicas das hidrazonas e vanádio de forma a obter complexos com boa atividade tripanocida. Foram sintetizados dois ligantes hidrazonas derivados da 2-tiofenofenohidrazida, e através dos mesmos foram desenvolvidos dez novos complexos de oxovanádio (V). Os produtos foram caracterizados por ponto de fusão, análise elementar, espectroscopia na região do infravermelho e do UV-Vis., ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN 1H) e difração de raios X em monocristal, sendo obtidos três classes de complexos. Duas classe são formadas por complexos com ligantes mistos, na forma [VO(L)(OR)] com R=metil, etil, n-propil e L=hidrazona, e na forma [VO(L)(mal)] com L=hidrazona e mal= pirona maltol. Outra classe obtida é formada por binucleares de oxovanádio na forma [(VOL)2(&mu;-O)] com L=hidrazona e os centros de vanádio ligados por uma ponte &mu;-oxo. As estruturas obtidas para os complexos mistos com os alcóxidos e para os dímeros apresentam geometria piramidal quadrática distorcida, enquanto que os complexos mistos com maltol apresentam geométrica octaédrica distorcida. <br /> Ensaios in vitro contra cepas de T. cruzi mostraram resultados interessantes (SI iguais ou maiores que 10) para que continue a exploração dos tipos de complexos formados e novos ensaios biológicos devem ser realizados para verificar o mecanismo de ação e a atividade in vivo desses compostos, com intuito de obter um novo fármaco antichagásico baseado em vanádio no futuro. / Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiasis is the third most present parasitic disease in the world. The existing therapies for this trypanosomiasis are unsatisfactory and a little attention has been given to the development of new drugs. The drugs currently used exhibit good activity only in the early phase of the disease and generate severe side effects in patients. <br /> Hydrazones represent a class of iminic compounds with good structural variability and important biological activity at various levels, and interesting results of trypanocidal activity are observed for hydrazones coordinated to ruthenium. On the other hand, complexes with oxovanadium coordinated to quinoxaline derivatives have better activities than the free ligands and complexes with other metals coordinated to that quinoxalines. <br /> This study aimed to unite the biological properties of hydrazones and vanadium to obtain complexes with good trypanocidal activity. Two hydrazones ligands derived from 2- tiofenofenohidrazida were synthesized, and through that ligands, ten new complexes of oxovanadium (V) were developed. The products were characterized by melting point, elemental analysis, infrared and UV - Vis. spectroscopies, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and single crystals x-ray diffraction. Three classes of complexes were obtained. Two of them are formed by complexes with mixed ligands, one at [VO(L)(OR) ] form, with R = methyl , ethyl , n- propyl and L = hydrazone , and the other one with the [VO(L)(mal)] empirical form, with L = hydrazone and mal = pyrone maltol. Another class consists of binuclear oxovanadium complexes obtained at [(VOL)2(&mu;-O)] form, with L = hydrazone and the vanadium centers connected by a &mu;-oxo bridge. The structures obtained for the mixed complexes with the alkoxides and dimers have quadratic distorted pyramidal geometry, while the mixed maltol complexes have distorted octahedral geometry. <br /> In vitro assays against T. cruzi strains showed interesting results (SI equal to or greater than 10) to continue the exploration of the types of complexes formed and new biological tests must be conducted to verify the mechanism of action and in vivo activity of these compounds, in order to obtain a new vanadium-based antichagasic drug in the future.

El descubrimient o del mayor efecto hipoglicémic o del bis(maltolato)oxovanadio (IV) (BMOV) con respecto a las salesde vanadio, propició el diseño, síntesis y evaluación in vitro e in vivo de una amplia variedad de complejos de oxovanadio(IV) con diversos ligandos orgánicos para su potencial uso como fármacos antidiabéticos que reemplacen , parcial ototalmente , las incómodas inyecciones de insulina en el tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus tipo 1 o los fármacos oraleshipoglicemiante s empleados generalment e en terapias combinadas para la tipo 2.Recientemente , un complejo etil sustituido , análogo al BMOV, ha completado favorablemente la fase clínica I deensayos en humanos. El diseño de nuevos tipos de complejos y el desarrollo de nuevos modos de administración constituyenactualmente un activo campo de investigación / Design of Vanadium Antidiabetic Agents: Development and Recent AdvancesThe discovery of the enhanced hypoglycemic activity of bis(maltolate)oxovanadiu m (IV) (BMOV) compared to simplevanadium salts stimulated the design, synthesis and both in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a large variety of oxovanadium (IV)complexes with different organic ligands for their potential use as antidiabetic drugs that may be able to substitute, either partially or totally, the daily insulin injections used in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus or the orally available hypoglycemic drugs usually used in combined therapy for type 2 diabetes.Recently, a close BMOV analogue, an ethyl substitute, has already successfully completed the phase 1 clinical trial in humans. The design of new types of complexes and the development of alternative delivery methods represent an active research field today.

As cucurbiturilas são moléculas versáteis empregadas em diversos ramos da química, essas gaiolas moleculares formam uma família de homólogos oriundos da condensação da glicolurila e do formaldeído em meio ácido. As aplicações se estendem para campos como catálise, fotoquímica, sínteses orgânica e inorgânica, química de materiais e supramolecular. Particularmente a cucurbit[6]urila, comumente chamada apenas de CB[6], uma molécula bastante simétrica, têm em seus opérculos, sítios propícios à coordenação, especialmente com espécies pequenas e pouco polarizáveis. Aproveitando o caráter dos portais, foi possível sintetizar um complexo inédito, com um sítio catalítico proveniente de íons vanadila, VO2+, ligados às extremidades do cavitando. O acesso ao centro catalítico desta molécula, seria determinado pela captura do substrato no interior do macrociclo, limitado pelo volume do substrato e pelas relações de solvofobicidade, pois a cavidade possui um caráter hidrofóbico. A estrutura desse complexo ainda não foi completamente elucidada, pois não foi possível obter um cristal único e determiná-la através de difração de raios-x. As técnicas de caracterização no estado sólido empregadas indicaram que esse novo complexo teria o seu centro metálico provavelmente numa configuração piramidal de base retangular, isso é evidenciado pelas medidas espectroscópicas que remetem a uma simetria C2V. Foram feitas tentativas de coordenação mono e binuclear, mas algumas técnicas apontam para a formação apenas da espécie mononuclear. Os primeiros testes catalíticos, em condições brandas para a conversão de hidrocarbonetos apresentaram bons resultados frente a substratos lineares e inatividade frente a substratos cíclicos mais volumosos. Os resultados obtidos nos levam a crer que as reações de oxidação de alcanos, com estas espécies, se dão pelo interior da cavidade, ao longo do orbital dz2 do íon (V=O)2+, e não pela parte superior através do átomo de oxigênio ligado ao vanádio. / Cucurbiturils are versatile molecules used in several branches of chemistry. These molecular cages form a family of homologues from the condensation of glycoluril and formaldehyde in acidic medium. Their applications range from catalysis, photochemistry, organic and inorganic synthesis, materials and supramolecular chemistry. Particularly cucurbit[6]uril, or simply CB[6], is a very symmetrical molecule, which posesses coordination points on its portals, especially with hard acids. Due to this characteristic, it was possible to synthesize a new complex, with a vanadyl, VO2+, catalytic center bonded to the extremity of the cavitand. The access to the catalytic center of this molecule should be determined by the entrance of the substrate inside the macrocycle, which is limited by its volume and by solvophobicity, because the cavity is strongly hydrophobic. The structure of this new complex could not be completely solved yet, because it was impossible to obtain a single crystal for X-rays diffraction analysis. The solid state characterization techniques indicated that this new complex has its metallic center in a rectangular-base pyramid configuration. This was shown by the spectroscopic evidences which point to a d1 ion in a C2V symmetry. Attempts were made to synthesize both mono and binuclear species, but all the techniques we have used have demonstrated that only the former one was obtained. The first catalytic tests for hydrocarbons convertion in mild conditions have shown good results towards for linear substrates and no activity at all towards more volumous cyclic molecules. The results we have obtained indicate that the alkane oxidation reactions with these complexes occur inside the cavity along the (V=O)2+ ion dz2 orbital , and not on its superior moiety on the vanadyl oxygen atom.

Abstract Zur Modellierung einer Oxidoberfläche wurden p-tert-Butylcalix[4]aren (H4CA[4]), Dimethyl-p-tert-butylcalix[4]aren (H2Me2CA[4]), p-tert-Butylcalix[8]aren (H8CA[8]) und p-tert-Butylthiacalix[4]aren (H4TC) eingesetzt. Es gelang die Synthese von unterschiedlichen mono- und dinuklearen, geladenen und ungeladenen Oxovanadium(V)-verbindungen. Die Verbindungen [CA[4]V=O]- (4), [AcOCA[4]V=O] (5), [HCA[8](V=O)2]- (6), [Me2CA[4](µ-O)(V(O)OMe)2] (7), [CA[8](µ3-O)2V4O4] (8a/8c), [(H2TC)VOCl2]- (9) und [{(H2TC)V(O)(µ2-O)}2]2- (10) wurden als Katalysatoren für die Oxidation von Alkoholen in Gegenwart von Sauerstoff getestet. Die dinuklearen Komplexe 6 und 7 katalysieren die Oxidation von 1-Phenyl-1-propargylalkohol und Fluorenol effizient. Des Weiteren stellten die beiden Thiacalixarenkomplexe 9 und 10 in den meisten untersuchten Fällen bessere Katalysatoren dar als die Oxovanadiumkomplexe, die die „klassischen“ Calixarene als Liganden enthalten. Der dinukleare Komplex 10 zeigte eine höhere Aktivität als der mononukleare Thiacalixarenkomplex 9. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass 9 als Präkatalysator wirkt und in die aktive Spezies [TCV=O]- (11) umgewandelt wird. Auf Basis der Isolierung von [(TC)2V]- (12) und kinetischen Untersuchungen konnte ein möglicher Reaktionsmechanismus formuliert werden. Um die Reaktionsmechanismen für ausgewählte Systeme aufzuklären, wurde die Isolierung von Reaktionsintermediaten angestrebt. Aus der Umsetzung von Fluorenol mit 10 in Abwesenheit von Sauerstoff konnte das Intermediat [{(H2TC)V(O)}2(µ2-OH)(µ2-OC13H9)]2- (13), isoliert und vollständig charakterisiert werden. Unter Einbeziehung der Ergebnisse von Untersuchungen zur Reaktivität von 13 konnte ein plausibler Mechanismus für einen Katalysezyklus vorgeschlagen werden, nach welchem der Oxidationsprozess an den verbrückenden Oxoliganden stattfindet und die beiden Vanadiumzentren der Verbindung während der Reaktion kooperieren. Oxovanadium Komplexe, Calix aren Komplexe, Oxidationskatalysator, Alkoholoxidation, Reaktionsmechanismen / Abstract For Modelling an oxosurface p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (H4CA[4]), dimethyl p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (H2Me2CA[4]), p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene (H8CA[8]) and p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (H4TC) have been used. Different mono- and dinuclear, charged and uncharged oxovanadium(V) compounds have been synthesized. The compounds [CA[4]V=O]- (4), [AcOCA[4]V=O] (5), [HCA[8](V=O)2]- (6), [Me2CA[4](µ-O)(V(O)OMe)2] (7), [CA[8](µ3-O)2V4O4] (8a/8c), [(H2TC)VOCl2]- (9) and [{(H2TC)V(O)(µ2-O)}2]2- (10) were tested as catalysts for the oxidation of alcohols in the presence of dioxygene. The dinuclear complexes 6 and 7 efficiently catalyse the oxidation of 1-Phenyl-1-propargylic alcohol and fluorenol. Furthermore, the two thiacalixarene complexes in most cases demonstrated to be better catalysts than the oxovanadium(V) complexes with classic calixarenes as ligands. With regard to the thiacalixarene complexes 9 and 10, the dinuclear complex 10 showed a higher activity compared to the mononuclear complex 9. Further investigations showed, that 9 is a precatalyst for the active species [TCV=O]- (11). On the basis of the isolation of [(TC)2V]- (12) and kinetic investigations a possible reaction mechanism for the oxidation of alcohols could be suggested. In order to clarify the reaction mechanisms for selected systems the isolation of reaction intermediates was pursued. The reaction of fluorenol and 10 in the absence of O2 led to the isolation of the reaction intermediate [{(H2TC)V(O)}2(µ2-OH)(µ2-OC13H9)]2- (13), which was completely characterised. Including the results of investigations concerning the reactivity of 13 a mechanism for a plausible catalysis cycle was proposed. Accordingly the oxidation reaction is centered at the bridging oxoligands, while the two vanadium atoms cooperate during the reaction.