Nucleic acids store genetic information in the sequence of nucleobases. Through duplex formation and template directed synthesis, the information stored in nucleic acids determines their three-dimensional structure and function. Nucleic acids are essential molecules for biological processes and have been used in nanotechnology. Modified nucleic acids have been synthesised that still form duplexes and can be tolerated by enzymes, suggesting that it is possible to construct a synthetic system comparable to nucleic acids, orthogonal to nucleic acids. This thesis describes the synthesis of a new class of synthetic information molecule, characterisation of the duplex forming properties, and attempts at templated oligomerisation reactions. The new synthetic information molecule is based on the phenylacetylene oligomer framework developed by Moore and co-workers. Recognition was achieved via a base-pair that is made from a single point high affinity H-bond, with phenol as the H-bond donor (D) and phosphine oxide as the H-bond acceptor (A). The Sonogashira coupling was used to construct the phenylacetylene oligomer backbone. The AA, DD and AD 2-mers were synthesised and complementary 2-mers showed cooperative duplex formation. No intramolecular H-bonding due to folding was observed in the AD mixed 2-mer. Longer oligomers were synthesised using a method of oligomerisation and chromatographic separation by reverse-phase preparatory HPLC. Homo-oligomers up to the 7-mer were isolated and binding studies between complementary all donor, all acceptor homo-oligomers showed increasing duplex stability with each additional recognition unit in the oligomer chain. Oligomers containing both acceptor and donor recognition modules in the same chain were synthesised and NMR dilution studies were used to investigate their ability to fold. Preliminary experiments were carried out to evaluate the ability of these information molecules to template oligomerisation reactions, but when reactions were carried out at concentrations low enough for a significant template effect, no coupling reactions were observed.

Work reported in this thesis mainly comprises of the assignments and analysis of the rotational spectra and structures of three weakly bound complexes: C2H4•••H2S, C6H5CCH•••H2O and C6H5CCH•••H2S. All the data have been collected using a home built Pulsed Nozzle Fourier Transform Microwave Spectrometer. Apart from this, the thesis also deals with a criterion of classifying a weakly bound complex to a ‘hydrogen-bonded’ one. First chapter of the thesis gives a brief intermolecular interactions and molecular clusters of π system. It also briefly touches on the structural determination by rotational spectroscopy and the basic information one can gain from the rotational spectrum. Second chapter of the thesis gives a brief introduction to the experimental and theoretical methodology. It also gives a description of the software used in the FTMW spectrometer which was rebuilt using Labview 7.1. Third chapter of the thesis deals with the rotational spectra and structure of eight isotopologoues of C2H4•••H2S complex. The lines are split into four components for the parent isotopologue due to the presence of large amplitude motion. The smaller splitting is 0.14 MHz and the higher splitting is 1.67 MHz in (B+C)/2 for the parent isotopologue. Spectral splitting pattern of the isotopologues confirmed that smaller splitting is due to the rotation of ethylene about its C-C bond axis along with the contraction of S-H bond whereas the larger motion arises due to the interchange of equivalent hydrogens of H2S in the complex. A detailed spectral analysis and ab initio calculation for this system have been described in chapter III. The fourth chapter of the thesis describes the rotational spectroscopic studies of five isotopologues of C6H5CCH•••H2O complex. Rotational spectra unequivocally confirm the structure of the complex to be a one where H2O is donating one of its hydrogen to the acetylenic π cloud forming a O-H••• π bond whereas the ring ortho C-H bond forms C-H•••O bond with the water oxygen. For theparent isotopomer the lines are split into two components due to the rotation of H2O about its C2 symmetric axis. The fifth chapter of thesis describes the rotational spectroscopic and ab initio studies of five isotopologues of C6H5CCH•••H2S complex. Rotational spectra indicate the structure to be the one where H2S is sitting on the top of the phenyl ring and shifted towards the acetylenic group. The sixth chapter of the thesis describes a criterion for calling a complex to be hydrogen bonded based on the dynamic structure rather than the static structure of the complex. The question asked is if the anisotropy of the interaction is strong enough to hold the ‘hydrogen bond’ when one takes dynamics into account. The proposed criterion is that the zero point energy of the motion which takes the hydrogen away from the acceptor should be much less than the barrier height of the respective motion supporting at least one bound level below the barrier. Ab initio calculations have been done on four model systems Ar2•••H2O, Ar2•••H2S, C2H4••• H2O and C2H4••• H2S to emphasize this criterion.

Os estudos desenvolvidos nessa tese tiveram como objetivo principal o desenvolvimento de materiais que pudessem ser aplicados tanto para o reconhecimento de moléculas quirais quanto para catálise. A estrutura sugerida baseou-se em nanopartículas de ouro funcionalizadas com polímeros helicoidais ligados à superfície do metal através de um átomo de telúrio. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em quatro etapas, consistindo a primeira dos estudos de funcionalização de nanopartículas de ouro com os organoditeluretos, onde foi observado que a presença de diferentes grupos funcionais não interfere no processo. A segunda etapa foi a investigação da tolerância do catalisador de ródio, necessário para a polimerização, à presença do átomo de telúrio. Os resultados mostraram que a atividade do catalisador é inibida na presença do ditelureto, contudo, o mesmo não ocorre quando o composto está ligado à superfície da nanopartícula. A terceira e quarta etapas foram o desenvolvimento de polímeros helicoidais baseados em estruturas poli(fenilacetilênica)s, sendo uma delas desenvolvida no laboratório do Prof. Alcindo Dos Santos (terceira etapa - Brasil) e a outra no laboratório do Prof. Eiji Yashima (quarta etapa - Japão). Nos estudos da terceira etapa foi dado foco a preparação de um polímero que pudesse ser aplicado tanto para o reconhecimento de moléculas quirais quanto para catálise assimétrica, contudo, o material obtido foi bastante insolúvel na maioria dos solventes orgânicos e são necessárias modificações na estrutura do monômero para aumentar a solubilidade do respectivo polímero. Na última etapa foi investigada a influência da estrutura helicoidal em reações assimétricas, sendo preparados copolímeros constituídos por uma unidade quiral sem atividade catalítica e uma unidade aquiral com atividade catalítica. Os resultados mostraram que a unidade aquiral é capaz de promover transformações assimétricas quando presente em uma estrutura helicoidal com um sentido preferencial da hélice Com o trabalho desenvolvido determinou-se que é possível a preparação dos materiais desejados através do crescimento do polímero na superfície da nanopartícula. Preparou-se com sucesso o monômero que deverá ficar ancorado no metal, restando sintetizar um monômero de estrutura adequada para realizar o reconhecimento de moléculas e catálise, como desejado / The studies done in this PhD thesis aimed the preparation of a material that could be used in the recognition of chiral molecules and as catalysts. Its structure was based on gold nanoparticles that was functionalized with helical polymers containing a tellurium atom as an attach point. The presentation of the results was divided in four parts and the first one was the studies about the functionalization of gold nanoparticles with organoditellurides as a model material. It was observed that the presence of various functional groups in organic tellurides does not interfere into the process. The second part was the investigation of the tolerance of the rhodium catalyst, necessary for the polymerization, to the presence of the tellurium atom. The results showed that the activity of the catalyst was inhibited in the presence of a ditelluride, however, the polymerization occured when it was linked in the nanoparticle. The third and fourth parts consisted in the synthesis of the helical polymer based on oly(phenylacetilene)s structure, which one of them was prepared in professor Dos Santos\'s laboratory (third step - Brazil) and the other part in the professor Yashima\'s laboratory (fourth step - Japan). The studies of the third step was the preparation of polymers that could be applied for the recognition of chiral molecules and assymetric catalysis, however, the obtained material was too insoluble in many organic solvents and it is necessary to modify the structure of the monomer to increase the solubility of the respective polymer. In the last step was investigated the influence of the helicity in assymetric reactions. It was prepared copolymers constituted by a chiral unit without any catalytic activity and an achiral unit containing the catalytic functional group. The results showed that the achiral unit was capable to promote assymetric transformation when embebed in a preferred-handed helical structure. In this work was determined that is possible to prepare the suggested materials raising the polymer in the nanoparticle surface. The monomer that will be anchored in the metal was successfully prepared, remaining synthetize the monomer with an appropriate structure to perform the recognition of molecules and for catalysis

Os estudos desenvolvidos nessa tese tiveram como objetivo principal o desenvolvimento de materiais que pudessem ser aplicados tanto para o reconhecimento de moléculas quirais quanto para catálise. A estrutura sugerida baseou-se em nanopartículas de ouro funcionalizadas com polímeros helicoidais ligados à superfície do metal através de um átomo de telúrio. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em quatro etapas, consistindo a primeira dos estudos de funcionalização de nanopartículas de ouro com os organoditeluretos, onde foi observado que a presença de diferentes grupos funcionais não interfere no processo. A segunda etapa foi a investigação da tolerância do catalisador de ródio, necessário para a polimerização, à presença do átomo de telúrio. Os resultados mostraram que a atividade do catalisador é inibida na presença do ditelureto, contudo, o mesmo não ocorre quando o composto está ligado à superfície da nanopartícula. A terceira e quarta etapas foram o desenvolvimento de polímeros helicoidais baseados em estruturas poli(fenilacetilênica)s, sendo uma delas desenvolvida no laboratório do Prof. Alcindo Dos Santos (terceira etapa - Brasil) e a outra no laboratório do Prof. Eiji Yashima (quarta etapa - Japão). Nos estudos da terceira etapa foi dado foco a preparação de um polímero que pudesse ser aplicado tanto para o reconhecimento de moléculas quirais quanto para catálise assimétrica, contudo, o material obtido foi bastante insolúvel na maioria dos solventes orgânicos e são necessárias modificações na estrutura do monômero para aumentar a solubilidade do respectivo polímero. Na última etapa foi investigada a influência da estrutura helicoidal em reações assimétricas, sendo preparados copolímeros constituídos por uma unidade quiral sem atividade catalítica e uma unidade aquiral com atividade catalítica. Os resultados mostraram que a unidade aquiral é capaz de promover transformações assimétricas quando presente em uma estrutura helicoidal com um sentido preferencial da hélice Com o trabalho desenvolvido determinou-se que é possível a preparação dos materiais desejados através do crescimento do polímero na superfície da nanopartícula. Preparou-se com sucesso o monômero que deverá ficar ancorado no metal, restando sintetizar um monômero de estrutura adequada para realizar o reconhecimento de moléculas e catálise, como desejado / The studies done in this PhD thesis aimed the preparation of a material that could be used in the recognition of chiral molecules and as catalysts. Its structure was based on gold nanoparticles that was functionalized with helical polymers containing a tellurium atom as an attach point. The presentation of the results was divided in four parts and the first one was the studies about the functionalization of gold nanoparticles with organoditellurides as a model material. It was observed that the presence of various functional groups in organic tellurides does not interfere into the process. The second part was the investigation of the tolerance of the rhodium catalyst, necessary for the polymerization, to the presence of the tellurium atom. The results showed that the activity of the catalyst was inhibited in the presence of a ditelluride, however, the polymerization occured when it was linked in the nanoparticle. The third and fourth parts consisted in the synthesis of the helical polymer based on oly(phenylacetilene)s structure, which one of them was prepared in professor Dos Santos\'s laboratory (third step - Brazil) and the other part in the professor Yashima\'s laboratory (fourth step - Japan). The studies of the third step was the preparation of polymers that could be applied for the recognition of chiral molecules and assymetric catalysis, however, the obtained material was too insoluble in many organic solvents and it is necessary to modify the structure of the monomer to increase the solubility of the respective polymer. In the last step was investigated the influence of the helicity in assymetric reactions. It was prepared copolymers constituted by a chiral unit without any catalytic activity and an achiral unit containing the catalytic functional group. The results showed that the achiral unit was capable to promote assymetric transformation when embebed in a preferred-handed helical structure. In this work was determined that is possible to prepare the suggested materials raising the polymer in the nanoparticle surface. The monomer that will be anchored in the metal was successfully prepared, remaining synthetize the monomer with an appropriate structure to perform the recognition of molecules and for catalysis

No description available.

A new type of organometallic polymer networks with a covalent structure of cross-linked substituted polyacetylenes containing Cu2+ or Pd2+ ions (5 to 17 wt%) has been developed. The metal ions were complexed in the networks predominantly with two N-salicylideneaniline ligands covalently bound to two different network monomeric units. Due to the chosen method of complexation, the metal ions have actively participated (as knots of the network) in the formation of cross-linked architecture of the products. For the preparation of organometallic networks two independent methods were used: (i) the direct polymerization of organometallic monomers and (ii) the two-stage method using postpolymerization introduction of metal ions into polyacetylene polymers containing covalently bound N-salicylideneaniline proligands. The starting low-molecular-weight blocks used for the network synthesis were new substances prepared within the framework of the diploma thesis, namely monomers of the mono- and diethynylated N-salicylideneanilines type and diethynylated organometallic monomers in which two molecules of a monoethynylated N-salicylideneaniline complexed one Mt2+ ion. The ethynylated monomers were polymerized to organometallic networks or precursors of these networks via chain-growth coordination polymerization,...

[ES] En esta tesis doctoral se ha investigado sobre el empleo de catalizadores metálicos estructurados en diversas reacciones de Química Sostenible. En primer lugar, se ha estudiado la eliminación de los NOX mediante su reducción catalítica selectiva empleando amoniaco. Se han empleado catalizadores de Mn-Fe soportados sobre zeolitas con distinta relación Si/Al y morfología (BEA, CHA, ITQ-2 y FAU), materiales mesoporosos (MCM-41 y SBA-15) y óxidos metálicos (MgO, TiO2 y γ-Al2O3). Se ha comprobado que existe una fuerte influencia del tipo de soporte sobre la actividad catalítica, obteniéndose los mejores resultados con los catalizadores cuyos soportes presentaban propiedades ácidas y que tenían una elevada área superficial. Para el caso de las zeolitas, su morfología no influye tanto en la actividad catalítica como la relación Si/Al, obteniéndose los mejores resultados con los catalizadores soportados sobre zeolitas con alta relación Si/Al. En cuanto a los catalizadores soportados sobre óxidos metálicos, se han obtenido los mejores resultados con aquellos catalizadores soportados en óxidos con alta área superficial y propiedades ácidas. Los resultados más prometedores, sobre todo por su elevada estabilidad hidrotérmica, se obtuvieron con el catalizador preparado con la zeolita CHA (Si/Al = 10), que mantiene toda su actividad después de ser sometido a envejecimiento. En segundo lugar, se ha estudiado la reacción de oxidación de CO utilizando catalizadores basados en Ag y Ag-Au, soportados en la zeolita ITQ-2. Los catalizadores de plata se han empleado para estudiar la influencia de las especies de Ag en la actividad catalítica. Para ello, los catalizadores se han preparado mediante tres métodos diferentes que conducen a la formación de distintas especies de plata: impregnación a volumen de poro, intercambio iónico, y con nanoclusters de Ag25(SR)18 soportados. El análisis de los resultados catalíticos obtenidos, junto con los resultados de caracterización han permitido determinar que la especie activa es la plata metálica, logrando los mejores resultados con los catalizadores que presentaban una mayor cantidad de esta especie en su superficie, lo cual viene determinado por el método de adición de la plata y por la evolución de estas especies durante su activación y durante los sucesivos ciclos de reacción. Los catalizadores bimetálicos Ag-Au fueron preparados mediante la impregnación de nanoclusters AgxAu25-x(SR)18 sobre la zeolita ITQ-2. Los resultados mostraron que la mejor actividad era obtenida cuando se producía la formación de nanopartículas aleadas de Ag-Au, que favorecían la adsorción del CO y del O2. Estas partículas se formaban tras la destrucción parcial de los ligandos tiolatos. Se ha comprobado que, durante la reacción, todos los nanoclusters evolucionaban hacia la formación de nanopartículas Ag-Au independientemente del pretratamiento aplicado. Estos resultados, han permitido mostrar que la reacción de oxidación de CO es una herramienta muy útil para seguir la evolución de los nanoclusters metálicos durante los procesos de activación, y durante la reacción. Por último, se ha estudiado la actividad en la semihidrogenación del fenilacetileno a estireno de los catalizadores con nanoclusters de oro con distinto número de átomos, Au25 y Au11, y con diferentes ligandos (tiolato para Au25 y fosfina para Au11). Estos catalizadores fueron soportados sobre óxidos metálicos (MgO, γ-Al2O3 e hidrotalcita Mg/Al), observándose que la actividad depende tanto de la composición de los nanoclusters, como del soporte y del pretratamiento. Se ha determinado que la activación parcial del H2 es un factor clave, y está relacionado con las propiedades ácido/base del soporte. Los mejores resultados se obtuvieron con los catalizadores con nanoclusters Au25 sobre la hidrotalcita Mg/Al, la cual presenta una basicidad intermedia, lo que favorece la activación del hidrógeno, pero evita la sobrehidrogenación de los alquinos a alcanos. Los resultados obtenidos en las distintas reacciones con los diferentes catalizadores han mostrado que la interacción soporte-metal es fundamental a la hora de diseñar catalizadores activos para una reacción concreta. Esta interacción depende en gran medida de las propiedades ácido/base del soporte y de los pretratamientos aplicados a los catalizadores, y estos deben ser seleccionados para cualquier reacción en particular. Se ha comprobado, además, que los centros metálicos evolucionan a lo largo de la reacción pudiendo llevar a la formación de nuevas especies que serán más o menos activas según la reacción estudiada. / [CA] En aquesta tesi doctoral s'ha investigat sobre l'ús de catalitzadors metàl·lics estructurats en reaccions relacionades amb la Química Sostenible. En primer lloc, s'ha estudiat l'eliminació dels òxids de nitrogen mitjançant la seua reducció catalítica selectiva emprant amoníac. S'han emprat catalitzadors bimetàlics Mn-Fe suportats sobre zeolites amb diferent relació Si/Al i morfologia (BEA, CHA, ITQ-2 and FAU), materials mesoporosos (MCM-41 and SBA-15) i òxids metàl·lics (MgO, TiO2 and γ-Al2O3). S'ha comprovat que existeix una forta influència del tipus de suport sobre l'activitat catalítica, obtenint-se els millors resultats amb els catalitzadors els suports dels quals presentaven propietats àcides i que tenien una elevada àrea superficial. Per al cas de les zeolites, la seua morfologia no influeix tant en l'activitat catalítica com la relació Si/Al, obtenint-se els millors resultats amb els catalitzadors suportats sobre zeolites amb alta relació Si/Al. Els catalitzadors suportats sobre òxids metàl·lics han mostrat millors resultats amb aquells catalitzadors suportats en òxids que presenten alta àrea superficial i propietats àcides. Els resultats més prometedors, sobretot per la seua elevada estabilitat hidrotèrmica, es van obtindre amb el catalitzador preparat amb la zeolita CHA (Si/Al = 10), que manté tota la seua activitat després de ser sotmés a un envelliment. En segon lloc, s'ha estudiat l'activitat en l'oxidació de CO de catalitzadors basats en Ag i Ag-Au, suportats sobre la zeolita ITQ-2. Els catalitzadors de plata es van emprar per a estudiar la influència de la naturalesa de les espècies de Ag en l'activitat catalítica. Per a això, els catalitzadors s'han preparat mitjançant tres mètodes diferents: impregnació a volum de porus, intercanvi iònic, i amb nanoclusters de Ag25(SR)18 suportats. L'anàlisi dels resultats catalítics obtinguts amb els diferents materials, juntament amb els resultats de caracterització han permés determinar que l'espècie activa en aquesta reacció és la plata metàl·lica, aconseguint els millors resultats amb els catalitzadors que presentaven una major quantitat de d'aquesta espècie en la seua superfície, la qual cosa ve determinada pel mètode d'addició de la plata i per l'evolució de les espècies durant la seua activació i durant els cicles de reacció. D'altra banda, els catalitzadors bimetàl·lics Ag-Au van ser preparats mitjançant la impregnació de nanoclusters AgxAu25-x(SR)18 sobre la zeolita ITQ-2. Els resultats van mostrar que la millor activitat era obtinguda quan es produïa la formació de nanopartícules aliades de Ag-Au, que afavorien l'adsorció del CO i del O2. Aquestes partícules es formaven després de la destrucció incompleta dels lligands tiolats. Es va comprobar que, durant les condicions de reacció, tots els nanoclusters evolucionaven cap a la formació de nanopartícules Ag-Au independentment del pretractament aplicat. Aquests resultats han permés mostrar que la reacció d'oxidació de CO és una eina molt útil per a seguir l'evolució dels nanoclusters metàl·lics durant els processos d'activació i durant la reacción. Finalment, s'ha estudiat l'activitat en la semihidrogenació del fenilacetilè a estiré dels catalitzadors basats en nanoclusters d'or amb diferent nombre d'àtoms, Au25 i Au11, i amb diferents lligands (tiolat per a Au25 i fosfina per a Au11). Aquests catalitzadors van ser suportats sobre òxids metàl·lics (MgO, γ-Al2O3 i hidrotalcita Mg/Al), observant-se que l'activitat depén tant de la composició dels nanoclusters, com del suport i del pretractament emprat. S'ha determinat que l'activació de l'hidrogen és un factor clau, estant això directament relacionat amb les propietats àcid/base del suport. Els millors resultats es van obtindre amb els catalitzadors preparats amb nanoclusters Au25 sobre la hidrotalcita Mg/Al, la qual presenta una basicitat intermèdia, la qual cosa afavoreix l'activació de l'hidrogen, però evita la sobrehidrogenación dels alquins als alcans. Els resultats obtinguts en les diferents reaccions amb els diferents catalitzadors han mostrat que la interacció suport-metall és fonamental a l'hora de dissenyar catalitzadors actius en les reaccions estudiades. Aquesta interacció depén en gran manera de les propietats àcid/base del suport i dels pretractaments aplicats als catalitzadors. S'ha comprovat, a més, que els centres metàl·lics evolucionen al llarg de la reacción, podent portar a la formació de noves espècies que poden ser més o menys actives segons la reacció estudiada. / [EN] The use of structured metallic catalysts in reactions related to Sustainable Chemistry have been investigated in this Doctoral Thesis. Firstly, the removal of NOX through the selective catalytic reduction with ammonia has been studied. Mn-Fe catalysts supported on zeolites with different Si/Al ratio and morphology (BEA, CHA, ITQ-2 and FAU), on mesoporous materials (MCM-41 and SBA-15) and on metallic oxides (MgO, TiO2 and γ-Al2O3) have been employed. It has been proved that there is a strong influence of the type of support in the catalytic activity, obtaining the best results with the catalysts supported on materials with acidic properties and high surface area. The morphology of zeolite-based catalysts does not influence the catalytic activity as much as the Si/Al ratio does, obtaining the best results with the catalysts supported on zeolites with high Si/Al. It has been shown that the activity of the catalysts supported on metallic oxides is strongly influenced by the surface area of the support and by its acid/base properties, obtaining the best results with the catalysts supported on oxides with high surface area and acidic properties. Furthermore, all catalysts present a selectivity towards N2 greater than 90 %. The most promising results, mainly for its hydrothermal stability, are obtained with the catalysts prepared with CHA zeolite (Si/Al = 10), that maintain the activity after the aging. Secondly, the activity in the catalytic oxidation of CO of Ag and Ag-Au catalysts supported on ITQ-2 zeolite has been studied. Silver-based catalysts were used in order to investigate the influence of the nature of silver species in the catalytic activity. For this, catalysts were prepared using different methods, leading to different silver species: incipient wetness impregnation, ion exchange, and as supported Ag25(SR)18 nanoclusters. The catalytic results together with the characterization results have allowed to determine that metallic silver is the active specie in this reaction, obtaining the best results with the catalysts containing a higher concentration of this species on the surface. This is determined by the preparation method and by the evolution of these species during the activation and the reaction cycles. In the other hand, the Ag-Au bimetallic catalysts were prepared by the impregnation of AgxAu25-x(SR)18 nanoclusters on the ITQ-2 zeolite. The results showed that the best activity is obtained when Ag-Au alloy nanoparticles are formed, favouring the CO and O2 adsorption. These types of particles were formed after the partial destruction of thiolate ligands that are protecting the nanoclusters, that is favoured by the pretreatment with hydrogen. However, it has been shown that during reaction, nanoclusters evolved to the formation of Ag-Au alloyed nanoparticles regardless of the pretreatment applied. These results proved that the CO oxidation reaction is a useful tool to follow the metallic nanoclusters evolution during the activation processes and during reaction. Finally, the activity of catalysts based on gold nanoclusters with different number of atoms, Au25 y Au11, and different ligands (thiolates for Au25 and phosphines for Au11) in the semihydrogenation of phenylacetylene to styrene has been studied. These catalysts were supported on various metallic oxides (MgO, γ-Al2O3 and Mg/Al hydrotalcite), observing that catalytic activity depends on the nanoclusters composition, but also on the support and on the pretreatment. It has been shown that H2 partial activation is a key factor, which is directly related to the acid/base properties of the support. The best results were obtained with the catalysts prepared with Au25 nanoclusters supported on the Mg/Al hydrotalcite, that presents a medium basicity between MgO and alumina, favouring the hydrogen activation, but avoiding the overhydrogenation of alkynes to alkanes. The results obtained for the different reactions with the different catalysts have shown that the support-metal interaction is essential when designing active catalysts for a particular reaction. This interaction strongly depends on the acid/base properties of the supports and on the pretreatments, and they must be selected for any reaction. Moreover, it has been proved that metallic sites evolve during the reaction leading to new species that can be more or less active, depending on the studied reaction. / López Hernández, I. (2021). Catalizadores metálicos estructurados en reacciones de Química Sostenible [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/172246