Les récepteurs canaux P2X, sélectifs des cations, sont activés par l'ATP extracellulaire. Les récepteurs P2X remplissent de nombreux rôles physiologiques allant de la nociception à la neuromodulation. L'étude du rôle physiopathologique de ces récepteurs souffre d'un manque d'outils pharmacologiques sélectifs. L'optogénétique pharmacologique serait une méthode pour palier ce manque. Mes travaux se divisent en deux parties, l'une concernant l'étude structurale des récepteurs P2X et l'autre présentant le développement d'outils optogénétiques chimiques pour contrôler l'activité des récepteurs P2X. Dans une première série d'expériences nous avons identifié le site de liaison de l'ATP par marquage d'affinité dirigé à l'aide d'un analogue de l'ATP thiol réactif. Ensuite,nous avons démontré le mécanisme d'activation des récepteurs P2X dans une étude utilisant la bioinformatique et l'ingénierie de site zinc. Ainsi nous avons établi une corrélation entre l'ouverture du canal et le rétrécissement du site de liaison suite à la fixation de l'ATP. Enfin nous avons mis au point une nouvelle stratégie optogénétique chimique appelée « optogating » permettant de reprogrammer un canal ionique afin de le contrôler par la lumière. Nous avons montré qu'un récepteur canal modifié au niveau transmembranaire, par un réactif contenant un azobenzène, peut être activé réversiblement par la lumière sans recourir au ligand endogène. Nous avons réussi à photocontrôler l'activité neuronale à l'aide d'un récepteur P2X activé par la lumière,dans lequel, la sensibilité à l'ATP a été génétiquement supprimée. Cet outil est prometteur pour l'étude du rôle physiologique des récepteurs P2X in vivo. / The ATP-gated P2X receptors are trimeric ion channels that are selective to cations.These ion channels are involved in various physiological processes such as nociception and neuromodulation. The study of P2XR physiology suffers from a lack of selective pharmacological molecules. Optogenetic pharmacology could solve this problem. ln thiswork, 1 performed structural studies of P2X receptors and developed an original optochemical tool in order to contrai P2X activity. First, we localized the ATP-binding sites by creating, through a proximity-dependent"tethering" reaction, covalent bonds between a synthesized ATP-derived thiol-reactiveP2X2 agonist (NCS-ATP) and single cysteine mutants engineered in the putativebinding cavities of the P2X2 receptor. Next, we demonstrated that tightening of the ATP-binding sites correlates precisely with channel opening in the P2X2 receptor. Finally, we developed a unique and versatile method, in which the gating machinery of the P2X2 receptor was reprogrammed to respond to light. We found that channels covalently modified by azobenzene-containing reagents at the transmembrane segments could be reversibly turned on and off by light, without the need of the natural ligand (here ATP). We demonstrated photocontrol of neuronal activity by a light-gatedP2X receptor, in which the natural sensitivity to ATP was genetically removed. These light-gated P2X receptors represent valuable tools for investigating the physiological functions of P2X receptors.

This thesis presents the first example of reversible photoregulation of the binding of a protease, α-chymotrypsin, to a surface. A modular approach is used involving the azobenzene photoswitch group, a surface linker and an enzyme binding group. This approach is designed to be easily extended to the photoregulation of binding of other proteases to surfaces by use of enzyme binding groups selective to these proteases. Chapter one gives a brief outline of some of the important areas involved in to this work, including molecular switches, proteases and surface modification. Chapter two describes the synthesis of azobenzene-containing boronate esters designed as photoswitch inhibitors of α-chymotrypsin. Boronate esters were prepared containing the aminophenylboronate group or the peptidomimetic borophenylalanine group for enzyme binding and a range of substituents designed for enzyme affinity and/or surface attachment. Syntheses primarily involved peptide coupling reactions and azobenzene formation by condensation of nitrosobenzenes and anilines. Coupling reactions were successfully carried out using EDCI or isobutyl chlorofomate in several cases where other reagents gave unacceptable decomposition. Chapter three describes the syntheses and HPLC stability studies of derivatives of a noncovalent α-chymotrypsin inhibitor. Several dipeptide-based compounds containing either an amide group for surface attachment or an azobenzene group for photoswitching were prepared, primarily using peptide coupling reactions. Each compound was incubated with α-chymotrypsin to assess its stability, and all were found by HPLC monitoring to be stable to α-chymotrypsin catalysed hydrolysis. Chapter four describes syntheses of azobenzene-containing trifluoromethylketones and α-ketoesters designed as photoswitch inhibitors of α-chymotrypsin. Trifluoromethylketones/α-ketoesters containing amine groups for surface attachment were prepared, primarily using peptide coupling reactions, but could not be isolated due to the incompatibility of the electrophilic ketone and primary amine groups. Trifluoromethylketones/α-ketoesters containing terminal alkynes for surface attachment were prepared either by the attachment of an alkyne substituent group to a symmetrical azobenzene core or by Pd-catalysed reaction of a protected alkyne with an azobenzene having a halide substitutent. Chapter five describes syntheses of sulfur-containing surface linkers for use in surface attachment of the photoswitch inhibitors described in chapters 2-4. A range of compounds containing disulfide or protected thiol groups for surface attachment and azide or carboxylic acid groups for inhibitor attachment were prepared. Syntheses primarily involved coupling of functionalised alcohols/amides to carboxylic acid-containing disulfides/thioacetates. Selected linkers were attached to azobenzenes by amide coupling or azide-alkyne cycloaddition for surface attachment, photoswitching and/or enzyme assay. Azide-alkyne cycloaddition yields were initially poor, but were improved by use of stoichiometric amounts of copper catalyst. Chapter six describes UV/vis photoisomerisation studies and enzyme assays carried out to assess enzyme photoswitching of the compounds described in chapters 2-5. The trifluoromethylketones and α-ketoesters described in chapter 4 gave the best results, with moderate inhibition of α-chymotrypsin (µM affinity constants) and up to 5.3 fold changes in inhibition on UV/vis irradiation. Many of the boronate esters described in chapter 2 were found to inhibit α-chymotrypsin, but were somewhat unstable to irradiation. The dipeptide-based compounds described in chapter 3 were inactive against α-chymotrypsin. Good photoisomerisation was obtained for an azobenzene containing a symmetrical disulfide surface linker and poor photoisomerisation was obtained for an azobenzene containing a lipoic acid surface linker. Chapter seven describes surface attachment of selected photoswitch inhibitors and studies of photoregulated enzyme binding to the resultant functional surfaces. Self assembled monolayers (SAMs) of disulfides were formed on gold surfaces and characterised by electrochemistry and contact angle measurements. Binding of α-chymotrypsin to SAMs containing a photoswitch inhibitor was detected by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), but was found to be largely irreversible. An alkyne-containing photoswitch inhibitor was attached to a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) chip in a two step procedure involving generation of an azide modified surface followed by azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Binding of α-chymotrypsin to the resultant modified surface was detected by SPR and successfully regulated by UV/vis irradiation. Chapter eight provides conclusions for the work described in this thesis and suggests future directions. Chapter nine gives experimental details for the work described in this thesis.

This thesis presents the first example of reversible photoregulation of the binding of a protease, α-chymotrypsin, to a surface. A modular approach is used involving the azobenzene photoswitch group, a surface linker and an enzyme binding group. This approach is designed to be easily extended to the photoregulation of binding of other proteases to surfaces by use of enzyme binding groups selective to these proteases. Chapter one gives a brief outline of some of the important areas involved in to this work, including molecular switches, proteases and surface modification. Chapter two describes the synthesis of azobenzene-containing boronate esters designed as photoswitch inhibitors of α-chymotrypsin. Boronate esters were prepared containing the aminophenylboronate group or the peptidomimetic borophenylalanine group for enzyme binding and a range of substituents designed for enzyme affinity and/or surface attachment. Syntheses primarily involved peptide coupling reactions and azobenzene formation by condensation of nitrosobenzenes and anilines. Coupling reactions were successfully carried out using EDCI or isobutyl chlorofomate in several cases where other reagents gave unacceptable decomposition. Chapter three describes the syntheses and HPLC stability studies of derivatives of a noncovalent α-chymotrypsin inhibitor. Several dipeptide-based compounds containing either an amide group for surface attachment or an azobenzene group for photoswitching were prepared, primarily using peptide coupling reactions. Each compound was incubated with α-chymotrypsin to assess its stability, and all were found by HPLC monitoring to be stable to α-chymotrypsin catalysed hydrolysis. Chapter four describes syntheses of azobenzene-containing trifluoromethylketones and α-ketoesters designed as photoswitch inhibitors of α-chymotrypsin. Trifluoromethylketones/α-ketoesters containing amine groups for surface attachment were prepared, primarily using peptide coupling reactions, but could not be isolated due to the incompatibility of the electrophilic ketone and primary amine groups. Trifluoromethylketones/α-ketoesters containing terminal alkynes for surface attachment were prepared either by the attachment of an alkyne substituent group to a symmetrical azobenzene core or by Pd-catalysed reaction of a protected alkyne with an azobenzene having a halide substitutent. Chapter five describes syntheses of sulfur-containing surface linkers for use in surface attachment of the photoswitch inhibitors described in chapters 2-4. A range of compounds containing disulfide or protected thiol groups for surface attachment and azide or carboxylic acid groups for inhibitor attachment were prepared. Syntheses primarily involved coupling of functionalised alcohols/amides to carboxylic acid-containing disulfides/thioacetates. Selected linkers were attached to azobenzenes by amide coupling or azide-alkyne cycloaddition for surface attachment, photoswitching and/or enzyme assay. Azide-alkyne cycloaddition yields were initially poor, but were improved by use of stoichiometric amounts of copper catalyst. Chapter six describes UV/vis photoisomerisation studies and enzyme assays carried out to assess enzyme photoswitching of the compounds described in chapters 2-5. The trifluoromethylketones and α-ketoesters described in chapter 4 gave the best results, with moderate inhibition of α-chymotrypsin (µM affinity constants) and up to 5.3 fold changes in inhibition on UV/vis irradiation. Many of the boronate esters described in chapter 2 were found to inhibit α-chymotrypsin, but were somewhat unstable to irradiation. The dipeptide-based compounds described in chapter 3 were inactive against α-chymotrypsin. Good photoisomerisation was obtained for an azobenzene containing a symmetrical disulfide surface linker and poor photoisomerisation was obtained for an azobenzene containing a lipoic acid surface linker. Chapter seven describes surface attachment of selected photoswitch inhibitors and studies of photoregulated enzyme binding to the resultant functional surfaces. Self assembled monolayers (SAMs) of disulfides were formed on gold surfaces and characterised by electrochemistry and contact angle measurements. Binding of α-chymotrypsin to SAMs containing a photoswitch inhibitor was detected by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), but was found to be largely irreversible. An alkyne-containing photoswitch inhibitor was attached to a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) chip in a two step procedure involving generation of an azide modified surface followed by azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Binding of α-chymotrypsin to the resultant modified surface was detected by SPR and successfully regulated by UV/vis irradiation. Chapter eight provides conclusions for the work described in this thesis and suggests future directions. Chapter nine gives experimental details for the work described in this thesis.

There are many different types of targeted therapy for cancer treatment. The method of light mediated targeted therapy that we have developed uses photocaged molecules and photoswitchable peptides. In photocaging, a biologically active molecule is made inactive by the attachment of a photocleavable blocking group. On exposure to UV radiation the photocleavable entity is removed and the biologically active molecule is released. Using this concept we have designed a prodrug that consists of a cell impermeable hydrophilic molecule attached to a photocaged doxorubicin. Upon irradiation with UV light the photosensitive group is removed and cytotoxic doxorubicin is released at the tumor site. This concept has been further modified by attaching receptor binding molecules to the photocaged entity to increase its specificity. A peptide which consists of an azobenzene photoswitch has been used which, in the dark state is randomly coiled and cell impermeable but upon illumination becomes helical and cell permeable and can be used to deliver drugs into the cells. Upon illumination with UV light of suitable wavelength the azobenzene linker will change from a trans to a cis form and this will convert the randomly coiled cell impermeable peptide into an α helical permeable form. Thus a series of peptides have been designed with different arginine mutations which develop an arginine patch in the helical form. This arginine patch would help in cell permeability by interacting with cell surface glycans. The method could potentially be used to deliver drugs into cells in presence of light.

La nécessité de construire des édifices moléculaires complexes s'accompagne d'un besoin de mise au point d'outils synthétiques nouveaux et toujours plus performants. Dans ce contexte, le développement de systèmes photocommutables constitue un moyen privilégié pour la modulation de la réactivité chimique avec un excellent contrôle spatial et temporel. Les complexes organométalliques incorporant des ligands photochromes constituent des candidats de choix pour de telles applications, combinant la réactivité riche du centre métallique avec les propriétés de photocommutation du ligand. Ces travaux de thèse portent sur l'utilisation d'azobenzènes en tant que ligands pour la formation de complexes photocommutables de type (η6-arène)ruthénium. L'étude du comportement d'azobenzènes diversement substitués a conduit à la synthèse d'une nouvelle famille de complexes porteurs d'un ligand o-sulfonamide azobenzène dont les propriétés de photo-isomérisation ainsi que la réactivité ont été étudiées. La coordination de dérivés phosphorés à ces composés peut être modulée sous irradiation lumineuse, et cette propriété a été exploitée pour le photo-déclenchement de la réaction d'aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman.Dans une seconde partie de ces travaux, nous avons synthétisé une famille d'azobenzènes cycliques pontés par un acétal présentant un processus nouveaux de photo-isomérisation à trois espèces, qui permet l'interconversion sous irradiation lumineuse entre des diastéréoisomères conformationnels stables avec une bonne sélectivité. Ces nouveaux composés offrent des perspectives prometteuses pour le contrôle conformationnel par la lumière. / The growing need to create sophisticated molecules and building blocks requires the development of increasingly more efficient synthetic tools. In this context, photoswitchable systems appear as an ideal means for controlling chemical reactivity with excellent spatial and temporal resolution. Organometallic complexes incorporating photochromic ligands represent a promising class of compounds for such applications as they combine both the versatile reactivity of the metal center with the photoswitchable properties of the ligand. This work investigates the use of azobenzenes as ligands for the synthesis of photoswitchable (η6-arene)ruthenium complexes. The study of the behavior of azobenzenes diversely substituted led to the synthesis of a new family of complexes bearing an o-sulfonamide ligand which photo-isomerization properties were investigated. The coordination of these complexes to phosphorus derivatives could be modulated upon irradiation and this property was applied to the light-triggered aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction.The second part of this work describes the synthesis and study of a new family of ketal-substituted bridged azobenzenes which display an uncommon three-species photo-isomerization pattern, triggering an interconversion between stable conformational diastereomers with a good selectivity. These compounds offer promising perspectives for conformational control by light.

Nesta tese foram investigadas as propriedades foto-switch de novas tríades constituídas por uma unidade central de Si(IV)-Ftalocianina e dois ligantes axiais azobenzênicos. A posição 4\' dos ligantes azobenzênicos apresenta substituintes (X) com diferentes propriedades eletrônicas e estéricas, a saber: -H; -CH3; -C(CH3)3; -OCH3; e -I. A tríade com substituinte -NO2 foi novamente investigada e incluída como tríade de maior caráter push-pull da série. Para efeito de comparação, também foram investigados hidróxiazobenzenos (HO-Azo-X) com os mesmos substituintes (X) na posição 4\' que os presentes nas tríades. Os HO-Azo-X apresentam propriedades espectroscópicas, fotoquímicas (fotoisomerização E→Z e Z→E) como também retorno térmico Z→E com características intermediárias entre a classe dos azobenzenos e dos amino-azobenzenos. Estas propriedades podem ser atribuídas à presença comum do substituinte hidróxi que apresenta um caráter doador, porém menos acentuado que a do grupo amino. Os espectros de absorção eletrônica das tríades apresentam uma banda B no UV e um conjunto de bandas Q na região visível do espectro eletromagnético. Observou-se a existência de um processo de agregação dos complexos dependente do substituinte 4\'. As tríades apresentam emissão de fluorescência quando excitadas tanto na banda B como na banda Q, com pequenos deslocamentos Stokes. Os rendimentos quânticos de fluorescência obedecem à regra de Kasha. Isto foi confirmado para os rendimentos quânticos corrigidos da banda B, os quais excluem a fração de luz absorvida pelos ligantes axiais nesta região de excitação. A excitação das tríades em THF resulta em photobleaching, que ocorre tanto na presença como na ausência de oxigênio, sendo mais efetivo neste último caso; temos que: a) na ausência de oxigênio provavelmente existe a formação de radicais acíclicos de THF que destroem a ftalocianina; b) na presença de oxigênio peróxidos estão envolvidos na degradação, tendo sido detectados e quantificados nas soluções das tríades após irradiação. Nos dois casos o estado excitado triplete é responsável pelo início do processo. Em benzeno puderam ser investigados a fotoisomerização E→Z, a isomerização fotossensibilizada Z→E, assim como a isomerização térmica (retorno térmico) Z→E. Os resultados mostram que a coordenação não altera as propriedades do estado excitado dos ligantes azobenzênicos evidenciado pela similaridade dos rendimentos quânticos e constantes de velocidade E→Z comparativamente aos HO-Azo-X. Entretanto, o retorno térmico Z→E, é muito mais lento comparativamente aos HO-Azo-X. A ligação Si-O nos complexos comparativamente a H-O nos HO-Azo-X e os momento de dipolo resultante devem ser os responsáveis por esse fenômeno. As isomerizações fotossensibilizadas Z→E são muito mais rápidas que as respectivas térmicas existindo diferenças de até 30 vezes nos valores das respectivas constantes. Todas as tríades apresentam o comportamento foto-switch de emissão que é controlado pelo estado E ou Z do ligante axial. Ao longo da série as variações de intensidade de emissão se situam entre 19 - 27% da intensidade inicial. O fato do processo Z→E nas tríades ocorrer através do processo térmico ou fotossensibilizado que é consideravelmente mais rápido faz destas tríades sistemas switches quase-biestáveis. Este controle cinético também potencializa a utilização destas tríades em sistemas de informação molecular binário. / In this work have been studied the photoswitch properties of new triads with one central Si(IV)-phthalocyanine and two axially coordinated azobenzenes. The 4\' position of the azobenzene ligands has substituents (X) presenting different electronic/steric contributions: -H; -CH3; -C(CH3)3; -OCH3; and -I. The triad with -NO2 substituent was reinvestigated and included as the triad with the major push-pull effect in the series. For comparative purposes have been investigated hydroxyazobenzenes (HO-Azo-X) with the same substituents (X) at the 4\' position of the triads. The HO-Azo-X compounds show spectroscopic, photochemical (photoisomerization E→Z and Z→E) and thermal Z→E reaction with intermediate properties that which shown by the class of azobenzene and aminoazobenzene compounds. These characteristics can be attributed to the hydroxyl-substituent present in all compounds, which has donor character, but less pronounced than the amino group. The electronic absorption spectra of the triads show a B band in the UV and a set of Q bands in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Could be noticed an aggregation behavior for these triads dependent on the 4\' substituent. The triads show fluorescence emission when excited at B or Q bands, presenting small Stokes shift. Fluorescence quantum yields are in accordance with Kasha\'s rule. Photobleaching is observed when THF solutions of the triads are irradiated. This photobleching occurs in presence or absence of oxygen, been most effective in this last case. Concerning the photobleaching process and presence/absence of oxygen: a) in absence of oxygen probably are formed THF acyclic radicals which lead to the destruction of the phthalocyanine; b) in the presence of oxygen, peroxides are involved in the degradation and peroxides were detected and quantified in THF solutions of the triads after irradiation. In both cases the excited triplet state is responsible for starting the steps that result in the observed bleaching. In benzene solutions could be investigated the E→Z photoisomerization, the Z→E photosensitized isomerization and Z→E thermal isomerization. The results show that coordination does not alter the excited state properties of the azobenzene ligands. This conclusion can be made by the similarity between the quantum yields and the E→Z rate constants values for the triads and HO-Azo-X compounds. Otherwise, the Z→E thermal isomerization is much slower for the triads comparatively to the HO-Azo-X compounds. The Si-O bound in the complexes compared to the H-O bond in the HO-Azo-X and the resulting dipole moments must be responsible for this phenomenon. The Z→E photosensitized isomerization reactions are much faster than the corresponding thermal ones existing up to 30 times differences on the respective constants. The investigated triads show photoswitch behavior concerning fluorescence emission which is controlled by the axial ligand E or Z state. The emission intensity variations along the series are found to be between 19 - 27% of the initial intensity. These triads can be classified as \"quasi\" bistable switches considering the Z→E process can be carried out by means a slow thermal or a fast photosensitized process. This kinetic control enable too the utilization of these triads in molecular binary information systems.

Nesta tese foram investigadas as propriedades foto-switch de novas tríades constituídas por uma unidade central de Si(IV)-Ftalocianina e dois ligantes axiais azobenzênicos. A posição 4\' dos ligantes azobenzênicos apresenta substituintes (X) com diferentes propriedades eletrônicas e estéricas, a saber: -H; -CH3; -C(CH3)3; -OCH3; e -I. A tríade com substituinte -NO2 foi novamente investigada e incluída como tríade de maior caráter push-pull da série. Para efeito de comparação, também foram investigados hidróxiazobenzenos (HO-Azo-X) com os mesmos substituintes (X) na posição 4\' que os presentes nas tríades. Os HO-Azo-X apresentam propriedades espectroscópicas, fotoquímicas (fotoisomerização E→Z e Z→E) como também retorno térmico Z→E com características intermediárias entre a classe dos azobenzenos e dos amino-azobenzenos. Estas propriedades podem ser atribuídas à presença comum do substituinte hidróxi que apresenta um caráter doador, porém menos acentuado que a do grupo amino. Os espectros de absorção eletrônica das tríades apresentam uma banda B no UV e um conjunto de bandas Q na região visível do espectro eletromagnético. Observou-se a existência de um processo de agregação dos complexos dependente do substituinte 4\'. As tríades apresentam emissão de fluorescência quando excitadas tanto na banda B como na banda Q, com pequenos deslocamentos Stokes. Os rendimentos quânticos de fluorescência obedecem à regra de Kasha. Isto foi confirmado para os rendimentos quânticos corrigidos da banda B, os quais excluem a fração de luz absorvida pelos ligantes axiais nesta região de excitação. A excitação das tríades em THF resulta em photobleaching, que ocorre tanto na presença como na ausência de oxigênio, sendo mais efetivo neste último caso; temos que: a) na ausência de oxigênio provavelmente existe a formação de radicais acíclicos de THF que destroem a ftalocianina; b) na presença de oxigênio peróxidos estão envolvidos na degradação, tendo sido detectados e quantificados nas soluções das tríades após irradiação. Nos dois casos o estado excitado triplete é responsável pelo início do processo. Em benzeno puderam ser investigados a fotoisomerização E→Z, a isomerização fotossensibilizada Z→E, assim como a isomerização térmica (retorno térmico) Z→E. Os resultados mostram que a coordenação não altera as propriedades do estado excitado dos ligantes azobenzênicos evidenciado pela similaridade dos rendimentos quânticos e constantes de velocidade E→Z comparativamente aos HO-Azo-X. Entretanto, o retorno térmico Z→E, é muito mais lento comparativamente aos HO-Azo-X. A ligação Si-O nos complexos comparativamente a H-O nos HO-Azo-X e os momento de dipolo resultante devem ser os responsáveis por esse fenômeno. As isomerizações fotossensibilizadas Z→E são muito mais rápidas que as respectivas térmicas existindo diferenças de até 30 vezes nos valores das respectivas constantes. Todas as tríades apresentam o comportamento foto-switch de emissão que é controlado pelo estado E ou Z do ligante axial. Ao longo da série as variações de intensidade de emissão se situam entre 19 - 27% da intensidade inicial. O fato do processo Z→E nas tríades ocorrer através do processo térmico ou fotossensibilizado que é consideravelmente mais rápido faz destas tríades sistemas switches quase-biestáveis. Este controle cinético também potencializa a utilização destas tríades em sistemas de informação molecular binário. / In this work have been studied the photoswitch properties of new triads with one central Si(IV)-phthalocyanine and two axially coordinated azobenzenes. The 4\' position of the azobenzene ligands has substituents (X) presenting different electronic/steric contributions: -H; -CH3; -C(CH3)3; -OCH3; and -I. The triad with -NO2 substituent was reinvestigated and included as the triad with the major push-pull effect in the series. For comparative purposes have been investigated hydroxyazobenzenes (HO-Azo-X) with the same substituents (X) at the 4\' position of the triads. The HO-Azo-X compounds show spectroscopic, photochemical (photoisomerization E→Z and Z→E) and thermal Z→E reaction with intermediate properties that which shown by the class of azobenzene and aminoazobenzene compounds. These characteristics can be attributed to the hydroxyl-substituent present in all compounds, which has donor character, but less pronounced than the amino group. The electronic absorption spectra of the triads show a B band in the UV and a set of Q bands in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Could be noticed an aggregation behavior for these triads dependent on the 4\' substituent. The triads show fluorescence emission when excited at B or Q bands, presenting small Stokes shift. Fluorescence quantum yields are in accordance with Kasha\'s rule. Photobleaching is observed when THF solutions of the triads are irradiated. This photobleching occurs in presence or absence of oxygen, been most effective in this last case. Concerning the photobleaching process and presence/absence of oxygen: a) in absence of oxygen probably are formed THF acyclic radicals which lead to the destruction of the phthalocyanine; b) in the presence of oxygen, peroxides are involved in the degradation and peroxides were detected and quantified in THF solutions of the triads after irradiation. In both cases the excited triplet state is responsible for starting the steps that result in the observed bleaching. In benzene solutions could be investigated the E→Z photoisomerization, the Z→E photosensitized isomerization and Z→E thermal isomerization. The results show that coordination does not alter the excited state properties of the azobenzene ligands. This conclusion can be made by the similarity between the quantum yields and the E→Z rate constants values for the triads and HO-Azo-X compounds. Otherwise, the Z→E thermal isomerization is much slower for the triads comparatively to the HO-Azo-X compounds. The Si-O bound in the complexes compared to the H-O bond in the HO-Azo-X and the resulting dipole moments must be responsible for this phenomenon. The Z→E photosensitized isomerization reactions are much faster than the corresponding thermal ones existing up to 30 times differences on the respective constants. The investigated triads show photoswitch behavior concerning fluorescence emission which is controlled by the axial ligand E or Z state. The emission intensity variations along the series are found to be between 19 - 27% of the initial intensity. These triads can be classified as \"quasi\" bistable switches considering the Z→E process can be carried out by means a slow thermal or a fast photosensitized process. This kinetic control enable too the utilization of these triads in molecular binary information systems.

Les dispositifs à base de silicium, industrialisés aujourd’hui pour les systèmes électroniques, atteignent leurs limites en termes de miniaturisation et de performances. La course à l’innovation et à la miniaturisation vise aujourd’hui à dépasser cette limite en intégrant de nouveaux matériaux dans les dispositifs, en couplant d’autres phénomènes physiques de l’optique à l’électronique haute fréquence. Le travail conduit pendant cette thèse porte sur la caractérisation du phosphore noir (bP) pour des applications dans le domaine de l'optoélectronique hyperfréquence avec une application spécifique aux interrupteurs microondes pilotés optiquement à 1,55 µm. La caractérisation du bP passe par le développement de techniques de fabrication de couches bidimensionnels de bP et également par la détermination de l'influence des matériaux annexes utilisés sur les propriétés de la couche. Cela a été couplé à une étude optique pour connaitre la réponse du bP à une excitation laser à 1,55 µm. La détermination de paramètres intrinsèques spécifiques du matériau tels que le temps de vie des photoporteurs, la résistivité et la permittivité a été conduite par l'intermédiaire d'expériences de caractérisation dans le domaine optique, radiofréquence et électronique (DC). Les résultats obtenus confirment l’intérêt du bP pour ce genre d'application et ont permis l'intégration du matériau dans le dispositif hyperfréquence visé. Les résultats obtenus lors de tests préliminaires présentés dans ce mémoire sont très encourageants et ouvre la voie à de nombreuses applications ultra-rapide à haute fréquence. / The research project conducted focuses on the optoelectronic and high frequency characterization of black phosphorus. The context of this project is the trend of downscaling and multi-physical coupling seen today in industrial electronics. The characterization carried out is directed for a specific application, the realisation of microwave photoswitch controlled by a laser optical excitation at 1.55 µm. For this purpose, during this PhD a production process of thin and large bi-dimensional layers of black phosphorus has been performed, along with the fabrication of characterization devices, and a discussion to determine suitable appendices for substrate, capping layer and metallization. The technological development is coupled with optical, electronic (DC) and radiofrequency characterizations of the bi-dimensional layers for the determination of inherent black phosphorus properties like the photogenerated carrier lifetime, the material permittivity, the resistivity and the mobility of the carriers. Those parameters are essential to understanding design and simulate high frequency optoelectronic devices on black phosphorus such as the microwave photoswitch controlled at 1.55 µm. The obtained results assert black phosphorus as a promising material for this kind of application. The first performances obtained with the use of bP as an active material for photoconductive switching are very encouraging and open the way for high frequency and high speed applications.

Development of synthetic routes toward two general organometallic frameworks was undertaken. The first project involved synthetic attempts of substituted and unsubstituted ferroceno[c]thiophene while the second one was the synthesis of 1,2-dithienylmetallocenes. The long-term goal of this work is to lay the foundations for study of electronic, electrochromic, redox, and optical properties of thiophene-based materials integrated with organometallic systems such as ferrocene, ruthenocene and cymantrene. The synthetic pathway for the target molecule in the first project involved converting 1,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)ferrocene to 1,2-bis(thiouroniummethyl)ferrocene with thiourea under acidic conditions. Refluxing the salt in base followed by acidification resulted in 1,2-bis(mercaptomethyl)ferrocene, which is oxidized to the cyclic ferroceno[d]-1,2-dithiane. Ring contraction of cyclic dithiane gave the thioether, ferroceno[c]-2,5-dihydrothiophene. Periodate oxidation of the thioether gave ferroceno[c]-2,5-dihydrothiophene-S-oxide (1), a potential precursor for ferroceno[c]thiophene via Pummerer dehydration. Attempts to dehydrate 1 and to trap the resulting thiophene in situ indicated instability of the target compound. Synthesis of ferroceno[c]thiophene with electron-donating as well as electron-withdrawing substituents at the 2,5-positions of the thiophene ring was attempted. 1,2–Dithienylethenes and their derivatives have gained increased attention due to their exceptional photochromic property. They tend to be thermally irreversible but photochemically reversible, which is a vital for their potential use in optical memories, switches and other optoelectronic applications. Inspiration of the second project was that incorporation of 1,2-dithienyl systems into metallocenes would enhance the general properties of the molecule, including stability, fatigue resistance, solid-state reactivity and higher sensitivity. 1,2-Dithienylferrocene was successfully synthesized. The synthetic pathway for 1,2-dithienylferrocene involved the reaction of α-bromo-3-acetyl-2,5-dimethylthiophene (1) with ethyl 4-(2,5-dimethylthiophen-3-yl)-3-oxobutanoate (2) to give 2,3-diarylcyclopent-2-en-1-one (3). Compounds 1 and 2 were synthesized following literature methods. Compound 3 was then converted to its cyclopentadienide form by first reducing the ketone to alcohol using LAH, followed by dehydration and then deprotonation of the substituted cyclic diene using butyllithium to give 1,2-bis(2,5-dimethylthiophene)-2,4-cyclopentadien-1-yl)lithium (4). [Fe(fluorenyl)(Cp)] was then used as a transfer reagent and reacted with 4 to yield the target compound.

Des azobenzènes photochromiques ont été intégrés à des macrocycles synthétiques pour moduler photochimiquement la chélation de différents ions qui jouent un rôle essentiel dans les processus biologiques. La photocommutation de ces récepteurs a été étudiée (rendements quantiques, réversibilité, état photostationnaire) et les constantes de stabilité ont été déterminées. Le développement d’un récepteur biocompatible du Ca2+ (BAPTA) a permis de moduler la concentration de Ca2+ dans une solution aqueuse avec la lumière. Les molécules entrelacées sont également un sujet majeur dans le domaine de la chimie supramoléculaire. Une méthode de macrocyclisation photochimique, basée sur la dimérisation de l’anthracène, a été appliquée à des assemblages supramoléculaires dans le but de modifier leur topologie et de développer une nouvelle stratégie de photocaténation. En parallèle, un rotaxane a été réalisé en ajoutant des groupements encombrants sur les anthracènes par une réaction de Diels-Alder. / As the availability of ions plays a key role in biological processes, photochromic azobenzene macrocycles were synthetized to photochemically modulate chelation of different ions in various media. The photoswitching of these receptors was evaluated (quantum yields, reversibility, photostationary state) as well as binding constants. Integrating a biocompatible Ca2+ receptor (BAPTA) with azobenzene enabled the modulation of calcium concentration in aqueous solution and to reversibly switch the fluorescence emission of a molecular probe based on photoinduced electron transfer. Interlocked molecules are also a major topic in the field of supramolecular chemistry. A Photochemical macrocyclization method, based on the dimerization of anthracene, was applied to supramolecular assemblies in order to change their topology and develop a new strategy of photocatenation. In parallel, a rotaxane was achieved by adding bulky groups on anthracenes by a Diels-Alder reaction.