In this thesis we explore in particular the dynamics of a special type of quasi-particle in pi-conjugated materials termed polaron, the origin of which is intimately related to the strong interactions between the electronic and the vibrational degrees of freedom within these systems. In order to conduct such studies with the particular focus of each appended paper, we simultaneously solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation and the lattice equation of motion with a three-dimensional extension of the famous Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model Hamiltonian. In particular, we demonstrate in Paper I the applicability of the method to model transport dynamics in molecular crystals in a region were neither band theory nor perturbative treatments such as the Holstein model and extended Marcus theory apply. In Paper II we expand the model Hamiltonian to treat the revolution of phenylene rings around the sigma-bonds and demonstrate the great impact of stochastic ring torsion on the intra-chain mobility in conjugated polymers using poly[phenylene vinylene] (PPV) as a model system. Finally, in Paper III we go beyond the original purpose of the methodology and utilize its great flexibility to study radiationless relaxations of hot excitons. / Report code: LiU-TEK-LIC-2007:4.

<p>In this thesis we explore in particular the dynamics of a special type of quasi-particle in pi-conjugated materials termed polaron, the origin of which is intimately related to the strong interactions between the electronic and the vibrational degrees of freedom within these systems. In order to conduct such studies with the particular focus of each appended paper, we simultaneously solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation and the lattice equation of motion with a three-dimensional extension of the famous Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model Hamiltonian. In particular, we demonstrate in Paper I the applicability of the method to model transport dynamics in molecular crystals in a region were neither band theory nor perturbative treatments such as the Holstein model and extended Marcus theory apply. In Paper II we expand the model Hamiltonian to treat the revolution of phenylene rings around the sigma-bonds and demonstrate the great impact of stochastic ring torsion on the intra-chain mobility in conjugated polymers using poly[phenylene vinylene] (PPV) as a model system. Finally, in Paper III we go beyond the original purpose of the methodology and utilize its great flexibility to study radiationless relaxations of hot excitons.</p> / Report code: LiU-TEK-LIC-2007:4.

L'objectif de ce travail est de construire des objets moléculaires unidimensionnels et assez longs pour devenir des jonctions moléculaires entre deux nanoélectrodes métalliques insérables dans des nanodispositifs dédiés à ces mesures électriques.Après une étude bibliographique, nous proposons la construction de fils moléculaires solubles à partir d'unités de répétitions adaptées, enchaînées de manière parfaitement définie et contrôlée pouvant atteindre des longueurs élevées, comprises entre 8 et 11,6 nm, pour les plus longs d'entre eux. Trois familles homogènes de fils, basés sur la répétition contrôlée du motif bisthiénylène-1,4-dialkoxyphénylène, ont été élaborées et tous les composés ont été caractérisés en accordant une attention particulière aux propriétés électroniques de ces oligomères. Deux de ces familles de fils proposent des oligomères capables de se lier à des électrodes d'or et la démonstration du greffage des modèles préparés a été réalisée.Afin de faciliter les mesures des propriétés de transport des fils moléculaires, l'élaboration d'un photoswitch moléculaire insérable au sein des fils précédents a été réalisée. Parallèlement, la synthèse efficace de nanoparticules d'or stables et fonctionnalisées de manière adaptée a été faite pour l'évaluation de nos fils 1D au sein de gaps inter-électrodes de 20 nm. Pour de meilleures propriétés de transport, un travail prospectif sur des enchaînements conjugués, incluant des motifs à faible bande interdite, a été réalisé en s'appuyant sur une évaluation préalable des propriétés électroniques des structures par des calculs théoriques. La synthèse des cibles a été réalisée et leurs propriétés électroniques expérimentales ont été confrontées aux prédictions théoriques. / This work aims at building 1D and long enough molecular objects in order to become molecular junctions between two metallic nanoelectrodes which can be implemented in nanodevices dedicated to electrical measurements.After a bibliographic study, soluble molecular nanowires building is proposed from suitable repeating units, in well-defined and controlled sequences which can reach high lengths between 8 and 11.6 nm, for the longest of them. Three homogeneous families of wires, based on the bisthienylene 1,4- dialkoxyphenylene repeating unit, have been built and all the compounds have been fully characterized, focusing to the electronic properties of these oligomers. Two of these wires families are made of oligomers bearing adapted anchoring groups to gold electrodes and the capability of these prepared targets anchoring properties have been demonstrated.In order to make molecular wires transport properties easier, a molecular photoswitch has been designed in order to be easily included inside the precedent nanowires. At the same time, an efficient synthesis of stable gold nanoparticles which are suitably functionalized has been realized in order to value our 1D wires in 20 nm wide inter-electrodes nanogaps.For better transport properties, a prospective work about including low band gap moieties conjugated sequences has been realized from a preliminary theoretical valuation of electronic properties of the structures. The synthesis has been achieved and experimental electronic properties have been faced and compared to theoretical predictions.

Ce manuscrit décrit d'une part la synthèse et la fonctionnalisation de dérivés de types azacalix[4]arènes et d'autre part l'élaboration d'une nouvelle voie de synthèse des ligands benzoquinonediimines.La première partie, consacrée aux azacalix[4]arènes, détaille les différents procédés utilisés pour fonctionnaliser des azacalix[4]arènes après leur macrocyclisation. L'introduction de groupes amides a généré des récepteurs d'anions qui présentent une sélectivité non usuelle pour les ions chlorures. Les complexes hotes-invités formés reposent sur des intercations supramoléculaires et constituent l'une des principales thématiques de ce manuscrit.La seconde part du manuscrit porté sur une nouvelle voie de synthèse des ligands benzoquinonediimines qui reposent sur la transamination du 1,2,4,5-tétraaminobenzène en présence d'un excès d'amine primaire. La simplicité de cette procédure permet d'obtenir une grande variété de benzoquinondiimines diversement substiuées. L'impact de cette substiution est illusté via l'étude de nouveaux complexes bimétalliques contenant un ligand benzoquinonediimine pontant. / The first pat of this manuscrit deals with the synthetis and fonctionalization of azacalix[4]arnes derivatives while the second part describes a new syntetic access of benzoquinonediimines ligands.In the first part, differents approaches were used to introduce fonctional groups on the peripheral positions of alrealdy formed azacalix[4]arenes. the introduction of hydrogen donor groups such as amides groups generated azacalix[4]arnes based anions receptor that preferentially bind chloride anions. These host-guest complexes are built on supramolecular interations and are one of the main topic of this manuscrit.In the second part, a new synthetic procedure of benzoquinonediimines is described and studied. The simple and efficient one-pot reaction involves a transamination between 1,2,4,5-tetraaminobenzene and primary amine and allows to prepare a large range of N-substituted benzoquinonediimines derivatives. The impact of the N-substitution is enlightened through the study on bimetallic complexes containing a bridging benzoquinonediimine unit.

This thesis uses previously proposed methodology for simulations of all-trans- polyenes with conjugated systems. Dynamic properties, especially the mean lifeti- mes of the excited states, of these molecules were systematically simulated. Obta- ined data shows that the method is still too time-consuming for polyene molecules with more than 20 carbon atoms, including most carotenoids. Thus, a study of active space reduction was performed with the model tetradecaheptaene molecule with regards to excited state mean lifetimes. A new, less time-consuming method would need further simulation studies. Moreover, static spectra of the these mo- lecules were studied as well, yielding a comparison of different DFT and ab-initio approaches. 1