Hydrogenases are a class of metalloenzymes which catalyse H₂ oxidation and its reverse reaction, H⁺ reduction. There is interest in investigating how H₂ as an energy carrier is cycled in biology. Hydrogenases have also been studied extensively because there are potential applications for them as catalysts for H₂ oxidation in fuel cells or H₂ production via light-driven water splitting. For these applications, the ability for the hydrogenase to work in the presence of O₂ is an important issue. The microorganism Ralstonia eutropha is a well-studied model aerobic H₂ oxidiser: it can adopt H₂ as the sole energy source to grow cells in the presence of O₂. It produces at least three distinct O₂-tolerant NiFe hydrogenases: the membrane-bound hydrogenase (MBH), the NAD⁺-reducing soluble hydrogenase (SH) and the regulatory hydrogenase (RH). This Thesis employs protein film electrochemistry (PFE) to study the SH and RH. It is found that the SH is able to work in both direction (H₂ oxidation and H⁺ reduction) with minimum overpotential, which is critical in coupling 2H⁺/H₂ cycling with the closely spaced NAD⁺/NADH potential. Reactions of the SH with O₂ have been investigated, revealing at least two distinct O₂-inactivated states, but consistent with the requirement for the SH to function in air, it can be reactivated in the presence of O₂ at low potentials which could be provided by the NAD⁺/NADH pool in vivo. The affinity of the RH for H₂ was determined by PFE and found to be slightly higher than that of the SH and MBH. This may provide a way for the microbe to regulate hydrogenase expression in response to the H₂ availability. Carbon monoxide and O₂-inactivated states of the RH have been identified for the first time, confirming that a constricted gas channel is not sufficient to explain its O₂ tolerance. Observation of potential dependent reactions in hydrogenases means that it is important to have spectroscopic methods for characterising states triggered by inhibitors and potential. An Infrared spectroelectrochemical approach suitable for studying metalloenzymes has been developed and preliminary spectra on RH recorded. This method should provide many opportunities for future studies of redox states of hydrogenases.

We report an IgG (=immunoglobulin) electrochemical immunosensor using a newly synthesized redox-active ferrocenyl dendrimer of generation 2 (G2Fc) as a voltammetric transducer. The ferrocenyl dendrimer N(CH2CH2C(O)NHCH2CH2NHC(O)Fe(η5-C5H4)(η5-C5H5))(CH2CH2N(CH2CH2C(O)NHCH2CH2NHC(O)Fe(η5-C5H4)(η5-C5H5))2)2 (G2Fc) was used as a functional moiety to immobilize the antibody on the surface of the electrode. A sandwich immunosensor of the type IgG/Bovine serum albumin (BSA)/anti-IgG/G2Fc/glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated. The electrochemical properties of G2Fc were thoroughly studied in aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes with varying scan rates. The incubation time was optimized for better analytical performance of the immunosensor. It is found that the developed amperometric immunosensor is sensitive to a concentration of IgG as low as 2 ng mL−1. / Dieser Beitrag ist aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Organic electrode materials are finding increasing use in energy storage devices due to their attractive properties that allow building of flexible and low weight devices in an environmentally friendlier manner than traditional alternatives. Among these organic electrode materials, conducting redox polymers (CRPs), consisting of conducing polymer (CP) with covalently attached redox active pendant groups (PG), have attracted our interests. This is due to the advantageous synergy between CP and PG, e.g. electronic conductivity, high stability and large charge storage capacity. In this thesis polypyrrole has been selected as CP and quinones as PGs. A series of quinone-pyrrole dyad polymers has been synthesized with a variety of quinone substituents, demonstrating the adjustability of quinone formal potentials by choice of substituents. Importantly, in this series we show that the CP-PG redox match, i.e. that the formal potential of the PG is within the conducting region of the CP, is a requirement for fast charge transfer from the electrode to the PGs. Moreover, a series of quinone-pyrrole dyad polymers with various linkers was synthesized, showing that the choice of linker has a pronounced impact on the interactions between the PG and CP. In addition, the temperature dependence of conductance during doping of the polymers reveals the charge transport mechanism. To summarize, the adjustability of the quinone formal potential as well as the fast charge transport in the bulk material ensures the applicability of the CRPs as electrode materials in organic batteries.

Os polímeros condutores intrínsecos são materiais isolantes ou semicondutores que, quando submetidos a um processo de dopagem, passam a apresentar condutividade próxima à metálica. Dentre os polímeros condutores sintetizados mais estudados está a poli(anilina), (PANI), que apesar de ter sido sintetizada pela primeira vez há aproximadamente 150 anos, continua sendo objeto de estudo de muitos grupos de pesquisa por todo o mundo até hoje. Apesar das características atrativas da PANI (facilidade de preparação e dopagem, estabilidade química e baixo custo), ela é categorizada como um material insolúvel e infusível em condições normais, o que dificulta sua processabilidade e aplicabilidade. Em vista dessas características indesejáveis, muitos derivados da PANI, tais como PANIs substituídas, copolímeros e blendas, são preparados em busca de novos materiais mais solúveis e processáveis. A obtenção do PPSA, um copolímero alternado da PANI e do PPS, mostrou-se atraente devido à possibilidade desse material poder apresentar as propriedades desejáveis de ambos os homopolímeros, juntamente com uma maior solubilidade. Nesta tese, apresentar-se-á a preparação desse polímero bem como sua respectiva caracterização espectroscópica e térmica e a determinação da massa molecular pela técnica de espalhamento de luz. Um estudo do comportamento eletroquímico por voltametria cíclica combinada com técnicas \"in situ\": espectroscopia Raman Ressonante, UV-Visível e por microbalança eletroquímica a cristal de quartzo também será mostrado. / The intrinsic conducting polymers are insulating or semi-conducting materials that show conductivities similar to metals when submitted to a doping process. Polyaniline (PANI), synthesized for the first time 150 years ago, is still the subject of research of many groups in the world, being one of the most studied conductive polymers. Besides its attractive properties (easy synthesise and doping, chemical stability and low cost), PANI is an insoluble and infusible material in normal conditions, what makes its processability and applicability very difficult. In order to overcome these difficulties, many PANI derivatives, such as substituted PANIs, copolymers and blends have been prepared, searching for more soluble materials and processible. PPSA, an alternate copolymer of PANI and PPS, is an attractive alternative because this material can show interesting properties of both homopolymers, together with a higher solubility. In this thesis it will be shown the preparation of this copolymer, as well as its spectroscopic and thermal characterization, and the determination of its molar mass by light scattering. The electrochemical behavior, studied by cyclic voltammetry combined with \"in situ\" techniques such as Raman resonant spectroscopy, UV-VIS and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, will also be shown.

A deposição eletroquímica, ou eletrodeposição, é uma técnica amplamente utilizada na obtenção de recobrimentos metálicos. A presença de certos compostos químicos (aditivos) nos banhos eletrolíticos pode influenciar o processo de eletrodeposição de maneira significativa. A glicina é um aminoácido presente em muitos banhos para a eletrodeposição de filmes finos de ligas de cobalto, que são interessantes devido às suas propriedades magnéticas. As propriedades de algumas ligas à base de cobalto obtidas a partir de banhos contendo glicina já foram bem descritas, mas há falta de estudos mais específicos sobre o papel do aminoácido no processo de eletrodeposição do cobalto. Esta Tese apresenta estudos realizados na tentativa de compreender a influência da glicina no mecanismo de eletrodeposição do cobalto. Técnicas de análise in situ, envolvendo espectroscopia no infravermelho por reflexão externa e medidas de pH na região próxima a interface via microeletrodo indicador foram acopladas aos estudos eletroquímicos. Depósitos de cobalto de boa qualidade foram obtidos a partir de banhos contendo glicina, e sob condições de sobrepotencial mais elevadas do que as possíveis para sistemas sem aditivos, onde ocorre precipitação de hidróxidos. Análises dos experimentos de voltametria cíclica indicaram a eletroatividade de complexos cobalto-glicina, e cinética de redução mais lenta foi observada, em relação a sistema sem glicina em valores de pH suficientemente elevados. Os estudos cinéticos foram dificultados pela reação de desprendimento de hidrogênio e a existência de diversos equilíbrios químicos em solução. Durante a eletrodeposição de cobalto em soluções contendo glicina, um aumento bastante significativo no pH próximo da interface foi observado. Os experimentos espectroeletroquímicos também demonstraram deslocamento dos equilíbrios químicos de complexação do cobalto em solução, devido ao aumento do pH interfacial. Todos os estudos mostraram que a presença de glicina favorece a reação de desprendimento de hidrogênio, diminuindo a eficiência de corrente do processo de eletrodeposição. Ainda assim, a glicina se mostrou eficaz na estabilização da solução eletrolítica. / The electrochemical deposition, or electrodeposition, is a widely used technique to obtain metallic coatings. The presence of certain chemical species (additives) in plating baths can significantly influence the metal electrodeposition process. Glycine is an aminoacid present in many electrolytic solutions for electrodeposition of cobalt thin films and alloys, which are interesting due to their magnetic properties. The properties of some Co-based alloys obtained from glycine-containing baths are well documented, but studies of the exact role of the aminoacid are lacking. This Thesis presents studies attempting to understand the influence of glycine on the mechanisms of cobalt electrodeposition. In situ analysis techniques - external reflection FTIR spectroscopy and pH measurement near the electrochemical interface using indicator microelectrodes - were coupled to the electrochemical studies. Good-quality cobalt deposits were obtained from glycine-containing baths, and under higher overpotentials than possible over systems with no additive (in which precipitation of hydroxides occurs). Analysis of the cyclic voltammetry experiments indicated the electroactivity of cobalt-glycine complexes, and the slower reduction kinetics in comparison with glycine-free solutions at sufficiently high pH values. The kinetic studies were hindered by the parallel hydrogen evolution reaction and the existence of several chemical equilibria in solution. During cobalt electrodeposition from glycine-containing solutions, an expressive elevation of the near interface pH was observed. The spectroelectrochemical experiments also showed the displacement of cobalt complexation equilibria in solution, caused by the increase in the interfacial pH. All the conducted studies showed that the presence of glycine favors the hydrogen evolution reaction, decreasing the current efficiency for the electrodeposition process. Nevertheless, glycine was able to stabilize the electrolyte solution.

O presente trabalho versa sobre o aperfeiçoamento e a avaliação de uma nova célula espectroeletroquímica de longo caminho óptico, com detecção espectrofotométrica in situ, na região do ultravioleta e visível, otimizada para operação em fluxo, sobretudo no modo FIA (Flow Injection Analysis). Monitoramento sensível e razoavelmente seletivo, além da facilidade de construção e adaptação à instrumentação comercial existente, foram características consideradas no aprimoramento da célula, que utiliza filmes de Au como eletrodos de trabalho, obtidos à partir de certos tipo de CDs regraváveis (Compact Disc-Recordable), colados sobre bases acrílicas e diretamente acomodados em cubetas convencionais, com 1 cm de caminho óptico, tornando seu custo de produção inferior a qualquer outro modelo proposto. Utilizando como sistemas modelo, a o-tolidina e o hexacianoferrato de potássio, foram avaliados parâmetros instrumentais tais como: potencial aplicado, vazão, volume injetado; repetibilidade e faixa de concentração de analito, com a finalidade de se estabelecer as melhores condições de trabalho e funcionamento da célula, tendo em vista sua aplicação analítica. Alta sensibilidade óptica, operação estável e reprodutível, além da possibilidade de se trabalhar tanto no modo estacionário como em fluxo, com a vantagem de se poder combinar a técnica à metodologia utilizada na análise por injeção em fluxo (FIA), foram algumas das características observadas para a célula construída. Desvendadas as potencialidades da célula, em busca de maior compreensão sobre os processos envolvidos, passou-se à investigação do mecanismo de oxidação de alguns derivados fenotiazínicos, através da realização de um estudo comparativo entre: a prometazina, a promazina e a clorpromazina, em diferentes meios de trabalho. A combinação de informações eletroquímicas e espectroscópicas obtidas in-situ contribuiu para melhor entendimento dos mecanismos envolvidos, revelando que, embora o meio de trabalho escolhido possa exercer significativa influência no mecanismo de oxidação, a estrutura da cadeia lateral é, neste caso, o fator preponderante na formação dos produtos de oxidação. Visando o desenvolvimento de novas metodologias para a quantificação de derivados fenotiazínicos em formulações farmacêuticas, foram realizados estudos com o propósito de definir as melhores condições de trabalho, bem como o efeito da presença de interferentes concomitantes. Os resultados obtidos para a determinação da prometazina no Fenergan (Rhodia-Farma) e no Lisador (Farmasa), e para a clorpromazina no Amplictil (Aventis), seja pela construção de curvas analíticas e/ou pelo método da adição de padrão, mostraram-se concordantes com os valores fornecidos pelos laboratórios fabricantes e comparáveis com os obtidos através da metodologia oficial. Para a prometazina os limites de detecção foram determinados em 1,3 10-6 mol L-1 e 3,0 10-5 mol L-1 para as medidas espectrofotométricas e eletroquímicas, enquanto os limites de quantificação foram estimados em 1,1 10-4 mol L-1 e 2,2 10-5 mol L-1 para as medidas eletroquímicas e espectrofotométricas, respectivamente. Para a clorpromazina, os limites de detecção foram de 7,6 10-5 mol L-1 e 4,1 10-5 mol L-1 para as medidas eletroquímicas e espectrofotométricas, enquanto os limites de quantificação foram determinados em 3,3 10-4 mol L-1 e 1,6 10-4 mol L-1 para as medidas eletroquímicas e espectrofotométricas, respectivamente. A dupla resposta proporcionada pela técnica empregada (amperométrica e espectrofotométrica) permite contornar os efeitos causados pela presença de interferentes eletroativos ou coloridos, contribuindo para a alta seletividade do método e melhor discriminação entre o sinal do analito e de interferentes. / The present work is concerned with the enhancement and assessment of a novel long-optical-path spectroelectrochemical cell for in situ spectrophotometric detection in the ultraviolet and visible range, optimised for flowing operation, especially under FIA (Flow Injection Analysis) conditions. The sensitive and rather selective monitoring of electrolysed species present at the electrode-solution interface, together with simplicity of assembly and adaptation to existing commercial equipments, were some of the features targeted in the cell\'s improvement. The use of Au-film electrodes obtained from certain types of recordable CDs (Compact Disc-Recordable), attached onto acrylic supports in turn accommodated directly in conventional 1-cm optical-path cuvettes, makes the production of this cell cheaper than any other model so far proposed. O-tolidine and potassium hexacyanoferrate were employed as model systems for the assessment of instrumental parameters such as applied potential, flow rate, injected volume, repeatability and concentration range of the analyte, aiming at establishing the best working conditions for its application in analytical chemistry. High optical sensitivity, stable and reproducible operation, as well as the possibility of functioning either in the stationary or in flow modes, thus with the advantage of exploiting the FIA methodology, are some of the features observed for the cell. Further to highlighting the cell\' potentials and in order to seek a better understanding of the processes involved, the oxidation mechanism of a few phenothiazinic derivatives was investigated. Prometazine, promazine and chlorpromazine were comparatively studied in different media. The combination of the electrochemical and spectroscopic information obtained in situ contributed for a better comprehension of the mechanisms involved and revealed that the structure of the side chain is the key factor in the formation of the oxidation products, although the difference in the electrolytic medium is likely to play a significant role in the oxidation process. New analytical methodologies for the quantification of phenothiazinic derivatives in farmaceutical formulations were developed through studies focused on the definition of the optimum experimental conditions and on the effect of potential interfering species. Prometazine was determined in Fenergan (Rhodia-Farma) and in Lisador (Farmasa), whereas chlorpromazine was quantified in Amplictil (Aventis). The limits of detection (LOD) for promethazine were determined to be 1,3 10-6 mol L-1 and 3,0 10-5 mol L-1 for spectrophotometric and electrochemical measurements, while the limits of quantification (LOQ) were determined to be 1,1 10-4 mol L-1 and 2,2 10-5 mol L-1 for spectrophotometric and electrochemical measurements, respectively. For chlorpromazine, the limits of detection (LOD) were determined to be 7,6 10-5 mol L-1 and 4,1 10-5 mol L-1 for spectrophotometric and electrochemical measurements, while the limits of quantification (LOQ) were determined to be 3,3 10-4 mol L-1 and 1,6 10-4 mol L-1 for spectrophotometric and electrochemical measurements, respectively.The results obtained using both analytical curves and the standard addition methods, were consistent with the outcome of official methods and with the data supplied by the manufactures. The double response provided by the technique, amperometric and spectrophotometric, allows overcoming the interference of electroactive and colored species, hence turning this a highly selective method with an enhanced discrimination strength between the signal of the analyte and that of interfering species.

A deposição eletroquímica, ou eletrodeposição, é uma técnica amplamente utilizada na obtenção de recobrimentos metálicos. A presença de certos compostos químicos (aditivos) nos banhos eletrolíticos pode influenciar o processo de eletrodeposição de maneira significativa. A glicina é um aminoácido presente em muitos banhos para a eletrodeposição de filmes finos de ligas de cobalto, que são interessantes devido às suas propriedades magnéticas. As propriedades de algumas ligas à base de cobalto obtidas a partir de banhos contendo glicina já foram bem descritas, mas há falta de estudos mais específicos sobre o papel do aminoácido no processo de eletrodeposição do cobalto. Esta Tese apresenta estudos realizados na tentativa de compreender a influência da glicina no mecanismo de eletrodeposição do cobalto. Técnicas de análise in situ, envolvendo espectroscopia no infravermelho por reflexão externa e medidas de pH na região próxima a interface via microeletrodo indicador foram acopladas aos estudos eletroquímicos. Depósitos de cobalto de boa qualidade foram obtidos a partir de banhos contendo glicina, e sob condições de sobrepotencial mais elevadas do que as possíveis para sistemas sem aditivos, onde ocorre precipitação de hidróxidos. Análises dos experimentos de voltametria cíclica indicaram a eletroatividade de complexos cobalto-glicina, e cinética de redução mais lenta foi observada, em relação a sistema sem glicina em valores de pH suficientemente elevados. Os estudos cinéticos foram dificultados pela reação de desprendimento de hidrogênio e a existência de diversos equilíbrios químicos em solução. Durante a eletrodeposição de cobalto em soluções contendo glicina, um aumento bastante significativo no pH próximo da interface foi observado. Os experimentos espectroeletroquímicos também demonstraram deslocamento dos equilíbrios químicos de complexação do cobalto em solução, devido ao aumento do pH interfacial. Todos os estudos mostraram que a presença de glicina favorece a reação de desprendimento de hidrogênio, diminuindo a eficiência de corrente do processo de eletrodeposição. Ainda assim, a glicina se mostrou eficaz na estabilização da solução eletrolítica. / The electrochemical deposition, or electrodeposition, is a widely used technique to obtain metallic coatings. The presence of certain chemical species (additives) in plating baths can significantly influence the metal electrodeposition process. Glycine is an aminoacid present in many electrolytic solutions for electrodeposition of cobalt thin films and alloys, which are interesting due to their magnetic properties. The properties of some Co-based alloys obtained from glycine-containing baths are well documented, but studies of the exact role of the aminoacid are lacking. This Thesis presents studies attempting to understand the influence of glycine on the mechanisms of cobalt electrodeposition. In situ analysis techniques - external reflection FTIR spectroscopy and pH measurement near the electrochemical interface using indicator microelectrodes - were coupled to the electrochemical studies. Good-quality cobalt deposits were obtained from glycine-containing baths, and under higher overpotentials than possible over systems with no additive (in which precipitation of hydroxides occurs). Analysis of the cyclic voltammetry experiments indicated the electroactivity of cobalt-glycine complexes, and the slower reduction kinetics in comparison with glycine-free solutions at sufficiently high pH values. The kinetic studies were hindered by the parallel hydrogen evolution reaction and the existence of several chemical equilibria in solution. During cobalt electrodeposition from glycine-containing solutions, an expressive elevation of the near interface pH was observed. The spectroelectrochemical experiments also showed the displacement of cobalt complexation equilibria in solution, caused by the increase in the interfacial pH. All the conducted studies showed that the presence of glycine favors the hydrogen evolution reaction, decreasing the current efficiency for the electrodeposition process. Nevertheless, glycine was able to stabilize the electrolyte solution.

Os comportamentos espectroeletroquímicos do ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS) e seu produto de hidrólise, o ácido salicílico (AS), foram estudados em soluções aquosas nas regiões de pH ácido, neutro e alcalino. Resultados para experimentos de voltametria cíclica sugeriram possíveis processos de eletro-oxidação e eletro-redução dos fármacos. O monitoramento do espectro de absorbância na região do UV-vis, simultâneo à medida de carga envolvida na eletrólise, permitiu a identificação de processos redox e o cálculo do número de elétrons envolvidos, aplicando a Lei de Faraday. O fármaco mostrou-se estável em pH ácido, reduziu em pH neutro e oxidou em pH alcalino. Tanto no processo de eletro-redução como na eletro-oxidação, os mecanismos propostos estabelecem o envolvimento de 1 elétron para a identificação de mudanças no nível molecular. Estas foram observadas pelas alterações de espectros de absorbância na região do UV-vis. Técnicas complementares, ressonância paramagnética eletrônica (RPE) e espectroscopia de transmitância FT-IR, foram usadas para a caracterização dos produtos obtidos em experimentos de eletrólise. As respostas espectrofotométricas associadas à processos eletroquímicos permitiram o desenvolvimento de método espectroeletroquímico para a detecção do fármaco em amostras reais contidas em soluções com pH neutro, utilizando a técnica de voltabsormetria derivada linear (DLVA). A interação entre os fármacos e íons de ferro no ambiente do estômago, foi simulada em experimentos in vitro, empregando eletroquímica e espectrofotometria. Na presença do AAS ocorreram interações fracas sem a interferência para a absorção de ferro pelo organismo. Em contrapartida, o AS interagiu formando um complexo estável com o Fe3+, podendo ser apontado como um potencial interferente para a absorção de ferro provocando anemia em indivíduos vegetarianos que fazem uso contínuo deste fármaco. / The spectroelectrochemical behavior of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and its spin off hydrolysis, salicylic acid (SA), were studied in aqueous solutions in the acid, neutral and alkaline pH regions. Results for cyclic voltammetry experiments suggested a possible electro-oxidation and electro-reduction of the drugs. The monitoring of the absorbance spectra in the region of the UV-vis, simultaneously with the measurement of the charge involved in the electrolysis, allowed the identification of redox processes and the calculation of the number of electrons involved applying Faraday\'s Law. The drug was stable in acid solutions, reduced in neutral and oxidized in alkaline ones. In electro-reduction and electro-oxidation processes, the proposed mechanisms establish the involvement of 1 electron to identify changes at the molecular level. These were observed by changes in absorbance spectra in the UV-vis region. Complementary techniques, electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and FT-IR transmittance spectroscopy were used to characterize the products obtained in electrolysis experiments. The spectrophotometric responses associated to the electrochemical processes allowed the development of a spectroelectrochemical method for the detection of the drug in real samples contained in solutions with neutral pH, using the technique of derivative linear voltabsorptometry (DLVA). The interaction between drugs and iron ions in the stomach environment was simulated in in vitro experiments using electrochemistry and spectrophotometry. In the presence of ASA, weak interactions occurred without interference for the absorption of iron by the organism. On the other hand, AS interacted to form a stable complex with Fe3+ and could be considered as a potential interfering agent for the iron absorption, causing anemia in vegetarian individuals who make continuous use of this drug.

Different substituted thiophene and pyrrole monomers namely hexamethylene (bis-3-thiopheneacetamide) (HMTA), N-(4-(3-thienylmethylene)-oxycarbonylphenyl)maleimide (MBThi), 2,4,6-Tris-(4-pyrrol-1-yl-phenoxy)-[1,3,5]triazine (TriaPy), 2,4,6-Tris-(thiophen-3-ylmethoxy)-[1,3,5] triazine (TriaTh), and N-(2-(thiophen-3-yl)methylcarbonyloxyethyl) maleimide (NMT) were synthesized. The chemical structures of the monomers were characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR and 13C-NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopies. Electrochemical behavior of the monomers in the presence and absence of comonomers were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Subsequently, monomers were homopolymerized and copolymerized via electrochemical methods and the resultant polymers were characterized by FTIR, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and conductivity measurements. Second part of the study was devoted to investigate one of most interesting property of conducting polymers, the ability to switch reversibly between the two states of different optical properties, &ldquo / electrochromism&rdquo / . In recent years there has been a growing interest in application of conducting polymers in electrochromic devices. Thus, electrochromic properties of the synthesized conducting polymers were investigated by several methods like spectroelectrochemistry, kinetic and colorimetry studies. Spectroelectrochemistry experiments were performed in order to investigate key properties of conjugated polymers such as band gap, maximum absorption wavelength, the intergap states that appear upon doping and evolution of polaron and bipolaron bands. Switching time and optical contrast of the homopolymers and copolymers were evaluated via kinetic studies. Results implied the possible use of these materials in electrochromic devices due to their good electrochromic properties.

The reaction of potassiumtetrachloroplatinate with 2-aminothiophenol, yielded a dark blue solid product. This work is about the characterization of this dark blue solid and the investigation of its binding interaction to DNA and enzyme activity. The blue solid product or the &ldquo / blue complex&rdquo / (as we called it in this work) is soluble in acetone, acetonitrile and DMSO yielding a blue solution. It is stable in solution and has a very strong absorption band at 724 nm. The product is paramagnetic and displays one kind of platinum in XPS (platinum binding energies were obtained at 71.1 and 74.6 eV, respectively). The elemental (C, H, N, S, Pt) analysis indicated that the platinum to ligand (2- aminothiophenolate) mole ratio is 1:2. The interpretation of the data collected from elemental analysis and ESR, XPS, NMR, CV measurements leads to conclude that the blue complex prepared in this work is a new platinum blues. This is the first example of platinum blues, in which the bridging ligand is a nitrogen and sulfur donor one. The proposed structure can be visualized as a dimer of binuclear head-tohead isomer of the green product, with C2h symmetry. The band at 724 nm is assigned to an allowed electronic transition from a metal-5dz orbitals based MO to metal-6pz orbitals based MO in tetranuclear core. In order to determine the binding mode of the blue complex to ct-DNA, electronic absorption spectroscopy is employed and hyperchromism about 17.5 percent is observed, which indicates a weak binding of the blue complex to DNA, such as electrostatic interaction of metal ions or H-bonding through the hydroxyl group of the complex. Voltammetric titration carried out in solution suggested the preferential stabilization of Pt(III) to Pt(II) on binding to DNA. The blue complex inhibits the GSTs activity between 45-200 micromolar, in sheep liver GST enzyme. The GST enzymes causes drug resistance, therefore inhibition of this enzyme suggests that this complex can be used in combined chemotherapy.