No / Novel 1- and 1,4-substituted chloroethylaminoanthraquinones with DNA binding and alkylating properties along with their respective hydroxyethylaminoanthraquinone intermediates were synthesized. Selected chloroethylaminoanthraquinones were shown to cross-link DNA and alkylate guanines (at low nM concentration) with a preference for reaction sites containing 5'-PyG. A compound (Alchemix) with the bis-chloroethyl functionality confined to one side chain alkylated but did not cross-link DNA. All the 1,4-disubstituted chloroethylaminoanthraquinones were potently cytotoxic (nM IC50s) against cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / ALDH isoenzymes are known to impact the sensitivity of certain neoplastic cells toward cyclophosphamides and its analogs. Despite its bone marrow toxicity, cyclophos-phamide is still used to treat various recalcitrant forms of cancer. When activated, cyclo-phosphamide forms aldophosphamide that can spontaneously form the toxic phospho-ramide mustard, an alkylating agent unless detoxified by ALDH isozymes to the carbox-yphosphamide metabolite. Prior work has demonstrated that the ALDH1A1 and ALDH3A1 isoenzymes can convert aldophosphamide to carboxyphosphamide. This has also been verified by over expression and siRNA knockdown studies. Selective small molecule inhibitors for these ALDH isoenzymes are not currently available. We hypothe-sized that novel and selective small molecule inhibitors of ALDH3A1 would enhance cancer cells’ sensitivity toward cyclophosphamide. If successful, this approach can widen the therapeutic treatment window for cyclophosphamides; permitting lower effective dos-ing regimens with reduced toxicity. An esterase based absorbance assay was optimized in a high throughput setting and 101, 000 compounds were screened and two new selective inhibitors for ALDH3A1, which have IC50 values of 0.2 µM (CB7) and 16 µM (CB29) were discovered. These two compounds compete for aldehyde binding, which was vali-dated both by kinetic and crystallographic studies. Structure activity relationship dataset has helped us determine the basis of potency and selectivity of these compounds towards ALDH3A1 activity. Our data is further supported by mafosfamide (an analog of cyclo-phosphamide) chemosensitivity data, performed on lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and gli-oblastoma (SF767) cell lines. Overall, I have identified two compounds, which inhibit ALDH3A1’s dehydrogenase activity selectively and increases sensitization of ALDH3A1 positive cells to aldophosphamide and its analogs. This may have the potential in improving chemotherapeutic efficacy of cyclophosphamide as well as to help us understand better the role of ALDH3A1 in cells. Future work will focus on testing these compounds on other cancer cell lines that involve ALDH3A1 expression as a mode of chemoresistance.

<strong>Chapter 1</strong> Provides an overview of drug discovery with particular emphasis on library selection and hit identification methods using virtual based approaches. <strong>Chapter 2</strong> Gives an outline of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling pathway and literature BMP pathway modulators. The association between the regulation of BMP pathway and cardiomyogenesis is also described. <strong>Chapter 3</strong> Describes the use of ligand based virtual screening to discover small molecule activators of the BMP signalling pathway. A robust cell based BMP responsive gene activity reporter assay was developed to test the libraries of small molecules selected. Hit molecules from the screen were synthesised to validate activity. It was found that a group of known histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors displayed most promising activity. These were evaluated in a secondary assay measuring the expression of two BMP pathway regulated genes, hepcidin and Id1, using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). 188 was discovered to increase expression of both BMP-responsive genes. <strong>Chapter 4</strong> Provides an overview of existing cannabinoid receptor (CBR) modulating molecules and their connection to progression of atherosclerosis. <strong>Chapter 5</strong> Outlines the identification and optimisation of selective small molecule agonists acting at the cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB₂R). Ligand based virtual screen was undertaken and promising hits were synthesised to allow structure activity relationship (SAR) to be developed around the hit molecule providing further information of the functional groups tolerated at the active site. Subsequent studies led to the investigation and optimisation of physicochemical properties around 236 leading to the development of a suitable compound for in vivo testing. Finally, a CB₂R selective compound with favourable physicochemical properties was evaluated in vivo in a murine inflammation model and displayed reduced recruitment of monocytes to the site of inflammation.

Bases de Mannich têm sido sintetizadas como pró-fármacos de cetonas &#945;,&#946;-insaturadas, 22, 20 sendo estas importantes no tratamento do câncer. 20 Assim, toma-se de interesse o desenvolvimento de estudos de QSAR envolvendo bases de Mannich com propriedades citotóxicas e/ou anticâncer, contribuindo-se, para o entendimento da(s) interação(ões) destes compostos (agentes alquilantes) no sistema biológico. 40, 5, 36, 53 Neste trabalho, destinado a dissertação de mestrado, foram preparadas e purificadas por métodos triviais descritos na literatura 8 47 duas séries de derivados de bases de Mannich, a saber: nove cloretos de 3-(dimetilamino)-propiofenonas-4-X-substituidas (série I, compostos I.1 a I.9), e seis dos correspondentes iodetos de 3-(trimetilamino )propiofenonas-4-X-substituídas (série II, compostos II.1 a II.6). Destes, quatro não estão descritos na literatura. A seleção dos substituintes foi feita visando obter intercorrelações não significativas entre os correspondentes valores dos parâmetros físico-químicos analisados (&#960;, &#963;p e MR4). 45 Outro critério considerado, se refere as faixas de variação para cada parâmetro físico-químico analisado. 62, 31, 15 Para a série II, estes critérios foram parcialmente contemplados. Em seguida, para cada composto preparado, foram determinados experimentalmente e/ou retirados da literatura 45 e/ou calculados parâmetros parâmetros fisico-químicos/estruturais descritores de propriedades, respectivamente: hidrofóbicas/lipofílicas (&#960;, logPcalc e logP app (sendo os valores este último determinados somente para os compostos da serie I)); eletrônicas/polares (&#963;p, &#963;p+, &#963;p-, &#963;I, &#963;R, T, R, &#947;13C=0 e &#957;C=0) e, ainda aquela relativa à polarizabilidade (MR4). Como parâmetro biológico para os compostos das series I e II foram determinados os valores da potência citotóxica, expressos por log(1/IC50). A seguir, com o objetivo de se desenvolver estudos de QSAR, aplicando a abordagem tradicional 40 para os compostos respectivamente das séries I e II, e a abordagem mista, 62, 63, 53 que considera as duas séries conjuntamente, foram propostos respectivamente modelos expressos pelas equações IV.4 e IV.6: log(1/IC50)= -0,27(&#177;0,23)&#948;13C=0 -0,48(&#177;0,35)logPcalc + 56,32(&#177;44,30) eq.IV.4 (n=9;r=0,87;s=0,17;F=9,23;Q2=0,36;SPRESS=0,28) log(1/IC50)=-0,56(&#177;0,27)&#960;+0,35(&#177;0,29)MR4+0,23(&#177;0,22)I[N(Me)3]+-I+1,53(&#177;0,22) eq.IV.6 (n=15;r=0,82;s=0,18;F=7,64;Q2=0,43;SPRESS=0,24 Primeiramente, através da análise do modelo expresso pela equação IV.4 foi possível avaliar as naturezas e contribuições relativas dos parâmetros estruturais responsáveis pela citotoxicidade dos compostos da série I. Em seguida, através da análise do modelo expresso pela equação IV.6 foi possível avaliar a contribuição dos parâmetros físico-químicos, bem como a contribuição da variação estrutural existente entre as séries I e II, responsáveis pela citotoxicidade dos compostos. A interpretação e significado de I[N(Me)3]+I-, que assume valor 0 para os compostos da série I e valor 1 para os compostos da série II, foi discutida em termos estruturais. Nenhum modelo com significado estatístico foi obtido para os compostos da série II. E, tanto para a série I, bem como para as séries I e II, a aplicação dos modelos tanto parabólico como bilinear não resultou em correlações estatisticamente significativas. Pela análise dos modelos foi possível, pelo menos em parte, o entendimento da(s) interação(ões) dos derivados de bases de Mannich no sistema biológico. 40, 5, 36, 53. / Mannich bases have been used as prodrugs of &#945;,&#946;-unsaturated ketones that are important in the cancer therapy 80, 22. In this way, a QSAR study 20, 81 was performed with two sets of Mannich bases derivatives, namely: 3-(dimethylamine)-propiophenon-4-X-substituted hydrochlorides (set I, composed of nine derivatives) and 3-(trimethylamine)propiophenon-4-X-substituted iodines (set II, composed of six derivatives). The sets I and II were prepared by trivial methods described in the literature 58,8. For each compound the physicochemical/structural descriptors, hydrophobic/lipophilic (&#960;, logPcalc and logP app (it was determined only for set I), electronic/polar (&#963;p, &#963;p+, &#963;p-, &#963;I, &#963;R, T, R, &#947;13C=0 e &#957;C=0) and the polarizability related (MR4), were determined experimentally and/or calculated and/or obtained from the literature 7. The biological parameter was the cytotoxic potency, expressed by values of log(1/IC50). In order to investigate 1he interaction of this class of compounds wi1h the biological system a QSAR study was performed 20, 81. The most significant QSAR models obtained for set I and sets I and II altogether, were expressed respectively by equations 1 and 2. log(1/IC50)= -0,27(&#177;0,23)&#948;13C=0 -0,48(&#177;0,35)logPcalc + 56,32(&#177;44,30) eq.1 (n=9;r=0,87;s=0,17;F=9,23;Q2=0,36;SPRESS=0,28) log(1/IC50)=-0,56(&#177;0,27)&#960;+0,35(&#177;0,29)MR4+0,23(&#177;0,22)I[N(Me)3]+-I+1,53(&#177;0,22) eq.2 (n=15;r=0,82;s=0,18;F=7,64;Q2=0,43;SPRESS=0,24 To equation 2 was included an variable indicator I[N(Me)3]+I- that assumed the value 0 for set I compounds and the value of 1 for set II compounds. The interpretation and meaning of I[N(Me)3]+I-, were discussed in structural terms. No significant models were obtained for the compounds of the set II. For set I and sets I and II altogether, the application of the parabolic and the bilinear models were verified and showed to be not statistically significant.

Sphingolipide sind essentielle Bestandteile der Plasmamembranen aller eukaryotischen Organismen und besitzen als Signalmoleküle regulierende Eigenschaften auf diverse zelluläre Prozesse. Hierbei spielen die G-Protein-gekoppelten S1P-Rezeptoren eine wichtige Rolle. Diese werden durch das natürliche Sphingosin-1-phosphat sowie die Sphingosin-Derivate FTY720 und cis-4-Methylsphingosin selektiv adressiert. Diese Arbeit beschreibt die Synthese von fünfzehn neuartigen Sphingosin-Derivaten mit potenziell neuen biologischen Eigenschaften. Hierfür wurde die Leitstruktur des natürlichen D-erythro-Sphingosins an den Positionen 1, 3 und/oder 4 modifiziert. Die biologischen Studien mit diesen Verbindungen lieferten erste Erkenntnisse zur Inhibition des S1P-induzierten Calcium-Anstiegs, der Wechselwirkung mit den S1P-Rezeptoren und der zellulären Lokalisation in Chlamydia trachomatis infizierten Zellen. Darüber hinaus wurde eine Methode, die einen schnelleren und variablen Zugang zu den 4-verzweigten Sphingosin-Derivaten erlaubt, etabliert. / Sphingolipids are essential constituents of plasma membranes in all eukaryotic organisms. They also participate as signalling molecules in almost all physiological processes. Here G-protein coupled S1P receptors play an important role. These receptors are selectively addressed by natural ligand sphingosine-1-phosphate as well as by sphingosine analogues FTY720 and cis-4-methylsphingosine. This work describes the synthesis of fifteen sphingosine analogues with potential biological activity. For this purpose, the natural lead structure of D-erythro-sphingosine was modified at positions 1, 3 and/or 4. The biological studies of these compounds provided the first insights to the inhibition of S1P-induced calcium increase, the interaction with S1P receptors and the cellular localization in Chlamydia trachomatis infected cells. Moreover, an adapted method that allowed faster and adaptable access to 4-branched sphingosines was established.

Bases de Mannich têm sido sintetizadas como pró-fármacos de cetonas &#945;,&#946;-insaturadas, 22, 20 sendo estas importantes no tratamento do câncer. 20 Assim, toma-se de interesse o desenvolvimento de estudos de QSAR envolvendo bases de Mannich com propriedades citotóxicas e/ou anticâncer, contribuindo-se, para o entendimento da(s) interação(ões) destes compostos (agentes alquilantes) no sistema biológico. 40, 5, 36, 53 Neste trabalho, destinado a dissertação de mestrado, foram preparadas e purificadas por métodos triviais descritos na literatura 8 47 duas séries de derivados de bases de Mannich, a saber: nove cloretos de 3-(dimetilamino)-propiofenonas-4-X-substituidas (série I, compostos I.1 a I.9), e seis dos correspondentes iodetos de 3-(trimetilamino )propiofenonas-4-X-substituídas (série II, compostos II.1 a II.6). Destes, quatro não estão descritos na literatura. A seleção dos substituintes foi feita visando obter intercorrelações não significativas entre os correspondentes valores dos parâmetros físico-químicos analisados (&#960;, &#963;p e MR4). 45 Outro critério considerado, se refere as faixas de variação para cada parâmetro físico-químico analisado. 62, 31, 15 Para a série II, estes critérios foram parcialmente contemplados. Em seguida, para cada composto preparado, foram determinados experimentalmente e/ou retirados da literatura 45 e/ou calculados parâmetros parâmetros fisico-químicos/estruturais descritores de propriedades, respectivamente: hidrofóbicas/lipofílicas (&#960;, logPcalc e logP app (sendo os valores este último determinados somente para os compostos da serie I)); eletrônicas/polares (&#963;p, &#963;p+, &#963;p-, &#963;I, &#963;R, T, R, &#947;13C=0 e &#957;C=0) e, ainda aquela relativa à polarizabilidade (MR4). Como parâmetro biológico para os compostos das series I e II foram determinados os valores da potência citotóxica, expressos por log(1/IC50). A seguir, com o objetivo de se desenvolver estudos de QSAR, aplicando a abordagem tradicional 40 para os compostos respectivamente das séries I e II, e a abordagem mista, 62, 63, 53 que considera as duas séries conjuntamente, foram propostos respectivamente modelos expressos pelas equações IV.4 e IV.6: log(1/IC50)= -0,27(&#177;0,23)&#948;13C=0 -0,48(&#177;0,35)logPcalc + 56,32(&#177;44,30) eq.IV.4 (n=9;r=0,87;s=0,17;F=9,23;Q2=0,36;SPRESS=0,28) log(1/IC50)=-0,56(&#177;0,27)&#960;+0,35(&#177;0,29)MR4+0,23(&#177;0,22)I[N(Me)3]+-I+1,53(&#177;0,22) eq.IV.6 (n=15;r=0,82;s=0,18;F=7,64;Q2=0,43;SPRESS=0,24 Primeiramente, através da análise do modelo expresso pela equação IV.4 foi possível avaliar as naturezas e contribuições relativas dos parâmetros estruturais responsáveis pela citotoxicidade dos compostos da série I. Em seguida, através da análise do modelo expresso pela equação IV.6 foi possível avaliar a contribuição dos parâmetros físico-químicos, bem como a contribuição da variação estrutural existente entre as séries I e II, responsáveis pela citotoxicidade dos compostos. A interpretação e significado de I[N(Me)3]+I-, que assume valor 0 para os compostos da série I e valor 1 para os compostos da série II, foi discutida em termos estruturais. Nenhum modelo com significado estatístico foi obtido para os compostos da série II. E, tanto para a série I, bem como para as séries I e II, a aplicação dos modelos tanto parabólico como bilinear não resultou em correlações estatisticamente significativas. Pela análise dos modelos foi possível, pelo menos em parte, o entendimento da(s) interação(ões) dos derivados de bases de Mannich no sistema biológico. 40, 5, 36, 53. / Mannich bases have been used as prodrugs of &#945;,&#946;-unsaturated ketones that are important in the cancer therapy 80, 22. In this way, a QSAR study 20, 81 was performed with two sets of Mannich bases derivatives, namely: 3-(dimethylamine)-propiophenon-4-X-substituted hydrochlorides (set I, composed of nine derivatives) and 3-(trimethylamine)propiophenon-4-X-substituted iodines (set II, composed of six derivatives). The sets I and II were prepared by trivial methods described in the literature 58,8. For each compound the physicochemical/structural descriptors, hydrophobic/lipophilic (&#960;, logPcalc and logP app (it was determined only for set I), electronic/polar (&#963;p, &#963;p+, &#963;p-, &#963;I, &#963;R, T, R, &#947;13C=0 e &#957;C=0) and the polarizability related (MR4), were determined experimentally and/or calculated and/or obtained from the literature 7. The biological parameter was the cytotoxic potency, expressed by values of log(1/IC50). In order to investigate 1he interaction of this class of compounds wi1h the biological system a QSAR study was performed 20, 81. The most significant QSAR models obtained for set I and sets I and II altogether, were expressed respectively by equations 1 and 2. log(1/IC50)= -0,27(&#177;0,23)&#948;13C=0 -0,48(&#177;0,35)logPcalc + 56,32(&#177;44,30) eq.1 (n=9;r=0,87;s=0,17;F=9,23;Q2=0,36;SPRESS=0,28) log(1/IC50)=-0,56(&#177;0,27)&#960;+0,35(&#177;0,29)MR4+0,23(&#177;0,22)I[N(Me)3]+-I+1,53(&#177;0,22) eq.2 (n=15;r=0,82;s=0,18;F=7,64;Q2=0,43;SPRESS=0,24 To equation 2 was included an variable indicator I[N(Me)3]+I- that assumed the value 0 for set I compounds and the value of 1 for set II compounds. The interpretation and meaning of I[N(Me)3]+I-, were discussed in structural terms. No significant models were obtained for the compounds of the set II. For set I and sets I and II altogether, the application of the parabolic and the bilinear models were verified and showed to be not statistically significant.

Les protéines à domaines PDZ sont impliquées dans des interactions protéine-protéine (IPP) et participent aux transports de signaux impliqués dans de nombreuses pathologies (cancer, mucoviscidose, douleur,…). L’interruption de l’interaction entre la protéine à domaine PDZ, PSD-95, et le récepteur de la sérotonine, 5-HT2A, réduit l’hyperalgie mécanique sur un modèle expérimental de douleur neuropathique chez les rats. Afin de concevoir de nouveaux inhibiteurs de cette interaction, antalgiques potentiels, trois stratégies ont été développées au cours de ces travaux. Une première stratégie a consisté à réaliser une étude de relation structure-activité à partir d’un inhibiteur connu, qui nous a permis d’identifier des groupements pharmacophores et ainsi obtenir une nouvelle molécule possédant un noyau indolique, capable d’inhiber l’interaction entre PSD-95 et 5-HT2A et possédant un effet anti-hyperalgique chez le rat neuropathique. La deuxième stratégie a consisté à valider la méthode du fragment-based drug design aux protéines à domaines PDZ en réalisant la déconstruction d’un inhibiteur connu de l’interaction en plusieurs fragments qui ont été criblés par RMN HSQC 1H-15N. Une évaluation systématique par RMN de chaque couple de fragments, suivie d’une étude de modélisation moléculaire a ensuite permis de mettre en évidence trois nouvelles molécules qui ont été synthétisées et évaluées par RMN HSQC 1H-15N. La troisième stratégie a été une approche peptidomimétique à partir de l’extrémité C-terminale de 5-HT2A, qui a conduit à la synthèse d’un peptoïde capable d’interagir avec la protéine à domaine PDZ. Ces études nous permettent d’envisager le développement de nouveaux antalgiques soit issus de la synthèse organique soit issus de mimes de peptides. / PDZ domains proteins are involved in protein-protein interaction (PPI) and participate in the transport of signals involved in numerous diseases (cancer, cystic fibrosis, pain, …). The disruption the interaction between the PDZ domains protein, PSD-95, and the serotonin receptor, 5-HT2A, reduces mechanical hyperalgesia in a rodent model of neuropathic pain in rats. To design new inhibitors as potential analgesics of this interaction, three strategies have been developed in this work. A first strategy was to conduct a study of structure-activity relationship from a known inhibitor, which allowed us to identify the pharmacophore groups and obtain a new molecule with an indole ring, capable of inhibiting the interaction between PSD-95 and 5-HT2A and possessing an anti-hyperalgesic effect on neuropathic rats. The second strategy was to validate the method of fragment-based drug design with PDZ domains proteins by deconstruction of a known inhibitor of the interaction in several fragments which were screened by NMR HSQC 1H-15N. Systematic evaluation by NMR of each pair of fragments, followed by molecular modeling study was then used to highlight three new molecules that were synthesized, and evaluated by NMR HSQC 1H-15N. The third strategy was a peptidomimetic approach from the C-terminal of 5-HT2A receptors, which led to the synthesis of a peptoid able to interact with the PDZ domain protein. These studies allow us to consider the development of new analgesics either from organic synthesis or from peptide mimetics.

Glutathione transferase (GST) A2-2 is the human enzyme most efficient in catalyzing azathioprine activation. Structure-function relationships were sought explaining the higher catalytic efficiency compared to other alpha class GSTs. By screening a DNA shuffling library, five recombined segments were identified that were conserved among the most active mutants. Mutational analysis confirmed the importance of these short segments as their insertion into low-active GSTs introduced higher azathioprine activity. Besides, H-site mutagenesis led to decreased azathioprine activity when the targeted positions belonged to these conserved segments and mainly enhanced activity when other positions were targeted. Hydrophobic residues were preferred in positions 208 and 213. The prodrug azathioprine is today primarily used for maintaining remission in inflammatory bowel disease. Therapy leads to adverse effects for 30 % of the patients and genotyping of the metabolic genes involved can explain some of these incidences. Five genotypes of human A2-2 were characterized and variant A2*E had 3–4-fold higher catalytic efficiency with azathioprine, due to a proline mutated close to the H-site. Faster activation might lead to different metabolite distributions and possibly more adverse effects. Genotyping of GSTs is recommended for further studies. Molecular docking of azathioprine into a modeled structure of A2*E suggested three positions for mutagenesis. The most active mutants had small or polar residues in the mutated positions. Mutant L107G/L108D/F222H displayed a 70-fold improved catalytic efficiency with azathioprine. Determination of its structure by X-ray crystallography showed a widened H-site, suggesting that the transition state could be accommodated in a mode better suited for catalysis. The mutational analysis increased our understanding of the azathioprine activation in alpha class GSTs and highlighted A2*E as one factor possibly behind the adverse drug-effects. A successfully redesigned GST, with 200-fold enhanced catalytic efficiency towards azathioprine compared to the starting point A2*C, might find use in targeted enzyme-prodrug therapies.

La intensificación de procesos consiste en el desarrollo de equipos y técnicas innovadoras que ofrecen mejoras sustanciales en el proceso, principalmente mediante la disminución del volumen del equipo, consumo de energía o generación de residuos, dando lugar a tecnologías más baratas, seguras y sostenibles. Esta tesis enfatiza la intensificación de procesos como estrategia en la recuperación de dióxido de azufre mediante el empleo de la tecnología de membranas y de líquidos iónicos como absorbente con objeto de eliminar las pérdidas de disolvente.La intensificación del proceso se lleva a cabo en dos etapas:i) Sustitución del equipo convencional (e.g. scrubbers) por un sistema de membranas para eliminar el arrastre de gotas y,ii) Sustitución del disolvente de absorción (N,N-dimetilanilina) por líquidos iónicos para eliminar pérdidas de disolvente por su volatilización en la corriente de gas debido a su presión de vapor despreciable. La selección de un líquido iónico adecuado se basa en su afinidad hacia dióxido de azufre, baja viscosidad, bajo coste y baja ecotoxicidad.En resumen, esta tesis es el primer trabajo que combina el empleo de un contactor de membranas de fibra hueca con líquidos iónicos, contribuyendo al desarrollo de procedimientos innovadores para intensificar el proceso de absorción de dióxido de azufre. / Process intensification consists of the development of innovative devices and techniques that offer significant improvements in chemical manufacturing and processing, decreasing substantially equipment volume, energy consumption, or wastes, and ultimately leading to cheaper, safer and sustainable technologies. This thesis emphasizes the process intensification as the strategy to the recovery of sulfur dioxide, according to the material efficiency and environmental protection, by means of technology based on membranes and ionic liquids as absorption solvents in order to avoid solvent losses.Process intensification is performed in two steps:i) Substitution of conventional equipment (e.g. scrubbers) for a membrane device to avoid drops dragging and,ii) Substitution of the absorption solvent (N,N-dimethylaniline) for ionic liquids to avoid solvent losses due to volatilization of solvent into the gas stream because of their negligible vapor pressure. Selection of a suitable ionic liquid is based on its affinity towards sulfur dioxide, low viscosity, low cost and low ecotoxicity.Thus, this thesis is the first work that combines a hollow fibre membrane contactor and ionic liquids, contributing to the development of innovative procedures to intensify the sulfur dioxide absorption process.

La present tesi, tot i que emmarcada dins de la teoria de les Mesures Semblança Molecular Quántica (MQSM), es deriva en tres àmbits clarament definits:- La creació de Contorns Moleculars de IsoDensitat Electrònica (MIDCOs, de l'anglès Molecular IsoDensity COntours) a partir de densitats electròniques ajustades.- El desenvolupament d'un mètode de sobreposició molecular, alternatiu a la regla de la màxima semblança.- Relacions Quantitatives Estructura-Activitat (QSAR, de l'anglès Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships).L'objectiu en el camp dels MIDCOs és l'aplicació de funcions densitat ajustades, ideades inicialment per a abaratir els càlculs de MQSM, per a l'obtenció de MIDCOs. Així, es realitza un estudi gràfic comparatiu entre diferents funcions densitat ajustades a diferents bases amb densitats obtingudes de càlculs duts a terme a nivells ab initio. D'aquesta manera, l'analogia visual entre les funcions ajustades i les ab initio obtinguda en el ventall de representacions de densitat obtingudes, i juntament amb els valors de les mesures de semblança obtinguts prèviament, totalment comparables, fonamenta l'ús d'aquestes funcions ajustades. Més enllà del propòsit inicial, es van realitzar dos estudis complementaris a la simple representació de densitats, i són l'anàlisi de curvatura i l'extensió a macromolècules. La primera observació correspon a comprovar no només la semblança dels MIDCOs, sinó la coherència del seu comportament a nivell de curvatura, podent-se així observar punts d'inflexió en la representació de densitats i veure gràficament aquelles zones on la densitat és còncava o convexa. Aquest primer estudi revela que tant les densitats ajustades com les calculades a nivell ab initio es comporten de manera totalment anàloga. En la segona part d'aquest treball es va poder estendre el mètode a molècules més grans, de fins uns 2500 àtoms.Finalment, s'aplica part de la filosofia del MEDLA. Sabent que la densitat electrònica decau ràpidament al allunyar-se dels nuclis, el càlcul d'aquesta pot ser obviat a distàncies grans d'aquests. D'aquesta manera es va proposar particionar l'espai, i calcular tan sols les funcions ajustades de cada àtom tan sols en una regió petita, envoltant l'àtom en qüestió. Duent a terme aquest procés, es disminueix el temps de càlcul i el procés esdevé lineal amb nombre d'àtoms presents en la molècula tractada.En el tema dedicat a la sobreposició molecular es tracta la creació d'un algorisme, així com la seva implementació en forma de programa, batejat Topo-Geometrical Superposition Algorithm (TGSA), d'un mètode que proporcionés aquells alineaments que coincideixen amb la intuïció química. El resultat és un programa informàtic, codificat en Fortran 90, el qual alinea les molècules per parelles considerant tan sols nombres i distàncies atòmiques. La total absència de paràmetres teòrics permet desenvolupar un mètode de sobreposició molecular general, que proporcioni una sobreposició intuïtiva, i també de forma rellevant, de manera ràpida i amb poca intervenció de l'usuari. L'ús màxim del TGSA s'ha dedicat a calcular semblances per al seu ús posterior en QSAR, les quals majoritàriament no corresponen al valor que s'obtindria d'emprar la regla de la màxima semblança, sobretot si hi ha àtoms pesats en joc.Finalment, en l'últim tema, dedicat a la Semblança Quàntica en el marc del QSAR, es tracten tres aspectes diferents:- Ús de matrius de semblança. Aquí intervé l'anomenada matriu de semblança, calculada a partir de les semblances per parelles d'entre un conjunt de molècules. Aquesta matriu és emprada posteriorment, degudament tractada, com a font de descriptors moleculars per a estudis QSAR. Dins d'aquest àmbit s'han fet diversos estudis de correlació d'interès farmacològic, toxicològic, així com de diverses propietats físiques.- Aplicació de l'energia d'interacció electró-electró, assimilat com a una forma d'autosemblança. Aquesta modesta contribució consisteix breument en prendre el valor d'aquesta magnitud, i per analogia amb la notació de l'autosemblança molecular quàntica, assimilar-la com a cas particular de d'aquesta mesura. Aquesta energia d'interacció s'obté fàcilment a partir de programari mecanoquàntic, i esdevé ideal per a fer un primer estudi preliminar de correlació, on s'utilitza aquesta magnitud com a únic descriptor. - Càlcul d'autosemblances, on la densitat ha estat modificada per a augmentar el paper d'un substituent. Treballs previs amb densitats de fragments, tot i donar molt bons resultats, manquen de cert rigor conceptual en aïllar un fragment, suposadament responsable de l'activitat molecular, de la totalitat de l'estructura molecular, tot i que les densitats associades a aquest fragment ja difereixen degut a pertànyer a esquelets amb diferents substitucions. Un procediment per a omplir aquest buit que deixa la simple separació del fragment, considerant així la totalitat de la molècula (calcular-ne l'autosemblança), però evitant al mateix temps valors d'autosemblança no desitjats provocats per àtoms pesats, és l'ús de densitats de Forats de fermi, els quals es troben definits al voltant del fragment d'interès. Aquest procediment modifica la densitat de manera que es troba majoritàriament concentrada a la regió d'interès, però alhora permet obtenir una funció densitat, la qual es comporta matemàticament igual que la densitat electrònica regular, podent-se així incorporar dins del marc de la semblança molecular. Les autosemblances calculades amb aquesta metodologia han portat a bones correlacions amb àcids aromàtics substituïts, podent així donar una explicació al seu comportament.Des d'un altre punt de vista, també s'han fet contribucions conceptuals. S'ha implementat una nova mesura de semblança, la d'energia cinètica, la qual consisteix en prendre la recentment desenvolupada funció densitat d'energia cinètica, la qual al comportar-se matemàticament igual a les densitats electròniques regulars, s'ha incorporat en el marc de la semblança. A partir d'aquesta mesura s'han obtingut models QSAR satisfactoris per diferents conjunts moleculars. Dins de l'aspecte del tractament de les matrius de semblança s'ha implementat l'anomenada transformació estocàstica com a alternativa a l'ús de l'índex Carbó. Aquesta transformació de la matriu de semblança permet obtenir una nova matriu no simètrica, la qual pot ser posteriorment tractada per a construir models QSAR. / The present work, even embraced by the Molecular Quantum Similarity Measures (MQSM) theory, is divided into three clearly defined frameworks:- Creation of Molecular IsoDensity Contours (MIDCOs) from fitted electronic densities.- Development of an alternative superposition method to replace the maximal similarity rule.- Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR).The objective in field of MIDCOs is the application of fitted density functions, initially developed to reduce the computational costs of calculating MQSM, in order to obtain MIDCOs. So, a graphical comparison is carried out using different fittings to different basis sets, derived from calculations carried out at ab initio level. In this way, the visual analogy between the density representations, along with the values of previously calculated similarity measures, which in turn are fully comparable, reinforces the usage of such fitted densities.Apart from the initial idea, two further studies were done to complement the simple density representations, these are the curvature analysis and the extension to macromolecules. The first step corresponds not only to verify the visual similarity between MIDCOs, but to ensure their coherence in their behaviour at curvature level, allowing to observe inflexion points in the representations and those regions where the density itself presents a convex or concave shape. This first study reveals that both fitted and ab initio densities behave in the same way. In the second study, the method was extended to larger molecules, up to 2500 atoms.Finally, some of the MEDLA philosophy is applied. Knowing that electronic density rapidly decays as it is measured further from nuclei, its calculation at large distances from the nearest nucleus can be avoided. In this way, a partition of the space was proposed, and the fitted density basis set is only calculated for each atom only in its vicinity. Using this procedure, the calculation time is reduced and the whole process becomes linear with the number of atoms of the studied molecule.In the chapter devoted to molecular superposition, the creation of an algorithm, along with its practical implementation, called Topo-Geometrical Superposition Algorithm (TGSA), able to direct those alignments that coincide with chemical intuition. The result is an informatics program, codified in Fortran 90, which aligns the molecules by pairs, considering only atomic numbers and coordinates. The complete absence of theoretical parameters allows developing a general superposition method, which provides an intuitive superposition, and it is also relevant, in a fast way without much user-supplied information. Major usage of TGSA has been devoted to provide an alignment to later compute similarity measures, which in turn do not customarily coincide with those values obtained from the maximal similarity rule, most if heavy atoms are present.Finally, in the last studied subject, devoted to the Quantum Similarity in the QSAR field, three different scopes are treated:1) Usage of similarity matrices. Here, the so-called similarity matrix, calculated from pairwise similarities in a molecular set, is latterly, and properly manipulated, used a source of molecular descriptors for QSAR studies. With in this framework, several correlation studies have been carried out, involving relevant pharmacological properties, as well as toxicity and physical properties.2) Application of the electron-electron repulsion energy. This simple contribution consists briefly of taking the value of this magnitude, and by analogy with the self-similarity notation, it is assimilated as a particular case of this measure. This interaction energy is easily obtainable from mecanoquantic software and becomes ideal in order to make a preliminary correlation study, where this magnitude is used as a single descriptor.3) Calculation of self-similarities, where the density has been modified to account a particular substituent. Previous studies using density fragments, even they provide valuable results, lack of conceptual rigour when isolating a fragment, supposed to be responsible for a particular molecular response, even those densities associated to a particular fragment are already different due to they belong to a common skeleton with different substitutions. A procedure able to fill the gap between usage of density fragments , which avoid the heavy atom effect, and the whole molecular density, which allows to compute a self-similarity, is proposed. It consists of using Fermi Hole density functions, where the holes are defined and averaged around a particular fragment. This procedure medifies the density in a way that is basically collapsed in this molecular bay, but allowing at the same time obtaining a a density function that behaves mathematically in the same way as a regular electronic density; hence it is included in the similarity framework. Those self-similarities computed using this procedure provide good correlations with substituted aromatic acids, allowing to provide an explanation for their acidic behaviour.From another point of view, conceptual contributions have been developed. A new similarity measure, Kinetic Energy-based, has been implemented, which consists of taking the recently developed Kinetic Energy density function, which has been incorporated into the similarity framework due to it mathematically behaves like a regular density function. Satisfactory QSAR models, derived from this new measure, have been obtained for several molecular systems. Within the similarity matrices field, it has been implemented a new scaling, called stochastic transformation, as an alternative to Carbó Index. This transformation of the matrix allows obtaining a new non-symmetric matrix, which can be later used as a source of descriptors to build QSAR model.