Synthesis and Properties of Calix[n]arene Receptors for the Preparation of “Active” Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials

Supramolecular chemistry principles, in particular the calix[n]arene unit with its specific and functional properties were used to design and improve the characteristics of new hybrid materials like gold based MPCs. In this thesis was studied the factors necessary to gain the full control on the synthesis and characterization of these new functional devices characterized by a calix[n]arene organic shell. As second step were tested the recognition and self-assembly properties in solution towards bypiridine based cation spacers acting as guests for the calix[n]arene cavity. All the knowledges obtained from these studies were useful to translate our calix[n]arene based functional systems from solution to inorganic surfaces like polycrystalline Cu and Si(100). Our calix[n]arene based molecular devices were successfully anchored on these inorganic surfaces and their complexing capabilities were tested with good results through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).