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International audience; The structure of the Viologen-Phenylene-Imidazole (VPI) guest, previously shown to be bound by cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) with binding modes depending on pH and silver ions, has been extended by adding hydrophobic groups on the two extremities of VPI before investigations of CB[7] binding by NMR, ITC, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. With an imidazole station extended by a naphthalene group (VPI-N), binding modes of CB[7] are similar to those previously observed. However, with the viologen extended by a tolyl group (T-VPI), CB[7] preferentially sits on station T, shuttling between the T and P stations at acid pH or after Ag + addition. The CB[7]•T-VPI complex thus behaves as a metal-actuated thermodynamic stop-and-go molecular shuttle featured by fast and autonomous ring translocation between two stations and a continuum for fractional station occupancy solely and easily controlled by Ag + concentration.

International audience

The selective binding properties of a 13-mer oligoamide foldamer capsule composed of 4 different aromatic subunits are reported. The capsule was designed to recognize dicarboxylic acids through multiple-point interactions owing to a combination of protonation/deprotonation events, H-bonding, and geometrical constraints imparted by the rigidity of the foldamer backbone. Compared to tartaric acid, binding of 2,2-difluorosuccinic acid or 2,2,3,3-tetrafluorosuccinic acid resulted in symmetry breaking due to deprotonation of only one of the two carboxylic acid groups of the encapsulated species as shown by NMR studies in solution and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the solid state. An analogous 14-mer foldamer capsule terminated with a thiol anchoring group was used to probe the complexation event in self-assembled monolayers on Au substrates. Ellipsometry and polarization-modulation infrared absorption-reflection spectroscopy studies were consistent with the formation of a single molecule layer of the foldamer capsule oriented vertically with respect to the surface. The latter underwent smooth complexation of 2,2-difluorosuccinic acid with deprotonation of one of the two carboxylic acid groups. A significant (80-fold) difference in the charge transport properties of the monolayer upon encapsulation of the dicarboxylic acid was evidenced from conducting-AFM measurements (S = 1.1 × 10−9vs. 1.4 × 10−11 ohm−1 for the empty and complexed capsule, respectively). The modulation in conductivity was assigned to protonation of the aromatic foldamer backbone., Conductance through a monolayer of a helical foldamer host was found to vary by 80-fold depending on the presence or the absence of a guest in the host's cavity.

International audience; A photoresponsive diarylethene was incorporated in an achiral helical foldamer container. A carbohydrate guest was found to induce opposite handedness upon binding to the open and closed forms of the diarylethene-containing foldamer, thus enabling chiroptical switching of an achiral host mediated by a chiral guest.

International audience; Quinoline oligoamide foldamers appended with non-chiral fluorophores and derivatized with a camphanyl chiral inducer display strong chiroptical properties at tunable wavelengths as proved by CD and CPL spectroscopies. Induced CPL activity with high luminescence dissymmetry factors was observed in the visible range at wavelengths specific to the fluorophores.

International audience; We have investigated the conformation control of a foldamer switch by light. An aromatic oligoamide sequence composed of a light responsive diazaanthracene-based aromatic -sheet flanked by two variable diameter helical segments was prepared. Structural investigations revealed that such oligomers adopt two distinct conformations: a canonical symmetrical conformation with the two helices stacked above and below the sheet, and an unanticipated unsymmetrical conformation in which one helix has flipped to directly stack with the first helix. Photo-irradiation of the foldamer led to the quantitative, and thermally reversible, formation of a single photo-product resulting from the [4+4] cycloaddition of two diazaanthracenes within the aromatic -sheet. NMR and crystallographic studies revealed a parallel (i.e. head-to-head) arrangement of the diazaanthracene photoproduct and a complete conversion to a symmetrical conformation requiring a rearrangement of all unsymmetrical conformers. These results highlight the potential of foldamers with structures more complex that isolated helices for the design of photo-switches showing nontrivial nanometer scale shape changes.

International audience; We have investigated the self-assembly of a dissymmetrical aromatic oligoamide helix on linear amido-carbamate rods. A dissymmetric sequence bearing two differentiated ends is able to wrap around dissymmetric dumbbell guest molecules. Structural and thermodynamic investigations allowed us to decipher the mode of binding of the helix that can bind specifically to the amide and carbamate groups of the rod. In parallel kinetic studies of threading and sliding of the helix along linear axles were also monitored by 1 H NMR. Results show that threading of a dissymmetrical host can be kinetically biased by the nature of the guest terminus allowing a preferential sense of sliding of the helix. The study presented below further demonstrates the valuable potential of foldaxanes to combine designed molecular recognition patterns with fine control of self-assembly kinetics to conceive complex supramolecular events.

International audience; Aromatic oligoamide capsules that fold upon metal binding recognize carbohydrate guests in solution as evidenced by CD and NMR titrations. Crystallographic data reveals that, besides their structural role, metal ions also contribute to guest recognition through either first-or second-sphere coordination.

Macrocyclization of a stable two-turn helical aromatic pentamide, that is, an object with diverging ends that are not prone to cyclization, was made possible by the transient introduction of disruptors of helicity in the form of acid-labile dimethoxybenzyl tertiary amide substituents. After removal of the helicity disruptors, NMR, X-ray crystallography, and computational studies show that the macrocycle possesses a strained structure that tries to gain as high a helical content as possible despite being cyclic. Two points of disruption of helicity remain, in particular a cis amide bond. This point of disruption of helicity can propagate along the cycle in a fluxional manner according to defined trajectories to produce ten degenerate conformations.

International audience; Using commercial screens for crystallization of biomolecules and taking advantage of the use of racemic crystallography allowed the production of x-ray quality single crystals and the elucidation at 1.08 Å resolution of the solid state structure of a difficult target: the complex between glucopyranose and a water soluble macrocyclic receptor equipped with dendritic multianionic solubilizing chains.

International audience; Aromatic oligoamide sequences able to fold into single helical capsules were functionalized with two types of side chains to make them be soluble in various solvents such as chloroform, methanol or water and their propensity to recognize tartaric acid was evaluated. Binding affinities to tartaric acid and binding thermodynamics in the different media were investigated by variable temperature 1 H NMR and ITC experiments, the two methods giving consistent results. We show that tartaric acid binding mainly rests on enthalpically favourable polar interactions that were found to be sufficiently strong to be effective in presence of a polar aprotic solvent (DMSO) and even in pure methanol. Binding in water was very low. The stronger binding interactions were found to be more susceptible to the effect of competitive solvents and to be compensated by unfavourable entropic effects. Thus, the best host in less polar medium eventually was found to be the worst host in protic solvents. An interesting case of entropically driven binding was evidenced in methanol.

The ab initio design of synthetic molecular receptors for a specific biomolecular guest remains an elusive objective, particularly for targets such as monosaccharides, which have very close structural analogues. Here we report a powerful approach to produce receptors with very high selectivity for specific monosaccharides and, as a demonstration, we develop a foldamer that selectively encapsulates fructose. The approach uses an iterative design process that exploits the modular structure of folded synthetic oligomer sequences in conjunction with molecular modelling and structural characterization to inform subsequent refinements. Starting from a first-principles design taking size, shape and hydrogen-bonding ability into account and using the high predictability of aromatic oligoamide foldamer conformations and their propensity to crystallize, a sequence that binds to β-D-fructopyranose in organic solvents with atomic-scale complementarity was obtained in just a few iterative modifications. This scheme, which mimics the adaptable construction of biopolymers from a limited number of monomer units, provides a general protocol for the development of selective receptors.

International audience; Heteromeric oligoamide foldamers composed of 8-amino-2-quinolinecarboxylic acid and 7-amino-8-fluoro-2-quino-linecarboxylic acid bearing cationic water solubilizing side chains were prepared using solid phase synthesis (SPS). The sequence was designed to adopt a single or a double helical motif depending on the nature of the solvent, DMSO or water, respectively. Self-association was demonstrated by NMR and mass spectrometry. Dimerization in water was found to be much higher than observed previously in organic solvents for analogous oligoamide sequences.

Starting from a previously described aromatic oligoamide helically folded capsule that binds tartaric acid with high affinity and diastereoselectivity, we demonstrate the feasibility of the direct in situ modification of the helix backbone, which results in a conformational change that reduces its affinity for guests by two orders of magnitude. Specifically, ring contraction of the central pyridazine unit into a pyrrole in the full helical sequence was investigated by using electrochemical and chemical processes. The sequence containing the pyrrole was synthesized independently in a convergent manner to ascertain its structure. The conformation of the pyrrolic folded capsule was elucidated in the solid state by X-ray crystallography and in solution by using (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Solution studies revealed an unanticipated solvent-dependent equilibrium between the anti-anti and syn-syn conformations of the pyrrole ring with respect to its two adjacent pyridine units. Titrations of the pyrrole-containing sequence monitored by (1)H NMR spectroscopy confirmed the expected drop in affinity for tartaric acid and malic acid that arises from the conformation change in the backbone that follows the replacement of the pyridazine by a pyrrole. The reduction of the pyridazine to a pyrrole was characterized by cyclic voltammetry both on the entire sequence and on a shorter precursor. The lower cathodic potential of the precursor made its preparative-scale electroreduction possible. Direct in situ modification of the pyridazine within the entire capsule sequence was achieved chemically by using zinc in acetic acid.

International audience; Synthesis of alternating pyridine-pyrrole molecular strands composed of two electron-rich pyrrole units (donors) sandwiched between three pyridinic cores (acceptors) is described. The envisioned strategy was a smooth electrosynthesis process involving ring contraction of corresponding tripyridyl-dipyridazine precursors. 2,6-Bis[6-(pyridazin-3-yl)]pyridine ligands 2a-c bearing pyridine residues at the terminal positions were prepared in suitable quantities by a Negishi metal cross-coupling procedure. The yields of heterocyclic coupling between 2-pyridyl zinc bromide reagents 12a-c and 2,6-bis(6-trifluoromethanesulfonylpyridazin-3-yl)pyridine increased from 68 to 95% following introduction of electron-donating methyl groups on the metallated halogenopyridine units. Favorable conditions for preparative electrochemical reduction of tripyridyl-dipyridazines 2b,c were established in THF/acetate buffer (pH 4.6)/acetonitrile to give the targeted 2,6-bis[5-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrrol-2-yl]pyridines 1b and 1c in good yields. The absorption behavior of the donor-acceptor tripyridyl-dipyrrole ligands was evaluated and compared to theoretical calculations. Highly fluorescent properties of these chromophores were found (ν(em)≈2 × 10(4) cm(-1) in MeOH and CH(2)Cl(2)), and both pyrrolic ligands exhibit a remarkable quantum yield in CH(2)Cl(2) (φ(f)=0.10). Structural studies in the solid state established the preferred cis conformation of the dipyrrolic ligands, which adopting a planar arrangement with an embedded molecule of water having a complexation energy exceeding 10 kcal mol(-1). The ability of the tripyridyl-dipyrrole to complex two copper(II) ions in a pentacoordinate square was investigated.

A helical aromatic oligoamide foldamer encapsulates tartaric acid with exceptional affinity, selectivity, and diastereoselectivity. The structure of the complex has been elucidated both in solution by NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography, making it possible to rationalize the strong effects observed, particularly the role of hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl and carboxylic acid groups of tartaric acid and the inner wall of the helically folded capsule, which completely surrounds the guest and insulates it from the solvent.

The synthesis of optically active iron tetraspirobifluorenyl porphyrin is described. Organic conducting polymers have been prepared by anodic oxidation of these building blocks. Preliminary tests of asymmetric alkene epoxidation have been performed giving only moderate yields.

The field of saccharide recognition using abiotic receptors has grown over the years. Among the many different structures designed, a class of receptors, foldamers, able to fold into a well-defined structure, has shown great promise in selective binding, relying on structural elucidation of host-guest complexes using X-ray crystallography and iterative evolution to further improve binding affinity and selectivity. Building on this know-how, the incorporation of a photoswitch to a monosaccharide receptor was undertaken, achieving a receptor able to modulate the morphology of its cavity using light. One of the properties of such a receptor was to induce the anomerization of a sugar upon shining UV light. A helical self-assembly containing the same photoswitch was then developed and was found to switch binding selectivity towards monosaccharides when irradiated with UV light. In parallel, the design and synthesis of helical self-assemblies able to bind disaccharides was developed. Lastly, the elaboration of a synthetic decarboxylase system from a tetrafluorosuccinic acid receptor was explored., Le domaine de la reconnaissance de sucres par des récepteurs abiotiques s’est accru ces dernières années. Parmi les différentes architectures développées, un groupe de récepteurs artificiels, les foldamères, oligomères capables d’adopter une structure repliée bien définie, a montré un bon potentiel de reconnaissance sélective de monosaccharides, basée sur l’élucidation de structures des complexes hôte-invité par crystallographie, et sur l’évolution itérative des séquences d’oligomères pour augmenter davantage l’affinité et la sélectivité d’un récepteur. Sur cette base, un photo-interrupteur moléculaire a été incorporé à un récepteur de monosaccharides, produisant ainsi un récepteur capable de moduler la morphologie de sa cavité sous l’effet de la lumière. Une des propriétés de ce récepteur est d’induire l’anomérisation d’un sucre par irradiation UV. Une hélice auto-assemblée utilisant le même photo-interrupteur a ensuite été développé et a montré une capacité à changer d’affinité envers les monosaccharides après photoirradiation. En parallèle, la conception et la synthèse d’hélices auto-assemblées capables d’encapsuler des disaccharides a été explorée. Pour terminer, l’élaboration d’une décarboxylase artificielle à partir d’un récepteur d’acide tetrafluorosuccinique sera relatée.

Foldamer chemistry is a rapidly developing research area where scientists study the construction of various artificial architectures that inspired from the folded conformations of biopolyme rs found in nature. This thesis focuses on the design and construction of complex molecular topologies and switchable molecular motions. In the first part, with the helical disruptor strategy, variable sizes of macrocycles were built up (from 4 units to 12 units) based on quinolinecarboxamides derivatives (Q F ). Macrocycles adopted novel conformations which were totally different with the helical conformations of their own foldamer precursors. Those novel structures were confirmed by NMR and crystallographic studies. In the second part, a symmetrical helix sheet helix foldamer was prepared which has a bind with T shape rod. The photoreactions within aromatic sheets change the architectures of foldamer that cause dissociation of complex and release the rod. A thermal treatment would recover foldamer back to initial conformation and lead to the re formation of host guest complex. I n the third part, to build up the molecular Prusik knot, different turn units were incorporated with helix segments to form helix tur n helix foldamers. The conformations of helix turn helix architectures were well investigated, they adopted several kinds of conformations, such as cone shape, multiple helix and precursor of Prusik knot., La chimie des foldamères est un domaine de recherche en développement rapide où les scientifiques étudient la construction de diverses architectures artificielles inspirées des conformations repliées des biopolymères. Cette thèse porte sur la conception et la construction de topologies moléculaires complexes et de mouvements moléculaires commutables. Dans la pr emière partie, avec la stratégie du disrupteur hélicoïdal, des macrocycles de tailles variables ont été construits (de 4 unités à 12 unités) à base de dérivés de quinoléinecarboxamides (Q F ). Les macrocycles formés adoptent de nouvelles conformations totale ment différentes des conformations hélicoïdales de leurs précurseurs respectifs. Ces nouvelles structures ont été confirmées par RMN et études cristallographiques. Dans la deuxième partie, un foldamère hélice feuillet hélice symétrique, capable d’accueilli r une molécule invitée en forme de T, a été préparé. L’irradiation lumineuse des feuillets aromatiques modifient l’architecture du foldamère ce qui provoquent la dissociation du complexe et libèrent la molécule en forme de T. Un traitement thermique permet la reformation du complexe hôte invité. Dans la troisième partie de cette thèse, la conception d’un noeud Prusik moléculaire, basée sur un foldamère de type hélice feuillet hélice, est discutée. Les conformations des architectures hélice feuillet hélice, t elles que la forme conique, l'hélice multiple et le précurseur du noeud Prusik, ont été étudiées.

To mimic the particular folding of the biomolecules’ three-dimensional structures, chemists have developed artificial oligomers that fold into a compact and well-defined structures in solution: foldamers. Nevertheless, the variety of isolated secondary structures of foldamers is not equal to those of biomolecules. The association of different sequences of aromatic oligoamide having distinct secondary structures allowed the development of well-defined helix-sheet-helix architectures in which subcomponents conserve their respective integrity. These unique basket-like objects possess an open-window within the foldamer backbone in which a molecular guest can be accommodate. As a proof of concept, guest binding to one of these structures was found to be fast on the NMR time scale. Then, the development of oligoamide aromatic strands made of monomer encoding for low curvature has allowed to obtain double helices structures. These self-assembled structures showing high molecular weights present a nanometer scale diameter. Eventually, these oligomeric strands were coupled to artificial turn units to obtain β-barrels-like architectures having a large polar cavity. These approaches open the access to the design of ever more complex molecular objects beyond the chemistry of biomolecules., Pour mimer le repliement des structures tridimensionnelles des biomolécules, les chimistes ont développé des oligomères artificiels capables d’adopter des formes repliées et bien définie en solution : les foldamères. Néanmoins, la variété des structures secondaires isolées que l’on rencontre au sein des foldamères n’atteint pas encore celle des biomolécules. La combinaison de différentes séquences d’oligoamides aromatiques ayant des structures secondaires distinctes a permis le développement d’architectures de type « hélice-feuillet-hélice » définie dans lesquelles chaque sous-composant secondaire conserve son intégrité respective. Ces objets uniques en forme de panier possèdent une fenêtre ouverte modulable inscrite dans le squelette du foldamère par laquelle une molécule invitée peut être accueillie. Comme preuve de concept, la liaison et le relargage d’une molécule invitée à l’une de ces structures se sont révélées rapides à l’échelle de la RMN 1H. Ensuite, le développement de brins oligomériques composés de monomères codant pour de faibles rayons de courbure a permis l’obtention d’hélices doubles. Ces structures auto-assemblées de haut-poids moléculaires possèdent un diamètre de l’ordre du nanomètre. Enfin, des segments hélicoïdaux codant pour des diamètres larges ont été couplés à des pseudo-coudes artificiels dans le but d’obtenir des architectures possédant une large cavité polaire inspirés de la structure des tonneaux β. Ces approches ouvrent la voie vers la conception d’objets moléculaires toujours plus complexes au-delà la chimie des biomolécules.

Some relevant wine small molecular components can be selectively recognized by foldamer capsules – artificial oligomeric compounds able to fold into well-defined objects possessing an inner cavity. In recent years, selective and high affinity receptors for fructose, tartaric acid and malic acid have been reported. Here, a new methodology, using solid phase synthetic techniques, for the preparation of a gluconic acid receptor will be discussed. To transform these receptors into sensors, a fluorescent moiety has been incorporated in the binding site. A proof of concept has been achieved using a fluorescence titration of tartaric acid. Indeed, when the guest is encapsulated, a modification of the fluorescence emission is observed. Finally, these fluorescent receptors have been anchored to silica surfaces and pave the way to the development of mobile detection devices. Such sensors could be useful to the wine industry to ensure proper control of biological processes for example during fermentation., Les foldamères – structures oligomériques artificielles adoptant une forme repliée définie – permettent la conception de récepteurs moléculaires de type capsule capables de reconnaitre sélectivement certains analytes pertinents du vin. En particulier, des récepteurs sélectifs et affins du fructose, de l’acide tartrique et de l’acide malique ont été identifiés au cours de ces dernières années. Le développement d’une méthodologie de synthèse sur support solide d’un récepteur moléculaire de l’acide gluconique sera abordé dans ce manuscrit. Cette thèse montre également comment certains de ces récepteurs peuvent être convertis en détecteurs capables d’émettre un signal en présence de l’analyte. La démarche est centrée sur l’incorporation d’un fluorophore au sein du site de reconnaissance. Une preuve de concept a ainsi été effectuée avec le dosage par fluorescence de l’acide tartrique. Enfin, le greffage de ce détecteur moléculaire à la surface de particules de silice a été réalisé et ouvre la voie au développement de dispositifs portables pour le dosage des analytes reconnus. De tels détecteurs sont requis par l’industrie du vin afin d’assurer le contrôle des processus biologiques, en particulier durant la fermentation.

The ability to replicate enzymatic activity with a synthetic molecule is a highly sought after goal in modern chemistry. However, it remains a big challenge even in case of activation of small molecules. In the case of hydrogen, some bacteria can use it as energy carrier by means of enzymes called hydrogenases that can reversely make or break the bond of hydrogen molecules and are made of earth abundant metals. As hydrogen could be used for the same purpose of energy storage in our society, hydrogenases caught interest of scientific community. To date, most biomimetic hydrogenase models mainly focus on first coordination sphere modifications to fine-tune structure and physical properties. However, point mutation studies indicate that several of the amino acid residues surrounding the enzyme active site are required for structural stability or high turnover frequencies. It shows how mimicking second coordination sphere could improve the capabilities of synthetic catalysts. Our approach used aromatic oligoamide foldamers as helical scaffolds around an inspired 2Fe2S4cluster. Convergent synthesis of the final molecule and structural studies in the solid state (x-ray) and in solution (NMR, IR) as well as the dynamic behaviour are reported. Modifications of the first coordination sphere of the model complex in presence of the foldamer are also described, showing interactions between them., La possibilité de reproduire une activité enzymatique de manière artificielle est l’un des objectifs de la chimie moderne mais reste un grand défi, même dans le cas de l’activation de petites molécules. Dans le cas du dihydrogène, certaines bactéries s’en servent comme vecteur d’énergie par l’intermédiaire d’enzymes appelées hydrogénases qui peuvent former ou consommer le dihydrogène grâce à des complexes à base de métaux non nobles. Le dihydrogène pouvant être également utilisé comme vecteur d’énergie dans nos sociétés, les hydrogénases font l’objet de nombreuses recherches. Jusqu’à présent, la plupart des complexes modèles d’hydrogénases se sont employés à modifier la première sphère de coordination pour reproduire au mieux ses propriétés électroniques. Néanmoins, l’étude de mutations ciblées des hydrogénases indique que plusieurs résidus d’acides aminés présents dans le site actif sont indispensables à la stabilité du complexe et à son efficacité catalytique, montrant ainsi comment le mime d’une deuxième sphère de coordination pourrait améliorer les propriétés des catalyseurs artificiels. Notre approche a consisté en l’utilisation de foldamères de type oligoamide aromatique, formant un cône autour d’un complexe modèle d’hydrogénase. La synthèse convergente du composé final, son étude structurale à l’état solide (diffraction des rayons X), en solution (RMN, IR) ainsi que sa dynamique ont été étudiées. La modification de la première sphère de coordination du complexe modèle en présence du foldamère est également décrite et montrant notamment leur interaction.

The directional motion orchestration of supramolecular architectures is crucial for the construction of artificial molecular machines. Aromatic amide oligomers (i.e. foldamers) can adopt stable helical conformations able to wind around dumbbell-like guests to form (pseudo)-rotaxanes. A fine control of the association-dissociation kinetics allows the oligomers to slide along the rods without dissociation. In this thesis, based on the segregation of the kinetics of association-dissociation and sliding, helical oligomer motions were orchestrated to form complex self-assemblies and to perform directional motion. NMR and crystallographic studies showed that multistation rod guests can template the formation of well-defined multi-helical supramolecular polymers with high fidelity. Each station possessing a defined length and chirality can induce the complexation of oligomers presenting matching length and chirality. Directional sliding of a double helical oligomer along linear multistation rod guests was investigated. Placing a bulky spacer on the rod prohibits the sliding process, forcing the oligomer to dissociate and reassociate onto the thermodynamically favored station. An asymmetrical oligomer was prepared showing highly selective binding toward asymmetrical rod guests. The threading of this oligomer onto linear asymmetrical guests was investigated. Kinetic data indicated that the threading orientation of this asymmetrical oligomer was polarized by its passage along guest molecules., L’orchestration des mouvements directionnels d’architectures supramoléculaires s’avère cruciale pour la préparation de machines moléculaires artificielles. Les oligomères d’amides aromatiques (i.e. foldamères) peuvent adopter des conformations stables capables de se complexer à des tiges moléculaires pour former des (pseudo)-rotaxanes. Un contrôle fin des cinétiques d’association et de dissociation de l’hélice autour de la tige permet à l’oligomère hélicoïdal de glisser le long de celle-ci sans dissociation. Des études RMN et cristallographiques ont montré que des tiges moléculaires possédant plusieurs sites de reconnaissance pour des hélices permettaient l’élaboration d’architectures supramoléculaires hélicoïdales chirales avec une haute-fidélité. Chaque station possédant une longueur et une chiralité définie peut induire la complexation de foldamères de taille et d’hélicité concordante. Le glissement directionnel d’une double hélice le long d’une tige possédant plusieurs stations a également été investigué. Insérer un espaceur encombrant (i.e. plus large que la cavité de l’hélice) sur le chemin du foldamère le force à se déplier et se replier pour atteindre le site le plus favorable thermodynamiquement. Un oligomère asymétrique montrant de hautes affinités et de fortes sélectivités pour des tiges asymétriques a été préparé. L’enfilement de cet oligomère sur des tiges asymétriques a été étudié. Des données cinétiques (RMN) indiquent que l’enfilement de celui-ci s’effectue de façon polarisée en fonction de la nature de la tige.

Molecular recognition is one of the major challenges of supramolecular chemistry. Here, we present the design, synthesis and study of helical capsules properties self-organised by aromatic oligoamide folding. These receptors consist of oligomeric chains that fold into a helical conformation and comprise of a sequence of units which code for different diameters. Oligomeric folding defines a cavity which can recognize guests. The great modularity of the sequences has allowed a controlled evolution of foldamer structure resulting in the selective and predict recognition of biological substrates. The phenomenon of encapsulation was demonstrated in solution by NMR and CD spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray diffraction., La reconnaissance moléculaire constitue l’une des questions fondamentales les plus discutées dans le domaine de la chimie supramoléculaire. Cette thèse présente la conception, la synthèse et l’étude des propriétés de capsules hélicoïdales auto-organisées par repliement d’oligoamides aromatiques. Ces récepteurs sont constitués d’une chaîne oligomérique se repliant en hélice et comprenant une séquence d’unités codant pour des diamètres différents. Le repliement de l’oligomère donne naissance à une cavité pouvant accueillir des molécules invitées. La grande modularité des séquences, permettant une évolution contrôlée des structures des foldamères, donne lieu à la reconnaissance sélective et anticipée de substrats d’intérêts biologiques. Le phénomène d’encapsulation a été mis en évidence en solution par spectroscopie RMN et CD, et dans le solide par diffraction des rayons X.