La síntesi i caracterització estructural d'un nou tipus de macrocicles nitrogenats de 15, 20 i 25 membres, els quals contenen triples i dobles enllaços i diferents unitats aríliques a la seva estructura, ha estat estudiada. S'han preparat els complexos de pal·ladi(0) dels corresponents macrocicles poliinsaturats de 15 membres, els quals són estables a l'aire i a la humitat i en alguns casos presenten quiralitat. La seva caracterització completa s'ha portat a terme mitjançant RMN i difracció de raigs-X. S'ha estudiat també la reacció de cicloisomerització d'aquests macrocicles emprant diferents catalitzadors basats en metalls de transició, observant-se que el catalitzador de Wilkinson, de rodi(I), és el que ha donat més bons resultats. Finalment, s'ha realitzat una introducció a l'estudi del mecanisme d'aquest tipus de reaccions mitjançant ESI-MS, així com també un estudi inicial de la reacció de cicloisomerització enantioselectiva. / The synthesis and structural analysis of a new type of 15-, 20- and 25-membered nitrogen-containing polyunsaturated macrocycles has been carried out. Palladium(0) complexes of 15-membered polyunsaturated azamacrocycles, which are air and moisture stable and in some cases present chirality, has been prepared and fully caracterized by means of NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The cycloisomerization reaction of these macrocycles using different catalysts based in different transition metals has been studied. It was observed that Wilkinson's catalyst (rhodium(I) catalyst) gave the best results. A brief look at the mechanism of cyclotrimerization reaction by means of ESI-MS has been carried out. Finally, an introduction in the study of the enantioselective cycloisomerization reaction of these macrocycles has been done.

Le système spirocyclique [6.4] est un motif récurrent dans un certain nombre de produits naturels tels que les Lancifodilactones, les Micrandilactones ou les Rubriflordilactones. Ces structures polycycliques représentent un défi synthétique pour les chimistes organiciens puisqu’elles présentent au moins neuf centres stéréogènes dont plusieurs sont quaternaires. L’objectif principal de ce travail était de développer de nouvelles réactions métallo-catalysées, et de les utiliser comme étape clé afin d’obtenir rapidement et efficacement le squelette polycyclique de ces composés. La première partie de ces travaux a été consacrée au développement d’une nouvelle réaction domino pallado-catalysée donnant accès, selon les conditions employées, à différents cœurs polycycliques de nortriterpénoïdes issus d’une même famille, de manière totalement diastéréosélective. Cette séquence domino de trois réactions en un seul pot permet donc la synthèse unifiée de différents squelettes de produits naturels isolés du genre Schisandra, en une seule étape. Une approche au squelette tétracyclique ABCD de la Lancifodilactone F appliquant cette méthodologie pour la construction du motif spirolactone a été envisagée. Un cycle D hautement fonctionnalisé a ainsi été synthétisé de manière diastéréosélective via un réarrangement d’Ireland-Claisen et une réaction de métathèse cyclisante. Une réaction de cyclopropanation intramoléculaire et la réaction domino devraient permettre d’obtenir, par la suite, le squelette complet de la Lancifodilactone F. Dans une deuxième partie, deux approches aux coeurs CDEF et ACDE de la Rubriflordilactone A ont été développées autour d’une même réaction clé, c’est-à-dire une cycloaddition [2+2+2] d’un composé triynique permettant d’accéder en une seul étape au squelette tricyclique CDE. Le motif tétracyclique ACDE devrait être rapidement accessible après quelques aménagements de la voie de synthèse initiale. / The spiro [6.4] ring system is a recurring structural motif in numerous natural products such as Lancifodilactones, Micrandilactones and Rubriflordilactones. These polycyclic structures represent a synthetic challenge for organic chemists. Indeed, these molecules present at least nine stereogenic centers including several quaternary ones. The main goal of this work was to develop new metal-catalyzed reactions as key steps to obtain quickly and efficiently the polycyclic core of those natural products. The first part of these studies was dedicated to the development of a new palladium-catalyzed domino reaction leading to, depending on the conditions used, different polycyclic cores of nortriterpenoids coming from the same family, in a totally diastereoselective manner. This domino sequence of three reactions allowed the collective synthesis of various skeletons of natural products isolated from the Schisandra genus, in one pot. An approach to the tetracyclic core of Lancifodilactone F applying this methodology for the construction of the spirolactone moiety was then envisaged. A highly functionalized cycle D was synthetized in a diastereoselctive way via an Ireland-Claisen rearrangement and a ring closing metathesis reaction. Afterwards, an intramolecular cyclopropanation followed by the domino reaction should allow an access to the ABCD skeleton of Lancifodilactone F. In the last part, two approaches to the CDEF and ACDE cores of Rubriflordilactone A were developed around the same key reaction: a [2+2+2] cycloaddition of an acyclic triynic compound. The tricyclic skeleton CDE was reached at once in a single step. The ACDE tetracyclic moiety should be quickly accessible after few modifications of the initial strategy.

The aim of my PhD Thesis was to explore the potential of helically chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands in asymmetric catalysis. Helicenes and helicene-like molecules are inherently chiral. Their application in this field has been rather limited. To date, only a few examples of enantiopure helically chiral NHCs have been described in the literature. Using a well-established method based on the diastereoselective metal catalysed [2+2+2] cycloisomerisation of centrally chiral triynes as the key step, I have synthesised a series of optically pure 2H-pyran based penta- and hexahelicenes bearing an amino group on the terminal benzene ring. The triynes were prepared by a sequence of Sonogashira and Mitsunobu coupling reactions using the commercially available (S)-but-3-yn-2-ol as the source of chirality. The resulting aminooxa[5]- and aminooxa[6]helicenes were then converted into the corresponding 1,3-disubstituted imidazolium salts, from which, upon deprotonation, the helically chiral N- heterocyclic carbenes were generated. To evaluate the performance of the new helically chiral ligands, the enantioselective Ni0 - catalysed [2+2+2] intramolecular cycloisomerisation of prochiral triynes to nonracemic dibenzohelicenes was chosen as a model reaction. All the synthesised imidazolium salts provided,...

Transition metal mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cyclizations have been well researched over the past several years. As a well-developed methodology, [2 + 2 + 2] chemistry has been employed as a major pathway to various carbo- and heterocyclic synthetic targets. Numerous transition metals have been applied as catalysts for these cyclizations. Previous work in our group developed cobalt(I) catalyzed inter- and intramolecular [2 + 2 + 2] cyclizations of two alkynes and a nitrile, leading to the preparation of tetrahydro-naphthyridines. Pyridazines could be generated if the cyclization could be accomplished with two nitriles and an alkyne, which would be a novel way to synthesize 1,2-diazines through the formation of the N-N bond. To this end, metal-catalyzed intramolecular [2 + 2 + 2] cyclizations between an alkyne and two nitriles were investigated. The intramolecular nature of the reaction provided the entropic advantage to successfully assist the formation of the critical N-N bond. Optimal conditions were achieved with cobalt(I) catalysts under microwave irradiation in chlorobenzene, producing the desired pyridazines in moderate to good yields. This success led to the preparation of a series of annulated pyridazines. The use of two tethering nitrogens in the preparation of the cyclization precursors incorporated points for further diversification, the next step in the development of this chemistry. This ring closure through N,N-bond formation allowed the construction of annulated pyridazine scaffolds that were utilized further in a small molecule library synthesis. Using this methodology, sixteen new annulated pyridazines were prepared. Inverse electron demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) reactions of arynes and 1,2,4-triazines were also investigated for the generation of isoquinoline core structures. The results showed that only triazines with electron withdrawing groups participated in the IEDDA reactions with benzyne as a partner after screening of several different arynes, which limited the scope of the reaction. Liebeskind–Srogl reactions of 3-methylthiotriazines and boronic acids were investigated during the diversification of triazines, and microwave irradiation with palladium and copper catalysts were found to be the optimal conditions for the coupling. The chemistry allowed for further triazine diversification.

Ces travaux de thèse portent sur le développement de la première synthèse du squelette des 10-silastéroïdes, et cela grâce à une cascade cycloaddition [2+2+2]/extension de cycle. Après quelques rappels sur la chimie du silicium et sur son utilisation comme bioisostère du carbone en chimie médicinale, une vue d’ensemble de la littérature concernant les extensions de cycles tendus sera réalisée. Celle-ci nous amènera à détailler notre stratégie et ses trois défis importants qui seront abordés dans les chapitres suivants. Le premier est la préparation de silanes polyinsaturés susceptibles de réaliser notre cascade réactionnelle. Pour cela, le silicium doit porter quatre groupements différents. Dans ce but, trois synthèses ont été mises au point afin d’améliorer sans cesse la préparation de ces silanes. Le second défi de ce projet est l’accès au benzosilacyclobutène par cycloaddition [2+2+2], ceci étant la première étape de notre cascade. Cela est réalisé à l’aide d’une catalyse au NbCl3.DME, permettant ainsi la synthèse de benzosilacyclobutènes hautement fonctionnalisés avec de très bons rendements. Cette nouvelle synthèse est plus performante que la seule voie de synthèse existante dans la littérature, que se soit au niveau des rendements, de la fonctionnalisation des substrats, mais aussi grâce à des conditions plus douces. Le troisième défi est le contrôle de la régiosélectivité de la réaction d’extension de cycle des benzosilacyclobutènes. Cette régiosélectivité est grandement influencé par le métal utilisé. Ainsi, l’utilisation du catalyseur de cobalt CpCo(CO)2 pour notre cascade conduit au silapolycycle linéaire. La catalyse avec RhCl(PPh3)3 permet quant à elle d’accéder au silapolycycle angulaire désiré, possédant un atome de silicium en jonction de cycle, et donc au premier squelette de 10-silastéroïde. / This PhD work deals with the development of the first synthesis of the 10-silasteroids scaffold, using a cascade [2+2+2] cycloaddition/ring expansion. An overview of silicon chemistry and its use as a carbon bioisoster in medicinal chemistry is covered, followed by a description of the literature on ring expansion. Then, we will explain our strategy and its three main challenges will be discussed in the following chapters. The first one is the preparation of polyunsaturated silanes wich is capable of performing our cascade reaction. For this purpose, the silicon atom must have four different substituents. To reach this goal, three synthesis were developed in order to gradually increase the preparation of the silanes. The second challenge is the access to benzosilacyclobutenes by a [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction, this reaction being the first step of our cascade reaction. It was done using NbCl3.DME catalysis, allowing the formation of highly functionalized benzosilacyclobutenes in high yields. This new synthesis is more efficient than the previously described literature synthesis, in means of yields, substrat functionnalizations, and mild reaction condition. The third challenge is the control of the regioselectivity of the ring expansion of the benzosilacyclobutenes. This regioselectivity mainly depends on the metal used. For exemple, the use of CpCo(CO)2 catalyst gives to the linear silapolycycle. Whereas, RhCl(PPh3)3 catalysis yields to the desired angular silapolycycle, containing the silicon atom at the ring junction, leading to the first synthesis of the 10-silasteroids scaffolds.

The isolation and identification of the active constituents from an Allium sp. extract possessing antibacterial activity was undertaken. The plant material of interest was extracted, purified and screened for antibacterial activity against a Gram positive bacteria. Multiple trials were performed and the isolation was scaled-up repeatedly, overall three compounds potentially possess the observed activity. One compound was identified to yield the majority of activity, and a refined procedure for its purification was established. Initial characterization studies demonstrated the major isolate of interest is novel compared to other isolates from the Allium genus. A ruthenium-catalyzed homo Diels-Alder [2+2+2] cycloaddition between bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene and alkynyl phosphonates was also studied. The observed reactivity was found to be dependent on the presence of the phosphonate moiety. The cycloaddition was compatible with a variety of aromatic and aliphatic substituted alkynyl phosphonates providing the corresponding phosphonate substituted deltacyclenes in low to good yields (up to 88%).

De nouveaux phosphinites énantiopurs à la structure hélicoïdale ont été synthétisés et utilisés en catalyse asymétrique. Les plateformes 2,15-dihydroxyhélicènes ciblées pour l’étude ont été synthétisées selon deux voies de synthèse, par photocyclisation oxydante et par cycloaddition [2+2+2] catalysée au cobalt et au rhodium. Les énantiomères ont été séparés par HPLC chirale préparative ou synthèse des diastéréoisomères puis séparation sur gel de silice. Les Hélixols énantiomères ont ainsi été obtenus avec des excès énantiomériques supérieurs à 99.5 %. Si les structures hélicoïdales cycliques désirées n’ont pu être obtenues en raison de la distance excessive entre les deux fonctions phénol, la double phosphorylation conduit à de nouveaux ligands bisphosphinites à chiralité hélicoïdale. Ces derniers ont été utilisés dans des réactions de cycloisomérisation énantiosélective d’énynes-1,6 catalysées à l’or ; et d’alkylation allylique asymétrique catalysée au palladium. / New [6]helicene-based bisphosphinites were synthetized and used in asymmetric catalysis. Desired 2,15-dimethoxy[6]helicenes were synthetized by two pathways: photochemical oxidative cyclization and CoI or RhI-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition. Both enantiomers of [6]Helixols were obtained by preparative chiral HPLC and/or using a chiral agent (up to 99.5 % ee). Even if desired helical cyclic scaffolds cannot be obtained due to the large distance between the two oxygen atoms. The synthesis of new [6]helicenes-based bisphosphinites were developed. Those last were used in gold-catalyzed enantioselective cycloisomerization of 1,6-enynes and Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation.

Ce manuscrit traite de la mise au point d’une méthode d’accès éco-compatible à des squelettes carbocycliques et hétérocycliques, présents dans de nombreux composés d’intérêt biologique. Cette méthode met en œuvre une réaction de cycloaddition [2+2+2] catalysée par un métal de transition. Dans un premier temps, une voie d’accès à des fluorénones hautement substituées, ainsi qu’à des analogues a été développée. Cette voie utilise une réaction de cycloaddition [2+2+2] de diynes-[alpha, omega] pontés par un groupe benzoyle, avec des alcynes, en présence de RuCl3·nH2O. Dans un deuxième temps, des dérivés 2-aminopyridines diversement fonctionnalisés ont été synthétisés via une catalyse au ruthénium neutre (RuCl3·nH2O) ou cationique (Cp*Ru(CH3CN)3PF6), et ce à partir de la cycloaddition [2+2+2] de diynes et de cyanamides. Dans le cas où Cp*Ru(CH3CN)3PF6 a été utilisé comme catalyseur, une excellente régiosélectivité a été observée, ce qui a permis d’isoler une grande variété de 2-aminopyridines, dont des halopyridines, des vinylpyridines, ou des amino-aza-fluorénones. Dans une dernière partie, la cycloaddition [2+2+2] énantiosélective de triynes prochiraux avec des mono alcynes a été examinée. Elle a été conduite en utilisant un catalyseur cationique au rhodium, le complexe [Rh(cod)2]BF4/(R)-BINAP, et a permis la préparation de dérivés de 1,3-dihydroisobenzofuranes énantiomériquement enrichis, contenant un carbone quaternaire stéréogène. / This manuscript focused on the development of eco-friendly and mild processes to access original carbocyclic and heterocyclic scaffolds of biological interest through transition-metal-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions. Initially, an efficient and practical route for the preparation of highly substituted fluorenones and analogues via solventless RuCl3·nH2O-mediated [2+2+2] cycloaddition of benzoyl bridged [alpha, omega]-diynes and alkynes was developed. Secondly, various functionalized 2-aminopyridine derivatives were synthesized using both neutral RuCl3·nH2O and cationic Cp*Ru(CH3CN)3PF6 complexes to catalyze the [2+2+2] cycloaddition of diynes and cyanamides under solvent-free conditions. With Cp*Ru(CH3CN)3PF6 as catalyst, excellent regioselectivities were achieved to provide a wide range of 2-aminopyridines of high synthetic utility involving halopyridines, vinyl pyridines and amino-aza-fluorenones. Finally, the enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of prochiral triynes and monoalkynes was carried out in the presence of cationic [Rh(cod)2]BF4/(R)-BINAP complex to provide enantioenriched 1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran derivatives containing a quaternary carbon stereogenic center.

Esta tesis describe el estudio de la aplicación en síntesis de N-terc-butanosulfinil derivados de alquil, alquenil, homoalil y homopropargil aminas como intermedios para acceder a moléculas orgánicas de mayor complejidad. Por un lado, se ha estudiado la adición de compuestos organomagnesianos y organolíticos a N-terc-butanosulfinil iminas, y los distintos derivados de aminas que se obtienen como resultado se han usado como precursores de alcaloides pirrolodínicos y piperidínicos, así como para acceder a anillos tipo azepano. Por otro lado, también se presentan aplicaciones en síntesis de N-terc-butanosulfinil homoalil y homopropargil aminas, que pueden participar en reacciones de oxidación allílica y cicloadiciones [2+2+2], respectivamente, para dar lugar a compuestos polifuncionalizados, en el caso de los derivados de homoalil aminas, y derivados de 9-amino-9, 10-dihidrofenantrenos y 1,2,3,4-tetrahidroisoquinolinas, en el cado de los derivados de homopropargil aminas.

The generation of new chemical entities (NCEs) for use in chemical biology and drug discovery is of wide interest to both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. In order to generate NCEs, this project focused on development of new synthetic methodologies using transition-metal mediated [2+2+2] cyclotrimerisation of alkynes and unsaturated molecules to form bi- and tricyclic heterocyclic derivatives, some with structural resemblance to the quinocarcin family of natural products. Three different dialkynes (1,5-di(prop-2-yn-1-yl)pyrrolidin-2-one 2.117a, 1,6-di(prop-2-yn-1-yl)piperidin-2-one 2.118a and 4-benzyl-1,6-di(prop-2-yn-1-yl)piperazin-2-one 2.120a) were successfully synthesised. Several cyclotrimerisations were attempted, with the best yields being obtained when diethylacetylene dicarboxylate 2.113a was used as the monoalkyne and Cp*Ru(cod)Cl as the catalyst in refluxing toluene. New heterocyclic compounds with potential for diversification were synthesised using a diversity-oriented synthesis approach; specifically the build/couple/pair strategy for the synthesis of small molecules. Racemic nitrogen and oxygen building blocks were coupled with acrylonitrile, bromoacetonitrile and acyl chlorides. The pair step involved the intramolecular ring closure using transition-metal catalysed [2+2+2] cyclotrimerisations using microwave assisted radiation. The best catalyst for this approach was found to be CpCo(CO)2 at 150 ºC (300 W) in chlorobenzene. This provided a new methodology with potential for synthesising a diverse set of small molecules for biological testing. 20 compounds were subjected to chemosensitivity testing using the MTT assay. Several compounds were shown to possess activity in bladder (RT112) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines. As these two cell lines are known to express extra-hepatic cytochromes P450 enzymes, it is possible that these are involved in generating cytotoxic metabolites that may damage DNA.