Development of therapeutics is an extensive process, consuming significant amounts of time and requiring herculean synthetic efforts. A new therapeutic is most often designed from a previously commercialized scaffold, to increase the chance of success. Designing new molecular scaffolds can be extremely high risk and time consuming, yet at the same time the reward can be substantial. Accessing new molecular scaffolds, with efficient and “green” methods, is important in modern medicinal chemistry to diversify chemical space for therapeutic targets. There may be significant quantities of therapeutic candidates that have been over-looked due to synthetic challenges. There is a need for methodologies to synthesize challenging molecular scaffolds that are underexplored in commercialized therapeutics. The work described herein employs two distinct methodologies to access complex molecular scaffolds: 1) by developing a titanium (II) mediated Kulinkovich de-Meijere reaction arrested by Bredt’s rule and a suitable aryl sulfonyl moiety to afford diverse molecular scaffolds with potential for medicinal chemistry applications and 2) utilizing a [4 + 4] photocycloaddition of 2-pyridone-enolynes to access functionally rich cyclooctanoids that are capable of further photochemical transformations into even more complex molecular scaffolds. The titanium (II) mediated Kulinkovich reaction traditionally yields cyclopropylamines and cyclopropanols from amides and esters, respectively. The reaction involves two consecutive carbon-carbon bond forming steps. The bridged tricyclic intermediates would violate Bredt’s Rule and prevent the final carbon-carbon bond formation. This transformation can access a wealth of cyclic amino-ketones from olefin-tethered lactams. In addition, appropriate selection of an electron withdrawing group on nitrogen achieves the same bond sequestration. Interception of the titanafuran intermediate allows for electrophilic trapping of the titanium-carbon bond. The electronically arrested second carbon-carbon bond forming step adds generality to the interrupted Kulinkovich de-Meijere reaction to access the challenging molecular scaffolds of trans-α,α’-disubstituted cyclic ketones. Intramolecular [4 + 4] photoreaction of 2-pyridones with silyl 3-enol-1-ynes yields a highly reactive 1,2,5-cyclooctatriene. In the presence of a silanol proton source the allene is converted into a 1,3-diene. Without the combination of silyl 3-enol-1-ynes and silanol, as previously reported with 1,3-enynes, complex mixture of products is observed. Use of more nucleophilic solvents results in near quantitative yield of the cyclooctadienone through loss of silicon. Further photochemical manipulations of the cyclooctanoids allows for rapid scaffold diversification into bullvalene-like structures through a di-π-methane rearrangement. / Chemistry

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) have attracted substantial academic interest for many years as hybrid materials and nanofillers for controlling thermal and mechanical properties, and providing thermal and chemical resistance while retaining ease of processing. A natural extension of these studies has been POSS-based amphiphiles and thin film coatings. Studies at the air/water (A/W) interface have shown that trisilanol-POSS derivatives are amphiphilic and form uniform Langmuir films, whereas closed-cage POSS derivatives are hydrophobic and aggregate. In previous work, a triester (POSS-triester) and a triacid (POSS-triacid) were synthesized from PSS-(3-hydroxypropyl)-heptaisobutyl (POSS-OH) and Weisocyanate and fully characterized by surface pressure – area per molecule (Π-A) isotherm and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) studies at the A/W interface. The results indicated that POSS-triester is surface active forming a liquid expanded (LE) monolayer, whereas POSS-triacid forms a liquid condensed (LC) monolayer that is only weakly affected by pH. A face-on conformation was proposed and examined to understand the packing of POSS-based amphiphilic molecules at the A/W interface. The face-on/vertex-on comparison is rarely discussed for Langmuir monolayers at the A/W interface. In this thesis, three other POSS-based esters were synthesized from POSS-OH and aminopropylisobutyl-POSS (POSS-NH₂) using Weisocyanate and a similar isocyanate containing two tert-butyl protected carboxylic acids. The synthesized materials are characterized by Π-A isotherm and BAM. For POSS-OH based diester (PAlDE) and POSS-NH2 based diester (PAmDE), LE/LC phase transitions were observed in Π-A isotherms over part of the experimentally accessible temperature range and were attributed to a change from a vertex-on to face-on conformation. Apparent BAM images confirmed LC islands coexisted with the LE phase. The experimentally observed dynamic estimates of the critical temperatures (Tc) were estimated from a two-dimensional Clausius-Clapeyron analysis and were consistent with the temperature dependence of the Π-A isotherms. These LE/LC phase transitions are the first observed for POSS amphiphiles. / Ph. D.

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) have attracted substantial academic interest for many years as hybrid materials and nanofillers for controlling thermal and mechanical properties, and for providing thermal and chemical resistance while retaining ease of processing. A natural extension of these studies has been working on POSS-based amphiphiles and thin film coatings. Studies at the air/water (A/W) interface have shown that trisilanol-POSS derivatives are amphiphilic and form uniform Langmuir films, whereas closed-cage POSS derivatives are hydrophobic and aggregate. In this study, two novel POSS derivatives were synthesized from PSS-(3-hydroxypropyl)-heptaisobutyl substituted (POSS-OH) and completely characterized. Weisocyanate reacted with POSS-OH, and a POSS-based triester (POSS-triester) was obtained. Trifluoroacidolysis of the POSS-triester at room temperature afforded the corresponding triacid (POSS-triacid). Purified POSS-OH, POSS-triester, and POSS-triacid were studied by using surface pressure - area per molecule (? -A) isotherms as well as Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) at the air/water (A/W) interface. Compared with previous work on trisilanol-POSS derivatives, the results indicated that POSS-triester was surface active and formed a liquid-expanded (LE) monolayer. In contrast, POSS-triacid monolayers were more condensed (LC) and were not dramatically affected by changes in pH. Results for the lift-off areas (Alift-off), limiting areas (A0), collapse areas (Ac), and collapse pressures (? c) of POSS-OH, POSS-triester, and POSS-triacid were compared to trisilanolisobutyl-POSS (TiBP) and were interpreted in terms of possible molecular conformations. Whereas, TiBP has been hypothesized to exist in a vertex-on conformation, POSS-OH and POSS-triacid packing at the A/W interface was consistent with face-on conformations. For POSS-triester, the isotherm was consistent with a vertex-on conformation at low ? , but a face-on conformation at high ? . / Master of Science

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第25246号 / 工博第5205号 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科高分子化学専攻 / (主査)教授 田中 一生, 教授 大北 英生, 教授 大内 誠 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

No description available.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In this dissertation were synthesized six compounds, of the which four are free triazene ligands and two are triazenido complex of Hg(II) and Ni(II). The compouns were characterized by melting point, infrared an UV/VIS spectroscopy, ray-X diffraction in single crystals. They were also made analyses of biological activity of the free ligands, where the potential bacteriostatic and bactericidal and of DNA cleavage plasmidial was tested. The compound 1 crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system, space group P(-1), with cell parameters a = 8,033(4) Å, b = 8,039(5) Å, c = 10,022(6) Å, α = 93,77(2)°, β = 96,86(2)°, γ = 97,98(2)°; Z=2; The final crystal structure refinement converged to the indices of disagreement R1 = 0,0741, wR2 = 0,2547. In the solid state compond 1 reveals one-dimensional infinite chains with the base vector [100] as result of intermolecular N−H···O classic hydrogen bonds. The compound 5 crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, space group C2/c, with cell parameters a = 21,455(5) Å, b = 5,538(10) Å, c = 23,228(10) Å, α =γ = 90°, β = 116,301(10)°; Z=4; The final crystal structure refinement converged to the indices of disagreement R1 = 0,0220, wR2 = 0,0799. The crystal structure of 5 reveals one-dimensional infinite chains along the [010] direction through Hg−η2, η2−arene π−interactions. These one-dimensional chains can be extended to the bi-dimensional (2D) through no-classic hydrogen interactions C - H···O along the crystallographic vector [100]. The compound 6 crystallizes in the ortorrombic crystal system, space group Pbcn. with cell parameters a = 16,3394(11) Å, b = 11,9953(8) Å, c = 17,6042(12) Å, α=β=γ=90°; Z=4; The final crystal structure refinement converged to the indices of disagreement R1 = 0,0466, wR2 = 0,0948. The mononuclear complex with Ni(II) showing a rhombic distorted coordination geometry. In the solid state complex 6 reveals one-dimensional infinite chains with the base vector [010] as result of intermolecular C−H···O no classic hydrogen bonds. The biological activity results show that for compound 3 a bacteriostatic action for the Micrococcus spp, Rhodococcus spp e Staphylococcus saprophyticus in the concentration 128 μg/mL. The compound 4 show bacteriostatic action only for the cell lines ATCC Staphylococcus aureus in the concentration 128 μg/mL. The compounds 2 e 4 didn't show effectiveness for cleavage of the plasmid of DNA. / Sintetizou-se o ligante 1-(2-fluorfenil)-3-(4-acetilfenil)triazeno (1) e a partir deste os complexos [HgII(C14H11N3OF)2] (5) e cis-NiII(C14H11N3OF)2(py)2 (6), com o propósito de observar a geometria de coordenação, interações intermoleculares e o arranjo cristalino destes compostos. Sintetizou-se também os ligantes 1-(fenil)-3-(4-acetilfenil)triazeno (2), bis-1,3(4- acetilfenil)triazeno (3) e bis-1,3(4-acetiloxima)triazeno (4) a fim de se investigar o potencial bacteriostático e de clivagem do DNA palsmidial pUC18. Os compostos 1, 2, 3 e 4 foram sintetizados a partir de uma reação de diazotação via nitrito de sódio de uma amina com posterior acoplamento da mesma ou de outra amina diferente gerando compostos triazenos simétricos e assimétricos, respectivamente. O composto 5 foi sintetizado a partir da reação entre o composto 1 desprotonado e acetato de mercúrio(II) em solução de tetraidrofurano na proporção de 2:1. O composto 6 foi sintetizado a partir da reação entre o composto 1 desprotonado e cloreto de níquel(II) hexahidratado em solução metanólica na proporção 2:1. Os compostos foram caracterizados por ponto de fusão, espectroscopia na região do ultravioleta-visível e inframermelho. Somente os compostos 1, 5, e 6 foram caracterizados por difração de raios-X em monocristal. O composto 1 cristaliza no sistema cristalino triclínico, grupo espacial P(-1). O refinamento da estrutura inclui os parâmetros principais: 2684 reflexões totais; 1885 reflexões independentes; a = 8,033(4) Å, b = 8,039(5) Å, c = 10,022(6) Å, α = 93,77(2)°, β = 96,86(2)°, γ = 97,98(2)°; Z=2; refinamento com matriz completa para F2 e parâmetros térmicos anisotrópicos para átomos não hidrogenóides, obtendo-se índices finais R1 = 0,0741, wR2 = 0,2547. As moléculas do composto 1 associam-se através de ligações de hidrogênio clássicas entre N H ··· O, formando um arranjo supramolecular unidimensional na direção cristalográfica [100]. O composto 5 cristaliza no sistema cristalino monoclínico, grupo espacial C2/c. O refinamento da estrutura inclui os parâmetros principais: 11325 reflexões totais; 2311 8 reflexões independentes; a = 21,455(5) Å, b = 5,538(10) Å, c = 23,228(10) Å, α =γ = 90°, β = 116,301(10)°; Z=4; refinamento com matriz completa para F2 e parâmetros térmicos anisotrópicos para átomos não hidrogenóides, obtendo-se índices finais R1 = 0,0220, wR2 = 0,0799. As moléculas do composto 5 associam-se através de interações Hg-areno-η2,η2 π entre o íon Hg(II) e os átomos de carbono dos anéis periféricos dos dois complexos vizinhos, formando um arranjo supramolecular unidimensional na direção cristalográfica [010]. As redes unidimencionais do [HgII(RPhNNNPhR´)2]n [R = CH3C(O), R´= F] podem ser estendidas à bidimencionais (2D) através de ligações de hidrogênio não-clássicas entre C H···O ao longo da direção cristalográfica [100]. O composto 6 cristaliza no sistema cristalino ortorrômbico, grupo espacial Pbcn. O refinamento da estrutura inclui os parâmetros principais: 16030 reflexões totais; 3214 reflexões independentes; a = 16,3394(11) Å, b = 11,9953(8) Å, c = 17,6042(12) Å, α=β=γ=90°; Z=4; refinamento com matriz completa para F2 e parâmetros térmicos anisotrópicos para átomos não hidrogenóides, obtendo-se índices finais R1 = 0,0466, wR2 = 0,0948. A geometria de coordenação do composto 6 é octaédrica com distorção rômbica ao centro metálico. As moléculas do composto 6 apresenta também ligações de hidrogênio nãoclássica entre C H···O, formando um arranjo supramolecular unidimensional na direção cristalográfica [010]. Os resultados da atividade biológica mostram que o composto 3 apresenta para as bactérias Micrococcus spp, Rhodococcus spp e Staphylococcus saprophyticus ação bacteriostática para a concentração de 128 μg/mL. O composto 4 apresentou atividade bacteriostática somente para a cepa ATCC Staphylococcus aureuS na concentração de 128 μg/mL. Os compostos 2 e 4 não mostraram eficácia para clivagem do DNA plasmidial.

Ce manuscrit décrit la synthèse et la caractérisation de nouveaux systèmes moléculaires à base de phosphore : dans la première partie sont étudiés des dérivés π-conjugués du cycle phosphole et la seconde partie fait état d'assemblages supramoléculaires à ligands phosphines. Tout d'abord, une introduction à la chimie du phosphole (historique, méthodes de synthèse, insertion dans des systèmes π-conjugués) est présentée. Le premier chapitre décrit la synthèse et l'étude physico-chimique de dérivés phospholes possédant un système π étendu afin de les utiliser en tant qu'émetteurs oranges-rouges dans des diodes électroluminescentes organiques (OLEDs). Différentes modifications chimiques de la triple liaison sont ensuite mises en place pour modifier les propriétés optiques des dérivés synthétisés en déplaçant leurs maximas d'absorption et/ou d'émission vers les plus grandes longueurs d'onde. Le chapitre II décrit la synthèse et l'étude de complexes utilisant une brique phosphole acétylénique comme connecteur conjugué entre deux centres métalliques. De nouveaux complexes de Fe(II), Pt(II) et d'Au(I) ont ainsi été développés et la communication électronique entre les métaux est étudiée. La deuxième partie de ces travaux de thèse commence avec un historique sur les complexes de Cu(I) luminescents, qu'ils soient mono- ou polynucléaires, qu'ils possèdent une structure de forme cubane ou autres. Dans le chapitre III, sont présentées les synthèses, les études structurales et optiques de nouveaux assemblages supramoléculaires émissifs à l'état solide synthétisés à partir de clips moléculaires de Cu(I) préassemblés et stabilisés par des ligands phosphines (dppm ou dpmp) avec des ligands connecteurs de type cyano CN-. Ensuite, le dernier chapitre utilise cette même stratégie de synthèse en utilisant des ligands connecteurs organiques à fonctions nitriles terminales et de nouveaux complexes de Cu(I) discrets ou étendus sont caractérisés. Tout au long de cette deuxième partie, les propriétés de luminescence des dérivés de Cu(I) sont étudiées en fonction de leur environnement extérieur et des phénomènes de thermochromisme, de vapochromisme et de mécanochromisme sont mis en évidence chez certains d'entre eux. / This manuscript describes the synthesis and characterization of new molecular systems based on phosphorus atom: we developed and studied π-conjugated systems based on phosphole and secondly supramolecular assemblies with phosphine ligand have been studied. Firstly, an introduction to the phosphole chemistry (history, synthesis methods, integration into π-conjugated systems) is presented. The first chapter describes the synthesis and physico-chemical study of phospholes derivatives having an extended π-system for the development of orange-red emitters in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Different molecular engineering involving the triple bond leads to modifications of the optical properties of the synthesized compounds by red-shifting their absorption and/or emission maxima. Chapter II describes the synthesis and the physical properties of complexes using phosphole based π-systems as linkers between two metal centers. New Fe (II), Pt (II) and Au (I) complexes have been developed and the electronic communication between the two metals is studied. The second part of the thesis work starts with a review on the emissive Cu(I) complexes. In Chapter III, are presented the syntheses, the structural and optical studies of new solid-state emissive supramolecular assemblies synthesized from pre-assembled Cu(I) molecular clips and stabilized by phosphine ligands (dppm or dpmp) with cyano ligands as linkers. Then in the final chapter new Cu(I) complexes are synthesized by using organic ligands with terminal nitrile functions as linkers. The solid-state luminescence properties of these new Cu(I) derivatives are studied according to their external environment and thermochromism, vapochromism and mechanochromism phenomena have been demonstrated for some of them.

Un des défis majeurs du 21ème siècle sera l'économie d'énergie, c'est pourquoi nous recherchons actuellement la plus grande efficacité du matériel et des procédés industriels, couplée à une économie en énergie. La chimie organique moderne n'échappe pas à ce constat et doit en plus fournir les besoins croissants de nouvelles molécules dans le domaine pharmaceutique, l'agrochimie ainsi que la recherche de nouveaux matériaux. L'utilisation de catalyseur à base de métaux de transition a permis de limiter les étapes de synthèse, de diminuer les quantités de réactifs ainsi que d'augmenter l'efficacité des procédés, et donc de réaliser ces économies. De plus, les précurseurs catalytiques, notamment à base de ruthénium, ont permis de créer de nouvelles combinaisons qui ne sont pas permises par les systèmes dit classiques. La transformation d'alcynes catalysée au ruthénium est un outil puissant nous permettant d'accéder en peu d'étapes de synthèse à des molécules polyfonctionnelles. La synthèse de dérivés 1-halo-1,3-diéniques a été réalisé par dimérisation d'alcynes et addition concomitante d'un proton et d'un halogénure. Ces dérivés sont intéressants et pourront être utilisés comme synthon, car de par la présence d'halogènes, les fonctionnalisations et l'incorporation de l'unité 1,3-diènique à des structures plus complexes sont possibles. L'addition d'un halogènure d'hydrogène sur différents alcynes représente la voie de synthèse la plus économique d'un point de vue atomique pour la préparation d'halogénures de vinyles. La catalyse au ruthénium permet d'effectuer cette réaction à température ambiante. Enfin, en appliquant la dimérisation d'alcynes aux diynes, de nouveaux matériaux photoluminescents ont été synthètisés par catalyse au ruthénium. / One of great challenges of this new century will be energy saving. In this order we are looking the most efficient and energy saving equipments and industrial processes. Modern organic chemistry is not an exception, and has to develop more and more molecules to the needs of pharmaceutical, agrochemical and the search for new materials. Shorter synthesis, less quantity of reactants and increased efficiency of reactions can be done by the use of catalyst based on transition metals. Moreover, new reactions have been discovering by the use of catalysts based on transition metal, in particular with catalysts based on ruthenium. This thesis describes the development of new reactions to synthetize complex products from simple reactant as alkynes, by the use of ruthenium-based catalyst. In the first chapter, an efficient, novel and direct access to 1-halo-1,3-butadienes is developed. This stereoselective ruthenium-catalysed reaction proceeds under mild conditions via the head-to-head oxidative coupling of two alkynes and a concomitant hydrohalogenation. In the second chapter, the synthesis of vinyl halide derivatives is developed. The reaction proceeds very fast at room temperature via the Markovnikov addition of hydrogen halide to alkynes. In the third chapter, by application of dimerisation of alkynes to diynes, access to new π-conjugated polymers is developed. UV-visible absorption and emission properties of these polymers will be exposed.

L’aromaticité et l’antiaromaticité demeurent un sujet d’actualité au niveau fondamental puisque ces concepts permettent d’expliquer la réactivité de diverses classes de molécules. Certains composés polycycliques ayant une conjugaison π étendue, comme par exemple les tétraoxa[8]circulènes, ont des cycles aromatiques et antiaromatiques qui affectent leurs propriétés physicochimiques. Les oxacirculènes sont formés d’un anneau de quatre furanes et de quatre benzènes positionnés en alternance et créant un cœur formellement antiaromatique de cyclooctatétraène (COT). Malgré cela, ces composés démontrent une grande stabilité et peuvent servir en tant que composantes de dispositifs optoélectroniques comme des diodes électroluminescentes. Les propriétés optoélectroniques de ces composés et leur organisation moléculaire à l’état solide sont à l’origine d’un comportement unique. Le présent mémoire décrit la synthèse de tétraoxa[8]circulènes par une réaction très spéciale de cyclocondensation de 1,4-quinones catalysée par des acides, permettant d’accéder à des grandes molécules conjuguées en une étape. Les composés synthétisés ont une géométrie qui empêche leur empilement efficace et crée des vides dans la structure cristalline pouvant servir à l’inclusion de molécules invitées. En particulier, l’inclusion de C60 effectuée par cocristallisation cause l’uniformisation des longueurs des liens du cœur COT des oxacirculènes, suggérant des interactions de transfert de charge. Enfin, les propriétés optiques étudiées par spectroscopie UV-vis et par fluorescence indiquent que les oxacirculènes sont sensibles à leur environnement moléculaire et pourraient donc être utilisés comme des senseurs chimiques. / Aromaticity and antiaromaticity remain important topics of chemical research because these concepts explain the reactivity of various classes of molecules. For instance, certain polycyclic compounds with π-extended conjugation, such as tetraoxa[8]circulenes, contain both aromatic and antiaromatic rings, which affect their physicochemical properties. Oxacirculenes consist of a circular arrangement of four furan and four benzene rings positioned in an alternating fashion, thus creating a formally antiaromatic cyclooctatetraene (COT) core. Despite this, oxacirculenes exhibit great stability. They can serve as components in optoelectronic devices such as electroluminescent diodes, and their molecular organisation in the solid state can be controlled in ways that influence their properties. The present memoir describes the synthesis of tetraoxa[8]circulenes by a very special acid-catalysed cyclocondensation reaction starting from suitable 1,4-quinones, thereby allowing the preparation of large conjugated molecules in a single step. The compounds prepared have an awkward molecular structure that inhibits efficient packing and creates voids in the crystal structure, allowing the inclusion of guests. In particular, the inclusion of C60, achieved by cocrystallization, appears to create charge-transfer interactions as indicated by uniformization of bond lengths in the COT core. Optical properties studied by UV-vis spectroscopy and fluorescence show that oxacirculenes are sensitive to their local chemical environment, suggesting that they can be used as chemical sensors for the rapid detection of guests.

Grâce à l’utilisation de catalyseurs sacrifiables issus, la plupart du temps, du groupe principal ou de la première période des éléments de transition, des nouvelles méthodologies de synthèse pour accéder à des molécules complexes ont été développées au cours de cette thèse. i) Des bicyclolactones ont été synthétisées par addition intramoléculaire de β-cétoesters sur des diènes-1,3 catalysée par un système coopératif de Bi(OTf)₃ et d’HOTf. ii) le motif 7-alcynylcycloheptatriène a été étudié et a permis d’accéder sélectivement à différents produits issus soit d’une cycloisomérisation d’énynes-1,6 ou d’une hydroarylation d’allènes, en fonction du caractère dur ou mou de l’acide de Lewis utilisé. iii) Ce motif a ensuite été utilisé comme plateforme pour accéder à des molécules polycycliques en présence d’acides de Lewis ou à des bromophénylallènes en présence d’un agent de bromation. Les bromoallènes ainsi formés ont pu être engagé dans des réactions de couplages C-C et C-N ou dans une réaction de CH-propargylation. iv) La N-éthylation réductrice d’imines en présence d’éthanol et d’un complexe de fer facilement accessible a été étudiée et a conduit à la formation d’amines tertiaires portant trois substituants différents. / Due to the use of sacrificial catalysts, most of the time derived from main group elements or 1st row transition metal, new methodologies were developed in this thesis to access complex molecules. i) Bicyclolactones were synthesized by an intramolecular addition of β-ketoesters into 1,3-dienes catalyzed by a cooperative Bi(OTf)₃ / HOTf catalytic system. ii) The 7-alkynylcyclohepatriene moiety was studied and afforded different products provided by a cycloisomerization of 1,6-enynes or an hydroarylation of allenes. The selectivity of this reaction is dependent of the soft or hard character of the Lewis acids engaged. iii) Afterward, the 7-alkynylcycloheptatriene moeity was used as a plateform to access various polycyclic molecules in presence of Lewis acids or bromophenylallenes in presence of a bromation agent. Thus the bromoallene formed can be engaged in C-C and C-N cross coupling reactions or in a CH propargylation reaction. iv) The reductive ethylation of imines using ethanol and a simple iron complex was developed and led to the formation of tertiary amines with three different substituents.