No description available.

Le paludisme est la plus importante infection parasitaire dans le monde, menaçant environ 40% de la population humaine. Dans les dernières années c'est devenu un problème de santé publique majeur en raison de l'augmentation des parasites résistants aux traitements actuels. Certains complexes NHC-or(I) présentent des activités antipaludiques, et sont une alternative très prometteuse dans le traitement du paludisme en raison de leur potentiel inhibiteur de la thiorédoxine réductase (TrxR) qui joue un rôle majeur dans la chaîne respiratoire mitochondriale (une des deux voies actives à l'état de quiescence des parasites résistants). Dans ce travail de thèse, un panel de complexes médicament-NHC-or(I) a été synthétisé et caractérisé. Le premier groupe de molécules concerne une famille de complexes cationiques bis-NHC-or(I) et de complexes neutres mono-NHC-or(I) fonctionnalisés avec substituents aliphatiques ou aromatiques. Le groupe comprend trois séries. Les trois séries ont été testées contre la souche sensible de F32-TEM de P. falciparum présentant des activités élevées, avec des valeurs d'IC50 de l'orde du nM. Le deuxième groupe concerne une série de complexes cationiques bis-NHC-or(I) fonctionnalisés avec des substituants aliphatiques ou aromatiques comprenant un groupement triclosan relié par un connecteur aliphatique. Le triclosan inhibe la voie de synthèse des acides gras, qui reste également active chez les parasites résistants. Ces complexes ont été testés contre P. falciparum, montrant des activités élevées avec des valeurs IC50 dans la gamme du nM. Les ligands de cette série et leurs complexes respectifs ont également été testés contre L. infantum, l'un des parasites provoquant la leishmaniose, et se sont révélés très efficaces sous les formes amastigote et promastigote, avec des valeurs d'IC50 dans le bas µM. / Malaria is the most important parasitic infection in people, threatening around 40% of the human population. In the last years it has become a bigger public health concern because of the augmentation of malaria parasites resistant to artemisinin and its derivatives. Some NHC-gold(I) complexes show antimalarial activities, being a very promising alternative in malaria treatment because of their potential to inhibit thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) that plays a major role in mitochondrial respiratory chain (one of the two pathways that remains active in the quiescent state of the resistant parasites). In this work of thesis a panel of drug-NHC-gold(I) complexes including artemisinin and triclosan moieties has been synthesized and characterized with the objective of developing hybrid molecules with a dual mode of action able to overcome plasmodium resistance to artemisinin and its derivatives. The first group of molecules concerns a family of aliphatic or aromatic-functionalized cationic bis-NHC-gold(I) and neutral mono-NHC-gold(I) complexes with an artemisinin moiety connected through an aliphatic linker. The group includes three series depending on the length of the aliphatic linker (C3, C4, and C5). The three series have been tested against the sensible F32-TEM strain of P. falciparum showing high activities with IC50 values in the nM range. The second group concerns a series of aliphatic or aromatic-functionalized bis-NHC-gold(I) complexes with an triclosan moiety connected through an aliphatic linker. Triclosan inhibits the fatty acid synthesis pathway, which also remains active in the quiescent state on resistant parasites. These complexes were tested against P. falciparum showing, high activities with IC50 values in the nM range. The ligands of this series and their respective complexes have been also tested against one of the leishmaniosis causing parasites, L. infantum, being very effective in both, amastigote and promastigote forms, with IC50 values in the low µM range.

The present work focusses on the borylation of aryl halides. The first chapter presents a detailed review about previously reported nickel-catalyzed borylation reactions. The second chapter of the thesis describes, the borylation reaction of C–Cl bonds in aryl chlorides mediated by an NHC-stabilized nickel catalyst. The cyclohexyl substituted NHC Cy2Im was used to synthesize novel Cy2Im-stabilized nickel complexes [Ni2(Cy2Im)4(μ-(η2:η2)-COD)] 1, [Ni(Cy2Im)2(η2-C2H4)] 2, and [Ni(Cy2Im)2(η2-COE)] 3. An optimized procedure was developed using 5 mol% of the Ni-catalyst, 1.5 equivalents of the boron reagent B2pin2, and 1.5 equivalents of NaOAc as the base in methylcyclohexane at 100 °C. With these optimized conditions, it was shown that a variety of aryl chlorides, containing either electron-withdrawing or -donating groups, were converted to the corresponding aryl boronic esters in yields up to 99% (88% isolated) yield. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the C–Cl oxidative addition product [Ni(Cy2Im)2(Cl)(4-F3C-C6H4)] 11, which has been synthesized and isolated separately, also catalyzes the reaction. Thus, rapid oxidative addition of the C–Cl bond of the aryl chloride to [Ni2(Cy2Im)4(μ-(η2:η2)-COD)] 1 to yield trans-[Ni(Cy2Im)2(Cl)(Ar)] represents the first step in the catalytic cycle. The rate limiting step in this catalytic cycle is the transmetalation of boron to nickel forming trans-[Ni(Cy2Im)2(Bpin)(Ar)], which was not possible to isolate. The boryl transfer reagent is assumed to be the anionic adduct Na[B2pin2(OAc)]. A final reductive elimination step gives the desired borylated product Ar–Bpin and regenerates [Ni(Cy2Im)2]. In the next chapter the first effective C–Cl bond borylation of aryl chlorides using NHC-stabilized Cu(I)-complexes of the type [Cu(NHC)(Cl)] was developed. The known complexes [Cu(iPr2Im)(Cl)] 15, [Cu(Me2ImMe)(Cl)] 16, and [Cu(Cy2Im)(Cl)] 17, bearing the small alkyl substituted NHCs, were synthesized in good yields by the reaction of copper(I) chloride with the corresponding free NHC at low temperature (-78 °C) in THF. A range of catalysts, bases, solvents, and boron sources were screened to determine the scope and limitations of this reaction. [Cu(Cy2Im)(Cl)] 17 revealed a significantly higher catalytic activity than [Cu(iPr2Im)(Cl)] 15. KOtBu turned out to be the only efficient base for this borylation reaction. Besides methylcyclohexane, toluene was the only solvent that gave the borylated product in moderate yields of 53%. It was shown that a variety of electron-rich and electron-poor aryl chlorides can be converted to the corresponding aryl boronic esters in isolated yields of up to 80%. A mechanism was proposed, in which a Cu-boryl complex [Cu(L)(Bpin)] is formed in the initial step. This is followed by C–B bond formation via σ-bond metathesis with the aryl chloride forming the aryl boronic ester and [Cu(L)(Cl)]. The latter reacts with KOtBu to give [Cu(L)(OtBu)], which regenerates the copper boryl complex by reaction with B2pin2. Chapter 4 describes studies directed towards the transition metal-free borylation of aryl halides using Lewis base adducts of diborane(4) compounds. A variety of novel pyridine and NHC adducts of boron compounds were synthesized. Adducts of the type pyridine·B2cat2 18-19 and NHC·B2(OR)4 20-23 were examined for their ability to transfer a boryl moiety to an aryl iodide. However, only Me2ImMe∙B2pin2 20 was found to be effective. The stoichiometric reaction of 20 with different substituted aryl iodides and bromides in benzene, at elevated temperatures, gave the desired aryl boronic esters in good yields. Interestingly, depending on the reaction temperature, C–C coupling between the aryl halide and the solvent (benzene), was detected leading to a side product which, together with observed hydrodehalogenation of the aryl halide, provided indications that the reaction might be radical in nature. When the boryl transfer reaction based on Me2ImMe∙B2pin2 20 was followed by EPR spectroscopy, a signal (though very weak and ill-defined) was detected, which is suggestive of a mechanism involving a boron-based radical. In addition, the boronium cation [(Me2ImMe)2∙Bpin]+ 37 with iodide as the counterion was isolated from the reaction residue, indicating the fate of the second boryl moiety. A preliminary mechanism for the boryl transfer from 20 to aryl iodides was proposed, which involves an NHC–Bpin˙ radical as the key intermediate. Me2ImMe–Bpin˙ is formed by homolytic B–B bond cleavage of the bis-NHC adduct (Me2ImMe)2∙B2pin2, which is formed in situ in small amounts under the reaction conditions. Me2ImMe–Bpin˙ reacts with the aryl iodide to give the aryl boronic ester with recovery of aromaticity. In the same step, from the second equivalent of NHC–Bpin˙, an NHC-stabilized iodo-Bpin adduct is formed as an intermediate, which is further coordinated by another NHC, yielding [(Me2ImMe)2∙Bpin]+I- 37. / Das erste Kapitel gibt zunächst einen detaillierten Überblick über die Nickel-katalysierte Borylierung. Das zweite Kapitel dieser Arbeit beschreibt die Borylierung von Arylchloriden mithilfe NHC-stabilisierter Nickelkatalysatoren. Dafür wurden zunächst die Nickelkomplexe [Ni2(Cy2Im)4(μ-(η2:η2)-COD)] 1, [Ni(Cy2Im)2(η2-C2H4)] 2 und [Ni(Cy2Im)2(η2-COE)] 3 dargestellt. Als optimale Bedingungen für die Borylierung haben sich 5 Mol-% des Ni-Katalysators, 1.5 Äquivalente des Borylierungsreagenzes B2pin2 und 1.5 Äquivalente NaOAc als Base in Methylcyclohexan bei 100 °C erwiesen. Unter diesen optimierten Bedingungen lassen sich eine Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Arylchloride in die jeweiligen Arylboronsäureester in Ausbeuten von bis zu 99% (88% für die isolierte Verbindung) überführen. Der Komplex [Ni(Cy2Im)2(Cl)(4-F3C-C6H4)] 11, das Produkt der oxidativen Addition von 4-F3C-C6H4-Cl an [Ni2(Cy2Im)4(μ-(η2:η2)-COD)] 1, katalysiert ebenfalls die Reaktion. Mechanistischen Untersuchungen zufolge, stellt die rasche oxidative Addition der C–Cl-Bindung des Arylchlorids an [Ni2(Cy2Im)4(μ-(η2:η2)-COD)] 1 unter der Ausbildung von trans-[Ni(Cy2Im)2(Cl)(Ar)], den ersten Schritt des Katalysezykluses dar. Der geschwindigkeitsbestimmende Schritt in diesem Katalysezyklus ist die Transmetallierung von Bor zu Nickel unter Bildung von trans-[Ni(Cy2Im)2(Bpin)(Ar)]. Es wird angenommen, dass es sich bei dem Boryltransferreagenz um das anionische Addukt Na[B2pin2(OAc)] handelt. Ein letzter reduktiver Eliminierungsschritt ergibt das gewünschte borylierte Produkt Ar–Bpin unter Rückgewinnung von [Ni(Cy2Im)2]. Im nächsten Kapitel der Arbeit wurde die erste effiziente C–Cl-Borylierung von Arylchloriden entwickelt. Eine Reihe verschiedener Katalysatoren des Typs [Cu(NHC)(Cl)], Basen, Lösungsmitteln und Borylierungsreagenzien wurden untersucht, um die Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und Grenzen dieser Reaktion zu bestimmen. Der Komplex [Cu(Cy2Im)(Cl)] 17 zeigte dabei eine signifikant höhere katalytische Aktivität als [Cu(iPr2Im)(Cl)] 15. Des Weiteren erwies sich KOtBu als einzige geeignete Base für diese Reaktion und Methylcyclohexan stellte sich als optimales Lösungsmittel heraus. Unter diesen optimierten Bedingungen lassen sich eine Vielzahl, sowohl elektronenreicher als auch elektronenarmer Arylchloride in die entsprechenden Arylboronsäureester in Ausbeuten von bis zu 80% überführen. Ein Mechanismus der Reaktion wurde postuliert, wonach zunächst ein Kupfer-Boryl-Komplex [Cu(L)(Bpin)] gebildet wird. Darauf folgt die Knüpfung einer C–B-Bindung durch eine σ-Bindungsmetathese mit dem Arylchlorid, wobei der gewünschte Arylboronsäureester und [Cu(L)(Cl)] gebildet wird. Im Folgenden reagiert [Cu(L)(Cl)] mit KOtBu zu [Cu(L)(OtBu)], wodurch durch Reaktion mit B2pin2 der Kupfer-Boryl-Komplex regeneriert wird. Kapitel 4 beschreibt Untersuchungen zur übergangsmetallfreien Borylierung von Arylhalogeniden unter Verwendung von Lewis-Basen-Addukten von Diboran(4)-Verbindungen. Die Addukte des Typs Pyridin·B2cat2 18-19 und NHC·B2(OR)4 20-23 wurden weiter auf ihre Fähigkeiten hin untersucht, eine Boryleinheit auf ein Aryliodid zu übertragen. Ausschließlich Me2ImMe∙B2pin2 20 stellte sich hierbei als wirksam heraus. Die stöchiometrische Reaktion von 20 mit verschiedenartig substituierten Aryliodiden und -bromiden in Benzol bei erhöhten Temperaturen lieferte die gewünschten Arylboronsäureester in guten Ausbeuten. Interessanterweise wurde als Nebenreaktion eine von der Reaktionstemperatur abhängige C–C-Kupplung zwischen dem Arylhalogenid und dem Lösungsmittel (Benzol) beobachtet. Sowohl das C–C-Kupplungsnebenprodukt, als auch eine beobachtete Hydrodehalogenierung des Arylhalogenids deuten darauf hin, dass die Reaktion von radikalischer Natur sein könnte. Die Verfolgung der von Me2ImMe∙B2pin2 20 ausgehenden Boryltransferreaktion mittels ESR-Spektroskopie zeigte ein Signal, was auf einen Mechanismus mit Beteiligung eines Borradikals hinweist. Weitere Untersuchungen ergaben experimentelle Beweise für die Anwesenheit von Radikalen im Verlauf der Reaktion. Des Weiteren wurde das Boroniumkation [(Me2ImMe)2∙Bpin]+ 37 mit Iodid als Gegenion aus dem Reaktionsrückstand isoliert, was den Verbleib der zweiten Boryleinheit erklärt. Ein vorläufiger Mechanismus für den Boryltransfer von Me2ImMe∙B2pin2 20 auf Aryliodide wurde vorgeschlagen, wobei ein NHC–Bpin˙-Radikal als Schlüsselintermediat fungiert. Me2ImMe–Bpin˙ wird durch homolytische Spaltung der B–B-Bindung des Bis-NHC-Addukts (Me2ImMe)2∙B2pin2 gebildet, welches unter den gegebenen Reaktionsbedingungen in geringen Mengen in situ gebildet wird. Me2ImMe–Bpin˙ reagiert mit dem Aryliodid unter Rückgewinnung der Aromatizität zum gewünschten Arylboronsäureester. Im gleichen Schritt wird aus dem zweiten Äquivalent NHC–Bpin˙ ein NHC-stabilisiertes Iod-Bpin-Addukt als Zwischenprodukt gebildet. Dieses wird von einem weiteren NHC unter Bildung von [(Me2ImMe)2∙Bpin]+I- 37 koordiniert.

L’objectif de cette thèse a été de développer des matériaux catalytiques contenant des complexes Ru(NHC), à partir de matériaux hybrides organique-inorganique contenant des fonctions imidazolium parfaitement distribuées dans une matrice de silice. La passivation de surface de ces matériaux, suivie de la formation du NHC et d’une réaction avec [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 a permis d’obtenir des espèces de surface bien définies de formule générale RuCl2(NHC)(L), où L est un ligand para-cymene (p-cymene) ou un ligand THF, selon les conditions de réaction, et peut être remplacé par PMe3. Ces catalyseurs ont ensuite été testés dans la réaction d’hydrogénation du CO2 en présence d’amines pour donner des formamides. Les systèmes mono-NHC se sont avérés très actifs en présence de ligands PMe3, mais la lixiviation du métal a été observée, mettant en évidence la faible stabilité de la liaison Ru-NHC dans les conditions de réaction. Cependant, des systèmes dinucléaires Ru(bis-NHC) ont été développés, et ils ont montré une meilleure activité et stabilité que les systèmes mono-NHC dans l’hydrogénation du CO2, en présence de PMe3 comme ligand. Cela a permis d’utiliser des températures de réaction bien plus élevées (200°C) et d’obtenir des catalyseurs hétérogènes avec des performances s’approchant du meilleur catalyseur homogène, Cl2Ru(dppe)2. / The goal of this PhD was to elaborate supported Ru-NHC catalytic materials based on hybrid organic-inorganic materials having imidazolium units perfectly distributed within a silica matrix. Passivation of these imidazolium materials followed by formation of NHC-carbene and reaction with [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 provided these well-defined surface sites of general structures RuCl2(NHC)(L), where L was para-cymene (p-cymene) or THF depending on the reaction conditions, which could be further replaced by PMe3. These systems were then tested in the hydrogenation of CO2 in presence of amine to give formamides. The mono-NHC systems were highly active only in the presence of PMe3 ligands, but suffered from Ru leaching, evidencing the low stability of the NHC-Ru bond under the reaction conditions. On the other hand, dinuclear bis-NHC Ru systems were also developed, and they displayed much improved activity and stability in the hydrogenation of CO2 in the presence of PMe3 compared to the mono-NHC systems. This allowed the use of much higher reaction temperatures (200 °C) and provided heterogeneous catalysts with performances close to those obtained with the best homogeneous catalysts, Cl2Ru(dppe)2.

Thesis advisor: Amir H. HOveyda / Chapter 1: Ag-Catalyzed Enantioselective Vinylogous Mannich Reactions of Ketoimines Few catalytic methods have been reported for the enantioselective synthesis of N-substituted quaternary carbon stereogenic centers, typically the low reactivity of the electrophilic partner cannot be overcome. Herein, a silver-based catalyst is described which promotes highly site-, diastereo-, and enantioselective additions of siloxyfurans to ansidine-derived ketoimino esters. Mechanistic investigations, undertaken to elucidate the nature of the active silver-phosphine complex, supported the proposed origin for the anti-selective Mannich-type additions. Chapter 2: New Catalysts for the Enantioselective Cu-Catalyzed Additions of Allyl Groups to Phosphinoylaldimines The deficiencies in modern organic synthesis regarding the preparation of chiral molecules bearing amines, despite their incredible significance, are addressed. The development of a new method and catalyst for the preparation of enantiomerically enriched allyl-substituted alpha-chiral amines is described. Copper based catalysts bearing chiral C1-symmetric N-heterocyclic carbenes promote reactions between diphenylphosphinoyl aldimines and allyl boronic acid pinacol ester affording the homoallylic amines with high levels of efficiency and selectivity. Furthermore, the mechanistic rationale describing the selectivity patterns of the designed catalysts is analyzed. Chapter 3: NHC-Cu-Catalyzed Enantioselective Propargyl Group Additions to Phosphinoylaldimines The copper complex of a chiral N-heterocyclic carbene is found to be uniquely effective at promoting highly selective reactions of a commercially available allenylboron reagent and diphenylphosphinoyl aldimines. The enantiomerically enriched homopropargylic amines are exclusively afforded within an hour in the presence of as low as 0.25 mol % catalyst. The utility of the method is further demonstrated through the elaboration of the appended alkyne to difficult-to-access functionalities, highlighted by the synthesis of a key fragment for the preparation of the aza-epothilones, macrocyclic lactams which exhibit acute cytotoxicity. Chapter 4: Metal-Free Catalysts for Enantioselective Synthesis of Allenic Carbinols A metal-free catalyst, unique in structure and mechanism, is developed to address the remaining deficiencies in allyl addition chemistry, an area dominated by metal catalysis. The key organizational and enabling feature of the catalyst is a proton, a simple point charge which affects the facility of the C-C bond formation through electrostatic interactions. The unique alpha-selectivity delivered by the boron-based catalyst, a product of a catalytic cycle characterized by two gamma-selective allyl transfer processes, allows for the unprecedented synthesis of enantiopure allenyl-substituted tertiary alcohols. Moreover, the described transfomations can be performed in a matter of minutes with ˂0.5 mol % catalyst.

Die vorliegende Arbeit ist in zwei Teile gegliedert und befasst sich im ersten Abschnitt mit der stöchiometrischen und katalytischen Aktivierung von Element-Element-Bindungen an NHC-stabilisierten Eisen(II)-Komplexen. Im Fokus der Untersuchungen steht hierbei sowohl die Isolierung und Charakterisierung neuartiger NHC-stabilisierter Eisen-Komplexe sowie deren Nutzung als Katalysatoren in der Hydrosilylierung von Carbonylverbindungen und der Hydrophosphanierung von Mehrfachbindungssystemen. Der zweite Teil dieser Arbeit ist der Reaktivität N-heterocyclischer Carbene gegenüber Hauptgruppenelement-Verbindungen wie beispielsweise Chlorsilanen, Stannanen, Phosphanen und Alanen gewidmet. Neben der Aufklärung mechanistischer Details der Reaktionen ist die übergangsmetallfreie Hydrodefluorierung von Fluoraromaten zentraler Bestandteil dieser Untersuchungen. / The present thesis is divided into two parts, the first of which is concerned with the stoichiometric and catalytic activation of element-element bonds at NHC-stabilized iron(II) complexes. The focus of these investigations is on the isolation and characterization of novel NHC-stabilized iron complexes and on their utilization as catalysts in the hydrosilylation of carbonyl compounds, as well as in the hydrophosphination of unsaturated hydrocarbons. The second part of this thesis addresses the reactivity of N-heterocyclic carbenes towards main-group element compounds such as chlorosilanes, stannanes, phosphines and alanes. Besides the elucidation of mechanistic details, the transition-metal-free hydrodefluorination of fluorinated aromatic compounds is a central part of this work

N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHC) present a viable alternative to traditional phosphine ligands in a variety of organometallic mediated catalytic reactions. Singlet ground-state carbenes are stabilized by the push-pull presence of two adjacent nitrogen atoms in an imidizolium 5-membered ring, allowing neutral electron donor properties. The ability to synthesize a variety of NHC ligands with differing steric and electronic properties is possible by changing the sustiuents on the nitrogen atoms of the imidizolium. Tunable characteristics and enhanced chemical and thermal stability give NHC’s an advantage over phosphines in many catalytic systems. This dissertation focuses on the use N-Hetercyclic Carbenes in a variety of organometallic complexes. The synthesis of NHC complexes with a variety of transition metals is described. The transition metals complexed with NHC’s include palladium, iridium, nickel and ruthenium. The catalytic activity of the metal-NHC complexes is investigated as well.

No description available.

Chapter one introduces N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and discusses their use as ligands for rare earth metal complexes, with particular emphasis upon compounds synthesised from 2009 until the present day. Chapter two details the synthesis and characterisation of the homoleptic scandium-NHC complex [Sc(L)3] (L = [OCMe2CH2(1-C{NCHCHNiPr})]). Reactions of [Sc(L)3] with boranes, CO2 and CS2 are described which exploit the relative lability of the Sc–Ccarbene bond and allow formation of [Sc(L)2(OCMe2CH2(1-B'C{NCHCHNiPr}))] (B' = 9-BBN, BPh3, B(C6F5)3, BH3), [Sc(OCMe2CH2(1-O2CC{NCHCHNiPr})3]n, [Sc(L)2(OCMe2CH2 (1-S2CC{NCHCHNiPr})] and [Sc(L)(OCMe2CH2(1-S2CC{NCHCHNiPr})2]2. The chapter also discusses the reactivity of [Sc(L)3] towards substrates containing acidic C–H and N–H bonds and substrates containing polar E–X bonds (where E = C, Si, B, P and X = Cl, I). Chapter three describes the synthesis and characterisation of the NHC substituted scandium benzyl complexes [Sc(Bn)2(L)]2 and [Sc(Bn)(L)2], and the attempted synthesis of NHC substituted scandium aminobenzyl complexes. The reactivity of [Sc(Bn)2(L)]2 with RX substrates (R = alkyl) is discussed in detail; depending on the nature of the alkyl group, these reactions can allow formation of R–Bn , the result of carbon-carbon coupling. The complex [Sc(Bn)(L)Cl]2 has been isolated from these reactions and is structurally characterised. The reactivity of [Sc(Bn)2(L)]2 towards C–H bonds is explored and attempts to prepare NHC substituted scandium hydrides are described. Comparisons of the relative stability and reactivity of [Sc(Bn)2(L)]2 and [Sc(Bn)3(thf)3] are drawn. Chapter four documents the synthesis and characterisation of [Sc(Odtbp)2(L)] (Odtbp = 2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxide), [Sc(Odtbp)(L)2], and the samarium analogue [Sm(Odtbp)(L)2]. The reactivity of these complexes towards various small molecules is described. The chapter also details attempts to prepare the cationic scandium complexes [Sc(L)2][Bort] (Bort = bis[3,3',5,5'-tetra-(tert-butyl)-2,2-diphenolato]borate) and [Sc(L)2][B(Ph)4]. Chapter five provides overall conclusions to the work presented in this thesis. Chapter six contains all experimental and characterising data for the complexes and reactions detailed in this work.

This thesis describes the preparation of a various NHC ligands with five and six-membered rings, different fused aromatic cores and the subsequent synthetic development of their complexation of with Ag, Ru and Pd. The investigation and preparation of these compunds was with the intention of exploring their chemical and physical properties. The synthesis of the NHC ligands proved to be difficult, but analysis and characterisation of the side products from the reactions helped to establish successful synthetic methodologies. In both the five and six-membered research conducted a common attribute was established of a pyrid-2-yl substituent at the 1 position or both the 1 and 3 positions, thus providing new NHC ligands to investigate. The organic syntheis of the research focused on two NHC ligand functionalites, five and six membered rings. The six memerbered rings focused on 1H-perimidine as the core unit and the design of both bidentate and tridentate NHC ligands to mimic the structural binding relationship of 2,2’- bipyridine (bpy) and 2,2’:6’2”-terpyridine (tpy) with various metal salts. The synthesis of the bpy analogues was achieved in good overall yields with minimal synthetic challenges. However, the tpy analogue was unable to be realised due to time constraints and problems associated with its synthesis. The five membered NHC ligands synthesised were to investigate the physical effects of systematically increasing the size of its aromatic core. The main focus of the research was on the phenanthrene imidazole NHC ligands. This was investigated due to the minimal research that has been conducted on this core unit and NHC-complexes. Synthesis of the two-bidentate NHC ligands with an imidazole head group and fused phenanthrene backbone were completed, but this was with a picolyl substituent at the 1 position rather than the pyrid-2-yl substituent. This failure to isolate this product was attributed to steric influences. Pyrene-fused-imidazole NHC ligands were also investigated and pyrene offers a NHC core that hasn’t been investigated previously. However, synthesis and isolation of the NHC ligands proved to be difficult and was associated with the poor solubility of the NHC ligands. The organometallic NHC synthesis was studied extensively with the main focus on establishing appropriate conditions to give a NHC complex. The main metal investigated was ruthenium as subsequent NHC complexes were expected to have potentially interesting properties such as luminescence. The synthesis of a perimidine and phenanthrene NHC ruthenium complexes have not been isolated before, thus giving new NHC complexes. Many different synthetic routes were attempted to synthesise a perimidine NHC ruthenium complex. However, this proved difficult due to associated higher reactivity of the carbene carbon of perimidine with a new side product as a result of this research. The phenanthrene NHC complex synthesis suffered due to time constraints but potential methodology for their synthesis is stated.