The exploration and application of nanomaterials have been attracting researchers’ attention in recent decades. Nanocatalysts, as one of the very important classes of nanomaterials, have been developed for several generations. Nanotechnology makes light be possibly utilized in catalysis rather than only heat and allows multifunctional parts to be assembled in one catalyst. The TiO2 (as the representative of hetero-photocatalyst) and iron-based magnetic catalysts (as multifunctional catalyst) will be discussed in detail in this thesis. The first chapter will introduce the background of catalysts and nanomaterials. TiO2, especially black TiO2, will be mainly discussed in the aspects of properties, synthesis, and applications. Another part of the chapter will talk about the separation-friendly catalyst – magnetic heterogenous catalysts’ synthesis and applications. Chapter 2 focuses on the synthetic route we used and the characterization of black TiO2 catalysts and magnetic catalysts. Both anatase and rutile black TiO2 catalysts were successfully prepared originally from Degussa P25 using the ethanol reduction method. The re-whitening treatment was also examined on both black TiO2 catalysts. All catalysts were characterized and compared by diffuse reflectance (DR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS). Tauc plot results show that black TiO2 has smaller band gap than white TiO2. XPS revealed the existence of surface -OH species and Ti3+ in black TiO2. Furthermore, these two characterization techniques and XRD all proved that the blackening and re-whitening treatment does not change the crystalline phase of the catalysts, and the blackening treatment is reversible. For magnetic catalysts, we synthesized magnetic Fe2O3, Fe2O3@TiO2, copper/iron oxide magnetic TiO2, and black magnetic catalysts. Other than diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray elemental mapping analysis were used for determining the light-absorption properties, composition, and morphology of all synthesized magnetic catalysts. In addition, the magnetic separation was also achieved by simply applying an external magnetic field. Chapter 3 will discuss and compare the decarboxylation reaction activities of pristine, black, and re-whited TiO2 catalysts. The reactions were carried under the UV, blue, red, green, and white light irradiation. Unfortunately, the reaction was found only working under UV-light irradiation. The best solvent was dioxane which may be due to the proton affinity of the oxygen atom in dioxane molecule, which facilitates the deprotonation of the carboxylic acid. The optimal catalyst amount was found as 10 mg per 5 mL reaction mixture, and the kinetic study shows that the reaction is a pseudo-first order reaction. It is a pity that the performance of black TiO2 catalysts is worse than the pristine and re-whitened TiO2. Chapter 4 will talk about the sol-gel synthesized magnetic catalysts. These catalysts were used for aldehyde-alkyne-amine (A3) coupling reaction. The reaction was tested by light irradiating or traditional heating, but only heating can make the reaction proceed. Results also show that the coupling reaction requires copper to finish. The best solvent was found as toluene and the optimal reaction time is 6 hours at 120 ̊C. Sadly, the reactivity of copper/iron oxide magnetic TiO2 decreases a lot after three reaction cycles because of the copper leaching problem.

A presente dissertação de mestrado descreve estudos sobre as reações multicomponentes A3 na versão assimétrica. Diversas metodologias foram empregadas visando a obtenção de propargilaminas opticamente ativas, que são blocos sintéticos versáteis na preparação de compostos bioativos. O trabalho foi dividido em duas partes. Na primeira parte, estudou-se a utilização de aminas opticamente puras como materiais de partida para a reação tricomponente A3. Neste caso, foi utilizada a 2-metilpropan-2-sulfinamida como amina principal, no entanto, o produto de acoplamento não foi obtido, mesmo em diversas condições testadas. Outras aminas opticamente puras, como a (S)- metilbenzilamina e aminas derivadas de amino ácidos, também foram testadas. Os resultados, quanto às razões diastereoisoméricas e rendimento, foram satisfatórios quando aminas derivadas de amino ácidos foram utilizadas, principalmente quando o éster metílico da L-polina foi empregado como fonte de amina, que levou a formação do produto em bom rendimento e uma razão enantiomérica de 15:85. Na segunda parte do trabalho estudou-se a utilização de auxiliares quirais, na reação de A3, como indutores de assimetria. Para tanto, diversos compostos foram testados como oxazolinas opticamente puras e derivados de L-prolina. / This masters thesis describes studies for the asymmetric version of A3 multicomponent reactions. Several methodologies were employed in order to obtain optically active propargylamines, which are versatile synthetic building blocks on the preparation of bioactive compounds. The work was divided into two parts. In the first part, we investigated the use of optically pure amines as starting materials for the A3-coupling reaction. In this case, we used the 2-methylpropan-2-sulfinamide as the main amine, however, the coupling product was not obtained, even under several reaction conditions. Other optically pure amines such as (S)-methylbenzylamine and amines derived from amino acids, were also tested. The yields and diastereomeric excess were satisfactory when amines derived from amino acids were employed, especially when the methyl ester of L-poline was used as amine source, which led to the formation of the product in good yield and diastereoisomeric ratio. In the second part we studied the use of chiral auxiliaries in the A3-coupling reaction to induce the asymmetry. Therefore, several compounds were tested as optically pure oxazolines and L-proline derivatives.

A presente dissertação de mestrado descreve estudos sobre as reações multicomponentes A3 na versão assimétrica. Diversas metodologias foram empregadas visando a obtenção de propargilaminas opticamente ativas, que são blocos sintéticos versáteis na preparação de compostos bioativos. O trabalho foi dividido em duas partes. Na primeira parte, estudou-se a utilização de aminas opticamente puras como materiais de partida para a reação tricomponente A3. Neste caso, foi utilizada a 2-metilpropan-2-sulfinamida como amina principal, no entanto, o produto de acoplamento não foi obtido, mesmo em diversas condições testadas. Outras aminas opticamente puras, como a (S)- metilbenzilamina e aminas derivadas de amino ácidos, também foram testadas. Os resultados, quanto às razões diastereoisoméricas e rendimento, foram satisfatórios quando aminas derivadas de amino ácidos foram utilizadas, principalmente quando o éster metílico da L-polina foi empregado como fonte de amina, que levou a formação do produto em bom rendimento e uma razão enantiomérica de 15:85. Na segunda parte do trabalho estudou-se a utilização de auxiliares quirais, na reação de A3, como indutores de assimetria. Para tanto, diversos compostos foram testados como oxazolinas opticamente puras e derivados de L-prolina. / This masters thesis describes studies for the asymmetric version of A3 multicomponent reactions. Several methodologies were employed in order to obtain optically active propargylamines, which are versatile synthetic building blocks on the preparation of bioactive compounds. The work was divided into two parts. In the first part, we investigated the use of optically pure amines as starting materials for the A3-coupling reaction. In this case, we used the 2-methylpropan-2-sulfinamide as the main amine, however, the coupling product was not obtained, even under several reaction conditions. Other optically pure amines such as (S)-methylbenzylamine and amines derived from amino acids, were also tested. The yields and diastereomeric excess were satisfactory when amines derived from amino acids were employed, especially when the methyl ester of L-poline was used as amine source, which led to the formation of the product in good yield and diastereoisomeric ratio. In the second part we studied the use of chiral auxiliaries in the A3-coupling reaction to induce the asymmetry. Therefore, several compounds were tested as optically pure oxazolines and L-proline derivatives.

Esta dissertação de mestrado descreve os resultados obtidos acerca da aplicação de reações de acoplamento entre aldeídos, aminas e alquinos (A3) visando a síntese de alcalóides indolizidínicos de ocorrência natural, como a desoxicastanospermina e a swainsonina. A reação de acoplamento-A3 é uma poderosa ferramenta de construção de ligação carbono-carbono e carbono-heteroátomo, permitindo a preparação de propargilaminas que podem ser exploradas como intermediários de grande potencial sintético. A proposta está baseada na reação de acoplamento de um reagente organometálico, gerado in situ a partir de um alquino e um sal ou complexo metálico, e um eletrófilo nitrogenado, que consiste em uma imina ou sal de imínio também gerado in situ a partir de uma amina e um aldeído. Hidroxialdeídos apropriados foram preparados e empregados no acoplamento-A3 juntamente com alquinóis não-protegidos, de modo que a propargilamina resultante contivesse funcionalizações estrategicamente posicionadas visando permitir duas ciclizações via nitrogênio e a conseqüente formação de esqueletos indolizidínicos. Para este mesmo fim, diversas aminas foram testadas no acoplamento, de forma que fosse possível uma N-desproteção compatível com os demais grupos funcionais necessários à síntese dos alcalóides. Dentre estas, dibenzilamina e dialilamina levaram a bons resultados no acoplamento, utilizando um α-hidroxialdeído O-protegido ou um δ-hidroxialdeído livre. Tal metodologia possibilitou a síntese de três propargilaminas a serem utilizadas como intermediários sintéticos na síntese de alcalóides indolizidínicos hidroxilados: 5-(dibenzilamino)-6-((2-metoxietoxi)metoxi)-8- ((tetrahidro-2H-piran-2-il)oxi)oct-3-in-1-ol, 4-(dibenzilamino)oct-2-ino-1,8-diol e 4- (dialilamino)oct-2-ino-1,8-diol; em rendimentos globais de 39% (6 etapas reacionais), 68% (2 etapas) e 57% (2 etapas), respectivamente. Entretanto, no caso específico da propargilamina derivada da dibenzilamina, não obteve-se sucesso nas tentativas de desproteção do nitrogênio e concomitante redução seletiva da ligação tripla à dupla por hidrogenação. / This Masters thesis concerns the results obtained toward the application of amine-aldehyde- akyne coupling reactions (A3) aiming at the synthesis of naturally occurring indolizidine alkaloids, such as deoxycastanospermine and swainsonine. The A3- coupling reaction is a powerful tool for the construction of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds, allowing the preparation of functionalized propargylamines that may be explored as synthetically useful intermediates. The proposal is centered on the coupling reaction between an organometallic reagent, generated in situ from an alkyne and a metallic salt or complex, and a nitrogenated electrofile, consisting of an imine or imminium salt that is also generated in situ from an amine and an aldehyde. Appropriate hydroxyaldehydes were prepared and used in the A3-coupling along with unprotected alkynols, so that the resulting propargylamine contained strategically placed functionalizations aiming to allow two annulations to occur via the nitrogen atom and the consequent formation of indolizidine skeletons. For the same end, several amines were tested in the coupling reaction, so that a N-deprotection compatible with the other funcional groups necessary to the synthesis of the alkaloids would be possible. Among these, dibenzylamine and diallylamine led to satisfactory results in the coupling reaction, using either a O-protected α-hydroxyaldehyde or an unprotected δ-hydroxyaldehyde. This methodology led to the preparation of three propargylamines to be used as synthetic intermediates in the synthesis of hydroxylated indolizidine alkaloids: 5-(dibenzylamine)-6-((2- methoxyethoxy)methoxy)-8-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)oct-3-yn-1-ol, 4- (dibenzylamine)oct-2-yne-1,8-diol and 4-(diallylamine)oct-2-yne-1,8-diol; in overall yields of 39% (6 synthetic steps), 68% (2 steps) and 57% (2 steps), respectively. However, in the particular case of the dibenzylamine-derived propargylamine, no success was achieved in the attempts of nitrogen deprotection and concomitant selective reduction of the triple to double bond via hydrogenation.

Esta dissertação de mestrado descreve os resultados obtidos acerca da aplicação de reações de acoplamento entre aldeídos, aminas e alquinos (A3) visando a síntese de alcalóides indolizidínicos de ocorrência natural, como a desoxicastanospermina e a swainsonina. A reação de acoplamento-A3 é uma poderosa ferramenta de construção de ligação carbono-carbono e carbono-heteroátomo, permitindo a preparação de propargilaminas que podem ser exploradas como intermediários de grande potencial sintético. A proposta está baseada na reação de acoplamento de um reagente organometálico, gerado in situ a partir de um alquino e um sal ou complexo metálico, e um eletrófilo nitrogenado, que consiste em uma imina ou sal de imínio também gerado in situ a partir de uma amina e um aldeído. Hidroxialdeídos apropriados foram preparados e empregados no acoplamento-A3 juntamente com alquinóis não-protegidos, de modo que a propargilamina resultante contivesse funcionalizações estrategicamente posicionadas visando permitir duas ciclizações via nitrogênio e a conseqüente formação de esqueletos indolizidínicos. Para este mesmo fim, diversas aminas foram testadas no acoplamento, de forma que fosse possível uma N-desproteção compatível com os demais grupos funcionais necessários à síntese dos alcalóides. Dentre estas, dibenzilamina e dialilamina levaram a bons resultados no acoplamento, utilizando um α-hidroxialdeído O-protegido ou um δ-hidroxialdeído livre. Tal metodologia possibilitou a síntese de três propargilaminas a serem utilizadas como intermediários sintéticos na síntese de alcalóides indolizidínicos hidroxilados: 5-(dibenzilamino)-6-((2-metoxietoxi)metoxi)-8- ((tetrahidro-2H-piran-2-il)oxi)oct-3-in-1-ol, 4-(dibenzilamino)oct-2-ino-1,8-diol e 4- (dialilamino)oct-2-ino-1,8-diol; em rendimentos globais de 39% (6 etapas reacionais), 68% (2 etapas) e 57% (2 etapas), respectivamente. Entretanto, no caso específico da propargilamina derivada da dibenzilamina, não obteve-se sucesso nas tentativas de desproteção do nitrogênio e concomitante redução seletiva da ligação tripla à dupla por hidrogenação. / This Masters thesis concerns the results obtained toward the application of amine-aldehyde- akyne coupling reactions (A3) aiming at the synthesis of naturally occurring indolizidine alkaloids, such as deoxycastanospermine and swainsonine. The A3- coupling reaction is a powerful tool for the construction of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds, allowing the preparation of functionalized propargylamines that may be explored as synthetically useful intermediates. The proposal is centered on the coupling reaction between an organometallic reagent, generated in situ from an alkyne and a metallic salt or complex, and a nitrogenated electrofile, consisting of an imine or imminium salt that is also generated in situ from an amine and an aldehyde. Appropriate hydroxyaldehydes were prepared and used in the A3-coupling along with unprotected alkynols, so that the resulting propargylamine contained strategically placed functionalizations aiming to allow two annulations to occur via the nitrogen atom and the consequent formation of indolizidine skeletons. For the same end, several amines were tested in the coupling reaction, so that a N-deprotection compatible with the other funcional groups necessary to the synthesis of the alkaloids would be possible. Among these, dibenzylamine and diallylamine led to satisfactory results in the coupling reaction, using either a O-protected α-hydroxyaldehyde or an unprotected δ-hydroxyaldehyde. This methodology led to the preparation of three propargylamines to be used as synthetic intermediates in the synthesis of hydroxylated indolizidine alkaloids: 5-(dibenzylamine)-6-((2- methoxyethoxy)methoxy)-8-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)oct-3-yn-1-ol, 4- (dibenzylamine)oct-2-yne-1,8-diol and 4-(diallylamine)oct-2-yne-1,8-diol; in overall yields of 39% (6 synthetic steps), 68% (2 steps) and 57% (2 steps), respectively. However, in the particular case of the dibenzylamine-derived propargylamine, no success was achieved in the attempts of nitrogen deprotection and concomitant selective reduction of the triple to double bond via hydrogenation.

Many previous studies have demonstrated that gold compounds possess successful results in catalysis and in medicinal chemistry. The central aim of this dissertation is the design and synthesis of novel gold (I) acyclic diamino carbene complexes as a chemotherapeutic agent for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and for catalysis. In this study, a series of chiral neutral and cationic gold (I) acyclic diamino carbene (ADC) complexes and neutral gold (I) bis- ADC complexes have been synthesized. As the chiral neutral gold (I) ADCs, four diastereomers of S binaphthyl L proline tertiary butyl ester gold (I) chloride, S binaphthyl D proline tertiary butyl ester gold (I) chloride, R binaphthyl L proline tertiary butyl ester gold (I) chloride, and R binaphthyl D proline tertiary butyl ester gold (I) chloride have been synthesized and characterized. Different chiral gold (I) ADC complexes with bulky chiral binaphthyl group and with different amine groups of morpholine, chiral proline methyl ester, and benzyl ester have been synthesized and characterized. After that four diastereomers of the nitrile adduct of cationic binaphthyl proline tertiary butyl ester nitrile and four diastereomers of the isonitrile versions of it have been synthesized and characterized. A series of gold (I) cationic bis ADC complexes have been synthesized and characterized. All these novel gold ADC complexes were tested for biological activity against TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 and cationic S binaphthyl D proline ester isonitrile adduct, S binaphthyl D proline ester isonitrile adduct and R binaphthyl D proline ester isonitrile adduct gave promising inhibition rates. According to Lipinski's rule, lipophilicity determines the effectiveness of the drug absorption to the body through the lipid membrane. To determine the drug-likeness of the gold ADC complexes, log P values were calculated for some of the synthesized complexes using a modified shake flask method. Gold (I) ADC complexes have been renowned for their ability in catalysis, but enantioselective catalysis is not that well studied. A3 coupling reaction is a well-known reaction for the synthesis of propargyl amines. Here, A3 coupling reaction with a chiral amine has been performed using the previously synthesized four diastereomers of binaphthyl proline tertial butyl ester gold (I) ADCs (SL, RD, RL, SD) as the catalyst expecting four different diastereomers of the product. The reaction exhibited reasonable yields but with a low enantiomeric excess (ee%). However, it gave proof of the principle that asymmetric induction is possible with the synthesized novel chiral gold (I) ADC complexes.

Les azapeptides sont des mimes peptidiques où le carbone alpha d’un ou de plusieurs acides aminés est remplacé par un atome d’azote. Cette modification tend à stabiliser une conformation en repliement beta en raison de la répulsion électronique entre les paires d’électrons libres des atomes d’azote adjacents et de la géométrie plane de l’urée. De plus, le résidu semicarbazide a une meilleure résistance face aux protéases en plus d’être chimiquement plus stable qu’une liaison amide. Bien que les propriétés des azapeptides en fassent des mimes peptidiques intéressants, leurs méthodes de synthèses font appel à la synthèse laborieuse d’hydrazines substituées en solution. Le peptide sécréteur d’hormone de croissance 6 (GHRP-6, His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) est un hexapeptide synthétique qui possède une affinité pour deux récepteurs distincts: les récepteurs GHS-R1a et CD36. Les travaux effectués au cours de mon doctorat qui seront détaillés dans cet ouvrage visent à atteindre deux objectifs: (1) le développement d’analogues du peptide GHRP-6 sélectif à un seul récepteur et (2) la mise au point d’une nouvelle méthodologie pour la synthèse combinatoire d’azapeptides. En réponse au premier objectif, la synthèse parallèle de 49 analogues aza-GHRP-6 a été effectuée et certains candidats sélectifs au récepteur CD36 ont été identifiés. L’étude de leurs propriétés anti-angiogéniques, effectuée par nos collaborateurs, a également permis d’identifier des candidats intéressants pour le traitement potentiel de la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge. Une nouvelle approche pour la synthèse combinatoire d’azapeptides, faisant appel à l’alkylation et la déprotection chimiosélective d’une sous-unité semicarbazone ancrée sur support solide, a ensuite été développée. La portée de cette méthodologie a été augmentée par la découverte de conditions permettant l’arylation régiosélective de cette sous-unité semicarbazone, donnant accès à treize nouveaux dérivés aza-GHRP-6 possédant des résidus aza-arylglycines aux positions D-Trp2 et Trp4. L’élaboration de conditions propices à l’alkylation et la déprotection chimiosélective de la semicarbazone a donné accès à une variété de chaînes latérales sur l’acide aminé « aza » préalablement inaccessibles. Nous avons, entre autres, démontré qu’une chaîne latérale propargyl pouvait être incorporée sur l’acide aminé « aza ». Tenant compte de la réactivité des alcynes, nous avons ensuite élaboré des conditions réactionnelles permettant la formation in situ d’azotures aromatiques, suivie d’une réaction de cycloaddition 1,3-dipolaire sur support solide, dans le but d’obtenir des mimes de tryptophane. Sept analogues du GHRP-6 ont été synthétisés et testés pour affinité au récepteur CD36 par nos collaborateurs. De plus, nous avons effectué une réaction de couplage en solution entre un dipeptide possédant un résidu aza-propargylglycine, du paraformaldehyde et une variété d’amines secondaires (couplage A3) afin d’accéder à des mimes rigides d’aza-lysine. Ces sous-unités ont ensuite été incorporées sur support solide afin de générer sept nouveaux azapeptides avec des dérivés aza-lysine à la position Trp4 du GHRP-6. Enfin, une réaction de cyclisation 5-exo-dig a été développée pour la synthèse de N-amino imidazolin-2-ones en tant que nouveaux mimes peptidiques. Leur fonctionnalisation par une série de groupements benzyliques à la position 4 de l’hétérocycle a été rendue possible grâce à un couplage Sonogashira précédant la réaction de cyclisation. Les propriétés conformationnelles de cette nouvelle famille de composés ont été étudiées par cristallographie aux rayons X et spectroscopie RMN d’un tétrapeptide modèle. L’activité biologique de deux mimes peptidiques, possédant un résidu N-amino-4-méthyl- et 4-benzyl-imidazolin-2-one à la position Trp4 du GHRP-6, a aussi été examinée. L’ensemble de ces travaux devrait contribuer à l’avancement des connaissances au niveau des facteurs structurels et conformationnels requis pour le développement d’azapeptides en tant que ligands du récepteur CD36. De plus, les résultats obtenus devraient encourager davantage l’utilisation d’azapeptides comme peptidomimétiques grâce à leur nouvelle facilité de synthèse et la diversité grandissante au niveau de la chaîne latérale des acides aminés « aza ». / Azapeptides are peptide mimics in which the CH alpha in one or more amino acids has been replaced with a nitirogen atom. Such a modification tends to induce beta turn conformations in peptides, because of the consequences of lone–pair lone–pair repulsion between the two adjacent nitrogens and the planar geometry of the urea in the semicarbazide moiety. Furthermore, the semicarbazide increases protease resistance and is chemically more stable than its amide counterpart. Despite the potential advantages of using azapeptides mimics, their synthesis has been hampered by the solution-phase construction of substituted hydrazines prior to their incorporation into peptide sequences. Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 6 sequence (GHRP-6, His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) is a synthetic hexapeptide that binds to two distinct receptor: the Growth Hormone Secretatgogue Receptor 1a (GHS-R1a) and the Cluster of Differentiation 36 (CD36) receptor. The body of my Ph.D thesis has been generally targeted towards two objectives: (a) the development of azapeptide analogs of GHRP-6 with enhanced receptor selectivity and (b) the elaboration of a new synthetic approach for combinatorial submonomer azapeptide synthesis. In response to the first objective, 49 aza-GHRP-6 derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for receptor binding and biological activity. From this library, certain candidates were identified which exhibited decreased affinity for the GHS-R1a receptor with maintained affinity for the CD36 receptor. Furthermore, in studying their anti-angiogenic properties, our collaborators have identified aza-GHRP-6 analogs, which caused a marked decrease in microvascular sprouting in choroid explants, as well as another displaying potential to increase angiogenesis. A new approach for the combinatorial synthesis of azapeptides was developed to better conduct SAR studies using azapeptides. This method features the chemoselective alkylation and deprotection of a resin-bound semicarbazone building block. The scope of the methodology was further expanded by the development of reaction conditions for the chemoselective N-arylation of this semicarbazone residue, yielding 13 aza-GHRP-6 derivatives with aza-arylglycines residues at the D-Trp2 and Trp4 positions. The elaboration of a methodology based on the chemoselective alkylation and deprotection of a semicarbazone has allowed for greater aza-amino acid side chain diversity, enabling for example, the efficient incorporation of aza-propargylglycine residues into peptide sequences. Considering the reactivity of alkynes, we developed reaction conditions for in situ formation of aromatic azides, followed by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction on solid support to yield aza-1-aryl,2,3-triazole-3-alanine residues as tryptophan mimics. Seven aza-GHRP-6 analogs were synthesized and subsequently tested for binding to the CD36 receptor by our collaborators. Moreover, the coupling reaction between an aza-propargylglycine-containing dipeptide building block, paraformaldehyde and a variety of secondary amines (A3 coupling) was accomplished in solution to provide access to rigid aza-lysine mimics. These aza-dipeptides were subsequently incorporated at the Trp4 position of seven new aza-GHRP-6 analogues using a solid-phase protocol, and the resulting azaLys mimics were tested for binding towards the CD36 receptor. Finally, conditions for a 5-exo-dig cyclization of an aza-propargylglycine residue were developed to give N-amino imidazolin-2-ones as turn-inducing peptide mimics. Their modification at the 4 position was achieved using a Sonogashira coupling protocol prior to the cyclization step. The conformational properties of these new heterocyclic motifs were assessed by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy on a tetrapeptide model system. The incorporation of N-amino-4-methyl- and 4-benzyl-imidazolin-2-ones at the Trp4 position of GHRP-6 was further accomplished and the biological evaluation of the peptidomimetics was examined. Taken together, these results should lead to a better understanding of the structural and conformational factors responsible for binding and biological activity of azapeptide ligands of the CD36 receptor. Furthermore, the submonomer approach for azapeptide synthesis developed should promote the use of azapeptides as peptide mimics, given its accessibility and the increased aza-amino acid side-chain diversity available.

Les azapeptides sont des mimes peptidiques où le carbone alpha d’un ou de plusieurs acides aminés est remplacé par un atome d’azote. Cette modification tend à stabiliser une conformation en repliement beta en raison de la répulsion électronique entre les paires d’électrons libres des atomes d’azote adjacents et de la géométrie plane de l’urée. De plus, le résidu semicarbazide a une meilleure résistance face aux protéases en plus d’être chimiquement plus stable qu’une liaison amide. Bien que les propriétés des azapeptides en fassent des mimes peptidiques intéressants, leurs méthodes de synthèses font appel à la synthèse laborieuse d’hydrazines substituées en solution. Le peptide sécréteur d’hormone de croissance 6 (GHRP-6, His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) est un hexapeptide synthétique qui possède une affinité pour deux récepteurs distincts: les récepteurs GHS-R1a et CD36. Les travaux effectués au cours de mon doctorat qui seront détaillés dans cet ouvrage visent à atteindre deux objectifs: (1) le développement d’analogues du peptide GHRP-6 sélectif à un seul récepteur et (2) la mise au point d’une nouvelle méthodologie pour la synthèse combinatoire d’azapeptides. En réponse au premier objectif, la synthèse parallèle de 49 analogues aza-GHRP-6 a été effectuée et certains candidats sélectifs au récepteur CD36 ont été identifiés. L’étude de leurs propriétés anti-angiogéniques, effectuée par nos collaborateurs, a également permis d’identifier des candidats intéressants pour le traitement potentiel de la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge. Une nouvelle approche pour la synthèse combinatoire d’azapeptides, faisant appel à l’alkylation et la déprotection chimiosélective d’une sous-unité semicarbazone ancrée sur support solide, a ensuite été développée. La portée de cette méthodologie a été augmentée par la découverte de conditions permettant l’arylation régiosélective de cette sous-unité semicarbazone, donnant accès à treize nouveaux dérivés aza-GHRP-6 possédant des résidus aza-arylglycines aux positions D-Trp2 et Trp4. L’élaboration de conditions propices à l’alkylation et la déprotection chimiosélective de la semicarbazone a donné accès à une variété de chaînes latérales sur l’acide aminé « aza » préalablement inaccessibles. Nous avons, entre autres, démontré qu’une chaîne latérale propargyl pouvait être incorporée sur l’acide aminé « aza ». Tenant compte de la réactivité des alcynes, nous avons ensuite élaboré des conditions réactionnelles permettant la formation in situ d’azotures aromatiques, suivie d’une réaction de cycloaddition 1,3-dipolaire sur support solide, dans le but d’obtenir des mimes de tryptophane. Sept analogues du GHRP-6 ont été synthétisés et testés pour affinité au récepteur CD36 par nos collaborateurs. De plus, nous avons effectué une réaction de couplage en solution entre un dipeptide possédant un résidu aza-propargylglycine, du paraformaldehyde et une variété d’amines secondaires (couplage A3) afin d’accéder à des mimes rigides d’aza-lysine. Ces sous-unités ont ensuite été incorporées sur support solide afin de générer sept nouveaux azapeptides avec des dérivés aza-lysine à la position Trp4 du GHRP-6. Enfin, une réaction de cyclisation 5-exo-dig a été développée pour la synthèse de N-amino imidazolin-2-ones en tant que nouveaux mimes peptidiques. Leur fonctionnalisation par une série de groupements benzyliques à la position 4 de l’hétérocycle a été rendue possible grâce à un couplage Sonogashira précédant la réaction de cyclisation. Les propriétés conformationnelles de cette nouvelle famille de composés ont été étudiées par cristallographie aux rayons X et spectroscopie RMN d’un tétrapeptide modèle. L’activité biologique de deux mimes peptidiques, possédant un résidu N-amino-4-méthyl- et 4-benzyl-imidazolin-2-one à la position Trp4 du GHRP-6, a aussi été examinée. L’ensemble de ces travaux devrait contribuer à l’avancement des connaissances au niveau des facteurs structurels et conformationnels requis pour le développement d’azapeptides en tant que ligands du récepteur CD36. De plus, les résultats obtenus devraient encourager davantage l’utilisation d’azapeptides comme peptidomimétiques grâce à leur nouvelle facilité de synthèse et la diversité grandissante au niveau de la chaîne latérale des acides aminés « aza ». / Azapeptides are peptide mimics in which the CH alpha in one or more amino acids has been replaced with a nitirogen atom. Such a modification tends to induce beta turn conformations in peptides, because of the consequences of lone–pair lone–pair repulsion between the two adjacent nitrogens and the planar geometry of the urea in the semicarbazide moiety. Furthermore, the semicarbazide increases protease resistance and is chemically more stable than its amide counterpart. Despite the potential advantages of using azapeptides mimics, their synthesis has been hampered by the solution-phase construction of substituted hydrazines prior to their incorporation into peptide sequences. Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 6 sequence (GHRP-6, His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) is a synthetic hexapeptide that binds to two distinct receptor: the Growth Hormone Secretatgogue Receptor 1a (GHS-R1a) and the Cluster of Differentiation 36 (CD36) receptor. The body of my Ph.D thesis has been generally targeted towards two objectives: (a) the development of azapeptide analogs of GHRP-6 with enhanced receptor selectivity and (b) the elaboration of a new synthetic approach for combinatorial submonomer azapeptide synthesis. In response to the first objective, 49 aza-GHRP-6 derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for receptor binding and biological activity. From this library, certain candidates were identified which exhibited decreased affinity for the GHS-R1a receptor with maintained affinity for the CD36 receptor. Furthermore, in studying their anti-angiogenic properties, our collaborators have identified aza-GHRP-6 analogs, which caused a marked decrease in microvascular sprouting in choroid explants, as well as another displaying potential to increase angiogenesis. A new approach for the combinatorial synthesis of azapeptides was developed to better conduct SAR studies using azapeptides. This method features the chemoselective alkylation and deprotection of a resin-bound semicarbazone building block. The scope of the methodology was further expanded by the development of reaction conditions for the chemoselective N-arylation of this semicarbazone residue, yielding 13 aza-GHRP-6 derivatives with aza-arylglycines residues at the D-Trp2 and Trp4 positions. The elaboration of a methodology based on the chemoselective alkylation and deprotection of a semicarbazone has allowed for greater aza-amino acid side chain diversity, enabling for example, the efficient incorporation of aza-propargylglycine residues into peptide sequences. Considering the reactivity of alkynes, we developed reaction conditions for in situ formation of aromatic azides, followed by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction on solid support to yield aza-1-aryl,2,3-triazole-3-alanine residues as tryptophan mimics. Seven aza-GHRP-6 analogs were synthesized and subsequently tested for binding to the CD36 receptor by our collaborators. Moreover, the coupling reaction between an aza-propargylglycine-containing dipeptide building block, paraformaldehyde and a variety of secondary amines (A3 coupling) was accomplished in solution to provide access to rigid aza-lysine mimics. These aza-dipeptides were subsequently incorporated at the Trp4 position of seven new aza-GHRP-6 analogues using a solid-phase protocol, and the resulting azaLys mimics were tested for binding towards the CD36 receptor. Finally, conditions for a 5-exo-dig cyclization of an aza-propargylglycine residue were developed to give N-amino imidazolin-2-ones as turn-inducing peptide mimics. Their modification at the 4 position was achieved using a Sonogashira coupling protocol prior to the cyclization step. The conformational properties of these new heterocyclic motifs were assessed by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy on a tetrapeptide model system. The incorporation of N-amino-4-methyl- and 4-benzyl-imidazolin-2-ones at the Trp4 position of GHRP-6 was further accomplished and the biological evaluation of the peptidomimetics was examined. Taken together, these results should lead to a better understanding of the structural and conformational factors responsible for binding and biological activity of azapeptide ligands of the CD36 receptor. Furthermore, the submonomer approach for azapeptide synthesis developed should promote the use of azapeptides as peptide mimics, given its accessibility and the increased aza-amino acid side-chain diversity available.