La D-fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBPA) catalyse la réaction réversible d'aldolisation dans la voie métabolique du glucose, c'est-à-dire l'interconversion du dihydroxyacétone phosphate (DHAP) et du D-glyceraldéhyde 3-phosphate (G3P) en D-fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP). Les aldolases sont regroupées en deux classes selon le mécanisme réactionnel : la classe I, dont fait partie l'enzyme humaine, catalyse la réaction en passant par la formation d'un intermédiaire covalent (base de Schiff), alors que les aldolases de classe II sont des métalloenzymes - un cation métallique divalent est requis pour son activité catalytique. L'aldolase de classe II, absente des mammifères, se retrouve notamment chez des agents pathogènes, par exemples Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculose), Giardia lamblia (giardiase), Escherichia coli (infections diverses) et Helicobacter pylori (ulcère et cancer gastrique). Cette distribution en fait une cible potentielle dans la découverte de médicaments. La conception d'inhibiteurs spécifiques pour l'aldolase de classe II requiert une fine connaissance de sa catalyse enzymatique et de sa structure tridimensionnelle. Cette connaissance demeure incomplète, alors que l'ensemble des structures de complexes enzyme-inhibiteur ou enzyme-intermédiaire ne supporte pas une partie du mécanisme publié dans la littérature. Nous étudions le rôle catalytique de deux résidus situés chacun sur une boucle de surface mobile de l'aldolase de classe II de H. pylori et impliqués dans des étapes d'échange de proton. Les mutants simples H180Q et E142A ont été caractérisés cinétiquement et cristallisés pour la détermination de structure sur la base de la diffraction aux rayons X. Les structures cristallines des mutants complexés à des intermédiaires réactionnels ont été résolues. La déprotonation du groupe hydroxyle en C4 du FBP initie le clivage de la liaison en C3-C4 du cétohexose, première étape du mécanisme catalytique de rétro-aldolisation. Nos résultats identifient His180, sur la boucle beta6-alpha8, comme responsable de cet échange de proton. Ce résidu est un ligand de l'ion de zinc dans la structure native; le changement conformationnel observé suite à l'amarrage du phosphate en C1 de FBP libère His180 pour permettre le clivage. L'ion de zinc migre par la suite vers le site actif afin de faciliter la liaison du substrat et la stabilisation de l'intermédiaire énediolate. Nos résultats vont à l'encontre de l'hypothèse publiée précédemment sur le rôle catalytique de Asp82 dans cet échange de proton du groupe hydroxyle en C4, le rôle de ce dernier résidu se limitant plutôt au maintien de l'intégrité structurale du site actif. La libération du G3P nouvellement produit est suivie de la protonation stéréospécifique de l'intermédiaire énediolate générant le DHAP. La libération du DHAP complète ainsi le cycle catalytique. La protonation de l'intermédiaire énediolate est effectuée par l'intermédiaire du résidu Glu142, situé sur la boucle beta5-alpha7, ce qui concorde avec des études cinétiques publiées sur d'autres FBPA de classe II. Ces études ont attribué le même rôle à ce résidu conservé entre homologues. Nous avons par la suite établi un protocole de simulation de dynamique moléculaire pour évaluer le repliement de ladite boucle et ainsi comprendre le mode d'action du résidu Glu142. Des détails mécanistiques de l'étape de clivage s'ajoutent à nos connaissances actuelles; des questions subsistent quant à leur implication au reste de la catalyse. En attribuant un rôle crucial à la boucle beta6-alpha8 dans la catalyse et non limité à la liaison de substrats, cette boucle des aldolases de classe II peut devenir une cible dans le développement d'inhibiteurs. De plus, la migration de l'ion de zinc non dépendante de ligand suggère la possibilité de chélater et restreindre l'ion loin du site actif. / Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase catalyzes the reversible aldol reaction in glucose metabolism interconverting dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P) into D-fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP). Aldolases are furthermore classified based on their reaction mechanism: class I aldolase (e. g. human aldolase) forms a covalent Schiff base intermediate with substrate, whereas class II aldolase utilizes a divalent metal cation in catalysis. Class II aldolase is commonly found in pathogenic organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis), Giardia lamblia (giardiasis), Escherichia coli (diverse infections) and Helicobacter pylori (ulcer and gastric cancer) but not in mammals. This distribution makes class II aldolase a potential target for drug discovery. Structure driven drug design depends on an explicit knowledge of the reaction mechanism of class II aldolase and its three-dimensional structure. Our current knowledge is lacking; existing aldolase crystal structures with reaction intermediates and with competitive inhibitors are not coherent with proposed mechanisms in literature. The present study focuses on the catalytic role of two residues, each located on a mobile loop of H. pylori class II aldolase and each implicated in a critical proton transfer step. Single mutants H180Q and E142A were characterized enzymatically and crystallized for X-ray structure determination. Crystal structures of reaction intermediates formed with substrate were determined. The catalytic mechanism requires proton abstraction at the FBP C4 hydroxyl group to initiate C3-C4 bond cleavage, first step of the retroaldol reaction. Our data supports His180 situated on the mobile loop beta6-alpha8, as the residue responsible for this proton transfer. Notably, His180 chelates the zinc ion in the native structure. The structural change induced due to C1 phosphate binding of FBP releases His180 to promote cleavage. Displacement of the catalytic zinc ion ensues, facilitating substrate binding and subsequent stabilization of the enediolate intermediate. Our results do not support the previous hypothesis of a catalytic role for Asp82 in C4 hydroxyl group proton abstraction; it rather plays an important role in maintaining structural integrity for active site binding. Displacement of the nascent aldehyde G3P and concomitant stereospecific protonation of the enediolate species generates the obligate triose phosphate, DHAP. Dissociation of DHAP from the active site completes the catalytic cycle. The residue responsible for initiating enediolate protonation was identified as residue Glu142, situated on mobile loop beta5-alpha7, and this is in agreement with previous kinetic studies of enediolate protonation in other class II aldolases, attributing the same role to this conserved residue. We devised a molecular dynamic simulation method to follow the catalytic loop folding event, further investigating details of the role of Glu142 in catalysis. We gained further knowledge of the cleavage event, although work remains to elucidate missing details of the catalysis and integrate our findings. By attributing a role in catalysis to loop beta6-alpha8 not limited to substrate binding, this loop of class II aldolases becomes a potential target in drug design. In addition, ligand independent zinc ion migration suggest it is possible to chelate the metal and restrain it far from the active site.

Die Mukaiyama-Aldolreaktion ist die Umsetzung eines Silylenolethers mit einer Carbonylverbindung in Gegenwart einer Lewis-Säure. Diese Reaktion ist eine wichtige Methode zur Knüpfung einer Kohlenstoff-Kohlenstoff-Bindung in der Organischen Chemie. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird mittels quantenchemischer Methoden ein Einblick in den Mechanismus der Reaktion und die Ursachen der Enantioselektivität gegeben. Ausgehend von der unkatalysierten Reaktion wurde der Mechanismus der von kleineren achiralen Lewis-Säuren wie BF3 und TiCl4 katalysierten bzw. vermittelten Reaktion bearbeitet. Mit dem NEB-Verfahren zur Berechnung des Reaktionsmechanismus der enantioselektiv katalysierten Reaktion kam eine neuartige Möglichkeit zur Optimierung von Reaktionswegen zum Einsatz. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Optimierung auch sehr komplexer Reaktionswege möglich ist. So wurde der gesamte katalytische Cyclus der Ti-BINOL katalysierten Reaktion berechnet, wobei sich der Einsatz der DFTB-Methode (density-functional based tight-binding method) zur Berechnung des Systems als sehr gut geeignet erwies. Die Leistungsfähigkeit der DFTB Methode konnte im Vergleich mit den geometrischen Daten aus Röntgenkristallstrukturanalysen nachgewiesen werden. Die Richtung der stereochemischen Differenzierung konnte in Übereinstimmung mit den experimentellen Ergebnissen bestimmt werden. Aus diesem Ergebnis war es möglich, ein schematisches Modell zu entwickeln, das die Ursache der Selektivität veranschaulicht.

Im Rahmen dieser Dissertation wurde die säurekatalysierte Tandem-Aldol-MPV-Reaktion zur Darstellung von 1,3-Diolethern als Eintopfverfahren entwickelt. Dabei konnte ein Syntheseprotokoll entwickelt werden, das durch geschickte Wahl der Reaktionspartner, eines Katalysatorsystems aus LiClO4/ Trifluoressigsäure und geeigneter Reaktionsbedingungen ermöglichte, die klassische dreistufige Synthese von 1,3-Diolethern auf ein effizientes Eintopfverfahren zu reduzieren. Die Kombination mit umfangreichen mechanistischen Untersuchungen ermöglichte erstmals die Entwicklung einer asymmetrischen Variante der Tandem-Aldol-MPV-Reaktion. Dabei hat sich eine Kombination von chiralem Menthol und Methanol bewährt, wodurch die Reaktion mit hoher Chemoselektivität und ohne Konkurrenzreaktionen abläuft. Mit Hilfe dieser neuen Reaktionsbedingungen der asymmetrischen Tandem-Aldol-MPV-Reaktion gelang erstmals die Synthese von chiralen 1,3-Diolethern mit sehr guter Regio- und guter bis sehr guter Diastereo- und Enantioselektivität. Bemerkenswert ist die Möglichkeit der Steuerung der asymmetrischen Synthese und damit des selektiven Zugangs zu jeweils einem Enantiomer durch Variation zwischen (-)- bzw. (+)-Menthol. Als Erweiterung gelang erstmals eine intramolekulare Tandem-Aldol-MPV-Reaktion mit der Synthese verschieden substituierter pentacyclischer 1,3-Diolether. Auch hier gelang die Synthese ausgehend von zuvor synthetisierten Dialdehyden in einer Eintopfreaktion mit sehr hoher Diastereoselektivität. Auf dem zweiten großen Gebiet der Dissertation konnte eine neue innovative Syntheseroute zu Verbindungen in der Thiochromanreihe mit völlig neuartigem Substitutionsmuster entwickelt werden. Es gelang die Entwicklung einer milden Eintopfsynthese, die die Synthese hochsubstituierter anti-konfigurierter Thiochromane ermöglicht. Dabei gelang die Synthese eines Thiochromans ausgehend von racemischen Edukten, in dem stereoselektiv drei benachbarte Stereozentren aufgebaut wurden. / In this thesis, the acid-catalyzed tandem-aldol-Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley-reaction for the preparation of 1,3-diolethers was developed. By handy choice of the reactants, the LiClO4/ trifluoroacetic acid catalyst system and appropriate reaction conditions an efficient one-pot-reaction protocol has been established. The development of an asymmetric execution was enabled by employing extensive mechanistic examinations. Consequently, a combination of chiral menthol and methanol leads to products with high chemoselectivities and without occurrence of competitive reactions. For the first time, by employing the novel optimized synthetic scheme for the asymmetric tandem-aldol-MPV reaction, chiral 1,3-diolethers have been prepared with very high regio- and moderate to very high diastereo- as well as enantioselectivity. Moreover, an opportunity for controlling asymmetric synthesis by variation of (-)- and (+)-menthol was developed. Hence, a selective access to the desired enantiomer is given. In continuative work an intramolecular tandem-aldol-MPV-reaction for the preparation of highly substituted penta-cyclic 1,3-diolethers was developed. Also in this case, the reaction was realized as an one-pot reaction with high anti-diastereoselectivity. The second chapter of this thesis describes a new innovative synthesis of thiochromans with completely unknown substitution pattern. We were able to establish a mild one-pot synthesis of highly substituted anti-configured thiochromans. As a special highlight we suceeded in the steroeselective synthesis of a thiochroman with three adjacent stereogenic centers starting from racemic educts.

<p>This thesis deals with synthetically modified chiral molecules and their application in asymmetric catalysis. The first part of the thesis describes the use of commercially available chiral diamine ligands in the iridium catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones. The chiral diamine ligands were mixed with an appropriate transition-metal complex, which after addition of suitable base provided a chiral transition metal complex capable of reducing a range of different aromatic ketones in high yields and enantioselectivities. The developed methodology constitutes a cost effective and readily available procedure for transfer hydrogenation reactions. The following chapters in the thesis are completely devoted to rational design of small organic molecules acting as catalyst in various organocatalytic transformations. Organocatalytic methodology, represent a new and complementary approach to asymmetric organic synthesis, as compared to e.g. transition metal based methodology. Advantages of this methodology typically include mild and less stringent reaction conditions. This, in combination with the lack of toxic transition metal by-products, makes the process more environmentally benign; the organocatalytic methodology, therefore represent a promising approach towards implementation of green chemistry in organic synthesis. Despite this promise, typical drawbacks of the current methodology are long reaction times and the need for high catalyst loadings. Thus, a large demand exists for enhancing reactivity and increasing selectivity in organocatalytic reactions. The present thesis describes several efforts where we have tried to rationally design improved catalysts for various enantioselective organocata-lytic reactions. First, a structurally modified L-proline, incorporating a 1H-tetrazolic acid, was synthesized and evaluated in the direct asymmetric organocatalytic aldol reaction. As shown in Paper II, the catalyst displayed very high reactivity and subsequent studies were initiated in order to rationalize the reactivity enhancement (Paper III). Delightfully, the design principle of a 1H-tetrazolic acid as replacement for a carboxylic acid has since been widely used in the community, including our own efforts in organocatalytic asymmetric cyclopropanations (Paper V)and Diels-Alder reactions (Paper VII). Novel catalysts, including other functionalizations, were also designed for organocatalytic asymmetric addition of nitroalkanes to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes (Paper IV) and for cyclopropanations (Paper VI).</p>

This thesis deals with synthetically modified chiral molecules and their application in asymmetric catalysis. The first part of the thesis describes the use of commercially available chiral diamine ligands in the iridium catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones. The chiral diamine ligands were mixed with an appropriate transition-metal complex, which after addition of suitable base provided a chiral transition metal complex capable of reducing a range of different aromatic ketones in high yields and enantioselectivities. The developed methodology constitutes a cost effective and readily available procedure for transfer hydrogenation reactions. The following chapters in the thesis are completely devoted to rational design of small organic molecules acting as catalyst in various organocatalytic transformations. Organocatalytic methodology, represent a new and complementary approach to asymmetric organic synthesis, as compared to e.g. transition metal based methodology. Advantages of this methodology typically include mild and less stringent reaction conditions. This, in combination with the lack of toxic transition metal by-products, makes the process more environmentally benign; the organocatalytic methodology, therefore represent a promising approach towards implementation of green chemistry in organic synthesis. Despite this promise, typical drawbacks of the current methodology are long reaction times and the need for high catalyst loadings. Thus, a large demand exists for enhancing reactivity and increasing selectivity in organocatalytic reactions. The present thesis describes several efforts where we have tried to rationally design improved catalysts for various enantioselective organocata-lytic reactions. First, a structurally modified L-proline, incorporating a 1H-tetrazolic acid, was synthesized and evaluated in the direct asymmetric organocatalytic aldol reaction. As shown in Paper II, the catalyst displayed very high reactivity and subsequent studies were initiated in order to rationalize the reactivity enhancement (Paper III). Delightfully, the design principle of a 1H-tetrazolic acid as replacement for a carboxylic acid has since been widely used in the community, including our own efforts in organocatalytic asymmetric cyclopropanations (Paper V)and Diels-Alder reactions (Paper VII). Novel catalysts, including other functionalizations, were also designed for organocatalytic asymmetric addition of nitroalkanes to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes (Paper IV) and for cyclopropanations (Paper VI).

Aminoalcohols are very important compounds used in various asymmetric transformations as chiral ligands or chiral auxiliaries. In this thesis, four novel heterocyclic amine substituted chiral 1,4-aminoalcohols were synthesized. In the synthetic strategy, amide esters were synthesized from (2S, 3R)-3-methoxycarbonylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxylic acid by DCC coupling method. Subsequent reduction of these amide esters lead to target 1,4-aminoalcohols. The activities of these novel chiral 1,4-aminoalcohols were tested in enantioselective diethylzinc addition, Mukaiyama aldol and Diels-Alder reactions. The enantioselectivities were measured by HPLC. All the products were identified by H NMR and C NMR spectroscopy

Orientador: Luiz Carlos Dias / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T22:05:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ferreira_MarcoAntonioBarbosa_D.pdf: 22008245 bytes, checksum: 306bdd05b22f9f07a0496a6e9806f940 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: SÍNTESE TOTAL DA (-)-GONIOTRIONINA: Foi desenvolvida uma rota sintética flexível, em uma abordagem modular, que permitiu a primeira síntese total da estrutura descrita para a goniotrionina (11), em 4% de rendimento global e em 17 etapas pela rota linear mais longa, a partir do glicidol quiral (R)-109. A nossa rota sintética fez uso de epóxidos quirais como blocos de construção, em uma estratégia envolvendo a abertura de epóxidos. As etapas chave incluem ciclização aeróbica de Mukaiyama para formação do anel THF-2,5-trans e reação aldólica de Mukaiyama 1,2-syn seletiva. Esta mesma abordagem sintética pode permitir a preparação de análogos e outros diastereoisômeros da (-)-goniotrionina (11). ESTUDO TEÓRICO DA INFLUÊNCIA ESTEREOELETRÔNICA NA SELETIVIDADE 1,5 EM REAÇÕES ALDÓLICAS ENVOLVENDO B-ALCOXI METILCETONAS. Nesta segunda parte do trabalho foi possível aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a origem da seletividade 1,5 em reações aldólicas envolvendo enolatos de boro de b-alcóxi metilcetonas, a partir do cálculo das estruturas eletrônicas dos estados de transição. Investigou-se a influência dos estereocentros em a, b, y e s em reações aldólicas, determinando os fatores decisivos que governam o senso de indução 1,5. Adicionalmente, foi proposto um modelo teórico que permitiu racionalizar a seletividade 1,5 em função das características estereoeletrônicas de cetonas com acentuado volume estéreo na posição beta com relação à carbonila / Abstract: TOTAL SYNTHESIS OF (-)-GONIOTRIONIN: We have accomplished the first total synthesis of the reported structure of goniotrionin (11) in 4% overall yield over a longest-linear sequence of 17 steps from glycidol (R)-109. Our synthetic route employed an epoxide-opening strategy, using chiral epoxides as building blocks. Key steps included a Mukaiyama aerobic oxidative cyclization and a 1,2-syn selective Mukaiyama aldol reaction. This synthesis employs highly flexible key couplings that allow for the preparation of analogs, including other diastereoisomers of goniotrionin (11). THEORETICAL STUDY OF THE STEREOELECTRONIC INFLUENCE IN 1,5 SELECTIVITY OF ALDOL REACTIONS INVOLVING b-ALKOXY METHYLKETONES: In the second part of this work was extended the knowledge about the origin of 1,5 selectivity in aldol reactions involving boron enolates of b-alkoxy methyl ketones, based on the calculation of electronic structures of the corresponding transition states. We investigated the influence of stereocenters at the a, b, y and s positions in aldol reactions, determining the key factors that govern the 1,5 induction. Additionally, we propose a theoretical model that racionalize the 1,5 selectivity depending on the stereoelectronic characteristics of b-bulky ketones / Doutorado / Quimica Organica / Doutor em Ciências

La réaction d'aldolisation est une des méthodes les plus importantes et plus utilisées pour former des liaisons C-C. La réaction tandem d'isomérisation-aldolisation catalytique d'alcools allyliques permet d'effectuer cette réaction avec de nombreux avantages synthétiques et nous avons préparé par ce moyen des beta-hydroxyacylsilanes à partir d'alpha-hydroxyallylsilanes. Tout d'abord, nous avons cherché à mettre au point une version catalytique asymétrique de cette réaction tandem et nous avons aussi synthétisé des beta-hydroxyacylsilanes par aldolisation directe. Ensuite, nous avons utilisé des alpha-hydroxyallylsilanes pour préparer des aldolsalpha-silylés au moyen de réactions d'époxydation. Dans une troisième partie, nous avons synthétisé des aldols à partir de beta-hydroxyacylsilanes protégés de manière simple et efficace, ce qui nous a permis d'effectuer des réactions d'aldolisation itératives. Nous avons illustré le potentiel de cette méthode par la synthèse d'un fragment de (±)-pironetine. Enfin, nous avons synthétisé, à partir des mêmes beta-hydroxyacylsilanes protégés, des éthers d'énol silylés qui ont été ensuite utilisés avec succès comme substrats pour des réactions de Mukaiyama. / The aldol reactions is one of the most important and commonly used methods to form C-C bonds. The catalytic tandem isomerization-aldol reaction of allylic alcohols allows to perform this reaction with many synthetic advantages. Thus, we have prepared by this method beta-hydroxyacylsilanes from alpha-hydroxyallylsilanes. First, we have attempted to develop a catalytic asymmetric version of this reaction, and also to synthesize beta-hydroxyacylsilanes by direct aldol reaction. Then, we used alpha-hydroxyallylsilanes to prepare alpha-silyl aldols trough epoxidation reactions. Next, we synthesized aldols from protected beta-hydroxyacylsilanes in a simple and efficient fashion which allowed us to perform iterative aldol reactions. We have illustrated the potential of this method by the synthesis of a fragment of (±)-pironetine. Finally, we have synthesized, from the same protected beta-hydroxyacylsilanes, silyl enol ethers that next have been used successfully as substrates for Mukaiyama aldol reactions.

Molecular recognition has become a very important field of research in chemistry during the last decades. This<br />chemical phenomenon is responsible for all processes occurring in biology and asymmetric synthesis is based<br />upon the capability of molecules or substrates to recognise each other in a selective manner. In this thesis, the<br />design, preparation and evaluation of a series of new synthetic receptors has been described. The importance of<br />regioselectivity and stereoselectivity in molecular recognition has also been underlined with two different<br />biological examples.<br />The capability of host molecules, derived from (+)-tartaric acid, to accommodate various guests in a selective<br />manner was demonstrated using 1H-NMR spectroscopy (paper I). These host molecules, known as TADDOLs,<br />enantioselectively recognised the valuable chiral alcohols glycidol and menthol. Macromolecular receptors, i.e.<br />molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), were also prepared in order to catalyse the aldol reaction between either<br />(R)- or (S)-camphor and benzaldehyde (paper II). With the help of analytical methods, it was demonstrated that<br />the MIPs interacted in a selective manner with the enantiomers of camphor. Moreover, these MIPs enhanced<br />significantly the rate of the aldol condensation mentioned above.<br />Regarding biological systems, various regioisomeric analogues of benzoic acid have been tested as antifeedants<br />against the pine weevil Hylobius abietis (paper III and IV). The regioisomers studied displayed very different<br />antifeedant activities. The significance of stereoisomerism on pheromone function has been shown in the<br />preparation of lures for the control of the insect pest Argyrotaenia sphaleropa (paper V). It was demonstrated that<br />male leafrollers could be caught by a lure containing components of the female sex pheromone gland.

In Michael J. Krische research group we are developing new transition metal catalyzed Carbon-Carbon (C-C) forming reactions focusing on atom economy and byproduct free, environmental friendly approaches. We have developed a broad family of C-C bond forming hydrogenations with relative and absolute stereocontrol which provide an alternative to stoichiometric organometallic reagents in certain carbonyl and imine additions. Inspiring from the group work my goal was to develop new reactions, extend the scope of our group chemistry and their application towards synthesis of biologically active natural products. I have been part of enantioselective Rh catalyzed Aldol reaction of vinyl ketones to different aldehydes. Also, we have found that iridium catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of allylic acetates in the presence of aldehydes or alcohols results in highly enantioselective carbonyl allylation under the conditions of transfer hydrogenative. Based on this reactivity a concise enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of 1,3-polyols was achieved via iterative chain elongation and bidirectional iterative asymmetric allylation was performed, which enables the rapid assembly of 1,3-polyol substructures with exceptional levels of stereocontrol. The utility of this approach stems from the ability to avoid the use of chirally modified allylmetal reagents, which require multistep preparation, and the ability to perform chain elongation directly from the alcohol oxidation level. This approach was utilized for the total synthesis of (+)-Roxaticin from 1,3-propanediol in 20 longest linear steps and a total number of 29 manipulations. Further, advancements were made in iridium catalyzed C-C bond formation under transfer hydrogenation. While methallyl acetate does not serve as an efficient allyl donor, the use of more reactive leaving group in methallyl chloride compensate for the shorter lifetime of the more highly substituted olefin π-complex. Based on this insight into the requirements of the catalytic process, highly enantioselective Grignard-Nozaki-Hiyama methallylation is achieved from the alcohol or aldehyde oxidation levels. Also, a catalytic method for enantioselective vinylogous Reformatsky- type aldol addition was developed in which asymmetric carbonyl addition occurs with equal facility from the alcohol or aldehyde oxidation level. Good to excellent levels of regioselectivity and uniformly high levels of enantioselectivity were observed across a range of alcohols and aldehydes. / text