Chapter 1 Hydrocarbon autoxidation, a free radical chain reaction, is believed to play a key role in the onset and developments of most degenerative diseases and disorders. The two propagating steps: 1) H-atom abstraction from the hydrocarbon by a hydrocarbon-derived peroxyl radical, and 2) addition of oxygen to the resultant alkyl radical to form a new peroxyl, play a role in determining the rate of hydrocarbon autoxidation, as well as the regio- and stereochemistry of the product hydroperoxides. In the current study, we carried out a set of calculations to provide a detailed framework for understanding the mechanism of the first two steps of autoxidation. Chapter 2 Radical-trapping chain-breaking antioxidants inhibit hydrocarbon autoxidation. Phenols are the prototypical radical-trapping antioxidants and are employed in nature, as well as in industry, to inhibit the autoxidation of hydrocarbons. The mechanism of inhibiting radical chain propagation has recently been suggested to be a PCET on the basis of theoretical calculations. It has been demonstrated that the antioxidant activitiy of phenols is increased in the presence of either protic acids or alcohols, but the basis of this acceleration is not well understood. In the current study, we used computational methods to investigate the effects of acids and alcohols on the PCET pathway for the reaction of phenol with a peroxyl radical. Chapter 3 The antibiotic pyrrolnitrin [3-chloro-4-(2’-nitro-3’-chlorophenyl) pyrrole] (PRN) is biosynthesized from L-tryptophan in four steps, catalyzed by the enzymes PrnA, B, C and D encoded by the prn operon. Two of the four gene products, PrnA and PrnC, are flavin-dependent halogenases, a recently discovered and highly interesting class of enzymatic halogenation catalysts. Their activities have never been unequivocally demonstrated by reconstitution of the activity from a recombinant protein. Herein, we report the results of our efforts to clone the genes encoding PrnA and PrnC, and overexpress, isolate and purify the proteins from E. coli. We were able to successfully reconsistute halogenation activity of both and have obtained the first kinetic data for PrnC, which shows kinetics similar to other flavin-dependent halogenases, along with substrate inhibition. / Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2010-02-03 15:42:39.67

Deux nouveaux concepts, visant à reproduire la chimie radicalaire des diétains à l’aide de radicaux centrés sur le silicium, sont présentés à travers ce manuscrit. Le premier concept introduit les “silaboranes”, des molécules constituées d’un motif de type silane et d’un atome de bore. Ceux-ci ont pour la première fois été exploités comme générateurs de radicaux triméthylsilyle via l’utilisation de la réaction de SHi sur le silicium (Substitution Homolytique Intramoléculaire) à partir de disilanes. Des études cinétiques et de modélisation moléculaires de la réaction de SHi ont, entre autres, permis de rationaliser les résultats. Le potentiel des “silaboranes” en tant que substituts des diétains a été entrevu à travers des réactions d’additions radicalaires d’halogénures sur des éthers d’oxime sulfonylés. Le concept des "silaboranes" a ensuite été étendu à des hydrures de silicium, grâce à une réaction de transfert d’hydrogène intramoléculaire, permettant de produire des radicaux triphénylsilyles. Le second concept a révélé la capacité des allyl tris(triméthylsilyl)silanes pour reproduire les réactions radicalaires des diétains via une réaction de beta-fragmentation du groupement tris(triméthylsilyle). Ces substrats, source de radicaux tris(triméthysilyle) et simples d’accès, se sont avérés d’intéressants candidats pour assister l’addition de dérivés bromés et iodés sur des substrats sulfonylés de type allyl, vinyl et éther d’oxime. / Two new concepts, aiming to substitute ditin radical chemistry by using silyl radicals, are developed throughout this manuscript. The first concept introduces “silaboranes”, molecules made up of a silane unit and a boron atom. For the first time, the ability of these precursors to generate trimethylsilyl radicals was demonstrated by using the SHi reaction at silicon (Intramolecular Homolytic Substitution) from disilanes. Besides, results are supported by kinetic and computationnal studies of the SHi reaction at silicon. Capacity of “silaboranes” to achieve tin-free radical processes was demonstrated thanks to radical addition of halogenated species on sulfonyl oxime ethers. “Silaboranes” concept was then extended to silicon hydrides using intramolecular hydrogen transfer as source of triphenylsilyl radicals. The second concept highlights the ability of allyl tris(trimethylsilyl)silanes to make possible tin-free radical reactions via beta-fragmentation of the tris(trimethylsilyl) group. These compounds, source of tris(trimethylsilyl) radicals and easily available, open very interesting perspectives in tin-free radical addition of bromides and iodides species on sulfonyl derivatives as allyl sulfones, vinyl sulfones or sulfonyl oxime ethers.