Strong bond activation mediated by pincer ligated transiton-metal complexes has been the subject of intense study in recent years, due to its potential involvement in catalytic transformations. This dissertation has focused on the net heterolytic cleavage of B-H and B-B bonds across the N-Pd bond in a cationic (PNP)Pd fragment, the C-H oxidative addition to a (PNP)Ir center and the recent results on the C-H and C-O oxidative addition in reactions of aryl carboxylates with the (PNP)Rh fragment. Transition metal carbene and carbyne complexes are of great interest because of their role in a wide variety of catalytic reactions. Our work has resulted in the isolation of a rhodium(I) difluorocarbene. Reaction of the rhodium difluorocarbene complex with a silylium salt led to the C-F bond cleavage and the formation of a terminal fluorocarbyne complex. Reductive elimination is a critical step of cross coupling reactions. In order to examine the effect of the pincer ligand on the reductive elimination reactions from Rh(III), the first pi-accepting PNP ligand bearing pyrrolyl substituents was prepared and installed onto the rhodium center. Arylhalide (halide = Br, I) oxidative addition was achieved in the presence of donor ligands such as acetonitrile to form stable six-coordinate Rh(III) compounds. The C-O reductive elimination reactions in this system were also explored.

Dans ce travail de recherche, la synthèse de complexes de ruthénium cyclometallés a été effectuée à partir d'imines, 2-phénylpyridine, 2-phényloxazoline, phénylpyrazole, et benzo[h]quinoline par réaction avec [RuCl2(p-cymène)]2 et KOAc via une activation de liaison sp2 C-H. Le système [RuCl2(p-cymène)]2/KOAc/PPh3 est un catalyseur efficace pour réaliser la diarylation d'imines et de 2-phénylpyridine dans l'eau, solvant qui donne de meilleures activités que les solvants organiques. Des amines encombrées ont été préparées par une séquence catalytique activation C-H/arylation/ hydrosilylation d'imines catalysée par [RuCl2(p-cymène)]2. La monoarylation sélective de 2-pyridyl arylcétones, via la formation d'un intermédiaire ruthénacycle à 6 chainons plus difficile à former, est catalysée par l'espèce Ru(O2CC6H4CF3)2(p-cymène) formée in situ. L'alcénylation déhydrogénative oxydante directe d'aryloxazoline par du styrène et des acrylates est catalysée par le système [RuCl2(p-cymène)]2/BNPAH (1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′- diylhydrogénophosphate) en présence de Cu(OAc)2.H2O utilisé comme oxydant sous air. La réaction tandem oxydation des 2-pyridylméthanols / mono- ou di-α-alkylation sélective de liaisons sp3 C-H de 2-pyridylcétones avec des alcènes fonctionnalisés a été catalysée par le complexe de [RuCl2(p-cymène)]2 en présence de Cu(OAc)2.H2O dans le DCE ou le toluène. Dans la deuxième partie de ce travail, le complexe [RuCl2(p-cymène)]2 a été utilisé efficacement en hydrosilylation catalytique d'imines et d'amides primaires. Nombreuses aldimines et cétimines ont été réduites chémosélectivement en amines correspondantes en utilisant le PMHS comme silane « vert » dans l'éthanol à température ambiante. De plus les amides primaires ont été sélectivement transformés en amines secondaires dans une réaction sans solvant. / In this research doctoral thesis, we have shown that imines, 2-phenylpyridine, 2-phenyloxazoline, phenylpyrazole, benzo[h]quinoline led to cyclometallated ruthenium(II) complexes from [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and KOAc via sp2 C-H bond activation. [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 /KOAc/PPh3 is an efficient catalytic system for diarylation of imines and 2-phenyloxazolines in water, which gave higher activity than in organic solvents. Bulky amines were then synthesized through sequential catalytic C-H arylation and hydrosilylation of imines using [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 catalyst. Challenging selective mono arylation of 2-pyridyl arylketones, leading to six-membered ruthenacycle intermediate, difficult to perform, was achieved with in situ generated Ru(O2CC6H4CF3)2(p-cymene) catalyst. The direct dehydrogenative oxidative alkenylation of aryloxazolines with styrenes and acrylates was catalyzed by [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2/BNPAH (1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′- diylhydrogenophosphate) catalytic system in the presence of Cu(OAc)2.H2O as an oxidant in air. Tandem catalytic oxidation of 2-pyridylmethanols and selective sp3 C-H (mono or di) α-alkylation of 2-pyridyl ketones with functional alkenes was performed by using [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 complex in the presence of Cu(OAc)2.H2O in DCE or toluene. In the second part, it is shown that, [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 is a very efficient catalyst for the hydrosilylation of imines and primary amides. A wide range of aldimines and ketimines were successfully reduced to corresponding amines in high chemoselectivity by using PMHS as greener silane in ethanol at RT. Moreover, challengingly, primary amides could be selectively converted by hydrosilylation to the secondary amines under solvent free conditions.

No description available.

The focus of this thesis is on C-O bonds activation by transition metal atoms. Lignin is a potential alternative energy resource, but currently is an underused biomass species because of its highly branched structure. To aid in better understanding this species, the oxidative cleavage of the Cβ-O bond in an archetypal arylglycerol β-aryl ether (β–O–4 Linkage) model compound of lignin with late 3d, 4d, and 5d metals was investigated. Methoxyethane was utilized as a model molecule to study the activation of the C-O bond. Binding enthalpies (ΔHb), enthalpy formations (ΔH) and activation enthalpies (ΔH‡) have been studied at 298K to learn the energetic properties in the C-O bond cleavage in methoxyethane. Density functional theory (DFT) has become a common choice for the transition metal containing systems. It is important to select suitable functionals for the target reactions, especially for systems with degeneracies that lead to static correlation effects. A set of 26 density functionals including eight GGA, six meta-GGA, six hybrid-GGA, and six hybrid-meta-GGA were applied in order to investigate the performance of different types of density functionals for transition metal catalyzed C-O bond cleavage. A CR-CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ was used to calibrate the performance of different density functionals.

L'activation de molécules inertes telles que les alcanes constitue l'un des défis les plus difficiles en catalyse, du fait de la grande stabilité de la liaison C-H. Pour répondre aux principes de la chimie verte, les méthodes de fonctionnalisation doivent respecter un certain nombre d'exigences, telles que l'utilisation de solvants et de réactifs non toxiques, la réduction des apports énergétiques, en association avec une activité élevée. Afin de satisfaire ces conditions, nous nous sommes dirigés vers l'utilisation d'un système enzymatique. En effet, les liaisons C-H non activées peuvent être fonctionnalisées en conditions douces par des monooxygénases, telles que les cytochromes P450, mais leur activité est relativement faible. Dans le but de disposer de cytochromes P450 plus actifs sur les alcanes, nous décrivons la fusion entre un membre de la famille des CYP153 et un partenaire donneur d'électrons. Cette protéine de fusion a été caractérisée, et ses propriétés catalytiques étudiées. Nous avons montré que la fusion augmente de manière considérable l'activité alcane hydroxylase. Nous avons, dans un second temps, continué d'exploiter le fort potentiel de ce biocatalyseur en tentant de réduire le volume de son site actif par mutagénèse dirigée, en vue de l'hydroxylation des alcanes gazeux, notamment le méthane. Enfin, différentes modifications des conditions réactionnelles nous ont permis d'atteindre une activité non égalée pour l'hydroxylation terminale de l'octane. / Activation of inert molecules such as alkanes is considered as one of the most difficult challenges in catalysis, due to the high stability of the C-H bond. To comply with the principles of green chemistry, functionalization methods must respect multiple requirements, such as the use of non-toxic solvents and reagents, in addition to reducing energy usage whilst maintaining maximal activity. To satisfy these conditions, we decided to focus on the use of an enzymatic system. Indeed, unactivated C-H bonds can be functionalized under mild conditions by monooxygenases, such as cytochrome P450s, but their activity is relatively limited. In order to have cytochrome P450s more active on alkanes, we describe the fusion between a member of the CYP153 family and an electron donor partner. This fusion protein has been characterized and its catalytic properties studied. We have shown that the fusion increases significantly the alkane hydroxylase activity. Our second step was to continue to exploit the potential of this biocatalyst by attempting to reduce the volume of its active site using site-directed mutagenesis for the hydroxylation of gaseous alkanes, including methane. Finally, various modifications of the reaction conditions allowed us to achieve the terminal hydroxylation of octane with a previously unequalled activity.

Lanthanum-mediated bond activation reactions of small hydrocarbon molecules, including alkenes, alkynes, and alkadienes, were carried out in a laser vaporization metal cluster beam source. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry and mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy, in combination with quantum chemical and multi-dimensional Franck-Condon factor calculations, were utilized to identify the reaction products and investigate their geometries, electronic structures, and formation mechanisms. La-hydrocarbon association was only observed in the reaction of La with isoprene. C-H bond activation was observed in all reactions, hydrogen elimination was observed as the prominent reaction for the alkenes (2-butene, isobutene, 1-pentene, and 2-pentene), alkynes (1-butyne, 2-butyne, and 1-pentyne), and 1,4-pentadiene, and C-C bond activation was observed for the five-membered hydrocarbons (1-pentene, 2-pentene, 1-pentyne, isoprene, and 1,4-pentadiene). The La-hydrocarbon radicals formed in these reactions had lanthanacyclic structures in various sizes, and each of the La-hydrocarbon complexes had a doublet ground state with a 6s1 La-based electron configuration. Ionization removed the 6s electron, and the resultant ion was in a singlet state. Formations of dehydrogenated products were either through a concerted hydrogen elimination process or the dehydrogenation after ligand isomerization. The C-C bond activation proceeded through La-assisted hydrogen migration, followed by C-C bond cleavage, or vice versa.

Aquesta tesi és el reflex que de la cooperació entre grups experimentals i grups teòrics s'aconsegueix l'assoliment d'objectius inassolibles de forma individual. A partir de la DFT s'expliquen processos inorgànics i organometàl·lics de gran valor biològic i/o industrial. La tesi està enfocada especialment a l'estudi de complexos mononuclears i binuclears de coure, on té lloc l'activació d'enllaços C-H, C-C, i O-O. L'estudi de complexos octaèdrics de ruteni ha permès dur a terme extensos estudis isomèrics i racionalitzar les propietats espectroscòpiques dels mateixos. A més a més, estudis més puntuals respecte clusters de coure, l'estudi de la reacció de Pawson-Khand, l'estudi d'enllaços Pt-Pt en complexos trimèrics de platí, a més a més de l'estudi de la isomeria de complexos de Ni i Pt. / This thesis shows that the cooperation between experimental and theoretical groups gives as a result the achievement of aims impossible working independently. From DFT calculations inorganic and organometallic problems related to great biological and industrial processes can be explained. This thesis is especially focused on the study of mononuclear and binuclear copper complexes, where a C-H, C-C, and O-O bond activation takes place. The study of octahedral ruthenium complexes has allowed carrying out isomeric studies and the rationalization of spectroscopic properties. Furthermore, other little studies related to copper clusters, the Pawson-Khand reaction, Pt-Pt bond interaction in trimer platinum complexes, and isomerism of Ni and Pt complexes.

Lanthanum (La)-promoted hydrocarbon activation reactions were carried out in a laser vaporization metal cluster beam source. Reaction products were identified by time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and the approximate ionization thresholds of La-hydrocarbon complexes were located with photoionization efficiency spectroscopy. The accurate ionization energies and vibrational frequencies of the La complexes were measured using mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy. Their molecular structures and electronic states were investigated by combing the MATI spectroscopic measurements with quantum chemical and Franck-Condon factor calculations. In this dissertation, La-mediated C-H and C-C bond activation reactions were investigated for several small alkynes (acetylene, propyne) and alkenes (propene, 1,3-butadiene, 1-butene). The C-H bond activation was observed for both alkynes and alkenes and the C-C bond activation for alkenes. The metal-hydrocarbon intermediates formed by the C-H or C-C bond cleavage reacted further with one or more parent hydrocarbon molecules to produce larger species by C-C bond coupling reactions. Structural isomers of the intermediates and products were identified within an energy range of several kilocalories per mole. Reaction pathways for the intermediate and product formations were studied by theoretical calculations. The ground electron configuration of La atom is 4d16s2.Upon the hydrocarbon coordination, La atom is excited to a 4d26s1 configuration to facilitate the formation of two La-C bonds. After the metal-hydrocarbon complex formation, only one electron is left in the 6s orbital of the metal center. Therefore, the most stable electronic state of the La complexes studied in this work is in a doublet spin state. Ionization of the doublet state yields a preferred singlet ion state. Although La is in the formal oxidation state of +2, the ionization energies of the metal-complexes are significantly lower than that of the free atom. This observation suggests that the concept of the formal oxidation state widely used in chemistry textbooks is not useful in predicting the change of the ionization energy of a metal atom upon ligation. Moreover, ionization has a very small effect on the geometry of the hydrocarbon fragment in each complex but significantly reduces the La-C distances as a result of an additional charge interaction.

Η εργασία αυτή αποτελεί τη διπλωματική εργασία που εκπονήθηκε στα πλαίσια του διατμηματικού μεταπτυχιακού προγράμματος “Ιατρική Χηµεία: Σχεδιασμός και Ανάπτυξη Φαρμακευτικών Προϊόντων” του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών. Στη φύση, η καταλυτική οξείδωση οργανικών μορίων με υψηλή εκλεκτικότητα αποτελεί σημαντικό εργαλείο στη σύνθεση πολύπλοκων φυσικών προϊόντων και επιτυγχάνεται με εξειδικευμένα ένζυμα που έχουν ως βάση κυρίως το χαλκό και το σίδηρο. Αντικείμενο της εργασίας ήταν ο σχεδιασμός και ανάπτυξη πρωτότυπων καταλυτικών συστημάτων οξείδωσης αλειφατικών δεσμών C-H με βάση τον χαλκό που εν δυνάμει προσομοιάζουν τη λειτουργία των βιολογικών συστημάτων. Εξετάστηκε μεθοδικά η σχέση χαλκού-υποκαταστάτη με τις συνθήκες της αντίδρασης σε συνάρτηση με την τόπο-και χημειοεκλεκτικότητα της αντίδρασης. Τα βέλτιστα αποτελέσματα απόδοσης και εκλεκτικότητας στην οξείδωση του κυκλοεξανίου επιτυγχάνονται σε διαλύτη ακετονιτρίλιο ή ακετόνη με νιτρικό ή τριφλικό δισθενή χαλκό σε συνδυασμό με 1,10-φαινανθρολίνη ή 4-άμινο τριαζόλη. Συγκεκριμένα επετεύχθησαν αποδόσεις 25-35% και εκλεκτικότητες Α/Κ 13-32:1. Παράλληλα έγινε σύγκριση με τα state-of-the-art συστήματα που αναφέρονται στη σύγχρονη βιβλιογραφία. Οι εκλεκτικότητες που επετεύχθησαν σε αυτήν την έρευνα είναι οι υψηλότερες που έχουν αναφερθεί όχι μόνο για συστήματα με βάση το χαλκό αλλά και με άλλα μέταλλα. Αντίθετα, τα καταλυτικά αυτά συστήματα δεν φαίνεται να είναι αποτελεσματικά στις οξειδώσεις αλλυλικών και βενζυλικών δεσμών C-H. / This work is the final year’s thesis of the inter-departmental postgraduate program “Medicinal Chemistryː Design and Development of Pharmaceutical Products” of the University of Patras. Nature uses catalytic selective oxidation of C-H bonds in order to construct complex natural products by utilizing specialized enzymes mainly based on copper or iron. The aim of the work is the design and development of novel copper-based catalytic systems capable of C-H oxidation that could mimic the performance of the biological systems. The investigation focused on the interrelationships/dependencies between the type of copper ion and ligand with the reaction conditions in relation to the observed regio- and chemoselectivity. In the oxidation of cyclohexane the best results for yield and chemoselectivity were achieved using 1,10-phenanthroline or 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole as ligands, copper (II) triflate or nitrate as metal sources and acetone or acetonitrile as solvents. Reaction yields of 25-35% and A/K ratios of 13-32 : 1 where achieved and a comparison with state-of-the-art systems from the recent literature was also made. The A/K ratios obtained in this work are the highest reported not only for copper based systems but also for other metals. In contrast, these systems showed no catalytic activity with the weaker allylic or benzylic C-H bonds.

The Dong research group is interested in harnessing the power of transition metal catalysis to transform simple molecules and reagents (such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen gas, olefins, and C–H and C–O bonds) into valuable products (such as functionalized heterocycles, chiral carbonyl compounds and natural products). This thesis will describe our continual effort to achieve this goal. Part I describes the Pd-catalyzed functionalization of sp2 and sp3 C–H bonds. Carbon monoxide is used as a stoichiometric reductant in the cyclization of diarylnitroalkenes to afford biologically relevant 3-arylindoles and other N-containing heterocycles with carbon dioxide as the only stoichiometric byproduct. Also, an aryl sulfoxide moiety is shown to direct the arylation of sp3 C–H bonds to afford beta-functionalized amides. Part II describes the Ru-catalyzed sp3 C–O bond activation of alkoxypyridines and related heterocycles. In this transformation, an O- to N-alkyl migratory rearrangement occurs to afford N-alkylated pyridones which are structures found in many natural products and pharmaceutical agents. Part III describes our pursuit of metal-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis. Readily available benzylic bromides are carbonylated with carbon monoxide in alcoholic solvent mixtures. The resulting medicinally relevant 2-arylpropionic esters are obtained with moderate to good enantioselectivities. Preliminary results for the asymmetric hydrogenation of gem-diarylethylenes and novel ligand development are also disclosed. Part IV describes our efforts towards the total synthesis of 6-deoxyerythronolide B. Our retrosynthetic analysis of the macrolide antibiotic involves disconnections at the lactone linkage and between C7 and C8. The two equally complex fragments were prepared via reliable aldol, hydroboration, crotylation and redox chemistry. Rather than the typical macrolactonization method to form the 14-membered ring, we propose an alternative strategy where we plan to cyclize with a metal-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis event. Currently, this step is under investigation by other members in the group.