The non-sustainable nature of fossil fuels as feedstocks for valuable chemicals, combined with the environmental damage caused by their extraction and combustion, increases the need for the development of a bio-based economy. While industry and public opinion are slowly shifting towards acceptance of this change, efficient technologies for the depolymerization and subsequent separation of lignocellulosic biomass fall short of the ever-increasing demand. In particular, there are currently no efficient, sustainable mass scale methods to convert lignin, the most abundant source of aromatic molecules on Earth. The use of oxovanadium(V) catalyst complexes to aerobically cleave C‒C bonds has been demonstrated previously and remains an attractive option for incorporation into a sustainable bio-based economy. Two new triphenoxyamine oxovanadium(V) catalysts with reduced steric bulk and electron density at the metal center (vs. previously reported complexes) have been synthesized for aerobic oxidative diol C‒C bond cleavage. These complexes were found to cleave less activated and more complex substrates than previous generations, including cyclic diols and polyalcohols. Several insights into the reaction pathways of this class of complex were elucidated through a series of kinetic studies. Experimentally, the rate of C‒C bond cleavage of both pinacol and hydrobenzoin was determined to be unaffected by substitution of the O‒H bonds with deuterium, suggesting that currently proposed mechanisms need to be revised. Multiple catalytic regimes were observed during anaerobic reaction, which were not altered significantly by the brief addition of O2. A series of density functional theory calculations revealed a plausible mechanism for the trialkoxy complex that did not involve a proton transfer in the rate determining step, instead suggesting that ligand-arm dissociation-reassociation play a significant role in the reaction. In a second project, new bisphenoxyamine-N-appended base ligand with less steric hindrance and electron density at the metal center, has been synthesized utilizing similar design principles gained from work with triphenoxyamine catalysts. When reacting with lignin model compound 1,2-diphenyl-2-methoxyethanol, this new complex displays a higher selectivity towards aldehydes and esters (relative to previous bisphenoxyamine-N-appended ligands), leading to a higher rate of C‒C bond cleavage. Investigations into the mechanism of bisphenoxy complexes, as well as the role of the N-appended base in reactivity, were performed using substrate pre-complexed bisphenoxy compounds. Thermolysis at 60 and 100 °C produced almost exclusively oxidative C‒H bond cleavage product benzyl methyl ether, with evidence for overoxidation product benzoic acid observed. Thermolysis of labelled substrate pre-complexed revealed that N-appended base may impede C‒C cleavage of 1,2-diphenyl-2-methoxyethanol by forcing the methyl ether away from the oxovanadium(V) center. Through the use of these multidentate phenoxyamine ligands, advances have been made towards sustainable oxovanadium catalysis in the pursuit of efficient and selective lignocellulosic disassembly for a sustainable bio-based economy.

The selective transformation of carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds represents an attractive approach and rapidly developing frontier in synthesis. Benefits include step and atom economy, as well as the ubiquitous presence in organic molecules. Advances to this exciting realm of synthesis are described in this thesis with an emphasis on the development of catalytic, selective reactions under mild conditions. Additionally some applications of the methodologies are demonstrated. In Chapter 1, the first examples of inter-and intramolecular enantioselective conjugate alkenylations employing organostannanes are reported. A chiral, cationic Rh(I)-diene complex catalyzed the enantioselective conjugate addition of alkenylstannanes to benzylidene Meldrum’s acids in moderate enantiomeric ratios and yields. Notably, the cationic and anhydrous conditions required for the asymmetric alkenylation are complementary to existing protocols employing other alkenylmetals. In Chapter 2, a domino, one-pot formation of tetracyclic ketones from benzylidene Meldrum’s acids using Sc(OTf)3 via a [1,5]-hydride shift/cyclization/Friedel-Crafts acylation sequence is described. Respectable yields were obtained in accord with the ability to convert to the spiro-intermediate, and considering the formation of three new bonds: one C-H and two C-C bonds. An intriguing carbon-carbon bond cleavage was also serendipitously discovered as part of a competing reaction pathway. In Chapter 3, the pursuit of novel C-H bond transformations led to the development of non-carbonyl-stabilized rhodium carbenoid Csp3-H insertions. This methodology enabled the rapid synthesis of N-fused indolines and related complex heterocycles from N-aziridinylimines. By using a rhodium carboxamidate catalyst, competing processes were minimized and C-H insertions were found to proceed in moderate to high yields. Also disclosed is an expedient total synthesis of (±)-cryptaustoline, a dibenzopyrrocoline alkaloid, which highlights the methodology. In Chapter 4, the Lewis acid promoted substitution of Meldrum’s acid discovered during the course of the domino reaction was explored in detail. The protocol transforms unstrained quaternary and tertiary benzylic Csp3-Csp3 bonds into Csp3-X bonds (X = C, N, H) and has even shown to be advantageous with regards to synthetic utility over the use of alternative leaving groups for substitutions at quaternary benzylic centers. This reaction has a broad scope both in terms of suitable substrates and nucleophiles with good to excellent yields obtained (typically >90%).

The selective transformation of carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds represents an attractive approach and rapidly developing frontier in synthesis. Benefits include step and atom economy, as well as the ubiquitous presence in organic molecules. Advances to this exciting realm of synthesis are described in this thesis with an emphasis on the development of catalytic, selective reactions under mild conditions. Additionally some applications of the methodologies are demonstrated. In Chapter 1, the first examples of inter-and intramolecular enantioselective conjugate alkenylations employing organostannanes are reported. A chiral, cationic Rh(I)-diene complex catalyzed the enantioselective conjugate addition of alkenylstannanes to benzylidene Meldrum’s acids in moderate enantiomeric ratios and yields. Notably, the cationic and anhydrous conditions required for the asymmetric alkenylation are complementary to existing protocols employing other alkenylmetals. In Chapter 2, a domino, one-pot formation of tetracyclic ketones from benzylidene Meldrum’s acids using Sc(OTf)3 via a [1,5]-hydride shift/cyclization/Friedel-Crafts acylation sequence is described. Respectable yields were obtained in accord with the ability to convert to the spiro-intermediate, and considering the formation of three new bonds: one C-H and two C-C bonds. An intriguing carbon-carbon bond cleavage was also serendipitously discovered as part of a competing reaction pathway. In Chapter 3, the pursuit of novel C-H bond transformations led to the development of non-carbonyl-stabilized rhodium carbenoid Csp3-H insertions. This methodology enabled the rapid synthesis of N-fused indolines and related complex heterocycles from N-aziridinylimines. By using a rhodium carboxamidate catalyst, competing processes were minimized and C-H insertions were found to proceed in moderate to high yields. Also disclosed is an expedient total synthesis of (±)-cryptaustoline, a dibenzopyrrocoline alkaloid, which highlights the methodology. In Chapter 4, the Lewis acid promoted substitution of Meldrum’s acid discovered during the course of the domino reaction was explored in detail. The protocol transforms unstrained quaternary and tertiary benzylic Csp3-Csp3 bonds into Csp3-X bonds (X = C, N, H) and has even shown to be advantageous with regards to synthetic utility over the use of alternative leaving groups for substitutions at quaternary benzylic centers. This reaction has a broad scope both in terms of suitable substrates and nucleophiles with good to excellent yields obtained (typically >90%).

L'étude du mécanisme de la réaction d'oxydation de l'éthanol (EOR) a été réalisée sur des électrocatalyseurs bi- et tri-métalliques à base de Pt, Rh et SnO2 sur support carboné à l'aide de méthodes électrochimiques couplées (DEMS, in situ FTIR). Deux importantes problématiques de l'EOR ont été abordées: la déshydrogénation de la molécule d'éthanol et la cassure de sa liaison C-C.L'investigation de certains paramètres expérimentaux, comme l'épaisseur de la couche d'électrocatalyseur, a permis de démontrer q'une couche active épaisse conduit à une meilleure électrooxydation plus complète de l'éthanol en CO2, mais également que l'empoisonnement de l'électrocatalyseur par de très forts adsorbats advient dans l'épaisseur de couche active.Les performances de chaque électrocatalyseur ont été comparées entre elles et ont mis en évidence une meilleure sélectivité de l'EOR sur Pt-Rh-SnO2/C, ainsi que l'engendrement de courants plus élevés à bas potentiel à température ambiante. La tendance est amplifiée à température plus élevée (T = 60 °C). / The study of the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) mechanism was performed on carbon supported bi- and tri-metallic Pt-, Rh-, SnO2-based electrocatalysts via electrochemical coupled techniques (DEMS, in situ FTIR). Two of the most important issues related to the EOR have been broached: the dehydrogenation of the ethanol molecule and its C-C bond breaking.The investigation of some experimental parameters, such as the thickness of the electrocatalyst layer, enabled demonstrating the better complete ethanol electrooxidation into CO2 for large electrocatalysts layers, combined to the enhanced poisoning effect inside the catalyst layer by very strong adsorbates.The performances of each electrocatalyst were compared and evidenced an improved selectivity of the EOR on Pt-Rh-SnO2/C, as well as the generation of higher currents at low potential at room temperature. The tendency was amplified at elevated temperatures (T = 60 °C).