The iron-catalysed hydromagnesiation of styrene derivatives has been developed further from previous publications, expanding the electrophile scope to enable the regioselective formation of new carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds (Scheme A1). A commercially available pre-catalyst and ligand were used to give an operationally simple procedure that did not require prior synthesis of a catalyst. This work also investigated the hydromagnesiation of dienes, using a screen of ligands commonly used in transition metal catalysis. An investigation into the magnesium-catalysed hydroboration of olefins was also carried out. Although mostly unsuccessful, it was demonstrated that in the presence of a magnesium catalyst, a small amount of vinyl boronic ester could be formed from an alkyne (Scheme A2). Simple magnesium salts were also investigated for the reduction of carbonyls. Lastly, this work explored the titanium-catalysed hydrosilylation of olefins, using a novel activation method developed within the group (Scheme A3). The results were compared to those published previously using traditional organometallic activation methods and attempts at identifying conditions to improve chemoselectivity were carried out.

The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) design is one of the High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors (HTGR) under the Generation IV initiative. These designs incorporate numerous inherent passive safety features. Graphite is an important material of construction for the reactor core and the fuel pebbles. Knowledge of the high temperature oxidative behaviour of the graphite materials utilized in such reactors is important for design and accident modelling purposes. Despite large amounts of research into the oxidation of graphite, a coherent framework for the comparison and assessment of the relative reactivity’s of graphite samples from different origins has not yet been established. This is mainly due to a lack of clarity regarding the relative contribution of different factors which influence the overall behaviour of a given sample. The objective of this work was to identify and isolate the key factors which influence the oxidation of graphite and understand their operation across the entire range of conversion. Based on this understanding a comprehensive model for the oxidation can be established. The framework of this model will allow the sensible comparison of samples from different origins, based on the relative contribution of the relevant mechanisms. The work focused purely on the kinetic factors which influence the oxidation and extreme care was taken to avoid mass transfer limitations where possible. Through a carefully established experimental methodology three key factors were found to influence the progression of oxidation in a given sample: <ul><li> First and foremost, the development of the active surface area of a given sample</li><li> Secondly, the presence of catalytic impurities</li><li> Thirdly, the influence of inhibiting impurities/li></ul> Based on these three effects, a finite element type, Monte Carlo simulation was developed. In this simulation virtually any geometry can be easily represented and the progression of the active surface area as the oxidation proceeds can be monitored. Furthermore, catalytic impurities could be easily incorporated into the simulation in a clear, consistent manner. This leads to an overall simulation which produces results that visually reflect the observed behaviour as well as accounting for the kinetic aspects of the experimentally determined conversion behaviour. This work provides a starting point for assessing samples from different origins to first determine differences in the three basic governing effects, followed by a relative assessment of their reactivity’s on a common basis. Future work should focus on refining the understanding of the mechanistic aspects of each of the individual governing effects, especially the influence of surface complexes and different reaction pathways. In addition, the work should be extended to cover a more comprehensive selection of graphite samples from different origins and a wider variety of impurity behaviours. / Thesis (PhD(Eng))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

Aromatic rings are privileged structures found in a diverse range of natural and synthetic compounds, thus synthetic methods for their functionalisations are important in organic synthesis. Despite significant advancements made, especially in the field of transition metal catalysis, work still continues for the development of milder, more efficient, and more atom economical reactions. We describe here our efforts towards the development of decarboxylative/direct C(aryl)–N and C(aryl)–C bond forming reactions using aromatic carboxylic acids and unfunctionalised arenes as cheap and widely available aromatic sources. The investigations into copper-catalysed and copper/palladium-catalysed intermolecular and copper/silver/palladium-catalysed intramolecular decarboxylative amination of aromatic carboxylic acids are reported. A new approach to decarboxylation of benzoic acids is also described. The reaction uses silver (I) catalyst and peroxydisulfate salt to generate aryl radicals via oxidative decarboxylation. The applications of this approach in intra- and intermolecular decarboxylative C–H arylation, and protodecarboxylation are described. Also described is the development of silver-catalysed trifluoromethylation of simple arenes and heteroarenes. The reaction proceeds via radical trifluoromethylation using trimethyl(trifluoromethyl)silane as the trifluoromethyl radical source. This method has been applied to the trifluoromethylation of complex agrochemical molecules, proving its synthetic utility in late-stage functionalisation. Furthermore, we describe the exploitation of trifluoroacetate derivatives as cheap trifluoromethylating reagents in copper-mediated decarboxylative C–H trifluoromethylation of 2-phenylpyridine.

Le système spirocyclique (7,5) est un motif récurrent dans un certain nombre de produits naturels tels que les Micrandilactones ou les Rubriflordilactones. Ces structures polycycliques représentent un réel défi synthétique pour les chimistes organiciens puisqu'elles présentent au moins neuf centres stéréogènes dont plusieurs sont quaternaires. L'objectif principal de ce travail était de développer de nouvelles réactions de cycloaddition [3+2] et de les utiliser comme étape clé afin d'obtenir rapidement et efficacement le squelette polycylique de ces composés. La première partie de ces travaux a été consacrée au développement d'une réaction de cycloaddition [3+2] intra- et intermoléculaire mettant un jeu un nouveau partenaire dipolarophile, les γ-alkylidènes-buténolides. Cette étape clé conduit à la formation de cycloadduits hautement fonctionnalisés de façon rapide et efficace avec d'excellents rendements et de façon hautement chimio-, régio- et diastéréosélective. De plus, des calculs théoriques ont permis d'appréhender le mécanisme réactionnel entre un 2-diazo-1,3-cétoester et la protoanémonine catalysé par un sel de rhodium mis en jeu dans ce type de processus et ainsi d'expliquer les résultats obtenus.Dans une deuxième partie, deux approches aux cœurs ABC et CD de la micrandilactone C ont été développées mettant respectivement en jeu une cycloaddition [3+2] formellement intermoléculaire utilisant un lien de type acétal de silicium et suivie par une réaction de Diels Alder. Ainsi, le motif tétracyclique devrait être rapidement accessible après quelques aménagements de la voie de synthèse initiale. / The spiro (7, 5) ring system is a recurring structural moiety in numerous natural products such as Micrandilactones and Rubriflordilactones. In term of complexity, these polycyclic structures represent a synthetic challenge for organic chemist. Indeed, these molecules present at least nine stereogenic centres including several quaternary ones. The main goal of this work was to use unprecedented partners in the [3+2] cycloaddition reaction to obtain quickly and efficiently the polycyclic core of those natural products. The first part of these studies was dedicated to the development of an intra- and intermolecular [3+2] cycloaddition using for the first time a γ-alkylidene-butenolide dipolarophile. This approach provides rapid and facile access to highly functionalised polycyclic molecules along with excellent regio-, chemo- and stereoselectivities. In addition, thanks to computational studies an overall picture of the mechanism of the intermolecular rhodium catalysed [3+2] cycloaddition between 2-diazo-1,3-ketoester and protoanemonin was apprehended, and experimental results have been rationalised.Finally, two approaches to the ABC and CD cores of Micrandilactone C were developed using respectively a formal intermolecular [3+2] cycloaddition reaction in presence of a silicon acetal linker followed by a Diels Alder reaction. The ACDE tetracyclic moiety should be quickly accessible after few modifications of the initial strategy.