Neste trabalho foi avaliada a seletividade (quimio ou enantiosseletividade) de quatro enzimas Baeyer-Villiger mono-oxigenases (BVMOs: PAMO, PAMO M446G, HAPMO e CHMO) frente a substratos contendo boro ou selênio. Inicialmente uma série de boro-acetofenonas foram submetidas à bio-oxidação catalisada por estas BVMOs. A enzima CHMO mostrou quimiosseletividade para transformação da ligação C-B em detrimento da reação de Baeyer-Villiger. Enquanto PAMO e PAMO M446G catalisaram a oxidação de ambas as funções em substratos 4-substituídos e a seletiva transformação de C-B no caso de substratos 3-substituídos. A enzima HAPMO levou a reação de Baeyer-Villiger e a transformação da ligação C-B em todos os casos. Quando alquenos contendo boro foram utilizados como substratos, somente aqueles que continham uma porção fenila em sua estrutura foram oxidados por BVMOs. Em nenhum dos casos foi observada reação de epoxidação e todas as enzimas levaram a transformação da ligação C-B em C-O. Compostos quirais contendo boro foram submetidos a reações com as BVMOs na tentativa de transformação enantiosseletiva. PAMO e PAMO M446G foram as melhores enzimas levando, na maioria dos casos, a satisfatória oxidação dos substratos. Entretanto, somente um composto pôde ser oxidado com boa enantiosseletividade (e.e 82-91%). Compostos quirais contendo o átomo de selênio também foram alvos de estudo com BVMOs. Novamente a enzima PAMO se mostrou a melhor opção dentre as enzimas testadas e somente quando R2 e R1 = Ph houve boa enantiosseletividade na oxidação (e.e 97 %). / In this work we evaluated the selectivity (chemo or enantioselectivity) of four Baeyer-Villiger mono-oxigenases (BVMOS: PAMO, M446G PAMO, HAPMO and CHMO) in the presence of boron-containing or selenium-containing compounds. Initially, a series of boron-acetophenones were submitted to oxidation reactions mediated by BVMOs. The enzyme CHMO was chemoselective leading only to C-B bond transformation instead Baeyer-Villiger reaction. However, PAMO and PAMO M446G mediated both oxidations in 4-substituted substrates, and only the C-B transformation in 3-substituted substrates. The enzyme HAPMO leading to Baeyer- Villiger reaction and C-B transformation in all cases. When boron-containing alkenes were the substrates, only compounds with phenyl moiety in the structure were oxidized by BVMOs. It was observed only the C-B transformation and none of the epoxidation reaction. Chiral boron compounds were submitted to BVMOS mediated reactions in an attempt of enantioselective transformation. PAMO and M446G PAMO showed the best results leading, in most cases, to a satisfactory oxidation. However, only one compound was oxidized with great enantioselectivity (82-91% ee). Selenium-containing chiral compounds were also tested in reactions mediated by BVMOs. Again, PAMO showed the best results among BVMOs tested, but only when R2 e R1 = Ph the reaction occurred with great enantiosselectivity (97 % ee).

This study provides insight into the structure/function relationship between desaturases and acetylenases, and indicates amino acid residues within acetylenases which influence reaction outcome. <i>Oleate desaturases</i> belong to a family of enzymes capable of introducing cis double bonds between C12 - C13 in oleate esters. Acetylenases are a subset of oleate desaturase enzymes which introduce a triple bond in the C12 - C13 position of linoleate. To better understand which amino acids could be responsible for differentiating the activity of acetylenases from typical desaturases, a total of 50 protein sequences were used to compare the two classes of enzymes resulting in the identification of 11 amino acid residues which are conserved within either separate family but differ between the two groups of enzymes. These identified amino acid residues were then singularly altered by site-directed mutagenesis to test their role in fatty acid modification. Specifically, the wild type acetylenase, Crep1 from <i>Crepis alpina</i>, and a number of point mutants have been expressed in <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>, followed by fatty acid analysis of the resulting cultures. Results indicate the importance of 4 amino acid residues within Crep1 (Y150, F259, H266, and V304) with regards to desaturase and acetylenase chemoselectivity, stereoselectivity, and/or substrate recognition. The F259L mutation affected the acetylenase by converting it to an atypical FAD2 capable of producing both cis and trans isomers. The V304I mutation resulted in the conversion of Crep1 into a stereoselective FAD2, where only the cis isomers of 16:2 and 18:2 were produced. The Y150F mutation led to a loss of acetylenase activity without affecting the inherent desaturase activity of Crep1. The H266Q mutation appears to affect substrate selection causing an inability to bind substrate (16:1-9c and/or 18:1-9c) in a cisoid conformation, resulting in an increased accumulation of trans product. The changes in enzyme activity detected in cultures expressing Crep1 mutants demonstrate the profound effect that exchanging as little as one amino acid can have on an enzyme properties. Enzymes retain some conservation of amino acids necessary for activity, such as those involved in metal ion binding, whereas subtle changes can affect overall enzyme function and catalysis.

This study provides insight into the structure/function relationship between desaturases and acetylenases, and indicates amino acid residues within acetylenases which influence reaction outcome. <i>Oleate desaturases</i> belong to a family of enzymes capable of introducing cis double bonds between C12 - C13 in oleate esters. Acetylenases are a subset of oleate desaturase enzymes which introduce a triple bond in the C12 - C13 position of linoleate. To better understand which amino acids could be responsible for differentiating the activity of acetylenases from typical desaturases, a total of 50 protein sequences were used to compare the two classes of enzymes resulting in the identification of 11 amino acid residues which are conserved within either separate family but differ between the two groups of enzymes. These identified amino acid residues were then singularly altered by site-directed mutagenesis to test their role in fatty acid modification. Specifically, the wild type acetylenase, Crep1 from <i>Crepis alpina</i>, and a number of point mutants have been expressed in <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>, followed by fatty acid analysis of the resulting cultures. Results indicate the importance of 4 amino acid residues within Crep1 (Y150, F259, H266, and V304) with regards to desaturase and acetylenase chemoselectivity, stereoselectivity, and/or substrate recognition. The F259L mutation affected the acetylenase by converting it to an atypical FAD2 capable of producing both cis and trans isomers. The V304I mutation resulted in the conversion of Crep1 into a stereoselective FAD2, where only the cis isomers of 16:2 and 18:2 were produced. The Y150F mutation led to a loss of acetylenase activity without affecting the inherent desaturase activity of Crep1. The H266Q mutation appears to affect substrate selection causing an inability to bind substrate (16:1-9c and/or 18:1-9c) in a cisoid conformation, resulting in an increased accumulation of trans product. The changes in enzyme activity detected in cultures expressing Crep1 mutants demonstrate the profound effect that exchanging as little as one amino acid can have on an enzyme properties. Enzymes retain some conservation of amino acids necessary for activity, such as those involved in metal ion binding, whereas subtle changes can affect overall enzyme function and catalysis.

Neste trabalho foi avaliada a seletividade (quimio ou enantiosseletividade) de quatro enzimas Baeyer-Villiger mono-oxigenases (BVMOs: PAMO, PAMO M446G, HAPMO e CHMO) frente a substratos contendo boro ou selênio. Inicialmente uma série de boro-acetofenonas foram submetidas à bio-oxidação catalisada por estas BVMOs. A enzima CHMO mostrou quimiosseletividade para transformação da ligação C-B em detrimento da reação de Baeyer-Villiger. Enquanto PAMO e PAMO M446G catalisaram a oxidação de ambas as funções em substratos 4-substituídos e a seletiva transformação de C-B no caso de substratos 3-substituídos. A enzima HAPMO levou a reação de Baeyer-Villiger e a transformação da ligação C-B em todos os casos. Quando alquenos contendo boro foram utilizados como substratos, somente aqueles que continham uma porção fenila em sua estrutura foram oxidados por BVMOs. Em nenhum dos casos foi observada reação de epoxidação e todas as enzimas levaram a transformação da ligação C-B em C-O. Compostos quirais contendo boro foram submetidos a reações com as BVMOs na tentativa de transformação enantiosseletiva. PAMO e PAMO M446G foram as melhores enzimas levando, na maioria dos casos, a satisfatória oxidação dos substratos. Entretanto, somente um composto pôde ser oxidado com boa enantiosseletividade (e.e 82-91%). Compostos quirais contendo o átomo de selênio também foram alvos de estudo com BVMOs. Novamente a enzima PAMO se mostrou a melhor opção dentre as enzimas testadas e somente quando R2 e R1 = Ph houve boa enantiosseletividade na oxidação (e.e 97 %). / In this work we evaluated the selectivity (chemo or enantioselectivity) of four Baeyer-Villiger mono-oxigenases (BVMOS: PAMO, M446G PAMO, HAPMO and CHMO) in the presence of boron-containing or selenium-containing compounds. Initially, a series of boron-acetophenones were submitted to oxidation reactions mediated by BVMOs. The enzyme CHMO was chemoselective leading only to C-B bond transformation instead Baeyer-Villiger reaction. However, PAMO and PAMO M446G mediated both oxidations in 4-substituted substrates, and only the C-B transformation in 3-substituted substrates. The enzyme HAPMO leading to Baeyer- Villiger reaction and C-B transformation in all cases. When boron-containing alkenes were the substrates, only compounds with phenyl moiety in the structure were oxidized by BVMOs. It was observed only the C-B transformation and none of the epoxidation reaction. Chiral boron compounds were submitted to BVMOS mediated reactions in an attempt of enantioselective transformation. PAMO and M446G PAMO showed the best results leading, in most cases, to a satisfactory oxidation. However, only one compound was oxidized with great enantioselectivity (82-91% ee). Selenium-containing chiral compounds were also tested in reactions mediated by BVMOs. Again, PAMO showed the best results among BVMOs tested, but only when R2 e R1 = Ph the reaction occurred with great enantiosselectivity (97 % ee).

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Carbenoides são intermediários altamente reativos que desempenham um papel fundamental em estratégias sintéticas modernas. Essas espécies são muito semelhantes aos carbenos no estado singleto, visto que possuem um caráter ambifílico e reagem por um mecanismo concertado, levando a produtos estereoespecíficos. Estudos preliminares demonstraram a versatilidade de um carbenoide misto de magnésio e lítio (ClCH2 MgCl·LiCl) na reação com diversos aldeídos aromáticos, alifáticos e heterocíclicos. Desta maneira, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a quimiosseletividade de tal reagente e investigar a aplicação deste na síntese diasterosseletiva do (2S,3S)-N-Boc-3amino-1,2-epóxi-4-fenilbutano e seu diastereoisômero de configuração (2R,3S). Para a primeira parte do trabalho, selecionamos alguns aldeídos contendo grupos funcionais, tais como, ésteres, nitrilas, cetonas, amida, entre outros. De maneira geral, o carbenoide de magnésio mostrou-se muito eficiente e quimiosseletivo, levando a 14 cloridrinas funcionalizadas em bons rendimentos isolados, contudo, quando grupos doadores de elétrons estavam presentes na posição 4 do anel, o aldeído apresentou uma diminuição de reatividade e impossibilitou a obtenção do produto desejado. Por fim, estudos preliminares visando à preparação dos epóxidos de configuração (2S,3S) e (2R,3S) foram também realizados e os resultados são discutidos de forma detalhada no texto. / Carbenoids are a class of highly reactive intermediate compounds that play a key role in modern synthetic strategies. These species show a state very similar to that of singlet state carbenes since they have an ambiphilic character and react by a concerted mechanism, something that allows them to afford stereospecific products. Previous studies demonstrated the versatility of a mixed magnesium and lithium carbenoid (ClCH 2 MgCl·LiCl) in the reaction with a number of aromatic, aliphatic and heterocyclic aldehydes. In this way, the objective of this work was to study the chemoselectivity of such reagent and investigate its application in the diastereoselective synthesis of (2S,3S)-N-Boc-3-amino-1,2-epoxy-4-phenylbutane and its diastereoisomer of configuration (2R,3S). For the first part of the work we selected some aldehyde containing functional groups such as esters, nitriles, ketones and amide, among others. In summary, the magnesium carbenoid proved to be very efficient and chemoselective, leading to 14 functionalized chlorohydrins in good isolated yields. Nevertheless, when electron donating groups were present at the position 4 of the substrates ring, the resulting aldehyde showed a decrease in reactivity, which precluded us to obtain the desired product. Finally, preliminary studies aiming the preparation of the epoxides of configuration (2S,3S) and (2R,3S) were also investigated and the results are discussed in detail in the text.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Carbenoides são intermediários altamente reativos que desempenham um papel fundamental em estratégias sintéticas modernas. Essas espécies são muito semelhantes aos carbenos no estado singleto, visto que possuem um caráter ambifílico e reagem por um mecanismo concertado, levando a produtos estereoespecíficos. Estudos preliminares demonstraram a versatilidade de um carbenoide misto de magnésio e lítio (ClCH2 MgCl·LiCl) na reação com diversos aldeídos aromáticos, alifáticos e heterocíclicos. Desta maneira, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a quimiosseletividade de tal reagente e investigar a aplicação deste na síntese diasterosseletiva do (2S,3S)-N-Boc-3amino-1,2-epóxi-4-fenilbutano e seu diastereoisômero de configuração (2R,3S). Para a primeira parte do trabalho, selecionamos alguns aldeídos contendo grupos funcionais, tais como, ésteres, nitrilas, cetonas, amida, entre outros. De maneira geral, o carbenoide de magnésio mostrou-se muito eficiente e quimiosseletivo, levando a 14 cloridrinas funcionalizadas em bons rendimentos isolados, contudo, quando grupos doadores de elétrons estavam presentes na posição 4 do anel, o aldeído apresentou uma diminuição de reatividade e impossibilitou a obtenção do produto desejado. Por fim, estudos preliminares visando à preparação dos epóxidos de configuração (2S,3S) e (2R,3S) foram também realizados e os resultados são discutidos de forma detalhada no texto. / Carbenoids are a class of highly reactive intermediate compounds that play a key role in modern synthetic strategies. These species show a state very similar to that of singlet state carbenes since they have an ambiphilic character and react by a concerted mechanism, something that allows them to afford stereospecific products. Previous studies demonstrated the versatility of a mixed magnesium and lithium carbenoid (ClCH 2 MgCl·LiCl) in the reaction with a number of aromatic, aliphatic and heterocyclic aldehydes. In this way, the objective of this work was to study the chemoselectivity of such reagent and investigate its application in the diastereoselective synthesis of (2S,3S)-N-Boc-3-amino-1,2-epoxy-4-phenylbutane and its diastereoisomer of configuration (2R,3S). For the first part of the work we selected some aldehyde containing functional groups such as esters, nitriles, ketones and amide, among others. In summary, the magnesium carbenoid proved to be very efficient and chemoselective, leading to 14 functionalized chlorohydrins in good isolated yields. Nevertheless, when electron donating groups were present at the position 4 of the substrates ring, the resulting aldehyde showed a decrease in reactivity, which precluded us to obtain the desired product. Finally, preliminary studies aiming the preparation of the epoxides of configuration (2S,3S) and (2R,3S) were also investigated and the results are discussed in detail in the text.

A chemoselective catalyst is preferred in a chemical reaction where protecting groups otherwise are needed. The two lipases Candida antarctica lipase B and Rhizomucor miehei lipase showed large chemoselectivity ratios, defined as (kcat/KM)OH / (kcat/KM)SH, in a transacylation reaction with ethyl octanoate as acyl donor and hexanol or hexanethiol as acyl acceptor (paper I). The chemoselectivity ratio of the uncatalyzed reaction was 120 in favour of the alcohol. Compared to the uncatalyzed reaction, the chemoselectivity was 730 times higher for Candida antarctica lipase B and ten times higher for Rhizomucor miehei lipase. The KM towards the thiol was more than two orders of magnitude higher than the KM towards the corresponding alcohol. This was the dominating contribution to the high chemoselectivity displayed by the two lipases. In a novel approach, Candida antarctica lipase B was used as catalyst for enzymatic synthesis of thiol-functionalized polyesters in a one-pot reaction without using protecting groups (paper II). Poly(e-caprolactone) with a free thiol at one of the ends was synthesized in an enzymatic ring-opening polymerization initiated with mercaptoethanol or terminated with either 3-mercaptopropionic acid or g-thiobutyrolactone.

L’importance des produits naturels dans le développement de nouveaux médicaments est indéniable. Malheureusement, l’isolation et la purification de ces produits de leurs sources naturelles procure normalement de très faibles quantités de molécules biologiquement actives. Ce problème a grandement limité l’accès à des études biologiques approfondies et/ou à une distribution sur une grande échelle du composé actif. Par exemple, la famille des pipéridines contient plusieurs composés bioactifs isolés de sources naturelles en très faible quantité (de l’ordre du milligramme). Pour pallier à ce problème, nous avons développé trois nouvelles approches synthétiques divergentes vers des pipéridines polysubstituées contenant une séquence d’activation/désaromatisation d’un sel de pyridinium chiral et énantioenrichi. La première approche vise la synthèse de pipéridines 2,5-disubstituées par l’utilisation d’une réaction d’arylation intermoléculaire sur des 1,2,3,4-tétrahydropyridines 2-substituées. Nous avons ensuite développé une méthode de synthèse d’indolizidines et de quinolizidines par l’utilisation d’amides secondaires. Cette deuxième approche permet ainsi la synthèse formelle d’alcaloïdes non-naturels à la suite d’une addition/cyclisation diastéréosélective et régiosélective sur un intermédiaire pyridinium commun. Finalement, nous avons développé une nouvelle approche pour la synthèse de pipéridines 2,6-disubstituées par l’utilisation d’une réaction de lithiation dirigée suivie d’un couplage croisé de Negishi ou d’un parachèvement avec un réactif électrophile. Le développement de transformations chimiosélectives et versatiles est un enjeu crucial et actuel pour les chimistes organiciens. Nous avons émis l’hypothèse qu’il serait possible d’appliquer le concept de chimiosélectivité à la fonctionnalisation d’amides, un des groupements le plus souvent rencontrés dans la structure des molécules naturelles. Dans le cadre précis de cette thèse, des transformations chimiosélectives ont été réalisées sur des amides secondaires fonctionnalisés. La méthode repose sur l’activation de la fonction carbonyle par l’anhydride triflique en présence d’une base faible. Dans un premier temps, l’amide ainsi activé a été réduit sélectivement en fonction imine, aldéhyde ou amine en présence d’hydrures peu nucléophiles. Alternativement, un nucléophile carboné a été employé afin de permettre la synthèse de cétones ou des cétimines. D’autre part, en combinant un amide et un dérivé de pyridine, une réaction de cyclisation/déshydratation permet d’obtenir les d’imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines polysubstituées. De plus, nous avons brièvement appliqué ces conditions d’activation au réarrangement interrompu de type Beckmann sur des cétoximes. Une nouvelle voie synthétique pour la synthèse d’iodures d’alcyne a finalement été développée en utilisant une réaction d’homologation/élimination en un seul pot à partir de bromures benzyliques et allyliques commercialement disponibles. La présente méthode se distincte des autres méthodes disponibles dans la littérature par la simplicité des procédures réactionnelles qui ont été optimisées afin d’être applicable sur grande échelle. / The importance of natural products in the development of new drugs is undeniable. Unfortunately, the isolation and purification of those products from their natural sources provides normally very small amounts of the desired bioactive molecules. Consequently there is largely limited access to in-depth biological studies and/or to the large scale distribution of the bioactive compound. For example, the piperidine family contains a large diversity of bioactive compounds isolated from natural sources in very limited quantities (on the order of milligram scale). To address the issue, we have developed three new divergent synthetic approaches towards polysubstituted piperidines containing an activation/dearomatization sequence from a chiral and enantioenchired pyridinium salt. The first approach aims towards the synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted piperidines by the use of an intermolecular arylation reaction on 2-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridines. Then, we have developed a synthetic method for indolizidines and quinolizidines starting from secondary amides. The second approach leads to the formal synthesis of non-natural alkaloids via a highly diastereoselective and regioselective addition/cyclization from a common pyridinium intermediate. Finally, we have found a new approach for the synthesis of 2,6-disubstituted piperidines by the use of a directed lithiation sequence followed by either a Negishi cross-coupling reaction or a quench with an electrophilic reagent. The development of highly chemoselective and versatile transformations are crucial to organic chemists. We have issued the hypothesis that it could be possible to apply the chemoselectivity concept towards the functionalization of amides, one of the most encountered subunits in the structures of natural products. In the specific context of the thesis, the highly chemoselective transformations are realized on functionalized secondary amides. The method relies on the activation of the carbonyl function of the amide by triflic anhydride in presence of a weak base. Firstly, the activated amide can be selectively reduced to imine, aldehyde, or amine oxidation state in the presence of a poorly nucleophilic hydride source. Alternatively, a carbon nucleophile could also be employed in order to allow the synthesis of ketones or ketimines. By combining an amide with a pyridine derivative a cyclization/dehydration reaction was used for the synthesis of polysubstituted imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines. Moreover, we have briefly applied the activation conditions to the interrupted Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes. We have finally developed a new synthetic pathway for iodoalkynes by using a one-pot homologation/elimination reaction from commercially available benzylic and allylic bromides. The present method is distinctively different from literature precedents by the simplicity of the reaction procedures and purifications which were optimized in order to be applied to large scale synthesis