Thesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry, 1977 / Includes bibliographical references. / Ph. D. / Ph. D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry

Polyhomologation is a powerful method to prepare polyethylene-based materials with controlled molecular weight, topology and composition. This dissertation focuses on the discovery of new synthetic routes to prepare polyethylene-based macromolecular architectures by combining polyhomologation with highly orthogonal and efficient linking reactions such as Diels Alder, copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), and Glaser. Taking advantage of functionalized polyhomologation initiators, as well as of the efficient coupling chemistry, we were able to synthesize various types of polymethylene (polyethylene)-based materials with complex architectures including linear co/terpolymers, graft terpolymers, and tadpole copolymers. In the first project, a facile synthetic route towards well-defined polymethylene-based co/terpolymers, by combining the anthracene/maleimide Diels–Alder reaction with polyhomologation, is presented. For the synthesis of diblock copolymers the following approach was applied: (a) synthesis of α-anthracene-ω-hydroxy-polymethylene by polyhomologation using tri (9 anthracene-methyl propyl ether) borane as the initiator, (b) synthesis of furan-protected-maleimide-terminated poly(ε-caprolactone) or polyethylene glycol and (c) Diels–Alder reaction between anthracene and maleimide-terminated polymers. In the case of triblock terpolymers, the α-anthracene-ω-hydroxy polymethylene was used as a macroinitiator for the ring-opening polymerization of D, L-lactide to afford an anthracene-terminated PM-b-PLA copolymer, followed by the Diels–Alder reaction with furan-protected maleimide-terminated poly (ε-caprolactone) or polyethylene glycol to give the triblock terpolymers. The synthetic methodology is general and potentially applicable to a range of polymers. The coupling reaction applied in the second project of this dissertation was copper-catalyzed “click” cycloaddition of azides and alkynes (CuAAC). Novel well-defined polyethylene-based graft terpolymers were synthesized via the “grafting onto” strategy by combining nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMP), polyhomologation and copper(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). Three steps were involved in this approach: (a) synthesis of alkyne-terminated polyethylene-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PE-b-PCL-alkyne) block copolymers (branches) by esterification of PE-b-PCL-OH with 4-pentynoic acid; the PE-b-PCL-OH was obtained by polyhomologation of dimethylsulfoxonium methylide to afford PE-OH, followed by ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone using PE-OH as a macroinitiator (b) synthesis of random copolymers of styrene (St) and 4-chloromethylstyrene (4-CMS) with various CMS contents, by nitroxide-mediated radical copolymerization (NMP), and conversion of chloride to azide groups by reaction with sodium azide (NaN3) (backbone) and (c) “click” linking reaction to afford the PE-based graft terpolymers. This method opens up new routes for the creation of polyethylene-based graft terpolymers by a combination of polyhomologation, NMP and CuAAC. The third project deals with the synthesis of polyethylene-based tadpole copolymer (c-PE)-b-PSt. Cyclic polymers represent a class of understudied polymer architecture mainly due to the synthetic challenges. Within this dissertation, a new method was reported for the synthesis of cyclic polymers in exceptionally high purity and yield. The main approaches to synthesize macrocycles are based on the end-to-end ring-closure (coupling) of homo difunctional linear precursors under high dilution. Our process relies on the preparation of well-defined linear α, ω-dihydroxy polyethylene and a bromide group at the middle of the chain through polyhomologation of ylide using functionalized initiator, followed by ATRP of styrene monomer. The two hydroxyl groups were transformed into alkyne groups, via esterification reaction, followed by Glaser reaction between terminal alkynes to afford the tadpole-shaped copolymers with PE ring and PSt tail. In Our PhD research, we also studied the self-assembly properties of the amphiphilic copolymers PM-b-PEG in aqueous solution by DLS, Cryo-TEM, and AFM. Furthermore, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) was estimated from the intensity of the pyrene emissions by the fluorescence technique. All the findings presented in this dissertation are emphasizing the utility of polyhomologation for the synthesis of well-defined polyethylene-based complex macromolecular architectures, almost impossible through other kind of polymerization including the catalytic polymerization of ethylene.

No description available.

The use of ionic liquids (ILs) as both reagents and solvents is widely recognised. ILs offer a number of advantages compared to regular molecular solvents. These advantages include: chemical and thermal stability, no measurable vapour pressure, no or lower toxicity, non-flammability, catalytic ability, high polarity and they can be recycled. There are a number of research groups investigating the various applications of this reaction medium and most studies have focused on solvents derived from the imidazolium cation. The use of the imidazolium-based ILs in the Diels-Alder reaction has been studied in detail and higher yields compared to conventional methods have been reported. The IL affects the rate and interesting selectivities have been observed. However, not much attention has been paid to the scope and limitations of phosphonium ILs (PILs). Therefore the focus of this thesis is the synthesis and application of novel chiral PILs as environmentally benign, task-specific solvents for the Diels-Alder reaction. In addition, this research seeks alternative ways to eliminate the use of toxic heavy metal catalysts and to exploit methodologies which reduce the energy consumption of the Diels-Alder reaction. A series of CILs were synthesised from the chiral pool and they were characterised by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and spectroscopy. They were then investigated as solvents and catalysts in the Diels-Alder reactions of a series of dienes (cyclopentadiene, isoprene, 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene, furan, pyrrole, N-methyl pyrrole) and dienophiles (methyl acrylate, methyl vinyl ketone, acrylonitrile, dimethyl maleate, acrolein, dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate, maleic anhydride and maleimide). Investigation of the effect of PILs in the presence of three heterogeneous catalysts Al2O3, SiO2 and K-10 montmorillonite were studied. Ultrasound and microwave-assisted Diels-Alder reactions in the PILs, in the absence and presence of the catalysts, were also studied. The reactions of these prototypical substrates illustrated that the solvents are indeed task-specific. / University of Bradford

No description available.

Fluoropolymers have useful properties including high thermal stability, chemical resistance, low dielectric constants, and both hydrophobic and oleophobic character, as compared to non-fluorinated analogues. Meanwhile, Diels-Alder polyphenylenes (DAPPs) are known for thermal stability as well as their rigid structure and glassy physical characteristics, which have led to a variety of film and membrane applications. This dissertation merges these two fields by demonstrating a novel and general synthetic approach to highly fluorinated DAPPs. These polymers are expected to retain the physical characteristics of glassy, non-fluorinated DAPPs while also incorporating the desirable attributes of fluoropolymers. The polymer synthesis described herein is based on the well-established polycondensation of bis(cyclopentadienone) (CPD) monomers and dialkynes. Our first main scientific contribution is a general method for preparing CPDs containing both a fluoroaromatic linker and variable fluoroaromatic head-groups. Our CPD synthesis uses nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions of cyclopentadienyl anions and perfluoroarenes, as well as a new catalytic method of converting cyclopentadiene methylene (CH₂) groups into the corresponding ketones (C=O) that is the primary dissertation subject of Brian S. Hickory in our laboratory. The overall synthesis is notable for its use of inexpensive starting materials, its efficiency, and its structural versatility. Our second main contribution is the synthesis of novel highly fluorinated Diels-Alder polyphenylenes (DAPPs). Fluorinated DAPPs varied in their molecular weight, in the identity of the lateral fluoroaryl substituent (pentafluoro-phenyl or tetrafluoro-4-pyridyl), and in the structure of the aromatic dialkyne monomer. These polymers are glassy materials with high glass transition temperatures and high thermal stability. Since the polyphenylene structure is intrinsically rigid, the polymers form brittle films even at molecular weights of over 30,000 (M_w). Unlike many fluoropolymers, the fluorinated DAPPs are freely soluble in common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran and chloroform. An unknown side reaction competes with the polymer propagation and reduces the highest obtainable molecular weights, which limit the ability to form films. However, a stoichiometric imbalance leads to highly fluorinated polyphenylene oligomers terminated with either alkyne or CPD end groups (M_n = 9000). Because preliminary experiments had shown that the desired Diels-Alder propagation reaction was slower than expected, we also undertook a detailed model study of the reaction conditions needed for Diels-Alder reactions of fluorinated CPDs and aromatic alkynes. These experiments showed that protic polar solvents (e.g., m-cresol) and conventional heating at ca. 150 °C optimize reaction rate while minimizing side-reactions that can contribute to lower molecular weight in corresponding polymerization reactions. / Ph. D.

1. The chemical properties of 3-methyl-2, 5-dihydrothiophene 1, 1-dioxide have been studied including ionic additions, radical initiated reactions, Diels-Alder reactions, ietalation, condensation, and oxidation and reduction reactions. 2. For the first time the introduction of one halogen atom into the unsaturated five-membered cyclic sulfone without the isomerization of the double bond was accomplished. 3. The properties of 3-bromomethyl-2, 5-dihydrothiophene 1, 1-dioxide have been investigated including displacement reactions, allylic rearrangement, Diels- Alder reaction, pyrolysis and salt formation. 4. A synthesis of conjugated, substituted dienes was illustrated by the synthesis of 2-bromomethyl- 1,3-butadiene. 5. A novel Diels-Alder reaction between 3-bromomethyl and 2,5-dihydrothiophene 1, 1-dioxide has been described. 6. The structure of 3-bromomethyl-2, 5-dihydrothiophene 1, 1-dioxide was supported both by pyrolysis studies and by the above mentioned Diels-Alder reaction. The structure of the pyrolysate, 2-bromomethyl- 1,3-butadiene, was substantiated by both infrared and ultraviolet evidence. 7. Isomeric monobromo dihydrothiophene 1, 1-dioxides have been prepared via elimination reactions of the isomeric dibromo tetrahydrothiophene 1, 1-dioxides. Their structures have been supported by ultraviolet absorption studies. 8. Evidence for the allylic rearrangement of 3-bromomethyl-2, 5-dihydrothiophene 1, 1-dioxide was achieved through ultraviolet absorption studies. 9. A simple method for the identification of alkyldinydrothiophene 1, 1-dioxides was demonstrated. 10. The modified Prilezhaev oxidation has been applied to 3-methyl-2,5-dihydrothiophene 1, 1-dioxide. 11. The addition of chlorine and of hydrogen iodide to 3-methyl-2,5-dihydrothiophene 1, 1-dioxide was accomplished. 12. The formation of the quaternary salts from 3-bromnomethyl-2, 5-dihydrothiophene 1, 1-dioxide and nitrogenous bases was found to be of general application. The use of certain salts as synthetic intermediates was attempted. / Ph. D.

Yes / Dehydroabietic acid (DAA) promotes palladium(0)‐catalysed cyclisations of arene‐tethered 1,7‐enynols and 1,m‐enynoates (m=6,7) to give fused carbocyclic dienes. 6,6,6,5‐Tetracyclic lactones are accessible by one‐pot cycloisomerisation/Diels–Alder reaction/lactonisation from 1,7‐enynols. Furthermore, asymmetric counteranion‐directed catalysis has been developed, which afforded an indene derivative with an all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center. / NSFC. Grant Number: 21462004 State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources. Grant Number: CMEMR2014A04 2015 GXNSFBA. Grant Number: 139032 GXNU

No description available.

The study of the biosynthetic logic of natural products has established itself to be one of the more exciting areas of research and have become an important part of modern drug discovery and development efforts. Therefore, understanding the pathway and the chemical mechanism of the biosynthesis of natural products is important in that knowledge on these processes can be applied for combinatorial biosynthesis to generate new natural product derivatives with enhanced biological activities. In addition to the practical value, a lot of unprecedented chemical mechanisms can be found in the enzymes involved therein, which will significantly advance our understanding of enzyme catalysis. The works described in this dissertation focus on elucidating the chemical mechanism of a number of enzymes involved in natural product biosynthesis by utilizing the versatility of synthetic chemistry to prepare enzyme substrates and mechanistic probes. First, SpnF and SpnL responsible for constructing the tetracyclic architecture of spinosyn A have been investigated. In vitro assay revealed the importance of the highly conjugated system for the [4+2]cycloaddition catalyzed by SpnF. Biochemical studies strongly suggest that SpnL employs the Rauhut-Currier mechanism for the second cyclization step in the biosynthesis of spinosyn A. It was also demonstrated that SpnL requires SAM for its activity. Second, a radical SAM enzyme DesII involved in the desosamine pathway has been investigated. It has been demonstrated that DesII can catalyze the dehydrogenation of TDP-D-quinovose as well as the deamination of the natural substrate, which makes DesII unique among radical SAM enzymes. In vitro assays revealed that DesII requires stoichiometric amount of SAM, which. EPR study firmly established the intermediacy of a C-3 radical in the DesII-catalyzed dehydrogenation of TDP-D-quinovose. Finally, the chemical mechanism of AXS responsible for the biosynthesis of UDP-apiose has been investigated. In vitro activity assay using UDP-2F-glucuronic acid showed that the analog is a competitive inhibitor of AXS. A coupled assay strategy was also developed to investigate the chemical mechanism of AXS in the reverse direction. In addition, the stereospecificity of two separate hydride transfer steps of AXS reaction has been firmly established. / text