Im Rahmen dieser Dissertation wurden die Herstellung sowie Reaktionen von geminalen Dihydroperoxiden erforscht. Dabei kamen die dargestellten Dihydroperoxide sowohl als Sauerstofftransferreagenz, insbesondere zur enantioselektiven Epoxidation, als auch als Baustein zur Synthese von 1,2,4,5-Tetroxanen zum Einsatz. Es wurde eine in unserem Arbeitskreis gefundene Methode zur Darstellung gem - Dihydroperoxide zunächst hinsichtlich der Reaktionsbedingungen optimiert, um dann eine Vielzahl an Dihydroperoxiden vornehmlich mit dieser Methode zu synthetisieren. Insbesondere gelang es hier erstmals, primäre Dihydroperoxide aus aliphatischen Aldehyden darzustellen. Desweiteren wurde erstmals eine größere Anzahl an enantiomerenreinen DHPs dargestellt. Weitere DHPs konnten durch Ozonolyse von olefinischen Terpenen mit etherischer Wasserstoffperoxidlösung dargestellt werden. Die enantiomerenreinen DHPs wurden verwendet, um enantioselektiv sowohl 2-substituierte Naphthochinone wie auch Allylalkohole, insbesondere tertiäre Allylalkohole, zu epoxidieren. Die Epoxide der letzteren sind nach der normalerweise verwendeten Methode nach Sharpless nicht zugänglich. Außerdem konnten durch Sulfidoxidation Sulfoxide enantiomerenangereichert dargestellt werden. Dies stellt die erste Nutzung von geminalen Dihydroperoxiden zur enantioselektiven Sauerstoffübertragung dar. Die primären aliphatischen gem-DHPs wurden desweiteren zur Darstellung bisher unbekannter 1,2,4,5-Tetroxane genutzt. Insbesondere wurde gefunden, daß durch Kondensation mit Orthoestern verläßlich alkoxysubstituierte Tetroxane erzeugt werden können. Diese wurden in der Literatur bisher nur an sehr wenigen Beispielen beschrieben. / In the course of this dissertation thesis the preparation and reactions of geminal dihydroperoxides were researched. The hereby synthesized dihydroperoxides were used as an oxygen transfer reagent, especially for enantioselective epoxidation, as well as a building block for the synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetroxanes. A method for synthesis of gem-dihydroperoxides that was found in our workgroup was first optimized concerning reaction conditions, and later utilized to synthesize a large number of dihydroperoxides. It was notably possible to synthesize primary DHPs from aliphatic aldehydes for the first time. Also for the first time, a large number of enantiomerically pure gem-DHP was prepared by this method. Additional enantiomerically pure DHPs were made by ozonolysis of olefinic terpenes using ethereal hydrogen peroxide solution. The enenantiomerically pure DHPs were utilized to both epoxidize 2-substituted naphthoquinones as well as allylic alcohols, especially tertiary allylic alcohols. The latter kind does not react via the normally used Sharpless epoxidation. Additionally, enantioenriched sulfoxides could be prepared from sulfides. This is the first time that geminal dihydroperoxides were used for enantioselective oxygen transfer. Primary aliphatic DHPs were further utilized to prepare previously unknown 1,2,4,5-tetroxanes. Notably it was found that condensation with orthoesters reliably yielded alkoxy-substiuted tetroxanes. These were only described in a very few cases in literature before.

Este trabalho descreve uma nova metodologia sintética que combina a química de espécies organometálicas contendo Se e Te com biotransformações usando lipases, para a síntese enantiosseletiva de fenilselenolactonas 7a e feniltelurolactonas 7b. Estas lactonas foram obtidas pela resolução cinética de álcoois secundários racêmicos 6, pela ação da lipase de pâncreas de porco (PPL- Sigma-Aldrich) em meio orgânico anidro. (Ver arquivo PDF). / This work describes a novel synthetic methodology that combines the chemistry of organic compounds, organometalic species containing Se and Te and biotransformations using lipases for the enantioselective synthesis of phenylselenolactones 7a and phenyltelurolactones 7b. These lactones were obtained by kinetic resolution of racemic sec-alcohols 6 by the action of pig pancreatic lipases (PPL- Sigma-Aldrich) in organic media (Scheme1). (See files PDF)

A Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) não exige a realização de ensaios de bioequivalência utilizando métodos enantiosseletivos de quantificação de fármacos para o registro de medicamentos genéricos ou similares contendo fármacos racêmicos. Porém, existe a possibilidade das diferenças de concentrações plasmáticas dos enantiômeros entre o medicamento referência e os genéricos e/ou similares comercializados no Brasil serem maiores que as estabelecidas pelos limites de bioequivalência. Esse estudo teve a finalidade de investigar a influência da velocidade de liberação do fármaco metoprolol, a partir da forma farmacêutica, sobre o processo de absorção do fármaco total e de seus enantiômeros por meio da avaliação das concentrações plasmáticas de metoprolol total, (S)-metoprolol e (R)-metoprolol, e da relação entre as concentrações dos enantiômeros (S/R) após a administração oral de medicamentos contendo mistura racêmica deste fármaco. Para isso, foi realizado ensaio de biodisponibilidade in vivo, em um grupo de 20 voluntários saudáveis, de acordo com procedimentos éticos estabelecidos internacionalmente. Foram empregados três esquemas de administração do metoprolol, com a finalidade de simular diferentes velocidades de liberação do fármaco a partir da forma farmacêutica, na Fase 1 foi administrado uma dose única de 100 mg de metoprolol em solução, na Fase 2 e Fase 3 essa mesma dose foi particionada em duas e cinco administrações, respectivamente, com intervalo de 30 minutos entre elas. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue, e estas foram analisadas utilizando método convencional e método quiral para quantificação do metoprolol total e seus enantiômeros, respectivamente, utilizando cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, com detector de fluorescência. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos de ASC0-t, Cmáx e Tmáx foram utilizados para comparação entre as três velocidades de liberação do fármaco a partir da forma farmacêutica. A análise farmacocinética para o fámaco (R,S) metoprolol e seus enantiômeros e a comparação entre seus parâmetros farmacocinéticos obtidos após administração oral do metoprolol, indicam uma cinética enantioseletiva para o metoprolol, que pode ter ocorrido devido a uma biotransformação pré-sistêmica dose-dependente, ou a uma inibição do metabolismo do (S)-metoprolol pela forma (R)-metoprolol. / ANVISA, brazilian regulatory agency for drug products, does not require the use of enantioselective bioanalytical methods in bioequivalence assays of generic and similar drug products containing racemic drugs. Therefore, it is possible that two formulations are bioequivalent based on plasmatic concentration of total drug, but are not bioequivalent on the basis of the comparison of the data of the stereoisomers. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the release rate of metoprolol from the dosage form on its absorption process and on its enantiomers\' absorption process by measuring plasmatic concentrations of total metoprolol, (S)-metoprolol and (R)-metoprolol after oral administration of drug products containing racemic metoprolol. An in vivo bioavailability study was conducted in a group of 20 healthy volunteers, according to national and international guidelines for biomedical research, in which the administration rate of metoprolol was varied. In Phase 1 a single dose of 100 mg metoprolol was administered in solution, in Phase 2 and Phase 3 the same dose was partitioned into two and five administrations, respectively, with an interval of 30 minutes between them. Blood samples were collected, and these were analyzed using the conventional method and chiral method for quantification of (R,S)-metoprolol and for its enantiomers, using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC0-t, Cmax and Tmax were used for comparisons between three different drug release rates. Pharmacokinetic analysis for (R, S) metoprolol and its enantiomers and comparison of their pharmacokinetic parameters obtained after oral administration of metoprolol, to indicate an enantioselective kinetic, which may be due to a biotransformation pre-systemic dose dependent or the inhibition of metabolism of the (S)-form for metoprolol (R)-metoprolol.

A highly regio- and diastereoselective approach towards complex 6-membered lactones was developed using allyl/propargyl benzyl ethers and delta keto esters. Crucially, the classical ET reagent SmI2 gave unsatisfactory results and it was necessary to develop and screen new Sm(II) cyclopentadienyl complexes to deliver high selectivity in the transformation. The methodology was extended to a one-pot approach to complex cycloheptanols using SmI2-H2O in a second stage of the process. Samarium(II) folding cascades were developed where simple, linear starting materials are converted to complex polycyclic architectures bearing multiple stereocentres. It was found that, depending on the sidechain in the starting material, it was possible to achieve four different pathways from the common radical intermediate. Crucially, transannular 1,5-HAT from tertiary and benzylic positions was observed to give diverse products. A proposed 1,5-HAT facilitated SmI2-mediated 6-membered lactone radical cyclisations for the first time without an activating proton donor additive. Enantioselective samarium(II) mediated cyclisation cascades were achieved, where simple beta keto esters are converted to complex polycyclic architectures bearing up to five contiguous stereocentres with high diastereo- and enantiocontrol. In the process, a simple and easy to prepare chiral aminodiol was employed which could be recycled after the reaction. Unprecedented, enantioselective transannular radical cascades allowed access to unique 3- dimensional scaffolds inaccessible by other synthetic methods.

A Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) não exige a realização de ensaios de bioequivalência utilizando métodos enantiosseletivos de quantificação de fármacos para o registro de medicamentos genéricos ou similares contendo fármacos racêmicos. Porém, existe a possibilidade das diferenças de concentrações plasmáticas dos enantiômeros entre o medicamento referência e os genéricos e/ou similares comercializados no Brasil serem maiores que as estabelecidas pelos limites de bioequivalência. Esse estudo teve a finalidade de investigar a influência da velocidade de liberação do fármaco metoprolol, a partir da forma farmacêutica, sobre o processo de absorção do fármaco total e de seus enantiômeros por meio da avaliação das concentrações plasmáticas de metoprolol total, (S)-metoprolol e (R)-metoprolol, e da relação entre as concentrações dos enantiômeros (S/R) após a administração oral de medicamentos contendo mistura racêmica deste fármaco. Para isso, foi realizado ensaio de biodisponibilidade in vivo, em um grupo de 20 voluntários saudáveis, de acordo com procedimentos éticos estabelecidos internacionalmente. Foram empregados três esquemas de administração do metoprolol, com a finalidade de simular diferentes velocidades de liberação do fármaco a partir da forma farmacêutica, na Fase 1 foi administrado uma dose única de 100 mg de metoprolol em solução, na Fase 2 e Fase 3 essa mesma dose foi particionada em duas e cinco administrações, respectivamente, com intervalo de 30 minutos entre elas. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue, e estas foram analisadas utilizando método convencional e método quiral para quantificação do metoprolol total e seus enantiômeros, respectivamente, utilizando cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, com detector de fluorescência. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos de ASC0-t, Cmáx e Tmáx foram utilizados para comparação entre as três velocidades de liberação do fármaco a partir da forma farmacêutica. A análise farmacocinética para o fámaco (R,S) metoprolol e seus enantiômeros e a comparação entre seus parâmetros farmacocinéticos obtidos após administração oral do metoprolol, indicam uma cinética enantioseletiva para o metoprolol, que pode ter ocorrido devido a uma biotransformação pré-sistêmica dose-dependente, ou a uma inibição do metabolismo do (S)-metoprolol pela forma (R)-metoprolol. / ANVISA, brazilian regulatory agency for drug products, does not require the use of enantioselective bioanalytical methods in bioequivalence assays of generic and similar drug products containing racemic drugs. Therefore, it is possible that two formulations are bioequivalent based on plasmatic concentration of total drug, but are not bioequivalent on the basis of the comparison of the data of the stereoisomers. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the release rate of metoprolol from the dosage form on its absorption process and on its enantiomers\' absorption process by measuring plasmatic concentrations of total metoprolol, (S)-metoprolol and (R)-metoprolol after oral administration of drug products containing racemic metoprolol. An in vivo bioavailability study was conducted in a group of 20 healthy volunteers, according to national and international guidelines for biomedical research, in which the administration rate of metoprolol was varied. In Phase 1 a single dose of 100 mg metoprolol was administered in solution, in Phase 2 and Phase 3 the same dose was partitioned into two and five administrations, respectively, with an interval of 30 minutes between them. Blood samples were collected, and these were analyzed using the conventional method and chiral method for quantification of (R,S)-metoprolol and for its enantiomers, using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC0-t, Cmax and Tmax were used for comparisons between three different drug release rates. Pharmacokinetic analysis for (R, S) metoprolol and its enantiomers and comparison of their pharmacokinetic parameters obtained after oral administration of metoprolol, to indicate an enantioselective kinetic, which may be due to a biotransformation pre-systemic dose dependent or the inhibition of metabolism of the (S)-form for metoprolol (R)-metoprolol.

A 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA, ecstasy), derivada da anfetamina, é uma droga largamente utilizada para fins recreacionais devido à sensação de euforia, energia e desejo de socialização. Apesar de ter a reputação de ser uma droga segura, um número crescente de relatos clínicos e estudos experimentais indica que a MDMA pode produzir toxicidade no SNC, rim, fígado e coração. Embora esteja contida nos comprimidos de ecstasy como racemato (uma mistura de 50% de seus enantiômeros), sua biotransformação é enantioseletiva; em ratos, o enantiômero R é biotransformado mais rapidamente que o S. Como a biotransformação de MDMA é capaz de produzir metabólitos reativos, muito provavelmente, a forma R tenha um maior potencial para gerar ERO/ERN e dano oxidativo nos tecidos do que a forma S. Nos seres humanos ocorre o inverso. Portanto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a contribuição individual de cada enantiômero da MDMA isoladamente, tendo como referência a mistura racêmica, no estresse oxidativo hepático renal e estriatal de ratos. Ratos Wistar machos adultos (180-220g) foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle (salina), MDMA racêmico, R-MDMA e S-MDMA. (2 doses consecutivas de 10 mg/kg no intervalo de 24h, gavage). Parâmetros de estresse oxidativo serão utilizados como a medida da formação de malonaldeído, a determinação de níveis de glutationa reduzida e a atividade da glutationa-S-transferase. Os enantiômeros da MDMA racêmica foram separados por meio da cromatografia em fase líquida de alta eficiência em fase estacionária quiral. Os enantiômeros obtidos mostraram um alto grau de pureza e um bom rendimento. Nossos resultados mostraram que o conteúdo hepático de glutationa total dos ratos do grupo R,S-MDMA e do grupo R-MDMA, foi significativamente menor do que os do controle e os do S-MDMA, revelando que é o enantiômero R que contribui para a depleção de glutationa hepática induzida pela mistura racêmica. A alta reatividade do enantiômero R no fígado também pode ser constatada nos animais tratados apenas com R-MMDA, uma vez que houve uma produção significativamente aumentada de MDA, comparativamente aos outros grupos tratados e o controle. O conteúdo renal de glutationa total foi significantemente menor para todos os grupos tratados quando comparados com o controle. Com relação ao estriado, apenas os animais tratados com o isômero S isoladamente mostraram uma queda significativa da atividade da GST em comparação aos demais grupos tratados e controle. Tomando todos esses dados em conjunto, esse trabalho mostrou que os enantiômeros isolados da MDMA podem atuar de formas distintas no que se refere ao estado redox, principalmente no fígado, uma vez que o isômero R foi o que mais contribuiu para um dano oxidativo. / MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is an amphetamine derivate that is largely used for recreational purpose due to its feeling of euphoria, energy and the desire to socialize. Although MDMA has the reputation of being safe, a growing number of clinical reports and experimental studies indicate that MDMA can produce toxicity in the CNS, kidney, liver and heart.Although MDMA is present in ecstasy tablets as a racemate (a 50% mixture of its enantiomer) it has an enantioselective metabolism; in rats, the S-enantiomer is metabolized faster than the R-enantiomer and it is the more active pharmacological form. As the MDMA biotransformation can produce reactive metabolites, probably the R form has a greater potential to generate ROS / ERN and oxidative damage in tissues than the S. In humans, the opposite occurs. Therefore, this aim of the present study was to evaluate the individual contribution of single MDMA enantiomers, compared to racemic mixture in liver, kidney and striatal rats oxidative stress. Adult male Wistar rats (180- 220g) will be divided into four groups: control treatment (saline), racemic MDMA, R-MDMA and S-MDMA (two consecutive doses 24h apart with 10mg/kg, gavage). Oxidative stress status parameters will be used to measure malondialdehyde formation, the reduced glutathione levels determination and the glutathione-S-transferase activity. The enantiomers of racemic MDMA were separated by liquid chromatography high-efficiency chiral stationary phase. The enantiomers showed a high degree of purity and a good recovery. Our results showed that the total glutathione content in liver of rats in R,S-MDMA and R-MDMA group was significantly lower than the control and S-MDMA, revealing that the R-enantiomer that contributes to hepatic glutathione depletion induced by the racemic mixture. The high reactivity of the R enantiomer in the liver can also be observed in animals treated with R-MMDA, since there was a significantly increased production of MDA, compared with other treated and control groups. The total glutathione content in kidney was significantly lower for all treated groups compared with control. With respect to the striatum, only animals treated with the S isomer alone showed a significant decrease in GST activity compared to other treatment and control groups. Taking all these data together, this study shows that the isolated enantiomers of MDMA can act differently with regard to the redox state, mainly in the liver, since the R isomer was the largest contributor to oxidative damage.

Chapter one; “(-)-Rhazinilam and (-)-Rhazinal: Alkaloids with Anti-mitotic Properties Derived from Kopsia teoi”, provides the background information behind the motives that initiated this research project. The plant alkaloid (-)-rhazinilam [(-)-1] and its naturally-occurring derivative (-)-rhazinal [(-)-13] both exhibit potent anti-mitotic activities and, as such, are interesting targets for total synthesis. Chapter one is a review of the literature regarding these two compounds and discusses the occurrence, proposed biosynthetic origins, structural elucidation and biological activites of compound (-)-1 and that of its analogues including alkaloid (-)-13. Previous total syntheses of these two compounds are then examined, concluding with the only reported total synthesis of compound (-)-13. Developed within the Banwell research group, this total synthesis produced the racemic modification of alkaloid (-)-13 due to a lack of any stereocontrol in the key intramolecular Michael addition step. This unprecedented key step, involving cyclisation of the C2 of pyrrole onto an N-tethered and ?,?-disubstituted acrylate to produce a quaternary-carbon stereogenic centre, would be of greatly enhanced utility if it could be achieved in a catalytic-enantioselective fashion. The realisation of this goal is the central aim of the research conducted within this thesis. ¶ Chapter two; “Investigating Asymmetric Induction in the Intramolecular Michael Addition of pyrrole to N-Tethered Acrylates and Related Species”, introduces the model study used to direct research towards achieving the goal of asymmetric induction in the title process. The model is a somewhat simplified version of the original process used in the total synthesis of compound (-)-13 involving cyclisation of the C2 of pyrrole onto an N-tethered and ?-monosubstituted Michael acceptor, to produce a tertiary-carbon stereogenic centre. This simplification allows the rapid synthesis of a broad range of potential substrates for use in the title process, thus enabling the investigation of various different approaches to inducing asymmetry therein. High levels of asymmetric induction are observed with the use of chiral substrates or catalysts, facilitating the synthesis of both 6- and 7-membered rings annulated to pyrrole with construction of the relevant tertiary-carbon stereogenic centre in enantio-enriched form. For the reactions producing a 6-membered ring annulated to pyrrole, unambiguous proof of the absolute sense of asymmetric induction observed in the intramolecular Michael addition event is established using a chemical correlation study involving elaboration of a key indolizine-type cyclisation product, to the plant alkaloid of known absolute stereochemistry, (-)-tashiromine [(-)-75]. For the reaction producing a 7-membered ring annulated to pyrrole, the same information is obtained via X-ray crystallographic analyses of a dibrominated derivative of a key pyrroloazepine-type cyclisation product. ¶ Chapter three “An Enantioselective Total Synthesis of the Alkaloid (-)-Rhazinal: An Anti-mitotic Agent Isolated from Kopsia teoi.”, focuses on the application of methodology developed in the previous chapter, to the original goal of inducing asymmetry in the intramolecular Michael addition reaction, involving cyclisation of the C2 of pyrrole onto an N-tethered and ?,?-disubstituted acrylate to produce a quaternary-carbon stereogenic centre. This is ultimately achieved in a catalytic-enantioselective fashion, resulting in the first such total synthesis of the anti-mitotic alkaloid (-)-rhazinal [(-)-13]. ¶ Chapter four “Extending the Reaction Manifold to the Syntheses of Related Natural Products: A Formal Total Synthesis of (+)-Aspidospermidine and Syntheses of (-)-Rhazinilam and (-)-Leuconolam from (-)-Rhazinal”, describes three extensions to the reaction manifold used in the enantioselective total synthesis of alkaloid (-)-13: The acquisition in an enantioselective manner, of an intermediate previously obtained in racemic form, en route to the racemic modification of the natural product (±)-aspidospermidine [(±)-134], constitutes a formal and enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-aspidospermidine [(+)-134]. The direct deformylation of (-)-rhazinal [(-)-13], is carried out, to produce the parent alkaloid (-)-rhazinilam [(-)-1]. The pyrrole ring present in (-)-rhazinilam [(-)-1] is oxidised, to produce the related natural product (-)-Leuconolam [(-)-12] which has not, hitherto, been prepared by total synthesis. ¶Chapter five contains the experimental procedures and characterisation data associated with compounds described in chapters two to four.

Within the field of depression the “monoamine hypothesis” has been the leading theory to explain the biological basis of depression. This theory proposes that the biological basis of depression is due to a deficiency in one or more of three key neurotransmitter systems, namely noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin which are thought to mediate the therapeutic actions of virtually every known antidepressant agent. Citalopram is a selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Citalopram is a racemic compound, in other words composed of a 50:50 mixture of two enantiomers (S-(+)-citalopram and R-(-)-citalopram) and with one of the enantiomers (S-(+)-citalopram) accounting for the inhibitory effect. At the time of introduction of citalopram the physician needed a therapeutic drug monitoring service to identify patients with interactions, compliance problems and for handling questions concerning polymorphic enzymes and drug metabolism. An achiral analytical separation method based on solid-phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed for routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of citalopram and its two main demethylated metabolites. As the data available on citalopram were from achiral concentration determinations and to be able to further investigate citalopram enantiomers effects and distribution, a chiral method for separation of the enantiomers of citalopram and its demethylated metabolites was established. The advances within chiral separation techniques have made measurement of the concentrations of the individual enantiomers in biological fluids possible. The process behind enantioselective separation is however not fully understood and the mechanism behind the separation can be further scrutinized by the use of multivariate methods. A study of the optimization and characterization of the separation of the enantiomers of citalopram, desmethylcitalopram and didesmethylcitalopram on an acetylated ß-cyclodextrin column, by use of two different chemometric programs - response surface modelling and sequential optimization was performed. Sequential optimization can be a quicker mean of optimizing a chromatographic separation; response surface modelling, in addition to enabling optimization of the chromatographic process, also serves as a tool for learning more about the separation mechanism. Studies of the antidepressant effect and pharmacokinetics of citalopram have been performed in adults, but the effects on children and adolescents have only been studied to a minor extent, despite the increasing use of citalopram in these age groups. A study was initiated to investigate adolescents treated for depression, with respect to the steady-state plasma concentrations of the enantiomers of citalopram and its demethylated metabolites. The ratios between the S- and R-enantiomers of citalopram and didesmethylcitalopram were in agreement with studies involving older patients. The concentrations of the S-(+)- and R-(-) enantiomers of citalopram and desmethylcitalopram were also in agreement with values from earlier studies. The results indicate that the use of oral contraceptives may have some influence on the metabolism of citalopram. This might be because of an interaction of the contraceptive hormones with the polymorphic CYP2C19 enzyme. Even though the SSRIs are considered less toxic compared with older monoamine-active drugs like the tricyclic/tetracyclic antidepressants, the risk of developing serious side effects such as ECG abnormalities and convulsions has been seen for citalopram, when larger doses have been ingested. Furthermore, fatal overdoses have been reported where citalopram alone was the cause of death. Data on the toxicity of each of the enantiomers in humans have not been reported and no data on blood levels of the enantiomers in cases of intoxication have been presented. An investigation was initiated on forensic autopsy cases where citalopram had been found at the routine screening and these cases were further analysed with enantioselective analysis to determine the blood concentrations of the enantiomers of citalopram and metabolites. Furthermore the genotyping regarding the polymorphic enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 were performed. In 53 autopsy cases, we found increasing S/R ratios with increasing concentrations of citalopram. We found also that high citalopram S/R ratio were associated with high parent drug to metabolite ratio and may be an indicator of recent intake. Only 3.8 % were found to be poor metabolizers regarding CYP2D6 and for CYP2C19 no poor metabolizer was found. Enantioselective analysis of citalopram and its metabolites can provide valuable information about the time that has elapsed between intake and death. Genotyping can be of help in specific cases but the possibility of pharmacokinetic interactions is apparently a far greater problem than genetic enzyme deficiency. / On the day of the public defence the status of article IV was: Submitted.

This thesis describes the development of new methods for thepreparation of enantiomerically pure methyl branched alkylcompounds and their use as building blocks in the synthesis ofstereoisomerically pure pheromones of pine sawflies. The high regioselectivity, enantioselectivity and activityof lipases in organic solvent in conjunction withenvironmentally compatible reaction conditions have madelipase-catalysed synthesis an attractive alternative toconventional synthetic methods in organic chemistry. The lipasefromPseudomonas cepacia(PCL) was used in kineticresolutions of primary 2- methylalcohols by acylation of thealcohols with vinyl acetate/vinyl butyrate. For alcoholsstudied, PCL showed moderate enantioselectivity(E= 10-20) towards 3-alkyl- or 3- cycloalkylsubstitutedprimary 2-methylpropanols, whereas 3-aryl-2-methyl-1-propanolswere accepted with high E-values(E&gt;100). Esterification of substituted methylcarboxylic acids withprimary alcohols catalysed byCandida rugosalipase (CRL) was found to be anenantioselective reaction. In general, CRL showed highselectivity towards(S)-2-methylcarboxylic acids(E= 15-70) and also towards(R)-3-methylcarboxylic acids(E= 15-40). For substrates having a double bond located5-6 bonds from the carbonyl moiety a two-fold enhancement ofenantioselectivity value(E-value) was obtained compared to their saturatedanalogues,E≈ 15-25. Furthermore, the enantioselectivity of CRL towards a seriesof 3- to 8-methyldecanoic acids were studied. CRL surprisinglyshowed enantiorecognition for all of these acids within theE-value range of 2.3-68. Interestingly, whereas the lipaseshowed S-preference when the methyl group was situated ateven-numbered carbons, R-preference was observed for thesubstrates with the methyl group at odd-numbered carbons. In order to establish the stereoisomeric composition of thenatural sex pheromone of the pine sawflyMicrodiprion pallipes, all sixteen individual isomers of3,7,11-trimethyl-2-tridecanol (and their propionate esters)found in this species were synthesised in highdiastereoisomeric purities, 95.3-97.6%. The syntheses werebased on six enantiomerically pure building blocks, the fourstereoisomers of 1-lithio-2,6-dimethyloctane and the twoenantiomers ofcis-3,4- dimethyl-g-butyrolactone. <b>Keywords:</b>lipase,Pseudomonas cepacia,Candida rugosa, enantioselective, enantiomeric ratio,primary 2-methylalcohol, substituted-methylcarboxylic acid,pine sawfly,Microdiprion pallipes, sex pheromone,3,7,11-trimethyl-2-tridecanol, stereoisomer.

The thesis describes the realization of an asymmetric [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of achiral allylic amines. It is divided into two parts; the first part deals with the development of a Lewis acid-mediated [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement and the second the asymmetric version thereof. Quaternization of an -amino amide with various Lewis acids established BBr3 and BF3 to be the most appropriate ones. Various allylic amines were subsequently rearranged into the corresponding homoallylic amines in good to excellent syn-diastereoselectivities, revealing the endo-transition state to be the preferred pathway. The structures of the intermediate Lewis acid-amine complexes were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy studies and DFT calculations. Based on this investigation a chiral diazaborolidine was chosen as Lewis acid and was shown to efficiently promote the asymmetric [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement furnishing homoallylic amines in good yields and excellent enantiomeric excesses. In contrast to the achiral rearrangement mediated by BBr3 and BF3, the asymmetric version gave the opposite major diastereomer, revealing a preference for the exo-transition state in the asymmetric rearrangement. To account for the observed selectivities, a kinetic and thermodynamic pathway was presented. On the basis of a deuterium exchange experiment on a rearranged Lewis acid-amine complex and an NMR spectroscopic investigation, the kinetic pathway was shown to be favored. / QC 20100927