Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Entwicklung einer allgemein anwendbaren Methode für die Simulation von ultraschnellen Prozessen und experimentellen Observablen. Hierfür wurden die Berechnung der elektronischen Struktur mit der zeitabhängigen Dichtefunktionaltheorie (TDDFT) und das Tully-Surface-Hopping-Verfahren für die nichtadiabatische Kerndynamik auf der Basis klassischer Trajektorien miteinander kombiniert. Insbesondere wurde eine Beschreibung der nichtadiabatischen Kopplungen für TDDFT entwickelt. Diese Methode wurde für die Simulation noch komplexerer Systeme durch die Tight-Binding-Näherung für TDDFT erweitert. Da die zeitaufgelöste Photoelektronenspektroskopie (TRPES) ein exzellentes experimentelles Verfahren für die Echtzeitbeobachtung von ultraschnellen Prozessen darstellt, wurde eine TDDFT-basierte Methode für die Simulation von TRPES entwickelt. Der Methode liegt die Idee zu Grunde, das System aus Kation und Photoelektron näherungsweise durch angeregte Zustände des neutralen Moleküls oberhalb der Ionisierungsgrenze zu beschreiben. Um diese Zustände mit TDDFT berechnen zu können wurde eine Beschreibung der Übergangsdipolmomente zwischen angeregten TDDFT-Zuständen entwickelt. Des Weiteren wurden Simulationen im Rahmen des Stieltjes-Imaging-Verfahrens, das eine Möglichkeit der Rekonstruktion des Photoelektronenspektrums aus den spektralen Momenten bietet, durchgeführt. Diese spektralen Momente wurden aus den diskreten TDDFT-Zuständen berechnet. Die breite Anwendbarkeit der entwickelten theoretischen Methoden für die Simulation von komplexen Systemen wurde an der Photoisomerisierung in Benzylidenanilin sowie der ultraschnellen Photodynamik in Furan, Pyrazin und mikrosolvatisiertem Adenin illustriert. Die dargestellten Beispiele demonstrieren, dass die nichtadiabatische Dynamik im Rahmen von TDDFT bzw. TDDFTB sehr gut für die Untersuchung und Interpretation der ultraschnellen photoinduzierten Prozesse in komplexen Molekülen geeignet ist. / The goal of this thesis was the development of a generally applicable theoretical framework for the simulation of ultrafast processes and experimental observables in complex molecular systems. For this purpose, a combination of the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) for the description of the electronic structure with the Tully''s surface hopping procedure for the treatment of nonadiabatic nuclear dynamics based on classical trajectories was employed. In particular, a new approach for the calculation of nonadiabatic couplings within TDDFT was devised. The method was advanced for the description of more complex systems such as chromophores in a solvation shell by employing the tight binding approximation to TDDFT. Since the time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (TRPES) represents a powerful experimental technique for real-time observation of ultrafast processes, a TDDFT based approach for the simulation of TRPES was developed. The basic idea is the approximate representation of the combined system of cation and photoelectron by excited states of the neutral species above the ionization threshold. In order to calculate these states with TDDFT, a formulation of the transition dipole moments between excited states within TDDFT was devised. Moreover, simulations employing the Stieltjes imaging (SI) procedure were carried out providing the possibility to reconstruct photoelectron spectra from spectral moments. In this work, the spectral moments were calculated from discrete TDDFT states. The scope of the developed theoretical methods was illustrated on the photoisomerization in benzylideneaniline as well as on the ultrafast photodynamics in furan, pyrazine, and microsolvated adenine. The examples demonstrate that the nonadiabatic dynamics simulations based on TDDFT and TDDFTB are particularly suitable for the investigation and interpretation of ultrafast photoinduced processes in complex molecules.

Bohlmann et al. reported the oxidative spirocyclisation of 2-(ω-hydroxyalkyl)furans under Clauson-Kaas conditions to furnish 1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-3-enes, thereafter termed the “Bohlmann cyclisation.” This thesis describes the development of an analogous aza-Bohlmann cyclisation. Treatment of 2-(ω-aminoalkyl)furans with m-CPBA or singlet oxygen generates hydroxy- or methoxybutenolides, respectively, which undergo spirocyclisation upon treatment with H₂SO₄ to generate [4.4]- and [4.5]-spiroaminoacetals. The axial/equatorial preferences of N-sulfonylspiroaminoacetals featuring a 3-O-isovaleryl or 3-O-benzyl substituent are described. Acid-catalysed equilibration revealed that in acetonitrile the axial isomer is thermodynamically favoured for both substrates. The first total synthesis of the spiroaminoacetal alkaloid pandamarilactone-1 is discussed, via an aza-Bohlmann cyclisation, in 13 steps and 3% overall yield from 4-pentyn-1-ol.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi iniciar o estudo de uma nova metodologia sintética para a obtenção do sistema 11-oxabiciclo[6.2.1]undecano, o esqueleto estrutural básico de uma classe de produtos naturais conhecidos como furanoeliangolidos. A abordagem sintética proposta envolveria a formação de um composto bicíclico através da reação de Diels-Alder com derivados de furano, seguida pela formação de um hexanel e, finalmente, ruptura de uma ligação central para formação do sistema macrocíclico. Além disso, a reação de Diels-Alder entre derivados de furano e acetileno dará origem a compostos que apresentam como esqueleto estrutural o sistema 7-oxabiciclo[2.2.1]heptano, que podem ser utilizados como material de partida para a síntese de diversos produtos naturais. Iniciamos este estudo com a reação de Diels-Alder entre o 3,4-dimetoxi-2-metil furano e o bromopropiolato de metila, onde foi obtido o produto 85, que após algumas modificações deu origem ao composto 92. Entretanto, após inúmeras tentativas não conseguimos transformar o composto 92 no triciclo desejado. Para evitar essas transformações que se mostraram problemáticas, resolvemos estudar a reação de Diels-Alder entre derivados de furano e benzoquinonas 2,5-dissubstituídas, que dará origem aos adutos devidamente funcionalizados para serem transformados no derivado do sistema 11-oxabiciclo [6.2.1]undecano. No entanto, após o estudo dessas reações de cicloadição, observamos que elas têm o equilíbrio fortemente deslocado no sentido dos materiais de partida. Por esse motivo, a continuidade desta metodologia sintética mostrou ser inviável. Iniciamos então, um estudo da reação de Diels-Alder entre os diverso derivados de furanos e acetilenos. Após o estudo dessas reações de Diels-Alder foi possível verificar que a maioria dos adutos derivados dos furanos é instável no meio reacional. Os melhores resultados obtidos nessas reações de Diels-Alder foram usando o acetilenodicarboxilato de dimetila como dienófilo. Os adutos obtidos são intermediários importantes e bem funcionalizados, que podem ser utilizados na continuidade do estudo de desenvolvimento de nova metodologia sintética para a obtenção do sistema 11-oxabiciclo[6.2.1]undecano / The aim of this work was to start the study of a new methodology to synthesize the 11-oxabicycle[6.2.1]undecane system, the main carbon skeleton of the furanoheliangolides. The proposed synthetic approach involves the preparation of a bicyclic compound through a Diels-Alder reaction with furan derivatives, followed by formation of a six membered ring and, finally, cleavage of the central bond to obtain of the macrocyclic system. The Diels-Alder reaction between furan and acetylene derivatives gives a compound with the 7-oxabicyclico[2.2.1]heptane system, that is a potential starting material for the synthesis of several natural products. We started this study with the Diels-Alder reaction between the 3,4-dimethoxy-2-methylfuran and methyl bromopropiolate, and obtained the product 85 that after some modifications furnished the compound 92. However, after various attempts we were unable to convert the compound 92 into the desired tricycle. We have then decided to study the Diels-Alder reaction between furan and 2,5-disubstituted benzoquinone derivatives, that could furnish the adducts properly functionalized to be transformed in the 11-oxabicyclico[6.2.1]undecane system. However, we observed that the equilibrium is strongly shifted towards the starting materials in these cycloaddition reactions. This methodology has thus showed to be impracticable. As a third alternative, we affected the study the Diels-Alder reaction between the furans derivatives and the acetylenes. The adducts obtained present 7-oxabicyclico[2.2.1]heptane system that could be used to synthesizes of structural skeleton of furanoheliangolide.

Dietary fish oil supplementation has long been shown to have significant health benefits, largely stemming from the anti-inflammatory activity of the ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) present in fish oils. The anti-inflammatory properties of these fatty acids has been linked to beneficial health effects, such as protecting the heart, in individuals consuming diets rich in fish, or supplemented with fish oils. These effects are highly notable in the Māori people native to coastal regions of New Zealand; the significantly lower rates of heart problems compared to the inland populous has been attributed to the consumption of the green lipped mussel Perna Canaliculus. Commercially available health supplements based on the New Zealand green lipped mussel include a freeze-dried powder and a lipid extract (Lyprinol®), the latter of which has shown anti-inflammatory properties comparable to classical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Naproxen. GCMS analysis of Lyprinol by Murphy et al. showed the presence of a class of ω-4 and ω-6 PUFAs bearing a highly electron rich tri- or tetra-alkyl furan ring, which were designated furan fatty acids (F-acids). Due to their instability, isolation of F-acids from natural sources cannot be carried out and a general synthetic route toward this class of natural products was required. To accomplish this, the biosynthesis of F-acids was mimicked by utilising an oxidation of 1,3-dienes, followed by a dehydration/aromatisation to generate the heterocyclic furan ring. Singlet oxygen was chosen as the means of oxidising the conjugated dienes giving endoperoxides. To mimic the biological aromatisation of the peroxide intermediates the Appel reagent was chosen and, in a novel application of the reagent, was exploited as a mild, metal free method of dehydrating the cyclic peroxides to their corresponding furans. The biomimetic furan synthesis was applied toward a selection of 1,3-diene substrates bearing a range of pre-installed functionalities and substitution patterns including alkyl, aryl, alkenes, cyclopropyl rings, silyl ethers, and esters, alongside being applied to the total synthesis of the furan fatty acid F5. A brief exploration of the possibility of performing the aromatisation reaction under catalytic conditions was carried out, to determine whether endoperoxides could be converted to furans without needing a stoichiometric quantity of Appel reagent, by harnessing a catalytic quantity of triphenylphosphine oxide and regenerating the active P(V) species via reaction with oxalyl chloride. Furthermore, an optimisation study was carried out using a simple design of experiments procedure to ascertain the ideal conditions for carrying out the Appel-type dehydration of endoperoxides. Finally, the scope of the reaction sequence was expanded to be performed in a continuous flow reactor, with telescoping of the singlet oxygen diene oxidation and Appel-type aromatisation to increase oxidation yields and to omit the requirement for isolation of peroxide intermediates, and was applied to the synthesis of a selection of 2,5-diaryl furan motifs.

When food is heated, a vast number of compounds are formed. Some of these are known to be toxic. Among these are furan, HMF, PhIP, IQ, and MeIQx, the subjects of this thesis. All these compounds are known or suspected carcinogens but the detailed mechanisms behind their carcinogenicity have not yet been fully examined. The aim of this thesis was to study genotoxic properties of these compounds using both in vitro and in vivo methods. Clastogenic effects of all five compounds were assessed with the flow cytometer-based micronucleus assay in vivo and for furan also with the micronucleus assay in vitro. DNA-damaging effects of HMF were studied using the comet assay. No induction of micronuclei was obtained after exposure to IQ, MeIQx or furan. Hence, it can be argued that non-genotoxic mechanisms are partly responsible for the carcinogenic properties of these compounds. PhIP, on the other hand, generated a clear response in the in vivo test. Comparing these result with previous results on acrylamide indicates that PhIP is much more potent. However, acrylamide probably poses a higher risk for humans as the intake is considerably higher. For HMF no effects were seen using the in vivo setup. To further investigate the influence of bioactivation of HMF by sulfotransferases (SULTs) the comet assay was performed in cell lines expressing different levels of SULT. However, no correlation between SULT-expression and DNA-damage was observed. Thus, the DNA-damaging effects found in our experimental setup is probably due to other factors than SULT mediated effects. Furthermore, in this thesis the effects of folic acid on chromosomal stability in healthy people were studied. A negative correlation was found between micronucleus frequency and folate status. The results gained within this thesis will hopefully contribute to the risk assessment of compounds present in our diet.

In this study, a novel series of conjugated monomers containing furan and fluorene units / 2,7-di(furan-2-yl)-9H-fluoren-9-one (FOF), 2-(2-(furan-2-yl)-9H-fluoren-7-yl)furan (FFF), and 2-(2-(furan-2-yl)-9,9-dihexyl-9H-fluoren-7-yl)furan (FHF) were synthesized and their electrochemical polymerization were achieved via potential cycling. Optical and electrochemical properties of the polymers, poly(2,7-di(furan-2-yl)-9H-fluoren-9-one) (PFOF), poly(2-(2-(furan-2-yl)-9H-fluoren-7-yl)furan (PFFF) and poly(2-(2-(furan-2-yl)-9,9-dihexyl-9H-fluoren-7-yl)furan) (PFHF) were investigated and it was found that polymer films exhibit reversible redox behavior (Epox = 1.083 V for PFOF, Epox= 0.915 V for PFFF and Epox= 0.985 V for PFHF) accompanied with a reversible electrochromic behavior, orange to green for PFOF, yellow to dark blue for PFFF and orange to green for PFHF during oxidation. Their band gap values (Eg) were found to be 2.32, 2.49 and 2.61 eV for PFOF, PFFF and PFHF, respectively.

Abstract 2-Methoxy- and 2-trimethylsilyloxyfuran undergo facile ring opening reaction upon treatment with metal carbeniod. Treatment of 2-methoxy-furan with ethyl diazoacetate and aryl-£\-diazocarbonyl compounds under metal catalysis afford (Z,E)-2,4-hexadienedioate and aryl-6-oxo-2,4-hexadienoates respectively. When 2- trimethylsilyloxyfuran was used, desilylation occurred to give directly the monoprotected (Z,E)-muconic acid and 6-aryl-6-oxo-2,4-hexadienoic acids. We have synthesized aromatic dienyl diketone using the method of Wenkert from aromatic diazo ketone and 2-methylfuran. This method was found to give a mixture of (Z,E)/(E,E)-dienyl diketones. The anticancer, antibacterial and vasorelaxing activities are evaluated. All the aromatic dienyl diketones synthesized exhibit strong in vitro inhibition of tumor cell and micro0organisms growth respectively, and three of these compounds exhibit strong vasorelaxing effect. Reaction of 1,6-dioxo-2,4-diene with P2S5 and Lawesson¡¦s reagent affords the 2,5-disubstituted thiophene. This reaction can take place regioselectively in the presence of BF3-etherate catalysis, useful for the synthesis of arylthiophene. We have demonstrated a new methodology for the facile synthesis of arylthiophene.

Aldol reactions are widely used in forming new carbon-carbon bonds. Since the discovery of the aldol condensation, controlling the relative and absolute stereochemistry in aldol chemistry has been a major interest in organic chemistry. Efforts in achieving diastereoselectivity in aldol reactions via chelation of Lewis acids to chiral aldehydes are reviewed. The following chapters discuss the diastereoselectivities of hydrogen-mediated reductive aldol reactions. Herein, a highly diastereoselective reductive aldol coupling reactions with broad substrate scope using rhodium catalysts ligated to (2-furyl)₃P were studied. It was demonstrated that the coupling of enones with alpha-amino aldehydes proceeds with high diastereoselectivity via chelation control. The second topic deals with phosphine-mediated furan ring formation. Derivatives of furan are often found in natural products and therapeutic agents. To provide a more facile route to substituted furans, we have developed a phosphine mediated reductive cyclization of gamma-acyloxy butynoates. In this reaction, phosphine is involved in both the reductive formation of allenyl ketones from acyloxy butynoates and the subsequent catalytic cyclization. / text

Studies toward the total synthesis of (+)-providencin (1), a highly oxygenated cembranoid dipterpene with a unique bicyclo[12.2.0]hexadecane skeleton and pronounced biological activity, are described. These studies resulted in the synthesis of advanced intermediates 320 and 332 which contain all of the carbon atoms of 1. In a first generation approach toward 1, a zirconium-mediated deoxygenative ring contraction of furanose 177 was used to furnish enantiopure cyclobutanol 176. Olefination of furan aldehyde 197 with phosphonate 214 completed cyclobutylfuran segment 215. A second generation approach toward cyclobutylfuryl subunit 221 via ring-closing metathesis of diene 237 was unproductive, but the iodolactone subunit 228 needed for 1 was prepared successfully using carbometallation-iodination of alkyne 231. Nucleophilic substitution of tosylate 230 with the dianion of phenylselenyl acetic acid (252) followed by acid-catalyzed lactone formation was employed for construction of the γ-lactone moiety of 228. A third generation route to the cyclobutylfuryl subunit of 1 involved a tin(II) chloride-mediated stereoselective allenol synthesis by reaction of aldehyde 302 with propargyllic bromide 264. A silver-catalyzed allenone-to-furan isomerization of 309 completed the synthesis of cyclobutylfuran subunit 288. Attempts to couple the two major fragments, 228 and 288, using palladium-catalyzed C-H activation of the furan component were unsuccessful, but linkage of two major subunits was achieved at the C12-C13 bond via an intermolecular aldol reaction to give 332 and at the C6-C7 bond using intermolecular palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling to afford 320. / Graduation date: 2012

Heterocyclic organic and organometallic compounds (i.e. polypyrrole), and their derivatives, have been of great interest for conductive polymers due to their novel properties and environmental stability as compared to their non-aromatic analogs (i.e. polyacetylene). Our current interest focus upon the potential role of metal ligand bound pyridazines as the next generation of electronic devices that utilize the metal ligands bound to organics as the semiconducting material. Pyridazine is a 6-membered aromatic ring with two adjacent nitrogen atoms. These are promising candidates for a variety of materials and commercial applications; but they are difficult to get a metal ligand to fuse to the aromatic ring. Our recent efforts focused in attaching Rhenium and Manganese ligands/substituents (process in which is called doping) that would cause oxidation to occur to our polymer making it a p-type polymer. Since p-type polymers charge carriers leave a vacancy that does not delocalize completely. This vacancy (known as a hole) or a radical cation that only partially delocalizes over several monomeric units causing them to be structurally deformed. This deformed structure is at a higher energy than that of an undoped polymer. Typical carriers in organic semiconductors are holes and electrons in a π-orbital. So when these molecules of π-conjugated systems have a π-bond overlap (or π- stacking), electrons can move via these π-electron clouds overlapping thus causing an electrical current. Our worked focused on the synthesis of pyridazines and their organometallic rhenium complexes and polymer research. Several aryl-substituted 5,6-fused pyridazines have been synthesized but none have been documented until this study. The main goal of the research was to fully characterize the general synthesis of furan containing organometallic complexes, [M(CO)3{η5-1,2-C5H3(CC4H3ON)(CC4H3ON)}] (M = Re or Mn) (4B). We successfully characterized the ability to attach a metal organic ligand to pyridazine though IR and NMR. However, when attempts were made to recrystallize our product, we yielded an orange-brown, block like crystal of 1,2- C5H3(CC4H3ONH)(CC4H3ON) (5) in which our metal ligand group fell off and we were left with pyridazine and inorganics. Though, we successfully got an X-ray characterization and electronic studies of compound 5 which are reported herein.