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The problem of forming a glycosidic bond between ribose and the free nucleoside bases to produce beta-nucleosides under plausible prebiotic conditions is commonly referred to in origin of life research as The Nucleoside Problem. The lack of a general solution to this problem currently represents one of the largest stumbling blocks to the RNA world hypothesis and many other theories regarding the origin of life. Over thirty years ago the purine nucleosides were successfully synthesized by drying the fully-formed bases and ribose together in the presence of divalent metal ion salts. However, glycosidic bond formation by the pyrimidine bases has never been achieved under similar reaction conditions. This thesis describes the first plausible prebiotic synthesis of a pyrimidine nucleoside, demonstrated with the pyrimidine base analogue 2-pyrimidinone. Information provided by nucleoside-formation reaction involving 2-pyrimidinone and related pyrimidine bases should provide valuable insights into the possible mechanism by which glycosidic bond formation was accomplished on the prebiotic Earth.

Seven-membered cyclic sugars, namely, septanoses and septanosides, are less commonly known sugar homologues. Synthesis of septanoses arise an interest due to their configurational and conformational features and the attendant possibilities to explore their chemical and biological properties. Septanosides derivatives, mostly, deoxy-septanosides were synthesized, by many synthetic methodologies, such as, Knoevengal condensation, ring-closing metathesis, Bayer-Villeger oxidation and ring-expansion of 1,2-cyclopropanted glycals as key steps. Apart from septanosyl monosaccharides, septanoside containing di- and tri-saccharides were also performed using glycosylation and ring expansions. Another area of sustained interest is the studies of the stabilities of glycosidic bonds. Acid- and enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of glycosidic bond were investigated intensely in the case of pyranosides and furanosides. The explanation of the hydrolysis of such stereomeric sugars were rationalized on the basis of stereoelectronic effects, such as, (i) antiperiplanarity; (ii) synperiplanarity of lone-pair of electrons involed in the hydrolysis process; (iii) steric effects; (iv) field and hyperconjugative effects; (v) conformational effects; (vi) disarming torsional effects and (vii) substituent effects. Chapter 1 of the thesis describes a survey of (i) synthesis of deoxy-septanosides and septanoside-containing di-and tri-saccharides and (ii) acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of glycopyranosides. In a programme, it was desired to identify a new methodology for the synthesis of 2-deoxy-2-C-septanosides. Synthesis of various septanosides from 2-hydroxy glycals, namely, oxyglycals, involves intermediates, such as, vinyl halide (III) and diketone (IV) (Scheme 1). These intermediates were identified as precursors for the synthesis of desired 2-deoxy-2-C-septanosides. Scheme 1 reactions, namely, Heck, Suzuki and Sonogashira reaction for the formation of hither-to unknown septanoside, branching out at C-2. Heck coupling and Suzuki coupling reaction of bromo-oxepine was performed using activated alkenes, acrylates and substituted boronic acid, respectively, in presence of Pd(OAc)2, to furnish 2-deoxy-2-C-alkyl/aryl septanoside derivatives (Scheme 2). Scheme 2 2-deoxy-2-C-alkynyl septanoside derivatives (Scheme 3). Scheme 3 BnO OOMe BnO OOMePd(PPh3)2Cl2,CuIBr BnO R BnO DMF:THF:Et3N(3:2:1)BnO OBn 98 oC, 72 h BnO OBn R=Ph,SiMe3,C6H13 One of the 2-deoxy-2-C-alkyl septanoside derivative was converted to the corresponding protecting-group free 2-deoxy-2-C-alkyl septanoside, using hydrogenolysis (Pd/C, H2) and NaBH4-mediated reduction. Chapter 2 presents details of the synthesis of 2-deoxy-2-C-alkyl/aryl/alkynyl septanoside derivatives from a bromo-oxepine. Continuing the efforts to extend the ring-opening of oxyglycal derived gem-dihalo-1,2¬cyclopropanted sugar, a Lewis acid-catalyzed ring-opening was considered important. The presence of an additional substituent in C-2 of oxyglycal switches reactivity as compared to glycals. For example, ring-opening of glycal derived gem-dihalo-1,2-cyclopropane generates 2-C-branched pyranoside, whereas corresponding oxyglycal generates oxepines even when both the reactions were performed under a mild basic condition, illustrating a sufficient reactivity difference between a glycal and an oxyglycal. Thus, ring-opening reaction of gem-dichloro-1,2-cyclopropanted oxyglycal in the presence of a Lewis acid, hither-to unknown, was examined. In this event, it was found that ring-opening reaction led to chloro-oxepine derivatives in the presence of AgOAc, using alcohol as nucleophiles. Primary, secondary, unsaturated and aromatic alcohols were used in the ring-opening reaction. The ring-opening reaction was stereoselective and only α-anomer was obtained in a good yield in each case (Scheme 5). The counter-anion also reacted in an instance, so as to furnish O-acetyl chloro-oxepine during the ring-opening reaction. Scheme 5 The course of the reaction in the absence of alcohol led to afford only the O-acetyl chloro-oxepine (Scheme 6). Scheme 6 It became pertinent to compare the result this work with that of AgOAc-catalyzed ring-opening of glycal derived gem-dihalo-1,2-cyclopropanated sugar, which led to C-furanoside derivative, as reported by Harvey and co-workers. The sequence of reactions involved were protonation of the endo-cyclic oxygen, followed by ring-opening to generate resonance stabilized allylic ion, which rearranged to C-furanoside. In contrast, oxyglycal derived gem-dihalo-1,2-cyclopropane studied herein led to chloro-oxepine exclusively, without subsequent rearrangement. Ring-opening of glucal derived gem-dihalo-1,2-cyclopropanated sugars, followed by cyclization to C-furanoside were likely to have occurred, due to isomerisation of less-substituted endo-cyclic double bond at C2-C3 of oxepine to C1-C2 unsaturated vinyl ether. Such a reaction was related closely to the acid-catalyzed rearrangement in less-substituted oxepine systems. On the other hand, gem-dichloro-1,2¬cyclopropanated oxyglycal derived chloro-oxepine did not undergo such an isomerisation, possibly due to unsaturation being present at highly substituted C2-C3 carbons (Scheme 7). Thus, the presence of an additional oxy-substituent at C-2 in oxyglycal derived cyclopropane derivative plays a major role to control the reactivity, as compared to glycal derived cyclopropane derivatives. Scheme 7 without undergoing further reactions, was confirmed further by the following reactions: (i) RuCl3¬NaIO4 mediated oxidation; (ii) NaBH4 reduction and (iii) Pd/C mediated hydrogenolysis (Scheme 8). Scheme 8 1,2-cyclopropane to exclusive formation of chloro-oxepine in the presence of AgOAc. It was planned further to synthesize a 1,7-linked-α-D-diseptanoside, through the oxyglycal route. Ring-opening of oxyglycal derived gem-dihalo-1,2-cyclopropanated derivative with 6¬hydroxy glycal led to 1,7-α-linked disaccharide unit. The following reactions were performed in order to synthesize 1,7-linked-α-diseptanoside 2: (i) cyclopropanation of the glycal double bond; (ii) ring opening of the gem-dihalo cyclopropane; (iii) RuO4 mediated oxidation; (iv) NaBH4 reduction and (v) hydrogenolysis using Pd/C, H2 (Scheme 9). Similar methodology was used for the synthesis of monoseptanoside, namely, n-pentyl-D-glycero-D-galacto-septanoside. Scheme 9 1 Oxyglycal route was also used for the synthesis of 2-chloro-2-deoxy septanoside 3, using hydrogenolysis (Pd/C, H2) and NaBH4 mediated reduction of chloro-oxepine (Scheme 10). Scheme 10 A kinetic study of the hydrolytic stabilities of mono-and diseptanoside was undertaken using an acid-catalysis, in a subsequent investigation. In the course of studies, it was observed that glycosidic bond in the reducing-end hydrolyzed twice faster than that at the non-reducing end, whereas glycosidic bond in monosaccharide 1 hydrolyzed 1.5 times faster than of reducing-end glycosidic bond in diseptanoside 2. Further, it was found that the replacement of the C-2 hydroxyl group by a chloride group reduced the rate of hydrolysis (Table 1). Table 1. First order rate constants and thermodynamic parameters for the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of glycosidic bond in septanosides 1, 2 and 3. Compound Rate of hydrolysis ΔH# ΔS# ΔG# (kobs) (104 s-1) (kcal/mol) (cal/mol K) (kcal/mol) 35 oC 45 oC 85 oC 90 oC a non-reducing end of 2. A computational study was conducted, in order to gain further insight into the hydrolysis, using B3LYP/6-311G* level theory in the Gaussian 09 program packages. Calculations using the PCM solvent model with water as the solvent showed that the orientation of hydroxylmethyl group plays an important role. In the case of 1, the gg conformer was calculated stable by 2.12 kcal/mol, as compared, to tg-conformer. In the gg conformation, the optimal positioning of the dipole C7-O7 stabilized the oxo-carbonium ion in the transition state (Figure 1). Also, hydroxyl group at C4 stabilized the transition state, through non-covalent interaction (Figure 1). The transition state for the hydrolysis of 1 was found to present activation barrier (∆G#) of 19.9 kcal/mol, which was in good agreement with value for 1 (∆G# = 23.26 kcal/mol), as calculated from Erying plot (Table 1). On the other hand, inductive effect of the chloride group, as well as, the tg-orientation of the hydroxymethyl group appeared to contribute to the slower rate of the hydrolysis. Figure 1. gg- and tg-conformations in the ground state of 1. Chapter 4 describes synthesis of 1,7-linked-α-D-diseptanoside, 2-chloro-2-deoxy septanoside and their acid-catalyzed hydrolysis studies. Solid-state and solution phase conformation of septanosides are rare at present even when solid-state structures of pyranoside and furanosides are known commonly, that provide rich information of covalent and non-covalent interactions. In this context, single crystal X-ray structural analysis of septanosides, namely, n-pentyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-α-D-manno-sept-3-uloside 4 and p-bromo phenyl 4,5,7-tri-O-benzyl-β-D-glycero-D-talo-septanoside 5 were analyzed. It was observed that the solid-state structure of 4 adopted twist-chair conformation, namely, 5,6TC3,4, whereas 5 adopted O,1TC2,3 conformation (Figure 2). An analysis of non-covalent interactions revealed that a dense network of O−H···O and C−H···O stabilized the crystal lattice of 4, whereas O−H···O and C−H···π stabilized the crystal lattice of 5. Chapter 5 describes the detailed analysis of X-ray crystal structure of two septanoside derivatives including non-covalent interactions responsible for the stabilization of crystal lattice. Figure 2. ORTEP of 4 and 5 with displacement ellipsoids, at a 10 % and 50 % probability level. In summary, the thesis established the following major results: (i) synthesis of 2-deoxy-2-C¬alkyl/aryl septanoside from a bromo-oxepine, using organometallic C-C bond forming reactions; (ii) the ring-opening reaction of oxyglycal derived gem-dihalo-1,2-cyclopropane in the presence of AgOAc and the effect of additional C-2 oxy-substituent in the reactivity, in comparison to glycal; (iii) an oxyglycal route for the synthesis of 1,7-linked-α-D-diseptanoside, 2-chloro-2-deoxy septanoside and their acid-catalyzed hydrolysis studies and (iv) solid-state X-ray crystal structural analysis and computational analysis of the conformation and non-covalent interactions associated with the stabilization of crystal lattice. Overall, the studies presented in the thesis provide a new insight into the synthesis, acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and solid-state structural analysis of septanoside derivatives.

The origin of the first RNA polymers is central to most current theories regarding the origin of life. However, difficulties associated with the prebiotic formation of RNA have lead many researchers to conclude that simpler polymers, or proto-RNAs, preceded RNA. These earlier polymers would have been replaced by RNA over the course of evolution. A remaining difficulty for this theory is that the de novo synthesis of a feasible proto-RNA has not yet been demonstrated by plausible prebiotic reactions. This thesis focuses on two problems associated with prebiotic proto-RNA synthesis: The formation of nucleosides and the necessity of reversible backbone linkages for error correction in nucleic acid polymers. "The Nucleoside Problem", or the lack of success in forming pyrimidine nucleosides by plausible prebiotic reactions, represents a significant stumbling block to the RNA world hypothesis. Nearly four decades ago Orgel and coworkers demonstrated that the purine nucleosides adenosine and inosine are synthesized by heating and drying their respective bases and ribose in the presence of magnesium, but these reaction conditions do not yield the pyrimidine nucleosides uridine or cytidine from their respective bases. In this thesis a potential solution to The Nucleoside Problem is hypothesized based upon a proposed chemical mechanism for nucleoside formation. This hypothesis is supported by the successful synthesis of 2-pyrimidinone nucleosides by a plausible prebiotic reaction in good yield, demonstrating that pyrimidine nucleosides could have been available in the prebiotic chemical inventory, but that uridine and cytidine were likely not abundant. Reversible backbone linkages are necessary to provide a mechanism for error correction in non-enzymatic template-directed syntheses of proto-RNAs. In this thesis, acetals are explored as low-energy, reversible linkage groups for nucleosides in polymers. The synthesis of glyoxylate-acetal nucleic acids (gaNAs) through simple heating-drying reactions from neutral aqueous solutions is demonstrated, and these linkages are shown to be hydrolytically stable under a considerable range of solution conditions. Computational models demonstrate that the glyoxylate linkage is an excellent electronic and isosteric replacement for phosphate. Molecular dynamics simulations also indicate that a gaNA duplex would have structural properties that closely match a phosphate-linked RNA helix, suggesting the possibility for cross-pairing between gaNAs and RNAs, allowing for sequence transfer and genetic continuity through the evolution from proto-RNAs to RNA. The principles illustrated in this thesis by 2-pyrimidinone nucleoside and gaNA synthesis can be extended to other prebiotic condensation reactions. Factors affecting condensation yield, such as thermodynamics, kinetics, reactant solubility, and salt effects, are summarized herein.

Pathogenesis originating from mycobacterial invasion on host cells is prevalent and is a major challenge in efforts towards overcoming the burden of mycobacterial diseases. Complex architecture of mycobacterium cell wall includes an assortment of glycolipids, phospholipids, glycopeptidolipids (GPLs), peptidoglycans, arabinogalactans, lipoarabinomannans and mycolic acid. Aided by thick cell wall envelope, mycobacteria are known to survive in hostile environment. As most antibiotics target the log phase of the bacteria, bacterial survival is also largely dependent on its stationary phase. Mycobacteria have evolved colonization by means of biofilm formation in the stationary phase, so as to survive under stress and hostile conditions. Biofilms are the specialized form of phenotype which makes bacteria several fold resistant to antibiotics. Development of inhibitors against biofilms remains a challenge due to the poor permeability of molecules and coordination among cells. The first part of Chapter 1 of the thesis describes the details of formation of biofilm in the stationary phase of bacteria and understanding the molecular level details for making the strategies to overcome antidrug resistance of mycobacteria. Among the cyclic hosts, cyclodextrins are prominent. Due to their unique structural and physical properties, cyclodextrins can form inclusion complexes with a wide range of guest molecules. Although synthetic modifications of cyclodextrins through hydroxy groups are very common, modifications at backbone continue to be a challenge. Backbone modified cyclodextrins using different organic moieties were developed and their altered cavity properties were explored in many instances. Chemical synthesis of cyclic oligosaccharides is, in general, involved (i) a cyclo-oligomerization of linear oligosaccharide precursor and (ii) an one-pot polycondensation of appropriately designed monomer under suitable reaction conditions. The second part of Chapter 1 deals with a literature survey of skeletal modification of cyclodextrins, their synthesis and binding abilities with different guest molecules. In my research programme, synthesis and studies of oligosaccharide glycolipids relevant to mycobacterial cell wall were undertaken. Arabinofuranoside trisaccharide glycolipids, containing β-anomeric linkages at the non-reducing ends and double hexadecyloxy lipid moieties, interconnected to the sugar moiety through a glycerol core, were synthesized (Figure 1). Arabinan trisaccharides 1 with lipidic chain and 3 without lipidic chain comprise β-(1→2), β-(1→3) anomeric linkages at the non-reducing end, whereas in the case of arabinan trisaccharides 2 and 4, β-(1→2), β-(1→5) linkages are present between the furanoside units. In the scheme of synthesis of trisaccharide glycolipids, monosaccharide derivative and lipidic portions were individually prepared first and were assembled subsequently to secure the target glycolipids. Incorporation of β-arabinofuranoside linkages in trisaccharide arabinofuranosides 1-4 was achieved by low temperature activation of silyl group protected conformationally locked thioglycoside donor 5 (Figure 1), in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) and silver trifluoromethanesulfonate (AgOTf). Figure 1. Molecular structures of trisaccharides 3, 4 and glycolipids 1, 2 with β-arabinofuranoside linkages at the non-reducing end and glycosyl donor 5. Following the synthesis, the efficacies of synthetic glycolipids to interact with surfactant protein A (SP-A) were assessed by using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique, from which association-dissociation rate constants and equilibrium binding constants were derived. SP-A, a lung innate immune system component, is known to bind with glycolipids present in the cell surface of a mycobacterial pathogen. From the analysis of SPR studies with glycolipids 1, 2 and SP-A, the association rate constants (ka) were found to be in the range of 0.3 to 0.85 M−1 s−1, whereas the dissociation rate constants (kd) were varied between 2.21 and 3.2×10−3 s−1. The equilibrium constants (Ka) values were in the range of 93 and 274 M−1. Trisaccharides 3 and 4, without lipidic chains, were also assessed for their efficacies to interact with SP-A. The association constants for 3 were found to be in the range of 2,470 to 9,430 M−1, whereas for the derivative 4, Ka values varied between 25,600 and 76,900 M−1. The association and equilibrium binding constants for 3 and 4 were found to be significantly higher when compared to glycolipids 1 and 2. In conjunction with our previous report, the present study shows that arabinofuranoside glycolipids, with β-anomeric linkages bind to SP-A with lesser extent as compared to α-anomers. Further, the studies of trisaccharides and glycolipids in mycobacterial growth and sliding motility assays were performed with model organism M. smegmatis and it was found that the synthetic compounds affected both growth and motility and the extent was lesser than that of α-anomeric glycosides and glycolipids. Chapter 2 of the thesis describes the details of synthesis, biophysical and biological studies of arabinan trisaccharide glycolipids, with β-anomeric linkages at the non-reducing end. Continuing the synthesis and studies of arabinan oligosaccharides, a linear arabinomannan pentasaccharide and heptasaccharide glycolipids 6 and 10, containing α-(1→2) and α-(1→3) linkages between core arabinofuranoside units, as well as, a branched arabinomannan pentasaccharide and heptasaccharide glycolipids 7 and 11, with α-(1→2) and α-(1→5) linkages between core arabinofuranoside units, were synthesized (Figures 2 and 3). Figure 2. Molecular structures of arabinomannan glycolipids 6 and 7 and the corresponding oligosaccharides 8 and 9. In addition to glycolipids, arabinomannan pentasaccharides without lipidic chain 8 and 9 and arabinomannan heptasaccharides without lipidic chain 12 and 13, were also synthesized. Synthesis was performed using trichloroacetimidate and thioglycosides as glycosyl donors. A block condensation methodology was adopted by which disaccharide donor and monosaccharide acceptor were chosen to assemble the pentasaccharide, by a two-fold glycosylation. Monosaccharide acceptors with and without lipidic chain were used in the glycosylations for the synthesis of glycolipids and pentasaccharides, respectively. Similarly, a trisaccharide thioglycoside donor and monosaccharide acceptors were chosen for the double glycosylation to synthesize heptasaccharides in the presence of NIS and AgOTf. Figure 3. Molecular structures of arabinomannan heptasaccharide glycolipids 10, 11 and corresponding heptasaccharides 12 and 13. Subsequent to synthesis, activities of pentasaccharide glycolipids were assayed on M. smegmatis bacterial growth, sliding motilities and also the effects on mycobacterial biofilms. Profound effects were observed with the synthetic compounds, to reduce the mycobacterial growth, sliding motilities and biofilm structures. Whereas reduction up to ~50% occurred on mycobacterial growth, as much as, 70% reduction in the motilities of the bacteria was observed in the presence of the synthetic glycolipids, at 100 µg mL-1 concentration. At the same concentration, 80–85% reduction in the biofilm was observed. These effects were more pronounced with branched glycolipids than linear analogues. Chapter 3 of the thesis presents the synthesis of linear and branched arabinomannan penta- and heptasaccharide glycolipids and biological studies of arabinomannan pentasaccharide glycolipids with M. smegmatis. Cyclodextrins, the most abundant naturally-occurring cyclic oligosaccharides, are valuable synthetic hosts, primarily as a result of their properties to form inclusion complexes with guest molecules. In spite of voluminous literature on the application of cyclodextrins, through modifications of hydroxy groups, modifications at the backbone continue to be a challenge. Skeletal modifications using aromatic, triazole, diyne, thioether and disulfide moieties were developed, that helped to alter the cavity properties of cyclodextrins. A programme was undertaken to synthesize backbone modified cyclic oligosaccharide, which was achieved using a monomer wherein a one carbon insertion is conducted at C4 of a pyranose, such that the hydroxy moiety at C4 is replaced with a hydroxymethyl moiety. In an approach, a linear trisaccharide monomer was anticipated to provide cyclic oligosaccharides in multiples of such a monomer. In the event, a trisaccharide linear monomer 14 was found to afford a cyclic trisaccharide macrocycle 15, as the major cyclo-oligomer (Scheme 1). Subsequent solid state structural studies show that the molecule confers a perfect trigonal symmetry in the P3 space group, in a narrow cone shape and a brick-wall type arrangement of molecules, such a geometry is hither-to unknown to a cyclic oligosaccharide (Figure 4). Furthermore, binding abilities of cyclic trisaccharide with few organic bases, such as 1-aminoadamantane and hexamethylenetetramine, was evaluated by the means of isothermal titration calorimetry and it was found that such a cyclic trisaccharide exhibits strong binding affinities towards 1-aminoadamantane in aqueous solutions, as compared to the same with naturally-occurring β-cyclodextrin. Scheme 1 Apart from cyclic trisaccharide, synthesis of cyclic tetrasaccharide 17, containing alternative anomeric α-(1→4) and β-(1→4) linkages was also undertaken by one-pot cyclo-oligomerization in the suitable reaction condition, from an activated disaccharide thioglycoside monomer 16, having β-(1→4) linkage at the non-reducing end (Scheme 2). Chapter 4 describes the synthesis of cyclic oligosaccharides 15 and 17, as well as, the details of solid state structure and binding studies of cyclic trisaccharide 15. Scheme 2 Figure 4. (a) Stick model of the crystal structure of 15, as viewed along the crystallographic c-axis; (b) trigonal view from crystal packing; (c) packing diagram crystal lattice, as viewed along the crystallographic b-axis, and without solvent inclusion and (d) packing diagram included with methanol (grey) and water (red) solvents, as viewed along the crystallographic c-axis. Hydrogen atoms are omitted for clarity in (c and d). In summary, the thesis presents (i) synthesis, biophysical and biological studies of synthetic arabinan and arabinomannan glycolipids, and (ii) synthesis, solid-state structural analysis and binding studies of glycosidic bond expanded cyclic oligosaccharides. Synthetic trisaccharide arabinofuranoside glycolipids containing β-anomeric linkages at the non-reducing end showed binding affinity towards pulmonary surfactant protein A, as assessed by surface plasmon resonance technique, with comparatively lower extent as compared to synthetic glycolipids having α-anomeric linkages. Linear and branched arabinomannan penta- and heptasaccharide glycolipids, having α-anomeric linkages were synthesized and biological studies with non-pathogenic strain M. smegmatis were conducted with pentasaccharide glycolipids. It was found that arabinomannan glycolipids inhibited the growth and sliding motility of mycobacteria. Importantly, disruption of biofilm and significant reduction in biofilm formation was observed in the presence of the synthetic glycolipids. Glycosidic bond expanded cyclic trisaccharide with anomeric α-(1→4) linkages and cyclic tetrasaccharide with alternative anomeric α-(1→4) and β-(1→4) linkages were prepared from suitably designed trisaccharide and disaccharide monomer, respectively, by cyclo-oligomerization. Solid-state structural analysis and binding studies of cyclic trisaccharide in solution by isothermal titration calorimetry were also conducted. Cyclic trisaccharide possessed a bowl shape and brick-wall type of arrangement in the solid-state structure, whereas it exhibited stronger binding affinity towards 1-aminoadamantane as compared to β-cyclodextrin in aqueous solution. Overall, the results presented in the thesis provide a possibility to develop new types of synthetic glycolipids that can act as inhibitors of biofilm formation of mycobacteria, as well as, to develop newer types of cyclic oligosaccharide synthetic hosts that can modify binding abilities towards various guest compounds.

La première partie de ce manuscrit est consacrée à l'inhibition des glycosidases. Ces enzymes sont impliquées dans de très nombreux processus biologiques et, par voie de conséquence, dans de nombreuses maladies (diabète, cancer, maldadies lysosomales etc…). Outre l'intérêt de développer de nouveaux médicaments, les glycosides hydrolases font aussi figure de cibles de choix pour étudier les itinéraires conformationnels au cours de l'hydrolyse de la liaison glycosidique et en particulier au niveau de l'état de transition. La mise en parallèle de l'importance de l'orientation des liaisons C2-O2 et C3-O3 dans la stéréosélectivité des réactions de b-mannopyranosylation dirigées par les groupements 4,6-O-benzylidène, avec le rôle des interactions avec la liaison C3-O3 dans la catalyse enzymatique pour les b-mannosidases, nous a conduits à nous intéresser au développement de nouveaux glycoimidazoles, potentiellement inhibiteurs de ces enzymes. Nous nous sommes attachés à développer ce type de molécules car ils sont considérés, à l'heure actuelle, comme les meilleurs mimes de l'état de transition. La catalyse par les b-mannosidases passerait par un état de transition de type B2,5. Ce chemin conformationnel semble inhabituel mais serait le plus approprié au développement du caractère de double liaison entre le carbone anomérique et l'oxygène endocyclique ainsi qu'à la charge positive lorsque le système est proche de l'état de transition. De plus, il semblerait que la conformation B2,5 soit aussi privilégiée pour les a-mannosidases, ce qui renforce l'intérêt thérapeutique de synthétiser de nouveaux inhibiteurs de glycosidases. La stratégie de synthèse s'appuie sur des travaux de Vasella. Elle repose sur la construction du squelette bicyclique des tétrahydroimidazopyridines, via une réaction de cyclisation intramoléculaire d'oxoéthylamidines intermédiaires, qui permet d'obtenir de nouveaux glycoimidazoles en une quinzaine d'étapes. Dans la seconde partie, sont exposés les travaux concernant la préparation et l'utilisation en synthèse de glutaconaldéhydes oxydés en position 2 et de N-acylaminopentadiènals. Après avoir rappelé l'importance des glutaconaldéhydes et des aminopentadiènals dans les hypothèses de biogenèse des alcaloïdes marins de la famille des manzamines, nous avons vu que ces espèces pouvaient être considérés comme des intermédiaires possibles pour la synthèse d'alcaloïdes marins de la famille des pyrrole-2-aminoimidazoles (P-2-AI). La nouvelle méthode de préparation des sels de glutaconaldéhydes nous a permis de synthétiser un glutaconaldéhyde oxydé en position 2 et de commencer à étudier la réactivité des 2-alkoxy-N-acylaminopentadiènals. Le dernier chapitre de cette partie traite d'une méthode de préparation de N-acyl-5-aminopenta-2,4-diènals via l'ouverture de furfurylamines N-acylées développée en parallèle avec les travaux précédemment cités. / The first part of this manuscript is dedicated to glycosidase inhibition. Because enzyme-catalyzed carbohydrate hydrolysis is a biologically widespread process, glycosidase inhibitors have many potential applications as therapeutic agents. Glycosidase inhibitors are extremely useful probes to understand vital functions of glycosidases in living systems. They are also interesting tools to study mechanisms involved in the hydrolysis by different glycosidase families and to understand conformational pathways more particularly close to the transition state of the reaction. In parallel with the importance of the orientation of C2-O2 and C3-O3 bonds for the stereoselectivity of 4,6-O-benzylidene-directed b-mannopyranosylation, the role of interactions with C3-O3 bond during enzymatic hydrolysis for b-mannosidases prompted us to develop new glycoimidazoles, potential glycosidases inhibitors. Nowadays, glycoimidazoles are considered as the best transition state mimics; that is why we were interested in these molecules. Enzyme inhibition through mimicry of the transition state is indeed a major area for the design of new therapeutic agents. The enzymatic catalysis for b-mannosidases appears to use an unusual B2,5 conformational pathway for a better accommodation of the double bond character and the positive charge on the pyranose ring close to the transition state. There is now strong support for a similar pathway for a-mannosidases. Golgi a-mannosidases are involved in cancer metastasis and this strengthens the interest of developing new glycosidases inhibitors. Our strategy leaned on Vasella's work with the construction of a tetrahydroimidazopyridine bicyclic skeleton, via an intramolecular oxoethylamidine cyclization. It allowed us to prepare new glycoimidazoles in about fifteen steps. These compounds are modified in position 3 compared to those reported in the literature. They are expected to adopt a B2,5 conformation which would allow us to get better transition state mimics than those actually known for -mannosidases. In the second part, we discuss the preparation and use of oxidized glutaconaldehydes and N-acylaminopentadienals in organic synthesis. After reminding of the importance of glutaconaldehydes and aminopentadienals in the biosynthetic scenario of manzamine alkaloids, we will see that these species are possible intermediates in the synthesis of pyrrole-2-aminoimidazoles (P-2-AI), a marine alkaloids family. A practical method to access glutaconaldehydes allowed us to prepare these species oxidized in position 2 and to begin a study of the reactivity of 2-alkoxy-N-acylaminopentadienals. Finally, in the last chapter, a new access to N-acyl-5-aminopenta-2,4-dienals through base-induced ring-opening of N-acylated furfurylamines is reported.