This thesis details the application of two synthetic methodologies, developed by the Donohoe group, to the synthesis of the ABC fragment of pectenotoxin-4, a macrolide marine natural product that consists of 19 stereogenic centres, three tetrahydrofuran rings, one spiroketal and one bicyclic ketal embedded within a 26-membered macrocycle. Pivotal to the developed synthetic route was the utilisation of an unprecedented cascade osmium catalysed oxidative cyclisation for the construction of two THF rings (the BC ring system). After successfully developing a model system for the synthesis of the AB anomeric 6,5 spiroketal, which involved the employment of a hydride shift initiated oxo carbenium ion formation followed by intramolecular spiroketalisation, the developed system was then applied to the fully elaborated synthesis of the ABC fragment. The synthesis of the ABC fragment of pectenotoxin-4 was completed in 20 linear steps, with an overall yield of 3.3%.

Chapter 1 is a brief literature review of the most recent progress in the area of C-H functionalization via palladium catalysis. This covers the functionalization of electron deficient arenes and heterocycles with alkenyl and alkyl halides both using inter- and intra-molecular reactions. The chapter also contains an overview of recent work from the Willis group. Chapter 2 presents the functionalization of electron deficient arenes and alkenyl bromides using palladium catalysis, as well as the use of statistical analysis software for optimizing the cross-coupling reaction. Chapter 3 describes the cross-coupling of substituted benzoxazoles, benzothiazole and benzimidazole with a range of alkenyl iodides using palladium catalysis. The reaction can tolerate both (E) and (Z) disubstituted alkenes and tri-substituted alkenyl iodides, with retention of the double bond geometry. Chapter 4 details the synthesis of sultams via an intramolecular C-H functionalization using palladium catalysis. The chapter covers the optimization of the starting material synthesis as well as the cross-coupling reaction. We can access the sulfonamides from cyclohexenone and were able to incorporate a large range of substitution patterns (Scheme 3). Finally, Chapter 5 contains all the experimental details, general considerations and compound data. All the NMR spectra of novel compounds can be found in the appendix.

Rhodium-catalysed hydroacylation provides a highly atom economic synthesis of ketone products from the combination of aldehydes and multiple bond systems by C-H bond activation. This work evaluates the combination of intermolecular hydroacylation for the synthesis of classical heterocycle precursors and their dehydrative cyclisation to give rise to a range of substituted heterocyclic compounds. Chapter 1 outlines recent developments in the chemistry of hydroacylation. Particular attention is paid to the various chelation strategies employed in intermolecular hydroacylation. Chapter 2 discusses some relevant and recent developments in the field of pyridine and pyrrole synthesis. Having established that β-sulphur chelation controlled hydroacylation can be used to synthesise pyridines in Chapter 3; attention was turned to hydroacylation of propargyl amines in Chapter 4. The methodology was expanded to provide a synthesis of γ-amino enones. The hydroacylation reaction and cyclisation is combined in a procedure that utilises thermal Boc-deprotection and cyclisation to give a range of highly-substituted pyrroles. The regioselectivity of the hydroacylation of propargyl amines is investigated in Chapter 5 by application of statistical Design of Experiments methodology. Optimised conditions were identified with minor improvements in the selectivity of the reaction.

Les cancers représentent un problème majeur de santé public d'où la nécessité de rechercher de nouvelles classes de médicaments. Parmi les pistes pour développer de nouveaux traitements, deux ont retenu notre attention et celle de nos collaborateurs : la modulation de l’épissage par des composés comme le NVS-SM2, et l’inhibition de l’oncogène KRAS par des dérivés de produits naturels, les flavaglines. Dans ce contexte, nous avons développé la première synthèse robuste du NVS-SM2, qui peut satisfaire la demande globale de cet agent pour examiner en détail son potentiel thérapeutique dans différents types d’affection. En outre, la stratégie de synthèse rapportée ici pourrait être étendue à de nouveaux analogues de ce composé. D’autre part, nous avons synthétisé de nouvelles flavaglines qui sont en cours d'étude pour leurs effets sur l’inhibition de KRAS. Au cours de cette étude, nous avons découvert de nouvelles réactions, notamment une inversion de configuration d’amines induite par du chlorure de diméthylcarbamoyle. / Cancers represent a major public health problem hence the need to use new classes of medicines. Among the opportunities for developing new treatments, two have caught our attention and that of our collaborators: the modulation of splicing by compounds such as NVS-SM2, and the inhibition of the oncogene KRAS by derivatives of natural products, the flavaglines.In this context, we have developed the first robust synthesis of NVS-SM2, which can satisfy the global demand of this agent to examine in detail its therapeutic potential in different types of disorders. In addition, the synthetic strategy reported here could be extended to new analogues of this compound. Furthermore, we have synthesized new flavaglines that have been examined for their effects on KRAS inhibition. During this study, we discovered new reactions, including a dimethylcarbamoyl chloride-induced amine inversion of configuration.

Depuis plusieurs années, les quadruplexes de guanine ou G4, structures particulières de l’ADN, suscitent un intérêt grandissant. Ces structures, largement étudiées in vitro, sont encore peu connues in vivo mais semblent jouer un rôle important dans la régulation de l’expression génétique. Elles ont rapidement été considérées comme des cibles thérapeutiques potentielles pour certaines maladies telles que le cancer. Le premier indice de leur existence dans les cellules n’a été obtenu qu’en 2013 par immunodétection sur des cellules fixées. Les recherches sont actuellement tournées vers le développement de nouveaux outils moléculaires qui permettraient la visualisation des G4 dans des cellules vivantes.C’est dans ce cadre que nous avons conçu et développé une série de complexes polyazaaromatiques de ruthéniumII à base de ligands plans étendus (heptacycle dpqp et octacycle dppqp). La combinaison des propriétés photophysiques des complexes de RuII associée à la présence d’un large plan étendu devant permettre l’interaction avec les G4, positionne ces molécules comme outils potentiels pour l’étude des G4 in vivo.La première partie de ce projet porte sur la synthèse de ces nouveaux complexes de ruthénium. Une méthode originale de "chimie sur complexe" a permis d'obtenir, entre autres, un complexe possédant le ligand dpqp, fonctionnalisé par une triple liaison. Il a également été possible, « par chimie sur complexe », de construire un cycle supplémentaire sur le ligand heptacyclique (dpqp) chélaté pour obtenir les complexes [Ru(L)2dppqp]2+. Les propriétés photophysiques des différents complexes ont été étudiées. Seuls deux complexes, [Ru(phen)2dpqp-Cl]2+ et [Ru(TAP)2dpqp-Cl]2+, présentent un comportement s’approchant de celui des complexes de référence; c’est à dire des rendements quantiques comparables à [Ru(bpy)3]2+ et des durées de vie de l’état excité de l’ordre de la centaine de nanosecondes. Les autres complexes sont non luminescents et l’hypothèse d’un quenching par transfert de proton à l’état excité a été avancée pour expliquer ce comportement.Les complexes ont aussi été évalués vis à vis de différentes structures oligonucléotidiques G4 et duplexes. Tous les complexes possèdent une affinité correcte envers les G4. Comme nous l'espérions, le complexe porteur du ligand octacyclique semble être particulièrement sélectif envers les G4 par rapport à l'ADN double brin. Il a aussi été montré que deux des complexes testés peuvent être utilisés comme sondes moléculaires "light-switch ON" pour les structures G4 en milieu cellulaire. Certains des complexes synthétisés sont donc d’excellents candidats en tant qu’outils moléculaires pour l’étude des G4 in vivo. / The interest for some unusual structures of DNA, the G4 quadruplexes was growing these past few years. Those structures were extensively studied in vitro, but a lot remains unkwown about their existence in vivo. Intererstingly, G4 structures seem to play key regulatory roles in gene expression and are therefore potential therapeutic targets for diseases such as cancer. Consequently, visualisation of those structures in cells is the present challenge today, and the use of small molecules with luminescent properties is promising in this context.In this framework, we designed a series of new rutheniumII complexes chelating a large planar aromatic ligand, (heptacycle dpqp or octacycle dppqp). The combination of the photophysical properties of RuII complexes with proposed favorable stacking properties of the ligand with G4, would make these complexes promising molecular tools for G4 visualization.The first part of this project focusses on the synthesis of ruthenium complexes and their specific ligands. One particular ligand is formed by the condensation between acridine and phenanthroline moieties. A chemistry on the complex approach enabled us 1) to functionnalize the chelated ligand by a triple bond that will be used for the formation of an heterodimer by click chemistry, and 2) to build an additional cycle on the chelated ligand. Photophysical properties were evaluated and only two complexes, [Ru(phen)2dpqp-Cl]2+ and [Ru(TAP)2dpqp-Cl]2+, exhibit the same photophysical behaviour than the reference complexes. Indeed, the quantum yields are in the same order of magnitude than for [Ru(bpy)3]2+ and the excited state lifetime are of a few hundred nanosecondes. The other complexes are non-luminescent and a quenching by excited state proton transfer was hypothesised to explain this unusual behaviour. Interaction properties with G4 DNA were evaluated. All complexes display good affinity towards G4 and as expected, the complexe bearing the octacyclic ligand shows a strong selectivity towards G4 compared to dsDNA. Two of the complexes were proven to be potential luminescent light-switch ON probes for G4 detection in cells. In conclusion, this work highlights the possibility to use some of the newly synthetized complexes as efficient molecular tools for G4 visualization in cells.

A brief summary of the use of palladium as a catalyst, the characteristic reactivity of palladium complexes and the commonly used palladium-catalysed cross coupling reactions is given, with a special focus on the palladium-catalysed α-arylation of enolates and its application to the synthesis of aromatic heterocycles. The synthesis of aromatic heterocycles via both traditional methods and more recent metal-catalysed approaches is discussed in the context of isoquinolines. The palladium-catalysed oxidation of dihydrofurans bearing an ortho-bromophenyl group at the 2-position to the corresponding 2-phenyl furans is disclosed along with some preliminary mechanistic investigations. A novel synthetic route to isoquinolines is detailed involving the palladium-catalysed α-arylation of ketone enolates with an appropriate ortho-substituted aryl halide to furnish a protected 1,5-dicarbonyl intermediate. The versatility of these intermediates is demonstrated with their conversion into isoquinolines, isoquinoline N-oxides and naphthols. The scope of the synthetic procedure is fully exemplified across more than 30 different scaffolds covering the full spectrum of electron-rich to electron-deficient moieties. The intermediates were shown to be amenable to functionalisation with electrophiles, leading to isoquinolines bearing additional substitution at the C4 position. Sequential one-pot procedures were developed allowing three and four component couplings to directly deliver highly-substituted isoquinolines from commercially available starting materials. This methodology was utilised in the total synthesis of the natural product berberine in 26% overall yield and a longest linear sequence of six steps.

The prostaglandins are a unique family of natural products found in all mammalian life, including humans. Their biological significance is profound, and they are responsible for a vast array of bodily functions. This importance, coupled with their low concentration in vivo, has made them attractive targets for total chemical synthesis. The work herein describes synthetic efforts towards their synthesis using an oxidative radical cyclisation to construct the key [3.3.0]-bridged bicyclic lactone, from which the prostaglandin skeleton may be derived. Key to this was the development of manganese(III) acetate and copper(II) triflate as optimal reagents for this cyclisation of unsaturated malonate/malonic acid derivatives. To study this, several model substrates for this crucial cyclisation were synthesised, and their cyclisation analysed. Chapter 5 describes the design and synthesis of several model substrates containing malonate groups for the oxidative radical cyclisation. The results of the cyclisation with manganese(III) and various copper(II) salts influenced the design of the substrates, and led to the use of malonic acids as more effective substrates for the formation of [3.3.0]-bicyclic lactones. A catalytic process, in which atmospheric oxygen is the terminal oxidant was also developed. Chapter 6 describes the studies towards a total synthesis of the prostaglandin family. Two potential routes are followed, the first of which used a key asymmetric epoxidation to install asymmetry. A Suzuki coupling was used to deliver the desired diene required for the cyclisation substrate, which was successfully cyclised using manganese(III) acetate and copper(II) triflate, creating the desired [3.3.0]-bicyclic lactone in good yield and with excellent diastereomeric control. A second, shorter route to the same lactone was also developed, using a novel asymmetric deconjugative aldol condensation to establish asymmetry. Cyclisation of this analogous substrate was also successful, delivering the same lactone after olefin metathesis.

trans-2,5-Disubstituted-tetrahydrofurans (THFs) are a common structural motif in many biologically active natural products, particularly in the Annonaceous acetogenins. This thesis develops a new route for their synthesis and applies it to the total synthesis of the Annonaceous acetogenin sylvaticin. Chapter 1: Introduction – Synthetic routes to trans-2,5-substituted tetrahydrofurans This chapter reviews methods for the synthesis of trans-2,5-THFs that have been applied to natural products synthesis. Chapter 2: Results & Discussion – A Novel Route to trans-THFs The rearrangement of activated 2,5-disubstituted cis-THFs is reviewed and is developed into a new synthetic method for the synthesis of trans-THFs. The reaction proceeds via a hydride shift mechanism to form an oxonium ion. Intramolecular reduction by a tethered hydrosilane stereoselectively forms the trans-THF. The mechanism of the rearrangement is investigated with the use of different stereoisomers and a deuterium labelling study. A cross-over study is carried out which confirms the reaction occurs via the proposed hydride shift mechanism. Chapter 3: Introduction – The Annonaceous Acetogenins This chapter introduces the Annonaceous acetogenins, a biologically active class of natural products often found with THF rings in their structure. The three key areas for their synthesis are explored- the synthesis of the THF core, the synthesis of the butenolide ring, and their coupling. Chapter 4: Results & Discussion – The Synthesis of Sylvaticin The Annonaceous acetogenin sylvaticin is introduced, and its isolation in nature and biological activity reviewed. With the aid of a model system study to extend the scope of the reaction, the methodology developed in Chapter 2 is then applied to the synthesis of sylvaticin. The synthesis, the first to be reported, is completed in a total of 19 linear steps starting from commercially available tetradecatetraene. In order to prove the obtained structure is that found in nature, a comprehensive investigation is undertaken using Mosher ester derivatives and the synthesis of its bis-epimer, 4,36-epi,epi sylvaticin. Chapter 5: Experimental Full experimental procedures and characterisation of compounds are reported.

This work describes the extension of rhodium-catalysed intermolecular hydroacylation to encompass some tandem catalytic processes, wherein a further catalytic process is enacted on the product of an intermolecular hydroacylation reaction in “one pot”. Chapter 1 entails an overview of the development of hydroacylation chemistry, with a focus on the different types of catalytic systems which have been used to facilitate this transformation. A brief description of some precedented examples of tandem catalytic processes which include a hydroacylation reaction is also included. Chapter 2 describes the intermolecular hydroacylation of chelating aldehydes and propargylic alkynes to form γ-hydroxy-α,β-enones, and their subsequent acid-catalysed cyclisation to form substituted furans in a "one-pot" procedure. Additionally, a tandem intermolecular hydroacylation/double-bond isomerisation protocol for the synthesis of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds is detailed, and the subsequent transformation of this class of compounds to heterocycles is included. Chapter 3 focuses on the development of tandem catalytic hydroacylation/reductive processes, wherein a hydroacylation product undergoes a reduction which is catalysed by the hydroacylation catalyst. Chapter 4 describes an attempt to utilise the rhodium-catalysed conjugate addition of arylmetal species to enomes to create a tandem alkyne hydroacylation/conjugate addition process. Chapter 5 encompasses the use of a small range of different solvents in rhodium-catalysed hydroacylation, in an attempt to find higher-boiling alternatives to acetone and a "green" alternative to the commonly used DCE.

A synthetic investigation on the chemistry of cyclotryptamine derived natural products, with a particular focus on the synthesis of the trimeric-alkaloid, hodgkinsine. Methodology has been developed to tackle this complex natural product which utilises a desymmetrization approach; this strategy hinges on the development and applications of asymmetric C-N bond forming reactions. Chapter one examines elements of symmetry in natural products, looking in particular at the synthesis of compounds which contain cyclotryptamine functionality. Chapter two contains a brief review of enantioselective desymmetrization paying attention, if possible, on its application in the synthesis of natural products. In the remaining chapters we discuss our own progress and results in our pursuit of an efficient enantioselective total synthesis of hodgkinsine.