As moléculas de 4-CH2X-piperidinas, X = OH (1), H (2) e Ph (3) foram investigadas como ligantes ancilares nos novos complexos [RuCl2(PPh3)2(4-CH2X-pip)] para a polimerização via metátese por abertura de anel (ROMP) de norborneno (NBE) e norbornadieno (NBD). Os complexos foram obtidos pela síntese com [RuCl2(PPh3)3] e caracterizado por análise elementar de CHN, infravermelho e RMN 31P {1H}. Os resultados sugeriram moléculas pentacoordenadas com ambos os íons cloreto e ambos os ligantes fosfinas trans-posicionados em uma geometria pirâmide de base quadrada em cada caso; a amina está no eixo axial.<br /> ROMP de NBE com 1 foram realizadas em argônio em função do volume de etildiazoacetato (EDA; 2 - 8 &micro;L), razão molar [NBE]/[Ru] (1.000 - 10.000), tempo ( 5 - 60 minutos) e temperatura (25 e 50 &deg;C) para obter a melhor condição de reação. Com 2 &micro;L de EDA a 50 &deg;C por 30 minutos e [NBE]/[Ru] = 5000, poliNBE foi quantitativamente isolado com Mw = 20,6 x 104 e IPD = 2,2. Em condições similares, rendimentos de 80 e 83% foram obtidos com 2 e 3, respectivamente (Mw = 2,4 x 104 e 0,2 x 104; IPD = 2,3 e 1,8). Os rendimentos em presença de PPh3 em excesso (20 equivalentes) foram reduzidos para 18 - 32%, enquanto na presença de amina (20 equivalentes) o complexo foi totalmente inativo. É sugerido que as reações de ROMP ocorrem quando o ligante PPh3 abandona a esfera de coordenação do Ru, e a amina em excesso envenena o catalisador devido à forte coordenação &sigma;. Experimentos com NBE em ar atmosférico resultaram em 68-77% de rendimentos, sugerindo boa resistência dos complexos à oxidação com O2.<br /> Os rendimentos para a ROMP de NBD foram de 100, 54 e 73% para 1, 2 e 3 respectivamente, utilizando as mesmas condições. Os poliNBD foram insolúveis em CHCl3. Poli[NBE-co-NBD] foram obtidos com 57 - 71% de rendimento com cada um dos complexos em presença de diferentes frações molares de comonômeros. / The molecules 4-CH2X-piperidines, X = OH (1), H (2) e Ph (3) were investigated as ancillary ligands in the new [RuCl2(PPh3)2(4-CH2X-pip)] complexes for ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene (NBE) and norbornadiene (NBD). The complexes were obtained from syntheses with [RuCl2(PPh3)3] and characterized by CHN elementary analyses, infrared and 31P-NMR. The results suggested penta-coordinated molecules with both chloro and both phosphine ligands trans-positioned in a square pyramid geometry in each case; the amine is the axial axis.<br /> ROMP of NBE with 1 were carried out in argon atmosphere in a function of ethyldiazoacetate volume (EDA; 2 - 8 &micro;L), [NBE]/[Ru] molar ration (1,000 - 5,000), time (5- 60 min) and temperature (25 and 50 &deg;C) to obtain the best reaction conditions. With 2 &micro;L of EDA at 50 &deg;C for 30 min and [NBE]/[Ru] = 5,000, polyNBE was quantitatively isolated with Mw = 20,6 x 104 e IPD = 2,2. In similar conditions, yields of 80 and 83% were obtained with 2 e 3, respectively (Mw = 2,4 x 104 and 0,2 x 104; PDI = 2,3 and 1,8). The yields in presence of PPh3 in excess (20 equivalents) were reduced to 18 - 32%, whereas in presence of amine (20 equivalents) the complexes were totally inactive. It is suggested that the ROMP reactions occurs when a PPh3 ligand leaves the Ru coordination sphere and the amine in excess poison the catalyst due to a strong &sigma;-coordination. Experiments with NBE in atmospheric of air resulted in 68-77% yields, suggesting good O2-resitances of the complexes to oxidation.<br /> The yields for ROMP of NBD were 100, 54 and 73% with 1, 2 e 3, respectively, under the same conditions. The polyNBD were insolubles in CHCl3. Poly[NBE-co-NBD] were obtained with 57 - 71% yield with either one of the complexes in presence of different comonomer molar fractions.

Avec les récents changements climatiques et la mutation de plusieurs secteurs industriels, une meilleure gestion des rejets de dioxyde de carbone (CO2) est fortement envisagée. De plus en plus d'intérêt est porté sur la valorisation de CO2 au lieu de son stockage simple. Ainsi, ce projet de thèse s'est focalisé sur l'utilisation de polyoxométallates (POMs) et plus particulièrement ceux substitués par des métaux de transition (TMS-POMs), pour la valorisation de CO2 via son électroréduction. Cette approche permet par la même occasion d'assurer une meilleure gestion de l'énergie électrique. Différentes structures de TMS-POMs ont été préparés, donnant des POM mono et polysubstitués aux métaux de transition simples, ainsi qu'un POM fonctionnalisé par un complexe organométallique actif pour l'électroréduction de CO2. Une approche synthétique originale a permis d'obtenir ce dernier complexe, ouvrant la voie à de nouveaux complexes actifs pour l'électroréduction de CO2. Les propriétés électrochimiques, ainsi que leurs aptitudes à catalyser l'électroréduction de CO2 ont été évaluées en différents milieux réactionnels. Une vue globale sur l'application potentielle de cette classe de complexe a ainsi été adopté, montrant notamment la capacité de ces complexes de mener la réduction à 4 électrons et 4 protons de CO2 en formaldéhyde. / With the recent climate change issues and the recent industrial evolutions, a better management of carbon dioxide (CO2) releases is highly demanded. More and more research is focused on CO2 industrial uses rather than its mere storage. Thus, this PhD project deals with the use of polyoxometalates (POMs), especially transition metals substituted ones (TMS-POMs), for CO2 conversion through its électroréduction. This approach allows both a better electrical power and CO2 release management. Different TMS-POMs structures were prepared, yielding mono and polysubstituted POM with simple transition metal and also functionalized ones with active organometallic complex for CO2 électroréduction. An original synthetic approach allowed us to achieve this late functionalization, opening the way for new catalysts for CO2 conversion. Theirs electrochemical properties, as well as their ability to catalyze CO2 électroréduction were investigated in different reaction media. An overview on the potential application of this complex class has been adopted. Noticeably, it highlighted the ability of these complexes to carry out the 4-electrons and 4-protons reduction of CO2 to formaldehyde.

The development of procedures for the synthesis of valuable organic molecules constitutes an important part of chemistry. The goal of improving the efficiency of existing methodologies can be fulfilled by use of metal catalysts. Recent developments in the field of homogeneous gold catalysis have contributed to these efforts and continued investigations assure future innovations. Chapter 1 summarises the properties of gold and ligand-supported gold(I) complexes and demonstrates how a detailed understanding of its reactivity and possible bonding interactions with various substrates facilitates the development of well-defined catalytic systems. Particular attention is given to N-heterocyclic carbenes, highly tunable ligands that stabilise a wide range of different transition metal complexes. Three chapters describe syntheses and studies of known and new complexes. Chapter 2 discusses expedient syntheses of key NHC-gold(I) complexes and catalysts. Chapter 3 constitutes studies to the behaviour of the commonly used tetrafluoroborate counterion in a particular IPrCl -gold(I) complex. Chapter 4 de- scribes the synthesis of a range of IPr-gold(I) carbanion complexes from the widely studied IPr-gold(I) hydroxide synthon, the study of their properties and exploration of their reactivity. Catalytic applications in transformations of alkynes and alcohols are described in the last three chapters. Chapter 5 details the development of efficient NHC-gold(I)-catalysed procedures for the synthesis of vinyl ethers through addition reactions of aliphatic and benzylic alcohols to alkynes. Benzylic alcohols were found to undergo gold-catalysed dehydration under specific conditions and Chapter 6 discloses the NHC-gold(I)-catalysed dehydrative formation of ethers from phenols and benzylic alcohols. Appendix A describes preliminary explorations to the complimentary use of Brønsted acidic compounds as catalysts for the formation of products with new C – C bonds from benzylic alcohols and phenols.

Ce travail s'inscrit dans le cadre de la chimie des carbènes N-hétérocycliques (NHC) et s'articule autour de la fonctionnalisation directe de l'hétérocycle des l'imidazol-2-ylidènes par substitution formelle d'un ou deux groupements diméthylamino. Deux nouvelles catégories de NHCs ont d'abord été obtenues par cette stratégie, dénommées 4-(diméthylamino)imidazol-2-ylidène IArNMe2 et 4,5-bis(diméthylamino)imidazol-2-ylidène IAr(NMe2)2. Les sels d'imidazolium précurseurs de ces NHCs, à savoir le triflate de 4-(diméthylamino)imidazolium (IArNMe2)·HOTf et le triflate de 4,5-bis(diméthylamino)imidazolium (IAr(NMe2)2)·HOTf, ont été synthétisés en couplant la formamidine disubstituée correspondante avec le N,N-diméthyl-chloroacétamide et le 1,2-dichloro-1,2-bis(diméthylamino)éthylène généré in situ respectivement. La quantification des propriétés électroniques des deux nouveaux NHCs a été réalisée à l'aide des complexes de type [Rh(IMes(NMe2)xCl(CO)2], montrant que la donation électronique des ligands NHCs augmente séquentiellement par la décoration avec un ou deux groupements diméthylamino, tandis que les propriétés de p-rétrodonation des NHCs ne sont que légèrement influencées. Par la suite, les complexes de palladium Pd-PEPPSI-IPrNMe2 et Pd-PEPPSI-IPr(NMe2)2 (PEPPSI : Pyridine Enhanced Preparation Purification Stabilization and Initiation) ont été préparés par des voies de complexation classiques. Les propriétés stériques des ligands a été évaluée par la mesure du pourcentage de volume occupé (%Vbur), et il est apparu que les propriétés stériques de ces deux nouveaux ligands NHCs sont également accrues. Les activités catalytiques des deux pré-catalyseurs ont été évaluées en amination de type Buchwald-Hartwig et comparées avec celle de la référence Pd-PEPPSI-IPr. Le pré-catalyseur Pd-PEPPSI-IPr(NMe2)2 s'est révélé le plus actif en amination des chlorures d'aryle à température ambiante. Il constitue également le catalyseur Pd-NHC le plus efficace et le plus général connu à ce jour en permettant de réaliser l'amination des chlorures d'aryle avec une charge de catalyseur très faible (jusqu'à 50 ppm), ou à l'aide d'une base faible telle que le carbonate de césium, et même d'activer les tosylates d'aryle, substrats beaucoup plus difficiles que les chlorures d'aryle . Afin de rationaliser au mieux les effets observés en catalyse en termes de propriétés stéréoélectroniques des ligands NHCs, le squelette arrière aminé des imidazol-2-ylidènes a été dérivatisé plus avant, soit en augmentant la contrainte stérique du groupe NMe2 dans IAr(NMe2) en ciblant le ligand IAr(NiPr2), soit en remplaçant formellement un des groupes amino par un groupe éléctro-attracteur tel un halogène dans le ligand IAr(NMe2)2. Alors que le sel d'imidazolium (IArNiPr2)·HOTf a été synthétisé suivant la même méthode que (IArNMe2)·HOTf, l'halogénation oxydante du squelette d'arrière de (IArNMe2)·HOTf par du NCS ou du NBS a donné les sels (IArNMe2, X)·HOTf avec de très bons rendements dans des conditions très douces. Il convient de noter que cette réactivité originale a été également observée sur les complexes de rhodium(I) et le palladium(II) du ligand IAr(NMe2). Les influences électroniques et catalytiques de ces modifications ont été étudiées de la même façon. / This work is incorporated within the framework of the chemistry of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs) and aims at functionalizing the skeleton of imidazol-2-ylidenes by attachment of one or two amino groups. Two new NHC classes were first obtained by this strategy, namely the 4-(dimethylamino)imidazol-2-ylidene IArNMe2 and the 4,5-bis(dimethylamino)imidazol-2-ylidene IAr(NMe2)2. The synthesis of the precursors of these NHCs, the 4-(dimethylamino)imidazolium triflates (IArNMe2)·HOTf and the 4,5-bis(dimethylamino)imidazolium triflates (IAr(NMe2)2)·HOTf is based on the coupling between the corresponding disubstituted formamidine and either an a-chloroacetamide for the mono-amino derivative or a reactive dichlorodiaminoethene for the bis-amino analogue. The electronic properties of the resulting new NHCs ligands have been studied by measurement of their Tolman Electronic Parameter (TEP) values obtained from the IR spectra of the complexes [Rh(IMesXY)Cl(CO)2] and by 77Se NMR spectroscopy of their corresponding selenoureas [(IMesXY)=Se]. It was shown that the electronic donation of the carbenic carbon sequentially increases by decoration with one or two amino groups respectively whereas the p-accepting properties of the NHC are only slightly or even not affected by the adjunction of the NMe2 groups on the imidazolyl backbone. Later, the synthesis of the two new PEPPSI-type palladium pre-catalysts PEPPSI-Pd-IPrNMe2 and Pd-PEPPSI-IPr(NMe2)2 were successfully achieved. From the calculated the percent buried volume %Vbur which is related to the steric properties of the two supporting NHC ligands, it appeared that grafting one amino group onto the backbone already leads to significant improvement of steric congestion while the second amino only results in a slight increase of the steric issue. The catalytic efficiencies of both pre-catalysts were evaluated in the benchmark Buchwald-Hartwig amination and compared with this of the reference PEPPSI-Pd-IPr. The bis-aminated pre-catalyst Pd-PEPPSI-IPr(NMe2)2 was shown to be the most active and stable pre-catalyst, and it was shown to be also highly efficient in more challenging amination reaction. It indeed allows to carry out the amination of aryl chlorides at low catalyst loadings or by using a mild base such as cesium carbonate, and even to activate the aryl tosylates, which are more difficult substrates than aryl chlorides. In order to study the critical stereoelectronic properties of the NHC ligands for the efficiency of the corresponding catalysts, further derivatization of the heterocyclic backbone was carried out, either by increasing the bulkiness of the mono-amino group from dimethylamino to diisopropylamino group to generate the carbene IArNiPr2, or by formally replacing one dimethylamino group by an halogen X in the bis-aminoimidazo-2-ylidene to give the carbenes IArNMe2,X. While the imidazolium salts (IArNiPr2)·HOTf was synthesized following the same method as (IArNMe2)·HOTf, the oxidative halogenation of the backbone of (IArNMe2)·HOTf with a N-halosuccinimide afforded (IArNMe2,X)·HOTf in good yields under very mild conditions. Noteworthy, this original reactivity was also observed on the rhodium and palladium complexes of this ligand.

The synthesis and characterization of a series of chiral indium complexes bearing a tridentate NNO ligand are reported. The ligand 2-[[[(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]amino]methyl]- 4,6-bis(tert-butyl) phenol (H₂NNO) was synthesized via a previously published procedure and bound to indium by both a protonolysis and salt metathesis route. A dimethylated indium complex (NNO)InMe₂ (1) was isolated by reaction of InMe₃ with H₂NNO. A one-pot saltmetathesis route was used to produce a unique mixed-bridge dinuclear indium complex [(NNO)InCl] ₂(μ-OEt)(μ-Cl) (3) from a mixture of indium trichloride, potassium ethoxide and the monopotassiated salt of the ligand, KH(NNO). Direct reaction of KH(NNO) and indium trichloride resulted in the formation of (NNO)InCl₂ (4) which was carried forward to 3 by reaction with sodium ethoxide. The complex 3 is active for the ROP of β-butyrolactone ε-caprolactone and lactide and is the first reported indium-based catalyst for lactide or β-butyrolactone ROP. Kinetic studies of 3 for ROP of LA revealed that catalyst was well-behaved, and that the rate was first order with regard to lactide and catalyst. The enthalpy and entropy of activation for the ROP were experimentally determined. Polymer produced by ROP by 3 has narrow molecular weight distribution and a good correlation is seen between the observed moleular weight and monomer loading. A mechanism was proposed for 3 acting as a catalyst for the ROP of lactide; however further experiments are required to confirm this mechanism. Polymer samples isolated from the ROP of rac-lactide by rac-3 show isotactic enrichment. It is postulated that the chiral catalyst 3 is exerting stereocontrol via an enantiomorphic site control mechanism. / Science, Faculty of / Chemistry, Department of / Graduate

Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit ont trait à la catalyse de polymérisation des α-oléfines sont présentés en 4 parties distinctes. La première est consacrée à l'étude d'un système catalytique pour la production de polypropylène élastomère. L'analyse poussée des polymères produits et la caractérisation complète des catalyseurs utilisés a permis de montrer la présence de deux homopolymères sous forme de blende. La seconde partie porte sur la copolymérisation de monomères bifonctionnels vinyl-vinylidène avec le propylène. La caractérisation des polymères a permis de révéler la réactivité particulière des liaisons vinylidène et d'étudier l'influence du catalyseur utilisé sur le mécanisme de la polymérisation. La troisième partie s'intéresse à la caractérisation des espèces active en polymérisation et à l'étude des mécanismes d'activation et de désactivation des catalyseurs métallocènes. La synthèse et la caractérisation d'espèces cationiques, l'étude de leur comportement dynamique en solution, ainsi que l'évaluation de leur productivité en polymérisation ont permis d'établir un lien entre les propriétés électrophiles de ces espèces et de leur activité en polymérisation. La dernière partie porte sur l'homopolymérisation d'α-oléfines encombrées. La recherche d'un catalyseur suffisamment productif nous a amené à tester plusieurs catalyseurs présentant des structures différentes. L'absence de catalyseur productif soulève l'hypothèse d'interactions désactivantes entre le catalyseur et le monomère. / The work presented in the manuscript focus on α-olefin polymerization catalysis, and is divided into four distinct parts. The first part is dedicated to the study of catalytic systems for the production of elastomeric polypropylene. The analysis of the produced polymers and the characterization of the catalysts showed the presence of two homopolymers as a blend in the elastomeric polypropylene. The second part focuses on the copolymerization of bifunctionnal vinyl-vinylidene monomers with propylene. The characterization of the polymers revealed the reactivity of the vinylidène bonds and showed different polymerization mechanisms for the different catalysts. The third part reports a study on the activation and deactivation pathways of the active species in polymerization. The characterization of model cationic species and the study of their behavior in solution and in polymerization showed the relationship between the electrophilicity of the species and its productivity in propylene polymerization. The last part is dedicated to the polymerization of hindered α-olefins. The quest for a productive catalyst led to test various single site catalysts with different structures. Deactivating interactions between the monomers and the catalyst are supposed to explain the low productivity of the tested catalysts.

Les allènes ont longtemps été perçus comme des curiosités scientifiques notamment à cause de leur réactivité et de leur structure très particulières. Cependant ils bénéficient d'une attention de plus en plus importante de la part des chercheurs depuis plusieurs décennies grâce au développement de méthodes efficaces pour les synthétiser. Au cours de cette thèse, nous nous sommes intéressés à l'hydrofonctionnalisation intermoléculaire de ces molécules insaturées. Les hydrofonctionnalisations sont généralement des réactions très efficaces, qui permettent d'éviter la production de déchets, et qui donnent accès à un très large panel de produits d'intérêts. Jusqu'à maintenant, les réactions d'hydrofonctionnalisations d'allènes ont nécessité l'emploi de systèmes catalytiques faisant appel à des métaux précieux combinés à des ligands complexes. Notre objectif était de rendre ces réactions réalisables avec le système le plus simple possible et un catalyseur peu onéreux et peu toxique : le cuivre. Nous avons tout d'abord étudié les réactions d'hydroaminations, qui ont été réalisées avec de nombreux allènes variés. Par la suite, nous avons souhaité démontrer le potentiel de notre système catalytique, en étendant cette réactivité pour la création de liaisons C-C et C-O. / Allenes were perceived as scientific oddity for a long time, due to their particular reactivity. But they are currently attracting a growing interets of chemists since the discovery of efficient synthesis for these compounds in the past few decades. During this thesis, we focused on intermolecular hydrofunctionalization of these substrates. Hydrofunctionalization process generally avoid the production of any wastes, and give an efficient access to a large scope of valuables compounds. Until now, allenes hydrofunctionalizations required the use of catalytic systems using precious metals combined with complex ligands. Our goal was to perform this sort of reaction with a simplest possible system using a cheap metal with low-toxicity : copper. We started studying hydroaminations process, which were realized on a large scope of allenes. Subsequently, we wanted to demonstrate the potential of our new catalytic system and so applied it for the creation of C-C and C-O bonds.

With its unrivaled versatility and atom economy, olefin metathesis is arguably the most powerful catalyst methodology now known for the construction of carbon-carbon bonds. When compared to palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling methodologies, however, catalyst productivity lags far behind, even for the “robust” ruthenium metathesis catalysts. Unexpected limitations to the robustness of these catalysts were first widely publicized by reports describing the implementation of metathesis in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Recurring discussion centered on low catalyst productivity resulting from decomposition of the Ru catalysts by impurities, including ppm-level contaminants in the technical-grade solvent. Over the past 7 years, a series of mechanistic studies from the Fogg group has uncovered the pathways by which common contaminants (or indeed reagents) trigger catalyst decomposition. Two principal pathways were identified: abstraction of the alkylidene or methylidene ligand by nucleophiles, and deprotonation of the metallacyclobutane intermediate by Bronsted base. Emerging applications, however, notably in chemical biology, highlight new challenges to catalyst productivity. The first part of this thesis emphasizes the need for informed mechanistic insight as a guide to catalyst redesign. The widespread observation of a cyclometallated N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) motif in crystal structures of catalyst decomposition products led to the presumption that activation of a C-H bond in the NHC ligand initiates catalyst decomposition. Reducing NHC bulk has therefore been proposed as critical to catalyst redesign. In experiments designed to probe the viability of this solution, the small NHC ligand IMe4 (tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene) was added to the resting-state methylidene complexes formed in metathesis by the first- and second-generation Grubbs catalysts (RuCl2(PCy3)2(=CH2) GIm or RuCl2(H2IMes)(PCy3)(=CH2) GIIm, respectively). The intended product, a resting-state methylidene species bearing a truncated NHC, was not formed, owing to immediate loss of the methylidene ligand. Methylidene loss is now shown to result from nucleophilic attack by the NHC – a small, highly potent nucleophile – on the methylidene. Density functional calculations indicate that IMe4 abstracts the methylidene, generating the N-heterocyclic olefin H2C=IMe4. The latter is an even more potent nucleophile, which attacks a second methylidene, resulting in liberation of [EtIMe4]Cl. These findings report indirectly on the original question concerning the impact of ligand truncation. The ease with which a small, potent nucleophile can abstract the key methylidene ligand from GIm and GIIm underscores the importance of increasing steric protection at the [Ru]=CH2 site. This chemistry also suggests intriguing possibilities for efficient, selective, controlled methylidene abstraction to terminate metathesis activity while leaving the “RuCl2(H2IMes)(PCy3)” core intact. This could prove an enabling strategy for tandem catalysis applications in which metathesis is the first step. The second part of this thesis, inspired by the potential of olefin metathesis in chemical biology, focuses on the impact of hydroxide ion and water on the productivity of phosphine-free metathesis catalysts. In reactions with the important second-generation Hoveyda catalyst HII, hydroxide anion is found to engage in salt metathesis with the chloride ligands, rather than nucleophilic attack. The resulting Ru-hydroxide complex is unreactive toward any olefins larger than ethylene, while ethylene itself causes rapid decomposition. Proposed as the decomposition pathway is bimolecular coupling promoted by the strong H-bonding character of the hydroxide ligands. Lastly, the impact of the water on Ru-catalyzed olefin metathesis is examined. In a survey of normally facile metathesis reactions using state-of-the-art catalysts, even trace water (0.1% v/v) is found to be highly detrimental. The impact of water is shown to be greater at room temperature than previously established at 60 °C. Preliminary evidence strongly suggests that the mechanism by which water induces decomposition is temperature-dependent. Thus, at high temperature, decomposition of the metallacyclobutane intermediate appears to dominate, but this pathway is ruled out at ambient temperatures. Instead, water is proposed to promote bimolecular decomposition. Polyphenol resin, which can sequester water by H-bonding, is shown to offer an interim solution to the presence of trace water in organic media. These findings suggest that major avenues of investigation aimed at reducing intrinsic catalyst decomposition may likewise be relevant to the development of water-tolerant catalysts.

Cyclopropyl-containing substrates have been frequently utilized as "probes" for the detection of SET pathways in organic and biorganic systems. These reactions are based on the cyclorpropylcarbinyl → homoallyl rearrangement, which is fast and essentially irreversible. The implicit assumption in such studies is that if a "radical" species is produced, it will undergo ring opening. We have found that there are two important factors to consider in the design of SET probes: 1) ring strain, the thermodynamic driving force for the rearrangement, and 2) resonance energy, which may help or hinder rearrangement, depending on the specific system. Delocalization of spin and charge were found to be important factors pertaining to substituent effects on the rates of radical anion rearrangements. Previous studies from our lab have centered on highly conjugated phenyl cyclopropyl ketones. This work considers a series of compounds varying in their conjugative components from a highly conjugated spiro[2.5]octa-4,7-dien-6-one and derivatives to simple aliphatic ketones. Utilizing cyclic, linear sweep voltammetry, and preparative electrolysis techniques, it was discovered that all substrates yielded ring opened products with rates and selectivities that will prove useful and informative in the design of mechanistic probes based on the cyclorpropylcarbinyl → homoallyl rearrangement. Rates of homogeneous electron transfer from a series of hydrocarbon mediators to substrates were measured using homogeneous catalysis techniques. Standard reduction potentials and reorganization energies of substrates were derived using Marcus theory. Conjugative interactions with the cyclopropyl group are discussed. / Ph. D.

Two series of stable palladium and silver complexes ligated to hemilabile ligands were prepared. The stability and applicability of these well-defined complexes in promoting various reactions (cycloaddition, hydroamination, cross-coupling reactions, etc.) was investigated. Structure-activity studies with a series of related ligands led us to find a pronounced ligand effect on these reactions. The dichotomous reactivity of triethyl phosphonium hydrobromide salt with dialkyl acetals was used for the synthesis of alkoxy phosphonium salts. Reactivity and applications of these phosphonium salts were described for the synthesis of the biologically active cinnamyl triazoles and ethyl indole-2-carboxylates. Total synthesis of the natural product nostodione A, was developed in eight chemical steps and with 21.6% overall yield from ethyl-2-indolecarboxylates. The synthesis of a mini-panel of structural analogs allowed for the discovery of anti-parasitic biological activity of nostodione A and its analogues for the first time. / Thesis / Doctor of Science (PhD)