The main focus of this thesis lies on transition metal-catalyzed hydrogen transfer reactions. In the first part of the thesis, the mechanism for racemization of sec-alcohols with a ruthenium complex, Ru(CO)2Cl(η5-C5Ph5) was studied. The reaction between 5-hexen-2-ol and Ru(CO)2(Ot-Bu)(η5-C5Ph5) was studied with the aim to elucidate the origin of the slow racemization observed for this sec-alcohol. Two diastereomers of an alkoxycarbonyl complex, which has the double bond coordinated to ruthenium, were characterized by NMR and in situ FT-IR spectroscopy. The observed inhibition of the rate of racemization for substrates with double bonds provided further confirmation of the importance of a free coordination site on ruthenium for β-hydride elimination. Furthermore, we observed that CO exchange, monitored by 13C NMR using 13CO, occurs with both the precatalyst, Ru(CO)2Cl(η5-C5Ph5), and the active catalytic intermediate, Ru(CO)2(Ot-Bu)(η5-C5Ph5). It was also found that added CO has an inhibitory effect on the rate of racemization of (S)-1-phenylethanol. Both these observations provide strong support for reversible CO dissociation as a key step in the racemization mechanism. In the second part of this thesis, Ru(CO)2Cl(η5-C5Ph5) was combined with an enzymatic resolution catalyzed by a lipase, leading to several efficient dynamic kinetic resolutions (DKR). DKR of exocyclic allylic alcohols afforded the corresponding acetates in high yields and with excellent enantiomeric excess (ee). The products were utilized as synthetic precursors for α-substituted ketones and lactones. DKR of a wide range of homoallylic alcohols afforded the products in good to high yields and with high ee. The homoallylic acetates were transformed into 5,6-dihydropyran-2-ones in a short reaction sequence. Furthermore, DKR of a wide range of aromatic β-chloroalcohols afforded the products in high yields and with excellent ee. The β-chloro acetates were further transformed into chiral epoxides. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 5: Mansucript.</p>

Biocatalysis and enzyme technology represent significant research topics of contemporary biotechnology. The immobilisation of these catalysts on or in static supports serves the purpose of transforming the catalyst into a particle that can be handled through effortless mechanical operations, while the entrapment within a membrane or capsule leads to the restraint of the enzyme to a distinct space. This confinement leads to a catalyst with a superior stability, and cell durability under reaction conditions. Epoxide hydrolase is a widely available co-factor independent enzyme, which is known to have remarkable chemio-, regio- and stereoselectivity for a wide range of substrates. Recently it was found that certain yeasts, including Rhodosporidium toruloides, contain this enzyme and are able to enantioselectively catalyse certain hydrolysis reactions. The objective of this project was four-sided: a) to immobilise Rhodospridium toruloides in an optimised immobilisation matrix (calcium alginate beads), for the kinetic resolution of 1.2- epoxyoctane in order to obtain an optically pure epoxide and its corresponding vicinal diol, b) to determine the effect of immobilisation on activity as well as stability of the enzyme and gain better understanding of the parameters that influence enzyme activity in a support, c) to determine the effect of formulation parameters on some of the bead characteristics and, d) to gain some insight in the distribution of epoxide and diol in the water and bead phases and the formulation parameters that have an effect thereon. Rhodospridium toruloides was immobilised in calcium alginate beads consisting of different combinations of alginate and CaCl2 concentrations. Best results were obtained with a combination of 0,5 % (m/v) alginate and 0,2 M CaC12. The immobilised cells exhibited lower initial activity. but more than 40 times the residual activity of that of the free cells after a 12-hour storage period. Both the immobilised and free cells exhibited an increase in reaction rate (V) with an increase in substrate concentration. An increase in the alginate concentration lead to the formation of smaller beads, but a decrease in enzume activity, while an increase in the CaCl2 solution concentration had no effect on bead diameter or enzyme activity. Epoxide diffused preferentially into the beads (± 96 %), and the diol into the water phase, which leads to the natural separation of the epoxide and the diol. The CaCl2 concentration affected epoxide diffusion with no effect on diol diffusion, which opens up the possibility to regulate the diffusion of epoxide into the beads. Although only a very small fraction of the epoxide inside the beads could be extracted, the alginate proved to be chirally selective for the (R)-epoxide, improving the reaction efficiency by increasing the % ee, of the epoxide extracted from the beads between 26 % and 43 %. The possibility to develop a system where the product is formed, purified and concentrated in a one-step reaction by extracting the product from the bead phase was clearly demonstrated. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharm.) (Pharmaceutical Chemistry))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharm.) (Pharmaceutical Chemistry))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003.

A highly combinatorial structure-based protein engineering method for obtaining enantioselectivity is reported that results in a thorough modification of the substrate binding pocket of Candida antarctica lipase A (CALA). Nine amino acid residues surrounding the entire pocket were simultaneously mutated, contributing to a reshaping of the substrate pocket to give increased enantioselectivity and activity for a sterically demanding substrate. This approach seems to be powerful for developing enantioselectivity when a complete reshaping of the active site is required. Screening toward ibuprofen ester 1, a substrate for which previously used methods had failed, gave variants with a significantly increased enantioselectivity and activity. Wild-type CALA has a moderate activity with an E value of only 3.4 toward this substrate. The best variant had an E value of 100 and it also displayed a high activity. The variation at each mutated position was highly reduced, comprising only the wild type and an alternative residue, preferably a smaller one with similar properties. These minimal binary variations allow for an extremely condensed protein library. With this highly combinatorial method synergistic effects are accounted for and the protein fitness landscape is explored efficiently.

Biocatalysis and enzyme technology represent significant research topics of contemporary biotechnology. The immobilisation of these catalysts on or in static supports serves the purpose of transforming the catalyst into a particle that can be handled through effortless mechanical operations, while the entrapment within a membrane or capsule leads to the restraint of the enzyme to a distinct space. This confinement leads to a catalyst with a superior stability, and cell durability under reaction conditions. Epoxide hydrolase is a widely available co-factor independent enzyme, which is known to have remarkable chemio-, regio- and stereoselectivity for a wide range of substrates. Recently it was found that certain yeasts, including Rhodosporidium toruloides, contain this enzyme and are able to enantioselectively catalyse certain hydrolysis reactions. The objective of this project was four-sided: a) to immobilise Rhodospridium toruloides in an optimised immobilisation matrix (calcium alginate beads), for the kinetic resolution of 1.2- epoxyoctane in order to obtain an optically pure epoxide and its corresponding vicinal diol, b) to determine the effect of immobilisation on activity as well as stability of the enzyme and gain better understanding of the parameters that influence enzyme activity in a support, c) to determine the effect of formulation parameters on some of the bead characteristics and, d) to gain some insight in the distribution of epoxide and diol in the water and bead phases and the formulation parameters that have an effect thereon. Rhodospridium toruloides was immobilised in calcium alginate beads consisting of different combinations of alginate and CaCl2 concentrations. Best results were obtained with a combination of 0,5 % (m/v) alginate and 0,2 M CaC12. The immobilised cells exhibited lower initial activity. but more than 40 times the residual activity of that of the free cells after a 12-hour storage period. Both the immobilised and free cells exhibited an increase in reaction rate (V) with an increase in substrate concentration. An increase in the alginate concentration lead to the formation of smaller beads, but a decrease in enzume activity, while an increase in the CaCl2 solution concentration had no effect on bead diameter or enzyme activity. Epoxide diffused preferentially into the beads (± 96 %), and the diol into the water phase, which leads to the natural separation of the epoxide and the diol. The CaCl2 concentration affected epoxide diffusion with no effect on diol diffusion, which opens up the possibility to regulate the diffusion of epoxide into the beads. Although only a very small fraction of the epoxide inside the beads could be extracted, the alginate proved to be chirally selective for the (R)-epoxide, improving the reaction efficiency by increasing the % ee, of the epoxide extracted from the beads between 26 % and 43 %. The possibility to develop a system where the product is formed, purified and concentrated in a one-step reaction by extracting the product from the bead phase was clearly demonstrated. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharm.) (Pharmaceutical Chemistry))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003.

The research described in this thesis focuses on the catalytic acylative kinetic resolution (KR) of aromatic secondary alcohols, using a planar-chiral 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) organocatalyst. In the first part of this thesis, the substrate scope of the above mentioned process was expanded to aromatic secondary alcohols that contain an extra functional group in the alkyl moiety, such as 1,2-azido alcohols, 2-hydroxy-2-aryl-ethylphosphonates and 2-hydroxy-2-aryl esters. Thus, the preparation of highly functionalized compounds in their enantiomerically pure form with excellent enantiomeric excess (up to 99% ee) was achieved. Furthermore, the synthetic applicability of this methodology was illustrated through the synthesis of two high value compounds, (R)-Pronethalol and (S)-3-hydroxy-N-methyl-3-phenylpropanamide, which is an immediate precursor of bioactive molecules such as (S)-Fluoxetine. The second part of this thesis deals with the mechanistic study of the acylative KR catalyzed by the planar-chiral DMAP derivative. Reaction Progress Kinetic Analysis methodology was used in the investigation of the reaction mechanism, probing that no notable product inhibition or decomposition of the catalyst occurs in the studied system. The reaction rate showed fractional order dependence on the concentration of both reactants. Furthermore, NMR spectroscopy was utilized to study the equilibrium between the different catalyst states, which explains the measured kinetics of the reaction.

The focus of this thesis is the question of how non-covalent interactions affect chemical systems' electronic and structural properties. Non-covalent interactions can exhibit a range of binding strengths, from strong electrostatically-bound salt bridges or multiple hydrogen bonds to weak dispersion-bound complexes such as rare gas dimers or the benzene dimer. To determine the interaction energies (IE) of non-covalent interactions one generally takes the supermolecular approach as described by the equation \begin{equation} E_{IE} = E_{AB} - E_{A} - E_{B}, \end{equation} where subscripts A and B refer to two monomers and AB indicates the dimer. This interaction energy is the difference in energy between two monomers interacting at a single configuration compared to the completely non-interacting monomers at infinite separation. In this framework, positive interaction energies are repulsive or unfavorable while negative interaction energies signify a favorable interaction. We use prototype systems to understand systems with complex interactions such as π-π stacking in curved aromatic systems, three-body dispersion contributions to lattice energies and transition metal catalysts affect on transition state barrier heights. The current "gold standard" of computational chemistry is coupled-cluster theory with iterative single and double excitation and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)].\cite{Lee:1995:47} Using CCSD(T) with large basis sets usually yields results that are in good agreement with experimental data.\cite{Shibasaki:2006:4397} CCSD(T) being very computational expensive forces us to use methods of a lower overall quality, but also much more tractable for some interesting problems. We must use the available CCSD(T) or experimental data available to benchmark lower quality methods in order to ensure that the low quality methods are providing and accurate description of the problem of interest. To investigate the effect of curvature on the nature of π-π interactions, we studied concave-convex dimers of corannulene and coronene in nested configurations. By imposing artificial curvature/planarity we were able to learn about the fundamental physics of π-π stacking in curved systems. To investigate these effects, it was necessary to benchmark low level methods for the interaction of large aromatic hydrocarbons. With the coronene and corannulene dimers being 60 and 72 atoms, respectively, they are outside the limits of tractability for a large number of computations at the level of CCSD(T). Therefore we must determine the most efficient and accurate method of describing the physics of these systems with a few benchmark computations. Using a few benchmark computations published by Janowski et al. (Ref. \cite{Janowski:2011:155}) we were able to benchmark four functionals (B3LYP, B97, M05-2X and M06-2X) as well as four dispersion corrections (-D2, -D3, -D3(BJ), and -XDM) and we found that B3LYP-D3(BJ) performed best. Using B3LYP-D3(BJ) we found that both corannulene and coronene exhibit stronger interaction energies as more curvature is introduced, except at unnaturally close intermolecular distances or high degrees of curvature. Using symmetry adapted perturbation theory (SAPT)\cite{Jeziorski:1994:1887, Szalewicz:2012:254}, we were able to determine that this stronger interaction comes from stabilizing dispersion, induction and charge penetration interactions with smaller destabilizing interactions from exchange interactions. For accurate computations on lattice energies one needs to go beyond two-body effects to three-body effects if the cluster expansion is being used. Three-body dispersion is normally a smaller fraction of the lattice energy of a crystal when compared to three-body induction. We investigated the three-body contribution using the counterpoise corrected formula of Hankins \textit{et al.}.\cite{Hankins:1970:4544} \begin{equation} \Delta ^{3} E^{ABC}_{ABC} = E^{ABC}_{ABC} - \sum_{i} E^{ABC}_{i} - \sum_{ij} \Delta ^{2} E^{ABC}_{ij}, \end{equation} where the superscript ABC represents the trimer basis and the E(subscript i) denotes the energy of each monomer, where {\em i} counts over the individual molecule of the trimer. The last term is defined as \begin{equation} \Delta ^{2} E^{ABC}_{ij} = E^{ABC}_{ij} - E^{ABC}_{i} - E^{ABC}_{j}, \end{equation} where the energies of all dimers and monomers are determined in the trimer basis. Using these formulae we investigated the three-body contribution to the lattice energy of crystalline benzene with CCSD(T). By using CCSD(T) computations we resolved a debate in the literature about the magnitude of the non-additive three-body dispersion contribution to the lattice energy of the benzene crystal. Based on CCSD(T) computations, we report a three-body dispersion contribution of 0.89 kcal mol⁻¹, or 7.2\% of the total lattice energy. This estimate is smaller than many previous computational estimates\cite{Tkatchenko:2012:236402,Grimme:2010:154104,Wen:2011:3733,vonlilienfeld:2010:234109} of the three-body dispersion contribution, which fell between 0.92 and 1.67 kcal mol⁻¹. The benchmark data we provide confirm that three-body dispersion effects cannot be neglected in accurate computations of the lattice energy of benzene. Although this study focused on benzene, three-body dispersion effects may also contribute substantially to the lattice energy of other aromatic hydrocarbon materials. Finally, density functional theory (DFT) was applied to the rate-limiting step of the hydrolytic kinetic resolution (HKR) of terminal epoxides to resolve questions surrounding the mechanism. We find that the catalytic mechanism is cooperative because the barrier height reduction for the bimetallic reaction is greater than the sum of the barrier height reductions for the two monometallic reactions. We were also able to compute barrier heights for multiple counter-ions which react at different rates. Based on experimental reaction profiles, we saw a good correlation between our barrier heights for chloride, acetate, and tosylate with the peak reaction rates reported. We also saw that hydroxide, which is inactive experimentally is inactve because when hydroxide is the only counter-ion present in the system it has a barrier height that is 11-14 kJ mol⁻¹ higher than the other three counter-ions which are extremely active.

Orientador: Jose Augusto Rosario Rodrigues / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T22:10:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cazetta_Tarcila_M.pdf: 2659471 bytes, checksum: 6442c1413f9265995259e16534d2f3cd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Mestrado / Quimica Organica / Mestre em Química

Orientador: José Augusto Rosário Rodrigues / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T08:42:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cazetta_Tarcila_D.pdf: 6322006 bytes, checksum: 7ade22d0f421a68d569efe2ff834bce5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Nesse projeto de pesquisa foram estudadas metodologias visando o preparo de moléculas quirais por meio da utilização de micro-organismos. No Capítulo 1 foram empregados leveduras e fungos para o preparo de álcoois secundários e dióis enantiomericamente puros por meio de resolução cinética oxidativa e de desracemização por estereoinversão. O álcool (R)-1-(3-hidroxifenil)-etanol, um precursor no preparo da Rivastigmina, um medicamento utilizado no tratamento do mal de Alzheimer foi obtido por um processo de resolução cinética altamente eficiente e sua configuração absoluta foi determinada por meio da utilização da técnica de dicroísmo circular. O (R)-1-(3-piridinil)-etanol foi preparado via desracemização por estereoinversão mediada pelo fungo Geotrichum candidum. O mecanismo reacional foi estudado empregando os enantiômeros puros do substrato como material de partida, de forma que foi possível estabelecer uma proposta para o mecanismo de desracemização. O diol (S)-1-fenil-1,2-etanodiol foi preparado por um processo de desracemização por estereoinversão altamente eficiente, com rendimento de 90% e ee 99%, pela levedura Candida albicans. O mecanismo reacional foi estudado, bem como a influência de grupos doadores e retiradores de elétrons ligados ao anel aromático. Verificou-se que a natureza do grupo pode influenciar drasticamente uma das etapas da desracemização. No Capítulo 2 foram estudadas reações de redução de ligações C=C pela ação de enzimas enoato-redutases da levedura Pichia kluyveri. Metilenocetonas foram preparadas e o micro-organismo promoveu a redução da ligação C=C de maneira quimio e estereosseletiva, de modo que a carbonila da cetona permaneceu intacta. Foram obtidas ?-metilcetonas com excelentes rendimentos e excessos enantioméricos. Em particular, a (S)-1-fenil-2-metil-1-hexanona, um composto até então não relatado na literatura, foi preparada com excelentes rendimento (93%) e ee (99%), e sua configuração absoluta foi determinada empregando a técnica de dicroísmo circular / Abstract: In this research project were studied methodologies aimed at the preparation of chiral molecules using microorganisms. In Chapter 1, yeast and fungi were used for the preparation of enantiomerically pure alcohols and diols by kinetic resolution oxidative and desracemização by estereoinversão. The alcohol (R)-1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol, a precursor in the preparation of Rivastigmine, a drug used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease was obtained by a process of highly efficient kinetic resolution and its absolute configuration was determined by using the technique of circular dichroism. The (R)-1-(3-pyridinyl)ethanol was obtained by desracemization mediated by fungus Geotrichum candidum. The reaction mechanism was studied using pure enantiomers as starting substrate material, so that it was possible to establish a mechanism for desracemização. The diol (S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol was prepared by a process of highly efficient estereoinversão by the yeast Candida albicans. The reaction mechanism has been studied, as well as the influence of donating and electron-withdrawing groups attached to the aromatic ring. It has been found that the nature of the group may dramatically influence of the steps of desracemization. In Chapter 2, reduction C=C bonds reactions were studied by the action of enoate-reductase enzymes from yeast Pichia kluyveri. Methyleneketones were prepared and the microorganism caused a reduction of the C=C bond chemotherapy and stereoselective manner, such that the carbonyl group of the ketone remained intact. Chiral ?-methyl ketones were obtained with excellent yields and enantiomeric excesses. In particular, (S)-2-methyl-1-phenylhexan-1-one, a hitherto not reported in literature compound was prepared in excellent yield (93%) and ee (99%) and its absolute configuration was determined using the technique of circular dichroism / Doutorado / Quimica Organica / Doutora em Ciências

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(薬科学) / 甲第21043号 / 薬科博第86号 / 新制||薬科||9(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院薬学研究科薬科学専攻 / (主査)教授 高須 清誠, 教授 竹本 佳司, 教授 大野 浩章 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Kyoto University / DFAM