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<p>This thesis describes mechanistic studies, rational ligand design, and synthesis of asymmetric transition metal catalysts. The topics addressed concerned [Papers I-VII]:</p><p>[I] The asymmetric addition of diethyl zinc to <i>N</i>-(diphenylphosphinoyl)benzalimine catalyzed by bicyclic 2-azanorbornyl-3-methanols was studied. An efficient route to both diastereomers of new bicyclic 2-azanorbornyl-3-methanols with an additional chiral center was developed, in the best case 97% ee was obtained with these ligands. The experimental results were rationalized by a computational DFT-study.</p><p>[II] An aza-Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene with chiral heterocyclic imines derived from (<i>S</i>)-1-phenylethylamine and different heteroaromatic aldehydes was developed. The cycloaddition proved to be highly diastereoselective and offers a very rapid access to possible biologically active compounds and interesting precursors for chiral (<i>P,N</i>)-ligands. </p><p>[III] A convenient and high-yielding method for the preparation of (<i>R</i>)-tolterodine, utilizing a catalytic asymmetric Me-CBS reduction was developed. Highly enantio-enriched (<i>R</i>)-6-methyl-4-phenyl-3,4-dihydrochromen-2-one (94% ee) was recrystallized to yield practically enantiopure material (ee >99%) and converted to (<i>R</i>)-tolterodine in a four-step procedure. </p><p>[IV] The reaction mechanism of the iridium-phosphanooxazoline-catalyzed hydrogenation of unfunctionalized olefins has been studied by means of DFT-calculations (B3LYP) and kinetic experiments. The calculations suggest that the reaction involves an unexpected IrIII-IrV catalytic cycle facilitated by coordination of a second equivalent of dihydrogen. On the basis of the proposed catalytic cycle, calculations were performed on a full system with 88 atoms. These calculations were also used to explain the enantioselectivity displayed by the catalyst.</p><p>[V and VI] A new class of chiral (<i>P,N</i>)-ligands for the Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of aryl alkenes was developed. These new ligands proved to be highly efficient and tolerate a broad range of substrates. The enantiomeric excesses are, so far, the best reported and can be rationalized using the proposed selectivity model.</p><p>[VII] The complex formed between the quincorine-amine, containing both a primary and a quinuclidine amino function, and [Cp*RuCl]₄ catalyzes the hydrogenation of aromatic and aliphatic ketones in up to 90% ee approx. 24-times faster than previously reported Ru-diamine complexes. The reason for the lower but opposite stereoselectivity seen with the quincoridine-amine, as compared to the quincorine-amine, was rationalized by a kinetic and computational study of the mechanism. The theoretical calculations also revealed a significantly lower activation barrier for the alcohol mediated split of dihydrogen, as compared to the non-alchol mediated process. A finding of importance also for the diphosphine/diamine mediated enantioselective hydrogenation of ketones.</p>

This thesis describes mechanistic studies, rational ligand design, and synthesis of asymmetric transition metal catalysts. The topics addressed concerned [Papers I-VII]: [I] The asymmetric addition of diethyl zinc to N-(diphenylphosphinoyl)benzalimine catalyzed by bicyclic 2-azanorbornyl-3-methanols was studied. An efficient route to both diastereomers of new bicyclic 2-azanorbornyl-3-methanols with an additional chiral center was developed, in the best case 97% ee was obtained with these ligands. The experimental results were rationalized by a computational DFT-study. [II] An aza-Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene with chiral heterocyclic imines derived from (S)-1-phenylethylamine and different heteroaromatic aldehydes was developed. The cycloaddition proved to be highly diastereoselective and offers a very rapid access to possible biologically active compounds and interesting precursors for chiral (P,N)-ligands. [III] A convenient and high-yielding method for the preparation of (R)-tolterodine, utilizing a catalytic asymmetric Me-CBS reduction was developed. Highly enantio-enriched (R)-6-methyl-4-phenyl-3,4-dihydrochromen-2-one (94% ee) was recrystallized to yield practically enantiopure material (ee &gt;99%) and converted to (R)-tolterodine in a four-step procedure. [IV] The reaction mechanism of the iridium-phosphanooxazoline-catalyzed hydrogenation of unfunctionalized olefins has been studied by means of DFT-calculations (B3LYP) and kinetic experiments. The calculations suggest that the reaction involves an unexpected IrIII-IrV catalytic cycle facilitated by coordination of a second equivalent of dihydrogen. On the basis of the proposed catalytic cycle, calculations were performed on a full system with 88 atoms. These calculations were also used to explain the enantioselectivity displayed by the catalyst. [V and VI] A new class of chiral (P,N)-ligands for the Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of aryl alkenes was developed. These new ligands proved to be highly efficient and tolerate a broad range of substrates. The enantiomeric excesses are, so far, the best reported and can be rationalized using the proposed selectivity model. [VII] The complex formed between the quincorine-amine, containing both a primary and a quinuclidine amino function, and [Cp*RuCl]4 catalyzes the hydrogenation of aromatic and aliphatic ketones in up to 90% ee approx. 24-times faster than previously reported Ru-diamine complexes. The reason for the lower but opposite stereoselectivity seen with the quincoridine-amine, as compared to the quincorine-amine, was rationalized by a kinetic and computational study of the mechanism. The theoretical calculations also revealed a significantly lower activation barrier for the alcohol mediated split of dihydrogen, as compared to the non-alchol mediated process. A finding of importance also for the diphosphine/diamine mediated enantioselective hydrogenation of ketones.

The PhD work "Hydroacylation and C-N coupling Reactions. Mechanistic Studies and Application in the Nucleoside Synthesis" tackle two different objectives, a) developing new methods of synthesis of nucleosides (introduction, and chapters 1 and 2) and b) to carry out a mechanistic study of the intermolecular hydroacylation and hydroiminoacylation reaction with and cationic rhodium complexes (chapter 3). Concerning the synthesis nucleosides, in chapter 1 we have explored new methods of synthesis of 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides and isonucleosides using a palladium or copper catalyzed C-N coupling reaction, aiming to overcome the stereoselectivity problems of the glycosylation reaction. The synthesis of the iodo-vinyl derivatives required as starting materials has been tried by different procedures, all of them unsuccessful. Finally, the coupling reaction has been explored in 1-iodo-glucal derivatives. Palladium catalysts were unsuccessful in coupling with benzimidazol used as model of purinic bases. Copper catalysts provided very low conversions. However, the oxidative addition of 1-iodo-glucal to palladium was proved and it was also observed that the reaction with aniline proceeds. That, suggest that the problem is in the steps involving the benzimidazol.In chapter 2, it has been developed a new method of synthesis of carbocyclic nucleosides using and enantioselective intramolecular hydroacylation reaction as a key step. This reaction leaded to the 3-hydroxymethyl-cyclopentanones in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. When (S,S)-Me-Duphos was used the 3S-cyclopentanone was obtained, in contrast whether the (R,R)-Me-Duphos was employed the reaction proceed giving the opposite enantiomer. In both cases. The reduction of the ketone can be carried out in a stereoselective way using a hydroxyl-assited reduction with NaBH(OAc)3. Alternatively, the diastereomeric mixture obtained by a direct reduction can be resolved by using a DKR process using a combined enzyme/Ru complex catalytic system. A Mitsunobu reaction has allowed finally to link adenine to the cyclopentane moiety. In the third chapter, the mechanism of both cationic and neutral rhodium catalyst precursors in the hydroiminoacylation of alkenes was studied. The oxidative addition step was studied using both NMR and DFT techniques. Using the neutral complex, this step is a thermodynamically favoured process, as demonstrated by the isolation of the stable complex. Furthermore, DFT calculations showed the existence of an agostic intermediate on the route to the C-H activation product. In the cationic system, the oxidative addition reaction was shown by DFT calculations to be an endothermic process, hence un-favoured. This was in agreement with the NMR experiments, in which an oxidative addition product was only detected in the presence of a chloride source. Furthermore, the transition states involved in both systems were identified using DFT calculations, which proved that the presence of chloride not only stabilize the oxidative addition product but also lower the energy barrier of the overall process.Using the neutral system, it was identified the coupling product still coordinated to rhodium, which is in an enamine tautomeric form. After removal of the coupling product the stable complex [Rh(&#956;-Cl)(PPh3)2]2 was formed. This species was reported as a precursor for the oxidative addition step, from which the catalytic cycle can start again. However in the cationic system, the system did not yield any stable rhodium species and quickly evolved towards decomposition. / Durante la última década la terapia del SIDA ha experimentado una evolución notable. El conocimiento del modo de actuación y proliferación del virus ha permitido incrementar el número de dianas biológicas para su neutralización. Así, hoy en día se conocen compuestos que inhiben la entrada del virus en la célula, la transcripción del RNA en DNA, la integración del DNA vírico en DNA celular, la producción del envolvente proteico del virus, entre otros. Todo ello, ha permitido la realización de tratamientos dirigidos a diferentes dianas, que han neutralizado la evolución del virus mejorando la calidad de vida de los pacientes.Existen numerosas metodologías diseñadas para obtener los retrovirales mencionados anteriormente, pero en la mayoría de ellas se requieren numerosos pasos de síntesis y además en muchas de ellas se obtienen mezclas de los isómeros &#945;/&#946;. De este modo se pretende diseñar una alternativa sintética general para la preparación de la familia de nucleósidos arriba indicadas y al mismo tiempo que sea una alternativa práctica y eficaz a los métodos descritos hasta el momento.En el capítulo uno la obtención de isonucleosidos y 2',3'-dideoxinucleosidos se abordó utilizando como etapa clave de reacción el acoplamiento C-N entre los derivados de 4-halo-2,3-dihidrofurano y 5-halo-2,3-dihidrofurano con bases púricas y pirimidínicas, la posterior hidrogenación enantioselectiva del doble enlace nos permitiría obtener los mencionados compuestos de una forma sencilla. En el estudio realizado bajas conversiones de los productos de acoplamiento cruzado fueron detectados aunque actualmente se están intentado mejorar los resultados.Referente a la obtención de carbociclonucleosidos abordada en el capítulo 2, se ha llevado cabo una nueva metodología sintética en la que se ha aplicado la reacción de hidroacilación intramolecular enantioselectiva catalizada por rodio. Así pentenales substituidos en posición cuatro han sido convertidos en las ciclopentanonas correspondientes. En función de la quiralidad de la fosfina empleada se han obtenido tanto los enantiomeros R como S con excelentes conversiones y enantioselectividades.Con el fin de incorporar la base nitrogenada en la ciclopentanona la reducción diastereoselectiva se ha llevado a cabo dos procedimientos: a) reducción racémica de la ciclopentanona y posterior resolución cinética dinámica, b) reducción diastereoselectiva utilizando como agente reductor el triacetoxiborohidruro de sodio. En ambos casos se obtuvieron diastereoselectividades excelentes pudiendo así obtener un distereoisomero u otro en función del procedimiento y el enantiomero utilizado como material de partida. La posterior reacción de Mitsunobu sobre el alcohol y la desprotección del grupo protector nos ha permitido obtener el carbociclonucleosido con buenos rendimientos y excelentes esteroselectividades.En el capitulo tres se ha realizado un estudio sobre la reacción de hidroacilación intramolecular de alquenos cataliza por rodio, donde se ha estudiado la diferencia de comportamiento de los sistemas catiónicos y neutros de rodio en la etapa de adición oxidante. Estos estudios se han realizado utilizando técnicas espectroscópicas de resonancia magnética nuclear y cálculos teóricos mediante técnicas DFT. El estudio computacional ha mostrado que en el caso de los sistemas neutros la etapa de adición oxidante es una etapa termodinámicamente favorable hecho que se gratifica con el hecho de que el producto de adición oxidante es estable y aislable. Además se ha encontrado la existencia de un intermedio agóstico en el proceso de activación del enlace C-H. Sin embargo, en los sistemas catiónicos la etapa de adición oxidante resultó ser un proceso endotérmico. Los estados de transición encontrados no solo han demostrado que la presencia de cloruro estabiliza el producto de adición oxidante sino que también disminuye la barrera energética del proceso global. La etapa de inserción del alqueno también fue estudiada para ambos sistemas utilizando estireno como sustrato. En el sistema neutro se detectó una nueva especie de rodio la cual no había sido descrita anteriormente y fue completamente caracterizada mediante RMN multinuclear.En el sistema catiónico se consiguió detectar el hidruro correspondiente al producto de adición oxidante el cual también fue completamente caracterizado por técnicas de RMN. Sin embargo, en el estudio de la inserción del alqueno no se observó la ningún producto que indicase que el mencionado proceso se llevará acabo indicado que la inserción de alqueno es además la etapa lenta del proceso.

No description available.

Mechanistic studies on three different ruthenium-based catalysts have been performed. The catalysts have in common that they have been employed in hydrogen transfer reactions involving alcohols and ketones, amines and imines or both. Bäckvall’s catalyst, η5-(Ph5C5)Ru(CO)2Cl, finds its application as racemization catalyst in dynamic kinetic resolution, where racemic alcohols are converted to enantiopure acetates in high yields. The mechanism of the racemization has been investigated and both alkoxide and alkoxyacyl intermediates have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and in situ FT-IR measurements. The presence of acyl intermediates supports a mechanism via CO assistance. Substantial support for coordination of the substrate during the racemization cycle is provided, including exchange studies with both external and internal potential ketone traps. We also detected an unexpected alkoxycarbonyl complex from 5-hydroxy-1-hexene, which has the double bond coordinated to ruthenium. Shvo’s catalyst, [Ru2(CO)4(μ-H)(C4Ph4COHOCC4Ph4)] is a powerful catalyst for transfer hydrogenation as well as for dynamic kinetic resolution. The mechanism of this catalyst is still under debate, even though a great number of studies have been published during the past decade. In the present work, the mechanism of the reaction with imines has been investigated. Exchange studies with both an external and an internal amine as potential traps have been performed and the results can be explained by a stepwise inner-sphere mechanism. However, if there is e.g. a solvent cage effect, the results can also be explained by an outer-sphere mechanism. We have found that there is no cage effect in the reduction of a ketone containing a potential internal amine trap. If the mechanism is outer-sphere, an explanation as to why the solvent cage effect is much stronger in the case of imines than ketones is needed. Noyori’s catalyst, [p-(Me2CH)C6H4Me]RuH(NH2CHPhCHPhNSO2C6H4-p-CH3), has successfully been used to produce chiral alcohols and amines via transfer hydrogenation. The present study shows that the mechanism for the reduction of imines is different from that of ketones and aldehydes. Acidic activation of the imine was found necessary and an ionic mechanism was proposed.

Enzymes are high-weight molecules which catalyze most of the metabolic processes in living organisms. Very often, these proteins contain one or more 1st row transition metal ions in their active center (Fe, Cu, Co, Mn, Zn, etc.), and are known as metalloenzymes or metalloproteins. Among these, metalloenzymes that activate molecular oxygen and use it as terminal oxidant stand out because of the wide range of catalyzed reactions and their exquisite selectivity. In this PhD dissertation we develop low-weight synthetic bioinspired complexes that can mimic structural and/or functional features of the active center of oxigenases. In the first part, we describe the use of unsymmetric dinuclear Cu complexes which are capable of performing the oxidation of phenols and phenolates in a analogous manner of the tyrosinase protein. In the second part, we describe the use of mononuclear manganese complexes in the oxidation of alcanes and alquenes. / Els enzims són molècules d’elevat pes molecular que catalitzen la majoria de processos metabòlics en els éssers vius. Sovint aquestes proteïnes contenen un o diversos ions metàl•lics de la 1a sèrie de transició en el seu centre actiu (Fe, Cu, Co, Mn, Zn, etc.), essent anomenats metal•loenzims o metal•loproteïnes. D’aquests, els metal•loenzims que activen la molècula d’oxigen i l’utilitzen com a oxidant ressalten per la varietat de reaccions catalitzades i la seva exquisida selectivitat. En aquesta tesi doctoral, desenvolupem complexos de baix pes molecular que puguin mimetitzar estructural i/o funcionalment els centres actius de les oxigenases. En una primera part, es descriu la utilització de complexos assimètrics dinuclears de Cu capaços de dur a terme l'oxidació de fenols i fenolats de manera similar a la proteïna tirosinasa. En una segona part, es descriu l'ús de complexos mononuclears de manganès per a l'oxidació d'alcans i alquens.

This thesis describes the synthesis and characterisation of novel mono and dinuclear homogenous [Zn(II)] and [In(III)] metal complexes. Their applications as catalysts for CO₂/epoxide or epoxide/anhydride ring opening copolymerisation and lactide ring opening polymerisation to generate polycarbonates and polyesters, respectively, are also reported. Chapter 3 reports the first indium phosphasalen catalysts for CO₂/cyclohexene oxide ring opening copolymerization. The catalysts are active at 1 bar pressure of CO₂ and are most effective without any co-catalyst. It is also possible to use the complexes to isolate and characterise the key intermediates in the catalytic cycle. Kinetic and spectroscopic analyses show that polymerisation proceeds via a rare cis-mononuclear coordination- insertion mechanism. Chapter 4 describes a series of mono and dinuclear zinc macrocycle catalysts with very high activities for the racemic lactide ring opening polymerisation. In most cases, the dinuclear zinc catalysts significantly out-perform the mono-zinc homologue. In addition, kinetic and spectroscopic investigations suggest a role for the ligand conformation in mediating rate. The catalysts perform very well under immortal conditions and operate at low catalyst loading, whilst conserving high activities. Chapter 5 presents four dinuclear zinc acetate salen catalysts for the ring opening copolymerisation of CO₂/cyclohexene oxide and phthalic anhydride/cyclohexene oxide. The catalysts show moderate activities for CO₂/epoxide copolymerisation but are highly active for epoxide/anhydride copolymerisation. Structure/activity relationship studies reveal that the more flexible and electron donating ligand displays the highest activity. Poly(ester-b-carbonate)s are also afforded using the most active catalyst in terpolymerisations of anhydride/epoxide/CO₂.

Dans cette thèse les mécanismes de trois réactions catalysées par des complexes de palladium et de cuivre ont été étudiés en utilisant des méthodes expérimentales et théoriques. La première réaction est la synthèse d’amides à partir d’halogénoarènes, d’isonitriles et d’eau, qui est un exemple de couplage catalysé par le palladium impliquant l’insertion d’un isonitrile. Cette dernière molécule sert à la fois de ligand et de substrat, et son influence sur chaque étape du cycle catalytique a été mise en évidence. La deuxième réaction est l’ouverture des benzofuranes conduisant à des dérivés indoliques catalysée par des sels de palladium. Les conditions opératoires ont été optimisées et les étapes clés du mécanisme ont été élucidées.La dernière réaction étudiée, qui est le sujet principal de cette thèse, est l’addition d’amines sur des allènes catalysée par des sels de cuivre (hydroamination). La caractérisation des espèces catalytiques de cuivre(I) et l’étude théorique du mécanisme ont permis d’étendre cette réaction à différents substrats (allénamides, N-allénylazoles, N-allénylsulfamides) dans des conditions particulièrement douces et efficaces. / In this thesis, the mechanism of three organic reactions catalyzed by palladium and copper complexes has been elucidated by the use of both experimental and theoretical methods. The first reaction is the synthesis of amides from haloarenes, isocyanides and water as an example of the broad family of palladium-catalyzed imidoylative couplings. Multiple roles of the isocyanide as both a ligand and a substrate in the different steps of the catalytic cycle have been disclosed. The second transformation is the palladium-catalyzed ring opening of benzofurans leading to indoles. Optimal conditions for this transformation have been found and the key aspects of its mechanism clarified. The last reaction, which is the main topic of this thesis, is the addition of amines to allenes catalyzed by copper salts (hydroamination). A characterization of the catalytically active copper(I) species and insight from theoretical calculations suggested how to extend this reaction to other substrates (allenamides, N-allenylazoles, N-allenylsulfonamides) under mild and efficient conditions.

Les amines sont des composés essentiels en biologie, pharmacie et agriculture. La synthèse directe de tels composés constitue un enjeu majeur dans le domaine de la chimie. Le travail présenté dans ce manuscrit porte sur l’étude et le développement de synthèses intégrant le transfert de nitrène par des catalyseurs de fer pour l’obtention de composés aminés. Dans une première partie, nous avons étudié la réaction d’aziridination par plusieurs catalyseurs à base de fer sur différentes oléfines. Nous rapportons ici, comment des études mécanistiques couplées à des investigations des structures électroniques et des profils réactionnels, par des méthodes quantiques de type DFT, peuvent conduire à une complète compréhension du mécanisme, ainsi qu’au développement rationnel de nouveaux catalyseurs de fer pour la réaction d’aziridination. Nous avons pu établir que l’affinité électronique joue un rôle majeur dans ce type de transformation. Dans une seconde partie, nous avons étudié la possibilité d’intégrer la catalyse de transfert de nitrène de fer dans des processus multi-séquentiels. Nous avons pu obtenir des amidines et imidazolidines dans des réactions multicomposants via la réaction entre un substrat, un donneur de nitrène et un nitrile, le tout catalysé par le fer. Les calculs DFT ont pu confirmer le mécanisme proposer expérimentalement. Une seconde étude a pu mettre en lumière les réactions monotopes à travers la synthèse de 2-iminothiazolidines via l’ouverture de cycle d’une aziridine suivie de l’insertion d’un isothiocyanate avec de bons rendements. Ces deux types de réactions ont démontré le fort potentiel du transfert de nitrène dans des réactions multi-séquentielles et ouvrent la porte au développement de nouvelles voies de synthèses efficaces dans une chimie durable. / Amines are essential compounds in biology, pharmacy and agriculture. Therefore, their direct synthesis is a major issue in chemistry. The work presented in this manuscript focuses on the study and development of syntheses integrating nitrene transfer by iron catalysts in order to obtain amines. In a first part, we studied the aziridination reaction with several iron catalysts on different olefins. We report here, how mechanistic studies coupled with investigations of electronic structures and reactivity profiles, by quantum methods of DFT type, can lead to a complete understanding of the mechanism, as well as to the rational development of new iron catalysts for the aziridination reaction. We have been able to establish that electron affinity plays a major role in this type of transformation. In a second part, we studied the possibility to integrate iron-catalyzed nitrene transfer in multi-sequential processes. We have been able to obtain amidines and imidazolidines in multicomponent reactions via the reaction between a substrate, a nitrene donor, a nitrile and an iron catalyst. The DFT calculations were able to confirm the mechanism proposed experimentally. A second study was to highlight telescoping reactions through the synthesis of 2-iminothiazolidines via the ring opening of an aziridine followed by the insertion of an isothiocyanate with good yields. These two types of reactions have shown the strong potential of nitrene transfer in multi-sequential reactions and open the way to the development of new efficient synthesis routes in the context of green chemistry.