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Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A thorough search through the literature as well as through the Cambridge Crystallographic Structural Database resulted in no examples of a neutral ozone acting as ligand in a complex with any metal. Ionic compounds containing ozonide as anionic species, however, are well known throughout the literature and not surprisingly the only result for 0₃ and a metal in the CCSD was an ionic rubidium ozonide compound. What follows is a systematic study into the result of placing an ozone ligand within complexing distance of a transition metal (the first transition row from titanium to copper). Due to the novelty of the system, as first approximation four different orientations of the ozone ligand relative to the metal (a metal cation in these calculations) were investigated. It was found that coordination through the terminal oxygens resulted in energy minima for all the metal cations, although not necessarily the absolute energy minimum on the potential energy surface for the specific cation. A further structural study was done by adding carbonyl and hydrogen ligands to the system, according to the 18-electron rule. For these calculations coordination through the terminal oxygens was employed. In both series the dissociation energy was also calculated. The dissociation energies for the M(CO)nHm(0₃) complexes were all positive, indicating that they are theoretically stable structures. The resulting wave functions were then analysed with the help of three techniques: Atoms in Molecules (AIM), Charge Decomposition Analysis (CDA) and Natural Bond Orbital Analysis (NBO). AIM showed that bonds were indeed formed between the ozone ligand and the transition metal and hinted that the bonding model can be interpreted with the Dewar-Chatt-Duncanson (DCD) model of σ-donation and л-back donation. CDA confirmed that this was the case. NBO results proved erroneous due to the largely delocalized electronic structure of the complexes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Deeglike soektog deur die literatuur en die Cambridge Crystallographic Structural Database het geen resultate gelewer van komplekse waarin 'n neutrale osoonligand komplekseer met 'n metaal nie. Ioniese verbindings waarin die osonied as anioon optree, is wel bekend deur die literatuur en die enigste resultaat in die CCSD - vir 'n soektog bevattende osoon en 'n metaal - het 'n rubidiumosonied-verbinding opgelewer. Wat volg is 'n stelselmatige studie om die effek te ondersoek indien 'n osoonligand naby genoeg aan 'n oorgangsmetaal geplaas word om kompleksering te bevoordeel (metale wat gebruik is, is die eerste oorgangsreeks vanaf titanium tot koper). As gevolg van die onbekendheid van die sisteem is vier verskillende oriëntasies van die osoonligand relatied tot die metal ('n metal katioon in die geval) as beginpunt ondersoek. Daar is gevind dat koordinasie deur die terminale suurstowwe van die osoonligand vir al die metal katione lei tot energie minima, alhoewel dié minima nie noodwendig die globale minima op die potensiële energie oppervlaktes van die katione is nie. 'n Verdere studie is gedoen deur karboniel- en waterstofligande tot die sisteem te voeg, gelei deur die 18-elektron reel. Vir hierdie berekeninge is koördinasie deur die terminale suurstowwe gebruik. In beide reeks is dissosiasie-energieë bereken. Die dissosiasie energieë van die M(CO)nHm(0₃) komplekse was deurgaan positief wat aandui dat die komplekse teoreties stabiel is. Die verkrygde golffunksies is hierna analiseer deur middel van drie tegnieke: Atoms in Molecules (AIM), Charge Decomposition Analysis (CDA) en Natural Bond Orbital Analysis (NBO). AIM het getoon dat bindings inderdaad gevorm word tussen die osoonligand en die metal en bet die moontlikheid laat ontstaan dat die bindingsmodel volgens die Dewar-Chatt-Duncason (DCD) model van σ-donasie en л-terugdonasie geïnterpreteer kan word. Hierdie waarneming is bevestig deur CDA. NBO resultate kon nie suksesvol gebruik word nie as gevolg van die hoë graad van electron delokalisasie van die komplekse.

This thesis presents an investigation into the synthesis of metal complexes of (Nheterocyclic carbene)-based cyclophanes. There were three main areas of focus: synthesis and complexation of bis(4,5-dihydroimidazolium) salts; the synthesis and complexation of phenol-functionalised imidazolium cyclophanes; and the synthesis and complexation of (N-heterocyclic carbene)-based cyclophanes by C-C bond activation of biimidazolium salts with electron-rich metals. The synthesis of xylyl-linked bis(4,5-dihydroimidazolium) salts was investigated. Attempts to prepare these compounds by the cyclisation of a tetraamine (linear or macrocyclic) were unsuccessful due difficulties in preparing the tetraamines. The target compounds could be prepared by adapting the methods developed for the synthesis of bis(imidazolium) salts however problems associated with purification and stability of the products prevented complexation studies. A series of phenol-, phenoxide- and anisole-functionalised imidazolium cyclophanes were prepared. Their structural properties were investigated using dynamic nmr studies and X-ray crystallography. Complexation of the functionalised cyclophanes was investigated. The phenol cyclophane I formed a dinuclear complex with mercury(II). This complex is the first example of a complex derived from a phenol-functionalised imidazolium cyclophane. However the anisole cyclophane II and the unsymmetrical phenol/ortho cyclophane III were unable to form complexes possibly due to steric hindrance and instability of the cyclophane respectively. Preliminary complexation studies of the bis(imidazolium)phenol V suggested that complexation with palladium(II) and mercury(II) were possible but more work is required to determine the optimum reaction conditions. A series of biimidazolium salts VI (both new and known) were prepared. Previously reported biimidazolium salts have very low solubility in common solvents therefore the incorporation of long alkyl chains to the bridging group was investigated as a means to improve the solubility. The structure of the salts was explored using a range of techniques including dynamic nmr spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, UV/Visible spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and mass spectrometry. Some of the biimidazolium salts were able to rotate about the C2-C2' bond and the free energy of activation for this process was estimated using dynamic nmr studies. C-C bond activation of the biimidazolium salts with palladium(0) was used to form a series of palladium(II) complexes (VII) of (NHC)-based cyclophanes. These reactions are the first examples of the synthesis of bis(NHC) complexes by C-C bond activation. The reactivity of the biimidazolium salts with palladium(0) was compared to their solution structure and it was found that only the biimidazolium that were able to rotate about the C2-C2' bond could react with palladium(0).

This thesis reports the synthesis, characterisation and DNA binding of a number of novel ruthenium(II) complexes. Four mononuclear complexes were synthesised. These complexes were resolved using a large scale extraction procedure employing the chiral TRISPHAT anion. The racemic mononuclear complexes containing halogenated ligands were used in the synthesis of the racemic dinuclear complexes. Resolved mononuclear complexes were also used to stereo-selectively synthesise enantiomers of their respective dinuclear complexes. All metal complexes were characterised using fluorescence spectroscopy. Resolved metal complexes were further characterised using CD spectroscopy to determine their molar rotation coefficients and optical purity. Preliminary DNA binding studies were conducted using the racemic dinuclear complexes and their mononuclear equivalent. Titration experiments with calf thymus-DNA were used to determine the DNA binding constant and binding site size. Samples containing a higher NaCl concentration (100 mM) slightly improved the oligonucleotide spectrum resolution, but not to an extent where a complex binding model could be determined. Attempts to determine DNA binding preferences of the dinuclear complexes with oligonucleotides which contain two-adenine bulge sites using a 96-well a fluorescence plate reader were attempted, but were unsuccessful. Samples containing a higher NaCl concentration (100 mM) slightly improved the oligonucleotide spectrum resolution, but not to an extent where a complex binding model could be determined. Attempts to determine DNA binding preferences of the dinuclear complexes with oligonucleotides which contain two-adenine bulge sites using a 96-well a fluorescence plate reader were attempted, but were unsuccessful. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2002. / Bibliography: leaves 92-95.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Sydney, 2007. / Title from title screen (viewed may 17, 2007). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences. Degree awarded 2007; thesis submitted 2006. Includes bibliographical references. Also issued in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1997. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [158]-172).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1996. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [114]-123).

Computational methods were employed to investigate catalytic processes. First, DFT calculations predicted the important geometry metrics of a copper–nitrene complex. MCSCF calculations supported the open-shell singlet state as the ground state of a monomeric copper nitrene, which was consistent with the diamagnetic character deduced from experimental observations. The calculations predicted an elusive terminal copper nitrene intermediate. Second, DFT methods were carried out to investigate the mechanism of C–F bond activation by a low-coordinate cobalt(I) complex. The computational models suggested that oxidative addition, which is very rare for 3d metals, was preferred. A π–adduct of PhF was predicted to be a plausible intermediate via calculations. Third, DFT calculations were performed to study ancillary ligand effects on C(sp3)–N bond forming reductive elimination from alkylpalladium(II) amido complexes with different phosphine supporting ligands. The dimerization study of alkylpalladium(II) amido complexes indicated an unique arrangement of dative and covalent Pd-N bonds within the core four-membered ring of bimetallic complexes. In conclusion, computational methods enrich the arsenal of methods available to study catalytic processes in conjunction with experiments.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Stefan Kraft / Highly toxic aromatic halogenated compounds such as PCB’s, PCDF’s and PCDD’s act as persistent organic pollutants and can bio-accumulate. These compounds are highly stable to oxidation, reduction and thermal degradation. Current remediation technologies are expensive and can cause the formation of even more toxic byproducts. It is clear that an environmentally friendly and inexpensive remediation technology is required. Our goal was the synthesis of dehalogenation catalysts incorporating aromatic side arms for the pre-concentration of the substrates to the catalysts. We envisioned that aromatic side arms would allow the aggregation of catalyst and substrate to form a pre-complex that would enhance rates of dehalogenation. Rapid and stereochemically predictable synthesis of N and C functionalized nickel cyclam complexes were a priority for this project. Synthesis of N-functionalized cyclam molecules and subsequent metal incorporation proceeds smoothly to form trans(III) nickel cyclam complexes. However longer reaction times, initiation periods and short catalyst lifetimes made these complexes unsuitable for long-term study. Cyclization of dipeptides and tetrapeptides using a metal template in basic conditions led to the formation of cyclopeptide nickel complexes with stereochemistry retained from the peptide precursors. Free cyclopeptides could be isolated from the nickel complexes by treatment with HCl. Cyclopeptides are reduced to the cyclam molecules via a LAH reduction in low to moderate yields. Nickel incorporation into the cyclam molecules produced C-functionalized nickel catalysts with stereochemical integrity maintained throughout the synthesis. Intermolecular CH-π interactions can be seen in the solid state for the nickel cyclam complexes with aromatic side arms. Reduction data show that the C-functionalized catalysts do not show improved rates of reduction for several aromatic substrates but small rate enhancements are observed for the reduction of chloronaphthalene over the unfunctionalized catalyst.