Student Number : 0410864E - MSc dissertation - School of Chemistry - Faculty of Science / The aim of the project described in this dissertation is to explore the application of ring closing metathesis (RCM) to the synthesis of 6-, 7-, 8- and 9-membered N,N-, N,O- and O,O-benzo-fused heterocyclic compounds which are interesting structural motifs in medicinal chemistry. In recent times, their structures have been widely used as molecular scaffolds. Some of these heterocycles have been identified as antitumour agents, antibiotics and anti-HIV agents. In our laboratories, a variety of 6-, 7- and 8-membered nitrogen- and oxygen- containing benzo-fused rings have been synthesized through ruthenium-mediated isomerisation and RCM in moderate to good yields. The first step in the present project was N-protection of suitable 2-aminophenols or o-phenylenediamines followed by allylation. Rutheniummediated isomerisation followed by RCM was then used for the synthesis of the 6- membered ring system tert-butyl 4H-1,4-benzoxazine-4-carboxylate 91 and the 7- membered ring system tert-butyl 1,5-benzoxazepine-5(4H)-carboxylate 103 while only RCM was used for the 8-membered ring systems, di(tert-butyl) 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,6- benzodiazocine-1,6-carboxylate 130, di(tert-butyl) 2,5-dihydro-1,6-benzodiazocine-1,6- dicarboxylate 129, 1,6-dibenzoyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1,6-benzodiazocine 132, 7-methoxy- 2,5-dihydro-1,6-benzodioxocine 137 and the 9-membered ring system 1,6-bis[(4- methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-1,6-benzodiazonine 159. In the synthesis of the 7-membered ring systems, based on established methodology, we encountered problems with the RCM from suitable benzylamine or benzyl alcohol precursors. The reasons for this are not clear but we suspect this could be as a result of electronic and kinetic factors. Nevertheless, we were able to synthesize a 7-membered ring system, tert-butyl 1,5-benzoxazepine-5(4H)-carboxylate 103, from a readily available precursor using a different methodology. Approaches to the synthesis of the 8-membered ring systems, di(tert-butyl) 2,3,4,5- tetrahydro-1,6-benzodiazocine-1,6-carboxylate 130, di(tert-butyl) 2,5-dihydro-1,6- benzodiazocine-1,6-dicarboxylate 129, 1,6-dibenzoyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1,6- benzodiazocine 132 and 7-methoxy-2,5-dihydro-1,6-benzodioxocine 137, as described in this dissertation, made extensive use of RCM in moderate to good yields, but the deprotection of the Boc group after hydrogenation proved to be a problem. The synthesis of the 9-membered nitrogen containing benzo-fused compounds, 1,6- bis[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-1,6-benzodiazonine 159 by RCM was successful but in the synthesis of the N,O-benzo-fused compound by RCM, we suspect that polymerization, which is a side reaction in RCM reactions that are slow, occurred. In the synthesis of the 9-membered O,O-benzo-fused compounds, we only isolated the starting material. The final approach in this dissertation involved the use of ruthenium-mediated isomerisation to afford internal isomerisation of the double bond within the heterocyclic rings of the 8-membered and 9-membered benzo-fused compounds previously prepared in our laboratory. This gave a mixture of regioisomers of 10-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1,6- benzodioxocine 163 and 7-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1,6-benzodiazocine 164, 1,6-bis[(4- Methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-1,6-benzodiazocine 166, a regioisomeric mixture of 6-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-3,6-dihydro-2H-1,6,-benzoxazocine 161 and 6-[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,6,-benzoxazocine 162, and the 9- membered benzo-fused ring system, 1,6-bis[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]-2,3,6,7- tetrahydro-1H-1,6-benzodiazonine 170. The yields were good and the solid state structures of these isomerised compounds were examined by X-ray crystallography. Xray diffraction was also performed on the solid state 8- and 9-membered benzo-fused ring systems. We also compared the crystal structures of the 8- and 9-membered benzo-fused compounds with their isomerised compounds.

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.

Os monômeros ligantes 3amdpy2oxaNBE (1), 3imdpyoxaNBE (2) e ácido âmico (3) foram sintetizados e caracterizado por analise elementar (CHN), infravermelho e RMN 1H e 13C. A partir do monômero 1 sintetizou-se compostos partindo de complexos do tipo [RuCl2(LL)], onde foi LL=bpy 37 (complexo 4), phen (complexo 6) ou 5-Cl-phen (complexo 7), e foram realizados estudos de fotoquímica e fotofísica. Os complexos 6 e 7 apresentaram uma eficiente fotofísica e não apresentaram fotoquímica, enquanto os complexos semelhante [Ru(bpy)2(3amnpy)2](PF6)2 (5) e [Ru(phen)2(3amnpy)2](PF6)2 (8) que possui a aminopiridina no lugar do monômero 1, apresentaram fotoquímica. Observou-se que as diferenças na rigidez dos ligantes phen e bpy podem causar diferentes propriedades fotoquímicas e fotofísicasem sistemas do tipo cis-[RuCl2(?-diimina)]. Todos os complexos exibiram absorções na região de 350 nm e entre 420 a 500 nm. Sendo que 5 e 8 apresentaram fotoquímica e os complexos 6 e 7 apresentaram fotofisica. Estes foram estudados em diferentes solventes (DMF, CH3CN, CH2Cl2, THF) e em diferentes comprimentos de onda de irradiação (340, 440 e 500 nm). A emissão dos complexos 6 (580 nm) e 7 (582 nm) em acetonitrila é atribuída a uma MLCT (Ru_phen). Sendo observada a independência do _irr, mas existe dependência da emissão quando a temperatura é abaixada. Além disso, suas propriedades fotocatalíticas são demonstradas pela supressão oxidativa através de íons receptores do metilviologenio. Ainda deve-se levar em conta que, o anel quelante do monômero ligante 1 contribui ainda mais para a estabilização destes complexos, ao contrario, 5 e 8 possuem uma fotolabilização . / The monomer ligands 3amdpy2oxaNBE (1), 3imdpyoxaNBE (2) and amic acid (3) were synthesized and characterized by elementar analysis (CHN), infrared and 1H e 13C NMR. Since monomer 1, it was synthesized complexes of type [RuCl2(LL)], where LL=bpy 37 (complex 4), phen (complex 6) or 5-Cl-phen (complexo 7), with which photophysics and photochemical studies were performed. The complexes 6 and 7 presented efficient photophysics and they do not presented photochemistry, while the similar complexes [Ru(bpy)2(3amnpy)2](PF6)2 (5) and [Ru(phen)2(3amnpy)2](PF6)2 (8), which possess the aminopyridine in place of monomer 1, presented photochemistry. It was observed that the difference in the rigidity of the ligands phen and bpy may cause different photochemical and photophysical properties in systems of type cis-[RuCl2(?- diimine)]. All complexes exhibited absorptions in region of 350 nm and between 420 and 500 nm, where 5 and 8 presented photochemistry and the complexes 6 and 7 presented photophysics. They were studied in different solvents (DMF, CH3CN, CH2Cl2, THF) and in different irradiation wavelength (340, 440 e 500 nm). The emission of the complexes 6 (580 nm) and 7 (582 nm) in acetonitrile is attributed to an MLCT (Ru_phen). It was observed independence of _irr, however there is dependence of emission when the temperature is lowered. Furthermore, their photocatalytic properties are demonstrated by oxidative quenching using methylviologen ion. One should consider that the chelating ring of monomer ligand 1 contributes even more to the stabilization of these complexes, unlike, 5 and 8 that possess photolabilization.

Thesis advisor: Amir H. Hoveyda / In the course of a total synthesis of quebrachamine, we were faced with a late-stage enantioselective ring-closing metathesis that could not be promoted by any of the state-of-the-art chiral metathesis catalysts. To overcome this deficiency, we designed and developed a new class of catalysts based on mechanistic and theoretical principles. The new catalysts contain a stereogenic metal center and display unprecedented levels of reactivity and selectivity in enantioselective olefin metathesis, enabling us to complete our planned synthesis of quebrachamine. We have also discovered that non-productive metathesis reactions with stereogenic-at-Mo catalysts, generated and used in situ as a mixture of diastereomers, are crucial to the efficiency and enantioselectivity of the ring-closing metathesis reactions. Specifically, our studies have indicated that the two diastereomers of catalyst are in rapid equilibrium due to non-productive metathesis with ethylene, generated as the desired ring-closing reaction proceeds, thereby establishing a reaction manifold that is under Curtin-Hammett control. Finally, in our efforts to prepare air-stable precursors to stereogenic-at-Mo olefin metathesis catalysts, we have examined the addition of N,N-chelating ligands to Mo bis-pyrrolide complexes. Upon addition of 2,2&#8242;-bipyridyl to bis-dimethylpyrrolide Mo complexes, rather than the expected octahedral chelate, a five-coordinate monopyrrolide alkylidyne complex is generated. The complex displays good air-stability and efficiently serves as a precursor to stereogenic-at-Mo alkylidene catalysts; several alkylidyne complexes have been prepared. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2010. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: Marc L. Snapper / Tandem processes can have several advantages over multiple single step processes. Non-metathesis transformations of ruthenium alkylidenes were studied and applied to tandem processes. Ruthenium catalyzed tandem RCM/hydroacylation that allows access to tricyclic ring systems from readily available substrates was developed. Mechanistic investigations indicated that this reaction may proceed through a mechanism involving [Ru]-H species. A Ru-catalyzed tandem RCM/olefin isomerization/C-H activation sequence that provides significant advantages in terms of rapid elaboration of simple reaction partners to more complex entities was developed. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2013. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Os complexos do tipo [RuCl2(PPh3)2amina], amina = pip (1) ou pep (2), foram estudados como iniciadores catalíticos para reações de ROMP de NBE, NBD e oxaNBE-OMe e na ROMCP de NBE com NBD e oxaNBE-OMe com NBE. O complexo [RuCl2(PPh3)(pep)(isn)] (3) foi estudado na ROMP de NBE e NBD. Os complexos 2 e 3 são inéditos e suas caracterizações são discutidas e correlacionadas com o complexo com 1. As reações de catálises foram realizadas com variações de tempo, volume de solvente e temperatura, em atmosfera de Ar ou ar e na presença de EDA. <br />O rendimento foi quantitativo na ROMP de NBE com o complexo 1 em 2 mL de CHCl3, por 5 min a 25 &deg;C em Ar, com IPD de 1,9 e Mw na ordem de 106 g mol-1. Com o complexo 2, os rendimentos foram quantitativos (IPD ~ 3 e Mw na ordem de 104 g mol-1) e independentes do tempo (5 -120 min) e volume de solvente (2 - 8 mL). Com 3, os rendimentos diminuíram com o aumento do volume de solvente, mas com IPD ~ 2 e Mw na ordem de 104 g mol-1. Em todos os casos os rendimentos diminuíram em atmosfera de ar e com polímeros polimodais. <br />Rendimentos quantitativos de poliNBD foram obtidos com 1 a 40 &deg;C e com 2 a 25 &deg;C na faixa de volume de solvente estudada, por 60 e 120 min, em Ar. Os rendimentos com 3 foram inferiores a 35%. Foram também obtidos rendimentos quantitativos em atmosfera de ar em certas combinações de tempo e volume de solvente, indicando que os complexos são robustos para atividades em soluções contendo O2. Todos os polímeros de NBD foram insolúveis. <br />Obteve-se até 70% de poli(NBE-co-NBD) isolado a partir de reações com 1 e reações quantitativas com 2, dependendo da fração molar NBE:NBD usada, indicando as razões de reatividades do complexos. <br />A ROMP de oxaNBE-OMe com 1 ou com 2 formou 15 a 30% de rendimento, a 40 &deg;C por 24 h em Ar. Na ROMCP desse monômero com NBE obteve-se de 5 a 30% de rendimento, dependendo da fração molar. Os rendimentos são maiores nas frações molares com maior quantidade de NBE. Poli(oxaNBE-OMe) foi solúvel, enquanto que seus copolímeros foram pouco solúveis. <br />São realizadas discussões quantos às características eletrônicas e de impedimentos estéricos nos complexos estudados nas polimerizações via metátese, selecionando-se os ligantes ancilares frente às condições de reações para obtenções de bons rendimentos e características dos polímeros isolados. / The complexes of type [RuCl2(PPh3)2amina], amine = pip (1) or pep (2), were studied as catalytic initiators for ROMP of NBE, NBD and oxaNBE-OMe and for ROMCP of NBE with NBD and oxaNBE-OMe with NBE. The complex [RuCl2(PPh3)(pep)(isn)] (3) was studied for ROMP of NBE and NBD. The complexes 2 and 3 are novels and their characterizations are discussed and correlated with the complex 1. The catalysis reactions were performed with variations of time, volume of solvent and temperature, either in Ar or air atmosphere, in the presence of EDA. <br />The yield was quantitative for ROMP of NBE with complex 1 in 2 mL of CHCl3 for 5 min at 25 &deg;C in Ar, with PDI of 1.9 and Mw in the order of 106 g mol-1. With the complex 2, the yields were quantitatives (PDI ~ 3 and Mw in the order of 104 g mol-1) and independent of time (5 - 120 min) and volume of solvent (2 - 8 mL). With 3, the yields decreased when increasing the volume of solvent, but with PDI ~ 2 and Mw in the order of 104 g mol-1. In all the cases, the yields decreased in air atmosphere with polymodal polymers. <br />Quantitative yields of poliNBD were obtained with 1 at 40 &deg;C and with 2 at 25 &deg;C in the range of the studied volume of solvent, for 60 and 120 min, in Ar. The yields with 3 were less than 35%. Quantitative yields were also obtained in air atmosphere in some combinations of time and volume of solvent, indicating that the complexes are robust for activities in solutions containing O2. All polyNBD were insoluble. <br />It was obtained up to 70% of poly(NBE-co-NBD) isolated from reactions with 1 and quantitative reactions were obtained with 2, depending on the NBE:NBD molar fraction used, indicating the reactivity ratios for the complexes. <br />The ROMP of oxaNBE-OMe with 1 or with 2 yielded 15 to 30% at 40 &deg;C for 24h in Ar. In the ROMCP of this monomer with NBE, it was obtained from 5 to 30% yield, depending on the molar fraction. Yields are higher in molar fractions with higher amount of NBE. Poly(oxaNBE-OMe) was soluble, while its copolymers were poorly soluble. <br />Discussions are held on the electronic characteristics and steric hindrances in the studied complexes for the metathesis polymerization, selecting the ancillary ligands as a function of the reaction conditions to obtain good yields and to improve the characteristics of the isolated polymers.

Este trabalho investigou a influência das propriedades estéricas e eletrônicas de ligantes ancilares em complexos do tipo [RuCl2(PR3)3] e [RuCl2(PR3)xLy], onde R = p-toluil e L = piperidina, N-butilamina e isonicotinamida, em reações de polimerização via metátese por abertura de anel (ROMP) e de copolimerização via metátese por abertura de anel (ROMCP) de norborneno (NBE) e norbornadieno (NBD). O objetivo foi observar como o efeito estéreo (dado em função do ângulo de cone, &theta;) e eletrônico (dado em função de pKa) da PpTol3 pode influenciar a reatividade em ROMP e ROMCP quando está sozinha ou combinada com amina. <br /> O complexo [RuCl2(PpTol3)3] (1) produziu rendimentos melhores que 70% por 10 min a 23 &deg;C, com Mw na ordem de 104 g.mol-1 e IPD de 2,2. O melhor rendimento obtido quando o complexo [RuCl2(PpTol3)2(pip)] (2) é utilizado foi observado nas reações por 30 min a 50 &deg;C (80,2%) com Mw de 1,5 x 105 g.mol-1. IPD de 2,0 foi obtido com 2 por 60 min a 23 &deg;C. O complexo 2 demonstrou ser mais reativo que o complexo 1 nas reações de ROMP de NBD, com rendimento de 60,1% por 60 min a 50 &deg;C. O impedimento estéreo de PpTol3 em 1, provavelmente é o responsável pelo melhor desempenho com NBE, com um período de indução mais curto para iniciar a ROMP. Por outro lado, o sinergismo amina&rarr;Ru&rarr;olefina deve contribuir para a ativação de NBD com 2. <br /> Os rendimentos para poliNBE com os complexos contendo N-butilamina e isonicotinamida foram de 68 e 35%, respectivamente, por 60 min a 50 &deg;C, isso mostra que a atividade catalítica para estes complexos sobrepõe o baixo ângulo de cone da Nbutilamina e a capacidade de retrodoação da isonicotinamida. Os rendimentos para o poliNBD foram de 30,9 e 9,1, respectivamente. <br /> As reações de copolimerizações com NBE e NBD (ROMCP) foram realizadas com uma quantidade fixa de NBE ([NBE]/[Ru] = 5000) e diferentes concentrações de NBD ([NBD]/[Ru] = 1000, 2000 ou 3000), por 60 min a 50&deg;C. Para ambos os complexos 1 e 2, os rendimentos foram acima de 80% quando aumentou-se a [NBD] e os materiais poliméricos apresentaram microestruturas lisas. Os valores de Tg (acima de 60 &deg;C) obtidos quando o complexo 1 foi utilizado, sugerem a presença de NBD nas cadeias poliméricas. Com o complexo 2, os valores de Tg foram entre 33 e 37 &deg;C, indicando a possibilidade de polimerização apenas do NBE. / This study investigated the influence of steric and electronic properties of ancillary ligands in complexes of the type [RuCl2(PR3)3] and [RuCl2(PR3)xLy], with R = p-tolyl and L = piperidine, N-butylamine and isonicotinamide, for ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and ring-opening metathesis copolymerization of norbornene (NBE) and norbornadiene (NBD). The aim was to observe how the steric (in terms of the cone angle, &theta;) and electronic (in terms of pKa) effects of PpTol3 can tune the reactivity in ROMP and ROMCP when alone or combining with an amine. <br /> The [RuCl2(PpTol3)3] complex (1) produced yields better than 70% for 10 min at 23 &deg;C, with Mw in the order of 104 g.mol-1 and PDI of 2,2. The best yields obtained when the complex [RuCl2(PpTol3)2(pip)] (2) was used was observed in the reactions 30 min at 50 &deg;C (80%), with Mw of 1.5 x 105 g.mol-1. PDI of 2.0 was obtained with 2 for 60 min at 23 &deg;C. The complex 2 proved to be more reactive than complex 1 for ROMP of NBD, with yield of 60.1% for 60 min at 50 &deg;C. The steric hindrance of PpTol3 in 1 probable provided the difference in the reactive for NBE, with a short induction period to initiate the ROMP. However, the amine&rarr;Ru&rarr;olefin synergism in 2 probable contributed to the better activation of NBD. <br /> The yields for polyNBE with the N-butylamine and isonicotinamide derivative complexes were 68 and 35%, respectively, for 60 min at 50 &deg;C., it shows that the catalytic activity of these complexes to overlap the low cone angle of the N-butylamine and the ability of the backdonation of the isonicotinamide. Proceeds to poliNBD were 30.9 and 9.1, respectively. <br /> Copolymerizations with NBE and NBD (ROMCP) were performed with a fixed quantity of NBE ([NBE]/[Ru] = 5000) and different concentrations of NBD ([NBD]/[Ru] = 1000, 2000 or 3000), for 60 min at 50 &deg; C. The yields were better than 80% when increasing the [NBD] and the polymeric materials showed smooth microstructures. The obtained Tg values (60 &deg;C) obtained when the complex 1 was used, indicated the presence of NBD in the polymer chains. With the complex 2, the Tg values were in the range of 33 - 37 &deg;C, indicating the possibility of polymerization of only NBE.

This thesis details the development and exploration of a catalytic carbonyl-olefin metathesis reaction. A catalytic transformation of this type has not been accomplished previously and stoichiometric processes were neither general nor desirable. A simple hydrazine catalyst was found to effect this reaction with the use of strained olefins. The development and optimization of this reaction, including the hydrazine catalyst, conditions and substrates, is discussed. Computational studies of the reaction mechanism are included. A stepwise process in which less strained olefins can undergo the reaction is also explored. Lastly, some initial explorations of transition metal complexes as catalysts for a carbonyl-olefin metathesis reaction are discussed, as well. In the second portion of this thesis, the use of cyclopropenimines as achiral organic superbases will be detailed. Previously, the Lambert group has developed this class of compounds as viable catalysts for asymmetric Michael and Mannich reactions. Cyclopropenimines are more basic than other commonly used organic bases, and therefore, can activate less acidic substrates. A simple, achiral cyclopropenimine was developed for use in base catalyzed or mediated processes. Several reactions have been explored as a comparison of cyclopropenimines to other commonly used bases.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemistry, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND SCIENCE / Vita. / Includes bibliographical references. / by Scott M. Rocklage. / Ph.D.

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne disease affecting 130-170 million people worldwide. The causative agent, hepatitis C virus (HCV), infects the liver and is the major reason for chronic liver disease worldwide. The HCV NS3 protease, a key enzyme in the virus replication cycle, has been confirmed to be an important target for drug development. With the recent release of two HCV NS3 protease inhibitors onto the market and an arsenal of inhibitors in clinical trials, there are now hopes of finally combating the disease. However, the success of treatment relies heavily on the ability to overcome the emergence of drug-resistant forms of the protease. The main focus of this thesis was on designing and synthesizing novel inhibitors of the NS3 protease with a unique resistance profile. Efforts were also made to decrease the peptide character of the compounds, with the long-term goal of making them into more drug-like compounds. Special attention was devoted to developing inhibitors based on a phenylglycine in the P2 position, instead of the highly optimized and commonly used P2 proline. Around ninety acyclic and macrocyclic inhibitors have been synthesized and biochemically evaluated. P2 pyrimidinyloxy phenylglycine was successfully combined with an aromatic P1 moiety and alkenylic P1´ elongations, yielding a distinct class of HCV NS3 protease inhibitors. Macrocyclization was performed in several directions of the inhibitors via ring-closing metathesis. Only the macrocyclization between the P3-P1´ residues was successful in terms of inhibitory potency, which suggests that the elongated P1-P1´ residue is oriented towards the P3 side chain. The metathesis reaction was found to be significantly more dependent on the substrate than on the reaction conditions. It was also found that the P3 truncated inhibitors were able to retain good inhibitory potency, which initiated the synthesis and evaluation of a series of P2-P1´ inhibitors. The potential of the P3-P1´cyclized inhibitor and the smaller, acyclic P2-P1´ as new potential drug leads remains to be determined through pharmacokinetic profiling. Gratifyingly, all the inhibitors evaluated on A156T and D168V substituted enzyme variants were able to retain inhibitory potency towards these as compared to wild-type inhibition.