The nucleotide excision repair pathway (NER) has been shown to efficiently remove bulky base lesions from the DNA, including those induced by solar light. It has been suggested that the NER pathway may be involved also in removing smaller oxidative base lesions from the DNA. Oxidative damage in the cell is caused by cellular aerobic respiration, with base damage to the nucleotides of the DNA being the most biologically relevant. One of the most common oxidative base lesions in the genome is the 7 ,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). This lesion is pre-mutagenic since it can base pair with equal efficiency to the correct cytosine base, or the incorrect adenine base during DNA replication. Oxidative damage, including 8-oxoG, is repaired primarily by the base excision repair (BER) pathway, which is a multi-step, multi-protein pathway similar to NER. One key protein involved in both BER and NER is the p53 protein, which can act as a transcription factor and protein regulator to influence DNA repair. We have used a recombinant non-replicating human adenovirus, Ad5HCMVlacZ, which expresses the ~-galactosidase (~-gal) reporter gene, to examine the role of several NER proteins and the p53 protein in the BER of oxidative damage in human cells. Methylene blue (MB) acts as a photosenstizer, and after irradiation by visible light (VL) produces reactive oxygen species that cause 8-0xoG in the DNA. By infecting several normal, NER deficient and p53 deficient -tumor, primary and transformed fibroblast cell lines with a MB+VL-treated Ad5HCMVlacZ reporter construct, we were able to determine the host cell reactivation (HCR) of the oxidatively damaged reporter. Results indicate that the HCR of the MB+VL-treated reporter and the expression of p53 are enhanced by UVC pretreatment in normal human fibroblasts, suggesting that p53 may be involved in inducible BER. In addition, increased expression of p53 facilitated by pre-infection of normal cells with p53 expressing Ad5p53wt similarly enhanced HCR in the normal fibroblasts, giving further evidence that increased expression of p53 alone enhances BER. In contrast, although UVC pretreatment of p53 compromised cells resulted in enhanced HCR, the enhanced HCR did not correlate with enhanced p53 expression, suggesting that enhancement in BER can result from both p53 dependent and p53 independent mechanisms. We report also that HCR of the MB+VL-treated reporter gene was substantially reduced in SV40-transformed XP-C cells, with little or no reduction in SV40-transformed XPA, XPD, XPF, XPG and CSB cells, suggesting a role for the XPC protein in the BER ofMB+VL-induced DNA damage. In particular, the XPC protein appears to be involved in both the constitutive and inducible aspects of BER, as the HCR of the MB + VL-treated reporter was reduced in 3 UVC pretreated as well as untreated XP-C primary human fibroblast strains. In addition, pre-infection of cells with Ad5p53wt, resulted in an enhanced HCR of normal but not XP-C deficient fibroblasts consistent with a p53 dependent involvement of the XPC protein in BER of MB+VL-treated DNA. Additional studies were also conducted to determine the cell sensitivity of normal and NER deficient SV40-transformed cell lines to MB and MB+VL. The results show that MB alone and MC+VL are toxic to cells, and that cells deficient in NER are not more sensitive to MC or MB+VL compared to NER proficient normal cells. In fact, the NER deficient cell lines were more resistant to MB alone compared to NER proficient normal cells. In particular, although the SV40- transformed XP-C cell line showed a significant reduction in HCR of the MB-Vl-treated reporter gene, suggesting a deficiency in the repair of MB+VL-induced DNA damage, the SV40-transformed XP-C cells were not more sensitive to MB or MB+VL. This suggests that the toxicity of human cells to MB and MB+VL results primarily from damage to cellular components other than DNA such as membrane structures including the mitochondria and lysozomes as has been reported for other photosensitizers. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Structural and electronic effects in hydrocarbon reactions over metal oxides have been examined by comparing the reactions of methyl (-CH₃) and methylene (=CH₂) fragments on three different oxide single crystal surfaces: α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2), α-Cr₂O₃(0001), and α-Fe₂O₃(101̅2). The intermediates have been generated through the decomposition of halogenated hydrocarbons. The primary reactions of methyl and methylene over α-Cr₂O₃ are methyl dehydrogenation to methylene, and methylene coupling (C-C bond formation) to ethylene (CH₂=CH₂). The different surface geometric structures of α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2) and (0001) lead to an increase in the activation barrier for methylene surface migration, a critical step in the coupling reaction, of 5.9 kcal/mol over the (0001) surface. For methyl dehydrogenation, differences in the local site pair (cation/anion) geometry and the proximity of surface lattice oxygen to the methyl group do not result in a significant difference in the barrier for dehydrogenation, suggesting that the surface anions play a minor role in the dehydrogenation of methyl on these surfaces. Electronic differences in the Fe³⁺ (𝑑⁵) and Cr³⁺ (𝑑³) cations on structurally-similar α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2) and α-Fe₂O₃(101̅2) surfaces lead to major differences in reaction selectivity. α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2) is nonreducible under the reaction conditions of this study, but α-Fe₂O₃(101̅2) is highly reducible due to the difference in the d electron configuration. Hydrocarbons are formed over α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2), but nonselective oxidation products (CO₂, CO, H₂O) are formed over the stoichiometric α-Fe₂O₃(101̅2) surface along with surface reduction. Reduction of the α-Fe₂O₃(101̅2) leads to a shift in the product selectivity towards formaldehyde (CH₂O) and ethylene. For the limited number of systems examined in this study, examples of geometric structure sensitive (methylene coupling) and structure insensitive (methyl dehydrogenation) reactions have been found on α-Cr₂O₃, and electronic effects are observed for the reactions on α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2) and α-Fe₂O₃. For the structure sensitive reaction, the differences in surface geometry impact the reactions kinetics over Cr₂O₃ but not the types of products formed, while the electronic differences give rise to dramatic changes in the selectivity associated with the very different products formed over α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2) and α-Fe₂O₃(101̅2). / Ph. D.

Yes / Coprecipitation method was used to prepare non-stoichiometric pristine copper and iron layered double hydroxide (LDH) doped with zirconium and embedded with reduced graphene oxide. The composite materials (ZrRGOCuFe LDHs) were studied for the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye as a model contaminant from an aqueous solution. These composites were fully characterized by X-rays diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Photoluminescence (PL), Raman spectroscopy and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The results of Raman, Photoluminescence and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy revealed the presence of oxygen defects level in the composites. Such defects are believed to be essential for boosting the catalytic potential of the composites. The secondary pollution manifested by transition metal ions is usually tackled by inducing heterogeneous catalysis. Herein, pristine CuFe LDH has been doped with Zr and RGO moieties to realize heterogeneous catalysis within ZrRGOCuFe LDH dopants. An admirable band ranging between 1.74 and 2.0 eV was obtained for the doped materials. The remarkable photodegradation efficiency of 95.2% was achieved by using heterogeneous photocatlyst Zr0.6RGOCuFe LDH within 75 min at a pH of 7, photocatalyst dosage of 1.0 g/L and methylene blue dye solution of 10 ppm under visible light irradiation. The total organic content (TOC) analysis has revealed removal of 92% organic content. Moreover, the catalyst has the potentia to maitain sufficient stability and reusability capacity even after three successive cycles. The reaction kinetics and proposed photocatalytic mechanism were also explained in detail.

Diagnosis techniques and treatments for Escherichia coli mastitis in the dairy bovine were evaluated in two experiments. The first experiment evaluated eosin methylene blue agar as a method of distinguishing E.coli from other gram-negative mastitis pathogens. Escherichia coli will usually produce a green metallic sheen on eosin methylene blue agar. One hundred and twenty-nine milk samples or gram-negative isolates from milk samples were used to compare eosin methylene blue agar to a commercial biochemical test strip (the accepted standard). There was an intermethod agreement of 96.9% and a k-value of 93.7% indicating excellent agreement beyond chance between test methods. Eosin methylene blue agar is a reliable method for differentiation of E. coli from other gram-negative mastitis pathogens. The second experiment evaluated the efficacy of frequent milk-out as a treatment for E. coli mastitis. Sixteen Holstein dairy cows were divided into 2 blocks and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: 1) non-infected, not frequently milked-out, i.e. not treated (NI-NT), 2) experimentally infected with E. coli, not treated (EC-NT), 3) non-infected, frequently milked-out (NI-FMO), and 4) experimentally infected with E. coli, frequently milked-out (EC-FMO). Hours to bacterial, clinical and systemic cure were not different between the EC-NT and EC-FMO treatment groups. Serum a-lactalbumin concentrations were evaluated between treatment groups as a measure of udder health. Serum a-lactalbumin concentrations were higher in cows in the EC-NT treatment group than cows in the NI-NT, NI-FMO and EC-FMO treatment groups at 12 hours post-experimental challenge. Serum a-lactalbumin concentrations were higher in cows in the NI-FMO treatment group than in cows in the NI-NT, EC-NT and EC-FMO treatment groups at 36 hours post-experimental challenge. Results from this study do not support frequent milk-out as a treatment for E. coli mastitis. / Master of Science

abstract: The energy required in a eukaryotic cell is provided by mitochondria. Mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) coupled with oxidative phosphorylation generates ATP. During electron transport, electron leakage from the ETC produces reactive oxygen species (ROS). In healthy cells, there are preventive and defense mechanisms in place to manage ROS. Maintaining a steady balance of ROS is very important because overproduction of ROS can lead to several pathological conditions. There are several strategies to prevent ROS production. Addition of external antioxidants is widely used among them. Discussed in the first part of Chapter 1 is the mitochondrial ETC, ROS production and antioxidant strategies. The second part of Chapter 1 is concerned with ribosomal protein synthesis in bacteria. Ribosome, the organelle that synthesizes proteins with exceptional fidelity, has a strong bias for α-L-amino acids. It has been demonstrated that reengineering of the peptidyltransferase center (PTC) of the ribosome could enable the incorporation of both α-D-amino acids and β-amino acids into full length protein. Oxidative stress is a common cause of various neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Antioxidative strategies are used widely for the treatment of these disorders. Although several antioxidants demonstrated positive results in vitro as well as in in vivo models, none of them have been effective in clinical settings. Hence, there is an ongoing search for effective neuroprotective drugs. Described in Chapter 2 is the synthesis and biological evaluation of several methylene blue analogues as potentially effective antioxidants for the treatment of pathologies related to oxidative stress. In Chapter 3, the synthesis and ribosomal incorporation of several rationally designed dipeptidomimetic analogues are discussed. The dipeptidomimetic analogues are structurally similar to the GFP chromophore and, therefore, highly fluorescent. In addition, the backbone of the dipeptidomimetic analogues resemble the peptide backbone of a dipeptide, due to which they can be incorporated into protein by modified ribosomes selected for the incorporation of dipeptides. Discussed in Chapter 4 is the synthesis of the pdCpA derivatives of several β-amino acids. The pdCpA derivatives were ligated to tRNA-COH and were used as probes for studying the regio- and stereoselectivity of modified ribosomes. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Chemistry 2016

Previous studies have shown that the formulation of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) entrapped in the Pheroid® (Pheroid for simplification) delivery system enhances absorption of the API, suppresses its metabolism, and may contribute to an increase in the quantity of the API present at the site of action. Higher drug levels at the active site should particularly increase the effectiveness of a drug with a narrow therapeutic index and reduce the incidence of the resistance that may otherwise arise if the sub-therapeutic levels of the API are in contact with the site of interest. Two approaches were followed in this study. First, the radioactive tracer molecule 99mTechnetium methylene diphosphonate (99mTc MDP) was used. Intravenously injected 99mTc MDP is an extremely effective bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical used in the diagnosis of bone disorders such as bone metastases in patients. However, if entrapped inside a Pheroid vesicle, it will locate to that site, usually an organ, where the Pheroid vesicles may tend to accumulate. Experiments conducted with 99mTc MDP alone or with Pheroid will therefore establish how efficiently Pheroid vesicles localize and will also indicate the preferred site of localization inside a body. The process would involve the oral administration of 99mTc MDP either alone or with Pheroid, involving an animal model. It would also involve tracking localization to particular organs, blood or other sites. The second approach requires the use of chloroquine (CQ) labeled with carbon-14 (14C-CQ,) to compare absorption of the drug both with and without the Pheroid system. The intention was to compare oral absorption and bio-distribution of 14C-CQ administered either alone or entrapped in the Pheroid system. It was also possible to establish whether the Pheroid affects the biological half-lives of the CQ and residence times of CQ in the different organs of the body. Absorption of free 99mTc MDP (orally adminsistered) through the intestinal tract is negligible but it was anticipated that increased absorption will be observed when 99mTc MDP was entrapped in the Pheroid system. In the 99mTc MDP study, different routes of administration of 99mTc MDP, as well as 99mTc MDP entrapped and not entrapped in the Pheroid system, were investigated. The Sprague Dawley rat was used as animal model. Rats were divided into three groups of four rats each for the first part of the study. In the first group, only 99mTc MDP was injected intravenously in order to establish natural distribution of the 99mTc MDP. For the second group, 99mTc MDP was administered orally in order to establish whether there was any absorption through the intestinal tract. In the third group, the 99mTc MDP was entrapped in Pheroid vesicles and this formulation was administered orally in order to establish whether the Pheroid system enhanced oral absorption. The animals were sacrificed four hours after administration and organs were harvested and were counted for radioactivity to determine the percentage of injected/administrated dose in each organ. After oral administration, the Pheroid system was found to have facilitated absorption of 99mTc MDP through the intestinal tract into the blood. 99mTc MDP concentrations in the femur, although lower, were still comparable with that observed after intravenous administration of 99mTc MDP in the absence of Pheroid. Thus, overall, excellent absorption of the Pheroid entrapped 99mTc MDP through the intestinal tract was seen in contrast to little or zero absorption of the compound in the reference formulations. The half-life of the radio-labelled compound in the blood was prolonged after oral administration owing to the Pheroid. To investigate the bio-distribution of radioactive chloroquine (14C-CQ) Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups of four rats each. In the first group, 14C-CQ in deionised (DI) water was administered orally, and in the second group 14C-CQ entrapped in Pheroid vesicles was administered, also orally. The animals were sacrificed one, two and four hours after administration and subjected to comprehensive macroscopic inspection. All the organs were harvested and radioactivity was determined with liquid scintillation after applicable sample preparation. The Pheroid system produced much higher organ and blood concentrations of 14C-CQ and enhanced residence times within the organs and blood in comparison with that of 14C-CQ administered alone. Commercial applications of these results are possible, as a number of radiopharmaceutical products can presently be administered only intravenously. The added potential of these new Pheroid formulations could be of significance in the treatment of malaria, as chloroquine is inexpensive and widely available. Another point of interest is that the use of these formulations may enable micromolar drug concentrations to be achieved using drug dosage regimes that usually produce only nanomolar levels. However, safety aspects would have to be carefully monitored. / PhD (Pharmaceutics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Previous studies have shown that the formulation of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) entrapped in the Pheroid® (Pheroid for simplification) delivery system enhances absorption of the API, suppresses its metabolism, and may contribute to an increase in the quantity of the API present at the site of action. Higher drug levels at the active site should particularly increase the effectiveness of a drug with a narrow therapeutic index and reduce the incidence of the resistance that may otherwise arise if the sub-therapeutic levels of the API are in contact with the site of interest. Two approaches were followed in this study. First, the radioactive tracer molecule 99mTechnetium methylene diphosphonate (99mTc MDP) was used. Intravenously injected 99mTc MDP is an extremely effective bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical used in the diagnosis of bone disorders such as bone metastases in patients. However, if entrapped inside a Pheroid vesicle, it will locate to that site, usually an organ, where the Pheroid vesicles may tend to accumulate. Experiments conducted with 99mTc MDP alone or with Pheroid will therefore establish how efficiently Pheroid vesicles localize and will also indicate the preferred site of localization inside a body. The process would involve the oral administration of 99mTc MDP either alone or with Pheroid, involving an animal model. It would also involve tracking localization to particular organs, blood or other sites. The second approach requires the use of chloroquine (CQ) labeled with carbon-14 (14C-CQ,) to compare absorption of the drug both with and without the Pheroid system. The intention was to compare oral absorption and bio-distribution of 14C-CQ administered either alone or entrapped in the Pheroid system. It was also possible to establish whether the Pheroid affects the biological half-lives of the CQ and residence times of CQ in the different organs of the body. Absorption of free 99mTc MDP (orally adminsistered) through the intestinal tract is negligible but it was anticipated that increased absorption will be observed when 99mTc MDP was entrapped in the Pheroid system. In the 99mTc MDP study, different routes of administration of 99mTc MDP, as well as 99mTc MDP entrapped and not entrapped in the Pheroid system, were investigated. The Sprague Dawley rat was used as animal model. Rats were divided into three groups of four rats each for the first part of the study. In the first group, only 99mTc MDP was injected intravenously in order to establish natural distribution of the 99mTc MDP. For the second group, 99mTc MDP was administered orally in order to establish whether there was any absorption through the intestinal tract. In the third group, the 99mTc MDP was entrapped in Pheroid vesicles and this formulation was administered orally in order to establish whether the Pheroid system enhanced oral absorption. The animals were sacrificed four hours after administration and organs were harvested and were counted for radioactivity to determine the percentage of injected/administrated dose in each organ. After oral administration, the Pheroid system was found to have facilitated absorption of 99mTc MDP through the intestinal tract into the blood. 99mTc MDP concentrations in the femur, although lower, were still comparable with that observed after intravenous administration of 99mTc MDP in the absence of Pheroid. Thus, overall, excellent absorption of the Pheroid entrapped 99mTc MDP through the intestinal tract was seen in contrast to little or zero absorption of the compound in the reference formulations. The half-life of the radio-labelled compound in the blood was prolonged after oral administration owing to the Pheroid. To investigate the bio-distribution of radioactive chloroquine (14C-CQ) Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups of four rats each. In the first group, 14C-CQ in deionised (DI) water was administered orally, and in the second group 14C-CQ entrapped in Pheroid vesicles was administered, also orally. The animals were sacrificed one, two and four hours after administration and subjected to comprehensive macroscopic inspection. All the organs were harvested and radioactivity was determined with liquid scintillation after applicable sample preparation. The Pheroid system produced much higher organ and blood concentrations of 14C-CQ and enhanced residence times within the organs and blood in comparison with that of 14C-CQ administered alone. Commercial applications of these results are possible, as a number of radiopharmaceutical products can presently be administered only intravenously. The added potential of these new Pheroid formulations could be of significance in the treatment of malaria, as chloroquine is inexpensive and widely available. Another point of interest is that the use of these formulations may enable micromolar drug concentrations to be achieved using drug dosage regimes that usually produce only nanomolar levels. However, safety aspects would have to be carefully monitored. / PhD (Pharmaceutics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In this study, the composite of aluminum metal-organic framework MIL-68(Al) and reduced graphene oxide (MA/RG) was synthesized via a one-step solvothermal method, and their performances for pnitrophenol (PNP) adsorption from aqueous solution were systematically investigated. The introduction of reduced graphene oxide (RG) into MIL-68(Al) (MA) significantly changes the morphologies of the MA and increases the surface area. The MA/RG-15% prepared at RG-to-MA mass ratio of 15% shows a PNP uptake rate 64% and 123% higher than MIL-68(Al) and reduced graphene oxide (RG), respectively. The hydrogen bond and pi-pi dispersion were considered to be the major driving force for the spontaneous and endothermic adsorption process for PNP removal. The adsorption kinetics, which was controlled by film-diffusion and intra-particle diffusion, was greatly influenced by solution pH, ionic strength, temperature and initial PNP concentration. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms can be well delineated using pseudo-second-order and Langmuir equations, respectively. The presence of phenol or isomeric nitrophenols in the solution had minimal influence on PNP adsorption by reusable MA/RG composite.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study comprises the synthesis and characterisation of N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of group 10 metals with the main focus on such complexes with the nucleophilic N-atom in a position further than the α-position from the carbene carbon atom. These compounds were synthesised by the initial alkylation of quinoline- and acridine derivatives followed by the oxidative addition of the resulting salts to the complexes M(PPh3)4 (M = Ni, Pd, Pt). To complete the study an investigation of the catalytic activity and stability of such compounds in C,C-coupling catalysis was conducted. The carbene ligands used differed with respect to the position of the N-atom relative to the carbene carbon atom as well as with respect to substituents. The oxidative addition of the quinolinium- and acridiniumchloride salts to Ni(PPh3)4 was initially problematic. The desired product formed only in small amounts and could not be isolated easily. However, by replacing toluene with more polar THF as solvent, the nickel complexes could be synthesised in high yield without any indication of decomposition. Oxidative addition to Pt(PPh3)4 also yielded the desired product, although a number of by-products were formed as well. The molecular structure of trans-chloro(1,3-dimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline-2-ylidene)-bis(triphenylphosphine) platinum(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate could nevertheless be determined by X-ray crystallography. The new one-N, six membered, heterocyclic carbene complexes were all unambiguously characterised by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. The carbene character of the complexes was corroborated by a large downfield chemical shift (δ 203 – 230) of the carbene carbon atoms in their 13C NMR spectra. The analyses furthermore indicated that with the exception of cis-chloro(1-methyl-3-phenyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-4- ylidene)bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) hexafluorophosphate, all the palladium, nickel and platinum complexes exhibit a trans arrangement of the PPh3 ligands. Both the cis- and the trans isomers of the complexes, chloro(1,3-dimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline-2-ylidene)- bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) tetrafluoroborate and chloro-(1,3-dimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline- 2-ylidene)bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) trifluoromethanesulphonate are, however, present in solution. The molecular structure of both isomers were determined by Xray crystallography. Crystallographic studies revealed that the new family of cationic complexes exist in a slightly distorted square planar environment with the carbene ligand orientated almost perpendicular to this plane. The metal-carbene bond lengths are insensitive to variations in the substituents on the carbene ligands and are therefore not a suitable parameter to distinguish between the strengths of these bonds. The N-heterocyclic carbene ligands with the N-atom removed from the carbene carbon atom by three bonds, exhibit a greater trans influence in the palladium complexes than those with the N-atom in the α-position. This is an indication of the better σ-donor ability of the former. A significant difference in the Ni-Cl bond lengths could, however, not be detected. The catalytic activity of the new synthesised palladium and nickel complexes in the Mizoroki- Heck and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions, were investigated. The palladium complexes tested show potential as precatalysts for the Mizoroki-Heck reaction, although relatively high temperatures were needed to effect coupling, while coupling of aryl chlorides did not occur at all. The trans-chloro(1,2-dimethyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-4-ylidene)bis(triphenylphosphine)- palladium(II) trifluoromethanesulphonate complex also displayed high activity in the C,Ccoupling of bromofluorene with arylboronic acids in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction. It even yielded high conversions in instances where sterically hindered aryl halides were used. The trans-chloro(1,2-dimethyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-4-ylidene)bis(triphenylphosphine)- nickel(II) trifluoromethanesulphonate complex catalyses the coupling of sterically hindered arylbromides as well as arylchlorides to arylboronic acids. By further optimising the reaction conditions and increasing the streric bulk of the carbene ligands, even better results in both the Mizoroki-Heck and the Suzuki-Miyaura reactions are expected. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie behels die sintese en karakterisering van N-heterosikliese karbeenkomplekse van groep 10 metale. Daar is veral gefokus op N-heterosikliese karbeenligande waarin die nukleofiele N-atoom verder as die α-posisie vanaf van die karbeenkoolstofatoom verwyder is. Die betrokke komplekse is gesintetiseer deur die alkilering van kinolien- en akridienderivate, gevolg deur die oksidatiewe addisie van die resulterende soute aan die komplekse M(PPh3)4 (M = Ni, Pd, Pt). Om die studie af te rond is die katalitiese aktiwiteit van dié komplekse in C,C-koppelingsreaksies ondersoek. Karbeenligande wat slegs een nukleofiele stikstofatoom besit en verskil ten opsigte van die posisie van dié atoom relatief tot die karbeenkoolstofatoom asook substituente aan die ligand, is gebruik. Die oksidatiewe addisie van die kinoliniumchloried- en akridiniumchloriedsoute aan Ni(PPh3)4 het aanvanklik probleme opgelewer, sodat slegs ’n klein hoeveelheid van die verlangde produk, wat moeilik isoleerbaar was, gevorm het. Deur egter ’n meer polêre oplosmiddel, THF, in plaas van tolueen te gebruik, kon die nikkelkomplekse met goeie opbrengs en sonder enige aanduiding van ontbinding, berei word. Oksidatiewe addisie aan Pt(PPh3)4 het die verlangde produk gelewer, alhoewel ’n aantal neweprodukte ook gevorm het. Ten spyte hiervan is daarin geslaag om die molekulêre struktuur van trans-chloro(1,3- dimetiel-1,2-dihidrokinolien-2-ilideen)bis(trifenielfosfien)platinum(II) trifluorometaansulfonaat kristallografies te bepaal. Die nuwe gesintetiseerde een-N, seslid, heterosikliese karbeenkomplekse is deur KMRspektroskopie, massaspektrometrie en X-straalkristallografie eenduidig gekarakteriseer. Die karbeenkarakter van die komplekse is bevestig deur die ver veldafwaartse chemiese verskuiwing (δ 203 - 230) van die karbeenkoolstofatoom in die 13C-KMR-spektra. Die analises toon ook dat, met die uitsondering van cis-chloro(1-metiel-3-feniel-1,4- dihidrokinolien-4-ilideen)bis(trifenielfosfien)palladium(II) heksafluorofosfaat, al die palladium-, nikkel- en platinumkomplekse ’n trans-rangskikking van die PPh3-ligande besit. Die cis- sowel as die trans-isomere van die palladiumkomplekse chloro(1,3-dimetiel-1,2- dihidrokinolien-2-ilideen)bis(trifenielfosfien)palladium(II) tetrafluoroboraat en chloro(1,3- dimetiel-1,2-dihidrokinolien-2-ilideen)bis(trifenielfosfien)palladium(II) trifluorometaansulfonaat, is in oplossing teenwoordig en die molekulêre struktuur van albei isomere is kristallografies bepaal. Dit is vasgestel dat al die kationiese komplekse in ’n effens verwronge vierkantvlakomgewing, met die karbeenligand byna loodreg op dié vlak, voorkom. Die metaal-karbeenbindingslengtes is onsensitief teenoor ’n variasie in die substituente gebind aan die karbeenligande en dit is nie ’n handige parameter om tussen die sterktes van dié bindings te differensieer nie. Die N-heterosikliese karbeenligande waarvan die N-atoom in ’n posisie drie bindings van die karbeenkoolstofatoom af voorkom, toon ’n effens sterker trans-invloed as die ligande met ’n α-stikstofatoom in die palladiumkomplekse. Dit is ’n aanduiding dat eersgenoemde ligande beter σ-donor eienskappe besit. Die nikkelkomplekse verskil egter nie betekenisvol ten opsigte van hul Ni-Cl bindingslengtes nie. Die katalitiese aktiwiteit en stabiliteit van die nuwe reekse palladium- en nikkelkomplekse is in Mizoroki-Heck en Suzuki-Miyaura-koppelingsreaksies ondersoek. Ofskoon relatief hoë temperature nodig is om koppeling te bewerkstellig en die komplekse nie koppeling van ’n arielchloried met butielakrilaat kataliseer nie, toon die palladiumkomplekse tóg potensiaal as prekatalisatore in die Mizoroki-Heck-reaksie. Die kompleks, trans-chloro(1,2-dimetiel-1,4- dihidrokinolien-4-ilideen)bis(trifenielfosfien)paladium(II) trifluorometaansulfonaat, toon ook uitstekende katalitiese aktiwiteit in die C,C-koppeling van bromofluoreen met arielboorsure in die Suzuki-Miyaura-koppelingsreaksie. Hierdie kompleks kataliseer selfs die koppeling van steries gehinderde arielhaliede met arielboorsure. Die kompleks trans-chloro(1,2-dimetiel- 1,4-dihidrokinolien-4-ilideen)bis(trifenielfosfien)nikkel(II) trifluorometaansulfonaat, bemiddel koppeling van arielbromied-, sowel as steries gehinderde arielchloriedsubstrate aan arielboorsure. Selfs beter resultate in die Mizoroki-Heck- sowel as die Suzuki-Miyaurakoppelingsreaksies word verwag deur verdere optimalisering van die reaksiekondisies en die inbouing van groter steriese hindering in die ligande.

Thesis (MSc (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / This study comprises the preparation and characterisation of completely new Fischer-type carbene complexes of chromium and tungsten by deprotonation of (CO)5M=C(NMe2)(Me), (CO)5M=C(OMe)(Me) or (CO)5M=C(NMe2)C≡CH, and subsequent treatment of the formed anion with a variety of reagents, including reactive metal complexes. The deprotonation of the termodynamically stable complexes, (CO)5M=C(NMe2)(Me) (M = Cr or W) followed by reaction with the sulfonium salt, [Me2(MeS)S][BF4], yielded not only the expected products (CO)5M=C(NMe2)CH2SCH3, but also thioether complexes, (CO)5MS(CH3)2, disulfinated complexes (CO)5M=C(NMe2)CH(SCH3)2, S-bridged dinuclear compounds (CO)5M=C(NMe2)CH2S(CH3)M(CO)5, as well as the unique fourmembered- C,S-chelate carbene complexes (CO)4Cr=C(NMe2)CH(SCH3)SCH3 and (CO)4M=C(NMe2)CH2SCH3. Crystal structure determinations of (CO)5W=C(NMe2)CH(SCH3)2, (CO)5Cr=C(NMe2)CH2S(CH3)Cr(CO)5, (CO)4M=C(NMe2)CH2SCH3 (M = Cr, W) and (CO)4Cr=C(NMe2)CH(SCH3)SCH3 were successfully performed. The latter tetracarbonyl complexes have Cr-S bonding distances of 2.4531(9) and 2.4517(5) Å and a W-S distance of 2.577(1) Å. These relatively weak bonds contribute to the short M-C(O)-distances trans to it. The formed four membered chelate rings are essentially planar. The deprotonation of (CO)5Cr=C(NMe2)(Me) and sequential reaction with sulphur and CF3SO3Me does not yield the expected product, (CO)5Cr=C(NMe2)CH2SCH3, but (CO)5CrS=C(NMe2)CH3 resulting from a sulphur insertion was isolated. A single crystal structure determination of the latter complex shows a normal thione carbene complex. The reaction of methyl(methoxy)carbenepentacarbonylchromium(0) and the tungsten analogue with n-BuLi, followed by reaction with [Me2(MeS)S][BF4], afforded unexpected complexes via an unusual addition dissimilar to the above mentioned reactions of dimethylaminocarbene complexes. The formation of the products, (CO)5M=C(OMe)[CH=C(Me)NH(Me)] and (CO)4M=C(OMe)[C(SMe)=C(Me)NH(Me)] (M = Cr, W) can be ascribed to the influence of the heteroatom, oxygen, as well as the presence of acetonitrile in the sulfonium salt reagent [Me2(MeS)S][BF4]. An unusual alkylation by Me+ is also affected. The X-ray crystallographic structure determination of the complexes show hydrogen bonding between the alkoxy oxygen atoms and the protons on the nitrogen atoms. The latter four membered C,S-chelates show bonding distances and angles similar to these of the previously mentioned four membered chelates. Deprotonation of the alkynyl carbene complexes, (CO)5M=C(NMe2)C≡CH (M = Cr, W), with n-BuLi and subsequent reaction with PPh3AuX (X = Cl, NO3), initially afford the β-transmetalated products (CO)5M=C(NMe2)C≡CAuPPh3. In solution (CH2Cl2) the product isomerises through metal migration to Ph3PAuC(NMe2)=C=C=W(CO)5. The conversion was followed by means of 1H-NMR-spectroscopy and it appears that two first order reactions take place consecutively.