Duas abordagens foram estudadas para a síntese enantiosseletiva do (+)-4a-H-eudesman-5a-ol ou (+)-pendulol (128) (esquema 1) . Numa primeira rota sintética (Rota 1), construiu-se enantiosseletivamente a octalona 92 , por urna reação de anelação de Robinson assimétrica via imina quiral. A redução da octalona 92, produziu o f3-álcool 114, que por desoxigenação do carbono C-3, forneceu a octalina 120. Contando com a possibilidade da metila angular induzir estereosseletividade na epoxidação da ligação dupla endocíc1ica na octalina 120, tentou-se a obtenção do a-epóxido 124. Entretanto, este foi obtido em urna mistura equimolecular com seu diastereoisômero, o f3-epóxido 124a. Numa segunda alternativa sintética (Rota 2), foi estudada a redução da octalona 92 L-selectride® de modo a obter-se o a-álcool 115. A complexação da a-hidroxila do substrato com o agente epoxidante, com posterior desoxigenação do carbono C-3, poderia permitir a preparação estereosseletiva do epóxido 124. O resultado desta etapa de redução não forneceu o produto esperado em rendimento apreciável, o que conduziu à utilização da metodologia de inversão da configuração da hidroxila em 114, desenvolvida por Mitsunobu. O a-álcool 115 foi obtido e epoxidado fornecendo o epoxi-álcool135. As tentativas de desoxigenação do carbono C-3via xantato não forneceram o a-epóxido 124. Desta forma optou-se pela abertura do anel oxirano em 135, sendo obtido o dio1137. Este foi submetido à mesilaçãoda hidroxila em C-3 com posterior redução por LiAIH4, o que forneceu urna mistura de prováveis produtos de eliminação, não permitindo a obtenção do (+)-pendulol (128). esquema 1: rotas sintéticas para a sintese enatiosseletiva do (+)-pendulol. / Two approaches were studied to the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-4a-H-eudesman-Sa-ol or (+)-pendulol (128) (scheme 1). On a first synthetic route (route 1), the octalone 92 was prepared by a Robinson annulation reaction via chiral imine. The reduction of compound 92 and deoxigenation on the C-3 carbon of the correspondent p-alcohol 114, led to the octalin 120. We expect that the angular methyl grou p could exerce sterical hindrance on the p-face of the biciclic sistem and thus directec de epoxidation to the opposite side to afford the epoxide 124 estereosselectively. However, the desired epoxide 124 was obtained in an equimolecular mixture with the diastereoisomer 124a. On a second alternative synthetic route (route 2), was studied reduction of octalone 92 L-selectride® to afford the a-alcohol 115. The expected complexation of the a-hidroxyl group to the epoxidizing agent could permit the stereoselective preparation of epoxide 124. the result of this step doens't led to the expected product in good yield. 80 one alternative was the invertion of the hidroxyl configuration on carbon C-3 in compound 114, via Mitsunobu methodology. The a-alcohol 115 was obtained and epoxidized to afford the epoxi-alcohol 135. All affords to deoxigenate the C-3 carbon via xantate do not permit the preparation of the epoxide 124. 80, the oppenning of the oxirane ring in compound 135 was done first, ledding to the diol 137. This compound was submitted to mesylation folowed by reduction, ledding to a mixture of probable elimination products, but de (+)-pendulol (128) was not detected. scheme 1: synthetic routes to the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-pendulol.

Chiral cyclic alpha azido ketones are very important compounds in organic chemistry. Because, the reduced forms of them are amino alcohols and these amino alcohols are interesting compounds for their biological activities. They have some pharmaceutical activities such as: potassium channel open up properties, treatment of central nervous system, antihypertensive properties, the agent of dopamin receptor activator, hypolipemic agent and dopamine agonist. These types of compounds have highly acidic alpha-protons, and many kinds of reactions can be performed with them. In this study, mainly, selective protonation of racemic compounds was performed with a new practical method and there are not so many examples related to deracemization in the literature. Alpha-azido derivatives of tetralone, indanone, chromanone, and thiochromanone structures are chosen as starting materials because of their importance for biological activities arising from their cyclic structures. Firstly, these &alpha / -azido compounds were synthesized according to literature. The acidic alpha-protons do not require strong bases. Their enantioselective deracemization and deracemization processes were screened by using Cinchona derivatives as organocatalysts. This screening process was monitored by chiral HPLC columns. The parameters such as catalyst loading, solvent, temperature, reaction time and additives were optimized to obtain high enantioselectivities up to 98%. In addition to deracemization reactions, Michael addition reactions were also performed by starting from &alpha / -azido chromanones. In these reactions different type of urea catalyst was used to activate the electrophilic part of trans-&beta / -nitrostyrene compound. Again by controlling the temperature, time and catalyst loading, two diastereomers were formed and the screening process was monitored by chiral HPLC columns again. The Michael products were obtained in up to 94% ee and 75% yield.

Die Möglichkeit der Synthese von Vinylaziden durch basenkatalysierte Umlagerungen von präparativ einfach zugänglichen Allylaziden wird an einer Reihe von akzeptor- und phenylsubstituierten Allylaziden sowie an substituierten 1-Azido-1H-indenen exemplarisch dokumentiert. Neben präparativen Gesichtspunkten werden auch mechanistische Details bezüglich der Isomerisierungsgeschwindigkeit und der Lage des Isomeriegleichgewichtes erörtert. Ein weiterer Aspekt der Arbeit ist die mechanistische Untersuchung der nucleophilen Addition von Stickstoffwasserstoffsäure (HN3) an akzeptorsubstituierte Allene (Michael-Addition). Durch die Übertragung dieser Synthesesequenz auf Hexa-1,2,4,5-tetraene (Diallene) lassen sich 1,4-Diazidobuta-1,3-diene erzeugen. Die thermische oder photochemische Anregung dieser Diazide führt im untersuchten Synthesebeispiel zur Bildung von zwei stabilen diastereomeren Bi-2H-azirin-2-ylen. Die Zuordnung der Konfiguration dieser Heterocyclen gelingt durch eine Einkristall-Röntgenstrukturanalyse. Thermisch oder photochemisch induzierte Valenzisomerisierungen zu Pyridazinen und Pyrimidinen, wie sie in Analogie für Bicycloprop-2-enyle als Valenzisomere des Benzols gefunden werden, spielen bei den untersuchten diastereomeren Bi-2H-azirin-2-ylen nur eine untergeordnete Rolle. Die favorisierten Reaktionen, insbesondere bei der Thermolyse, sind Epimerisierung und Fragmentierung, deren Verlauf durch kinetische Untersuchungen präzisiert wird. Ferner wird gezeigt, daß auch einfache stereoisomere 2H-Azirine einer thermischen Äquilibrierung der Konfiguration unterliegen können.

The first part of the thesis deals with the synthesis and biological evaluation of new platelets aggregation inhibitors, based on 12-HETE, 13-HODE and their analogues. In the second part we are interested in novel methodologies for the preparation of CF₂-containing molecules : First, a flexible strategy for the synthesis of gem-difluoro-bisarylic derivatives and heteroaromatic analogues was designed based on the easy synthesis and the reactivity of gem-difluoro propargylic intermediates, which by Diels-Alder cycloaddition and 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions afforded respectively the bisarylic and mixed arylic heteroarylic scaffolds. In addition, two small libraries were constructed around a bisarylic scaffold as representative examples. Second, we were interested in the synthesis of optically active functionalized molecules containing a gem-difluoro group, using asymmetric organocatalysis protocols. After preparation of the gem-difluoro enals, from their difluoropropargylic precursors, asymmetric organocalytic Diels-Alder cycloaddition and 1,4-conjugated additions were successfully performed.

This work presents the synthesis of three new series of nitrogen-heterocycles containing the substituent trifluoromethyl, exploiting the synthetic versatility and regioselectivity of 4-alkoxy-5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluorpent-3-en-2-ones and 4-amino-5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluoropent-3-en-2-ones in reactions with compounds containing nucleophilic nitrogen. Two series of 1-(3-alkoxy-5-trifluoromethyl-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-yl)-4,5-alkyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazoles were synthesized by the N-functionalization reaction of pyrazoles with 4-alkoxy-5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluorpent-3-en-2-ones, by Michael s nucleophilic addition. In the first step, there is a nucleophilic addition of the pyrazol molecule to the beta position of enones (Cβ), followed by an intramolecular cyclization reaction, where the furan ring is formed by replacement of the bromine atom by the carbonyl oxygen of enone, resulting in thirteen novel compounds with yields between 55-86%. The other compounds series, (E)-4-(amino)-1,1,1-trifluoro-5-(5-methyl-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pent-3-en-2-ones, was synthesized by N-alkylation reaction, through a bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN2) mechanism, with replament of the bromine atom, at five position (Cγ) of 4-amino-5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluoropent-3-en-2-ones, by the nucleophilic nitrogen of the pyrazoline ring. Seven N-alkylated products were obtained, with yields among 65-85%. In addition, the regioselectivity study of N-functionalized pyrazoles reactions is described, including the evaluation of reaction conditions and how substituents present in the pyrazole structure can influence the product formation, because many different steric and electronic factors. The obtained compounds were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance 1H and 13C, mass spectrometry, elementary analysis and X-ray diffractometry. / A presente dissertação relata a síntese de três séries inéditas de heterociclos nitrogenados trifluormetil substituídos, que exploram a versatilidade sintética e a regiosseletividade das 4-alcóxi-5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluorpent-3-en-2-onas e das 4-amino-5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluorpent-3-en-2-onas, em reações com nucleófilos nitrogenados. As primeiras duas séries dos compostos 1-(3-alcóxi-5-trifluorometil-2,3-diidrofuran-3-il)-4,5-alquil-3-(trifluorometil)-1H-pirazóis, foram sintetizadas através do processo de N-funcionalização de pirazóis, a partir da reação com as 4-alcóxi-5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluorpent-3-en-2-onas, cujo o caminho mecanístico se deu através de uma reação de adição nucleofílica de Michael. Inicialmente, ocorre a adição do pirazol nucleofílico na posição beta (Cβ) das enonas bromadas, seguida de uma reação de ciclocondensação intramolecular formando o anel furano, com a substituição átomo de bromo pelo oxigênio enólico, resultando na formação de treze compostos inéditos, com rendimentos entre 55 e 86%. Outra série de compostos (E)-4-(amino)1,1,1-triflúor-5-(5-metil-3-(trifluormetil)-1H-pirazóis-1-il)pent-3-en-2-onas, foi sintetizada através da reação de N-alquilacão, via substituição nucleofílica bimolecular (SN2), onde o átomo de bromo na posição cinco (Cγ), das 4-amino-5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluorpent-3-en-2-onas, foi substituído pelo nitrogênio nucleofílico do anel pirazolínico, promovendo a formação de sete produtos N-alquilados, com rendimentos que variam entre 65 e 85%. Além disso, um estudo de regiosseletividade das reações N-funcionalizadas de pirazóis está descrito, onde a avaliação das condições reacionais e também de fatores estéricos e eletrônicos dos substituintes presentes nos substratos, foram determinantes para formação do produto formado. Os produtos obtidos neste trabalho foram caracterizados por ressonância magnética nuclear de 1H e 13C, espectrometria de massas de baixa e alta resolução, análise elementar e difratometria de Raio X.

The thesis entitled “Organocatalytic Cascade Cyclizations for the Enantioselective Synthesis of Spirooxindoles” is divided into three chapters. Chapter 1: Catalytic Enantioselective Michael Addition/Cyclization Cascade of 3-Isothiocyanato Oxindoles with Nitroolefins A myriad of spirocyclic frameworks present in natural product, and pharmaceutically important compounds, has attracted the synthetic organic chemists to explore their preparation in enantioselective manner. Consequently various strategies have been devised for efficiently accessing highly functionalized spirooxindoles. Among these strategies, the use of 3-isothiocyanato oxindoles as the building block appeared as the most popular one. The combination of 3-isothiocyanato oxindoles and a variety of electrophiles have already been reported. However one of the most popular electrophiles, nitroolefins, has never been used in the reaction with 3-isothiocyanato oxindoles. In this chapter, a highly efficient catalytic asymmetric Michael addition/cyclization cascade reaction between 3-isothiocyanato oxindoles and β-substituted nitroolefins with the help of a cinchonidine-derived bifunctional thiourea catalyst has been discussed. Highly functionalized spirooxindoles containing three successive stereocenters were obtained in high yield with moderate to good diastereo- and enantioselectivity. Reference: Kayal, S.; Mukherjee, S. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2014, 6696-6700. Chapter 2: Catalytic Aldol-Cyclization Cascade of 3-Isothiocyanato Oxindoles with α-Ketophosphonates for the Enantioselective Synthesis of β-Amino-α-Hydroxyphosphonates The oxindole scaffold containing a quaternary stereocenter at the C3 position is a privileged structural motif present in many biologically active molecules and natural products. In this respect, spirooxindoles have received special attention during the past few years. Similarly, β-Amino and/or hydroxy functionalized phosphonic acids and their derivatives are found to display inhibitory activities towards a range of enzymes such as renin, HIV protease, thrombin, and various classes of protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases. Considering the importance of both oxindole and β-amino-α-hydroxyphosphonic acid, we reasoned that highly functionalized phosphonic acid derivatives based on a spirooxindole framework could be of potential biological significance, if synthesized in enantiopure form This chapter deals with a cascade aldol-cyclization reaction between 3-isothiocyanato oxindoles and α-ketophosphonates for the enantioselective synthesis of spirooxindole-based β-amino-α-hydroxyphosphonate derivatives. Catalyzed by cinchona alkaloid-based bifunctional thiourea derivatives, this protocol delivers 2-thioxooxazolidinyl phosphonates bearing two adjacent quaternary stereogenic centers, generally in high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. Both the product enantiomers are accessible with nearly equally high level of enantioselectivity. Reference: Kayal, S.; Mukherjee, S. Org. Lett. 2015, 17, 5508-5511. Chapter 3: Catalytic Michael Addition/Cyclization Cascade of 3-Isothiocyanato Oxindoles with Cyclic α,β-Unsaturated Ketones: A Concise Enantioselective Synthesis of Bispiro[indoline-3,2'-pyrrolidine] Among different spirocyclic cores, the spirooxindole framework containing pyrrolidinyl ring represents a very important class owing to their biological activities such as antimicrobial, anticancer, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antimycobacterial and antitubercular properties. Similarly, the bispirooxindole scaffold recently has drawn considerable interests because of its exclusive structural and stereochemical diversity. Only a few examples have been reported till date for enantioselective construction of the pharmaceutically important bispirooxindole architectures. Considering the importance of bispirooxindoles and pyrrolidinyl spirooxindole scaffolds, we were interested in merging them in a single molecular framework. In this chapter, a Michael addition/cyclization cascade reaction between 3-isothiocyanato oxindoles and exocyclic enones for the enantioselective synthesis of 3,2′-pyrrolidinyl bispirooxindole derivatives has been illustrated. With the help of a quinine-derived bifunctional squaramide as the catalyst, this protocol delivers bispirooxindoles bearing three contiguous stereogenic centers, in high yields and generally with outstanding diastereo- and enantioselectivity. Reference: Kayal, S.; Mukherjee, S. manuscript under preparation.

Duas abordagens foram estudadas para a síntese enantiosseletiva do (+)-4a-H-eudesman-5a-ol ou (+)-pendulol (128) (esquema 1) . Numa primeira rota sintética (Rota 1), construiu-se enantiosseletivamente a octalona 92 , por urna reação de anelação de Robinson assimétrica via imina quiral. A redução da octalona 92, produziu o f3-álcool 114, que por desoxigenação do carbono C-3, forneceu a octalina 120. Contando com a possibilidade da metila angular induzir estereosseletividade na epoxidação da ligação dupla endocíc1ica na octalina 120, tentou-se a obtenção do a-epóxido 124. Entretanto, este foi obtido em urna mistura equimolecular com seu diastereoisômero, o f3-epóxido 124a. Numa segunda alternativa sintética (Rota 2), foi estudada a redução da octalona 92 L-selectride® de modo a obter-se o a-álcool 115. A complexação da a-hidroxila do substrato com o agente epoxidante, com posterior desoxigenação do carbono C-3, poderia permitir a preparação estereosseletiva do epóxido 124. O resultado desta etapa de redução não forneceu o produto esperado em rendimento apreciável, o que conduziu à utilização da metodologia de inversão da configuração da hidroxila em 114, desenvolvida por Mitsunobu. O a-álcool 115 foi obtido e epoxidado fornecendo o epoxi-álcool135. As tentativas de desoxigenação do carbono C-3via xantato não forneceram o a-epóxido 124. Desta forma optou-se pela abertura do anel oxirano em 135, sendo obtido o dio1137. Este foi submetido à mesilaçãoda hidroxila em C-3 com posterior redução por LiAIH4, o que forneceu urna mistura de prováveis produtos de eliminação, não permitindo a obtenção do (+)-pendulol (128). esquema 1: rotas sintéticas para a sintese enatiosseletiva do (+)-pendulol. / Two approaches were studied to the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-4a-H-eudesman-Sa-ol or (+)-pendulol (128) (scheme 1). On a first synthetic route (route 1), the octalone 92 was prepared by a Robinson annulation reaction via chiral imine. The reduction of compound 92 and deoxigenation on the C-3 carbon of the correspondent p-alcohol 114, led to the octalin 120. We expect that the angular methyl grou p could exerce sterical hindrance on the p-face of the biciclic sistem and thus directec de epoxidation to the opposite side to afford the epoxide 124 estereosselectively. However, the desired epoxide 124 was obtained in an equimolecular mixture with the diastereoisomer 124a. On a second alternative synthetic route (route 2), was studied reduction of octalone 92 L-selectride® to afford the a-alcohol 115. The expected complexation of the a-hidroxyl group to the epoxidizing agent could permit the stereoselective preparation of epoxide 124. the result of this step doens't led to the expected product in good yield. 80 one alternative was the invertion of the hidroxyl configuration on carbon C-3 in compound 114, via Mitsunobu methodology. The a-alcohol 115 was obtained and epoxidized to afford the epoxi-alcohol 135. All affords to deoxigenate the C-3 carbon via xantate do not permit the preparation of the epoxide 124. 80, the oppenning of the oxirane ring in compound 135 was done first, ledding to the diol 137. This compound was submitted to mesylation folowed by reduction, ledding to a mixture of probable elimination products, but de (+)-pendulol (128) was not detected. scheme 1: synthetic routes to the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-pendulol.

Duas abordagens foram estudadas para a síntese enantiosseletiva do (+)-4a-H-eudesman-5a-ol ou (+)-pendulol (128) (esquema 1) . Numa primeira rota sintética (Rota 1), construiu-se enantiosseletivamente a octalona 92 , por urna reação de anelação de Robinson assimétrica via imina quiral. A redução da octalona 92, produziu o f3-álcool 114, que por desoxigenação do carbono C-3, forneceu a octalina 120. Contando com a possibilidade da metila angular induzir estereosseletividade na epoxidação da ligação dupla endocíc1ica na octalina 120, tentou-se a obtenção do a-epóxido 124. Entretanto, este foi obtido em urna mistura equimolecular com seu diastereoisômero, o f3-epóxido 124a. Numa segunda alternativa sintética (Rota 2), foi estudada a redução da octalona 92 L-selectride® de modo a obter-se o a-álcool 115. A complexação da a-hidroxila do substrato com o agente epoxidante, com posterior desoxigenação do carbono C-3, poderia permitir a preparação estereosseletiva do epóxido 124. O resultado desta etapa de redução não forneceu o produto esperado em rendimento apreciável, o que conduziu à utilização da metodologia de inversão da configuração da hidroxila em 114, desenvolvida por Mitsunobu. O a-álcool 115 foi obtido e epoxidado fornecendo o epoxi-álcool135. As tentativas de desoxigenação do carbono C-3via xantato não forneceram o a-epóxido 124. Desta forma optou-se pela abertura do anel oxirano em 135, sendo obtido o dio1137. Este foi submetido à mesilaçãoda hidroxila em C-3 com posterior redução por LiAIH4, o que forneceu urna mistura de prováveis produtos de eliminação, não permitindo a obtenção do (+)-pendulol (128). esquema 1: rotas sintéticas para a sintese enatiosseletiva do (+)-pendulol. / Two approaches were studied to the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-4a-H-eudesman-Sa-ol or (+)-pendulol (128) (scheme 1). On a first synthetic route (route 1), the octalone 92 was prepared by a Robinson annulation reaction via chiral imine. The reduction of compound 92 and deoxigenation on the C-3 carbon of the correspondent p-alcohol 114, led to the octalin 120. We expect that the angular methyl grou p could exerce sterical hindrance on the p-face of the biciclic sistem and thus directec de epoxidation to the opposite side to afford the epoxide 124 estereosselectively. However, the desired epoxide 124 was obtained in an equimolecular mixture with the diastereoisomer 124a. On a second alternative synthetic route (route 2), was studied reduction of octalone 92 L-selectride® to afford the a-alcohol 115. The expected complexation of the a-hidroxyl group to the epoxidizing agent could permit the stereoselective preparation of epoxide 124. the result of this step doens't led to the expected product in good yield. 80 one alternative was the invertion of the hidroxyl configuration on carbon C-3 in compound 114, via Mitsunobu methodology. The a-alcohol 115 was obtained and epoxidized to afford the epoxi-alcohol 135. All affords to deoxigenate the C-3 carbon via xantate do not permit the preparation of the epoxide 124. 80, the oppenning of the oxirane ring in compound 135 was done first, ledding to the diol 137. This compound was submitted to mesylation folowed by reduction, ledding to a mixture of probable elimination products, but de (+)-pendulol (128) was not detected. scheme 1: synthetic routes to the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-pendulol.

O trabalho de tese é dividido em dois capítulos e visou explorar a química das diazocetonas α,β-insaturadas bem como dos ilídeos β-cetosulfoxônios. No primeiro capítulo é apresentado o emprego das diazocetonas α,β-insaturadas como novos aceptores em reações de aza-Michael. A adição conjugada de aminas primárias e secundárias foi explorada, assim como o uso de aminas quirais para avaliar a versão assimétrica da reação. Além da formação desses adutos, também foram investigadas estratégias para a construção de heterocíclicos nitrogenados a partir destes ou via protocolos \"one-pot\" (partindo das diazocetonas α,β-insaturadas) levando à formação de 2- e 3-pirrolidinonas. Por fim, foi avaliada a aplicação da metodologia desenvolvida na síntese do produto natural Barmumicina. O segundo capítulo se dispôs a investigar o emprego dos ilídeos β-cetosulfoxônios como substitutos de compostos diazocarbonílicos em reações de inserção. Num primeiro momento, avaliaram-se reações de inserção S-H intermolecular, visando a construção do fragmento β-cetotioéter. Alguns estudos competitivos e mecanísticos, bem como estratégias assimétricas também compõem o escopo. Num segundo momento, os ilídeos foram empregados em reações de inserção N-H intramolecular, no qual, a partir de sulfoxônios derivados de aminoácidos, vislumbrou-se a formação de 3-azetidinonas. / This thesis is divided into two chapters which are related to the chemistry of α,β-unsaturated diazoketones and β-ketosulfoxonium ylides. The first chapter presents the utility of α,β-unsaturated diazoketones as new aza-Michael acceptors. Conjugate addition of primary and secondary amines was explored, as well as the use of chiral amines to evaluate the asymmetric version of the reaction. In addition to the formation of these adducts, it was also investigated some strategies for the synthesis of 2- and 3-pyrrolidinones via the \"one-pot\" protocols (starting directly from the α,β-unsaturated diazoketones). Finally, the synthesis of the natural product Barmumicyn was evaluated from this methodology. The second chapter aimed to investigate the use of β-ketosulfoxonium ylides as diazocarbonyl compounds substitutes in insertion reactions. At first, the intermolecular S-H insertion reaction was studied aiming the construction of the β-ketothioether fragment. Some competitive and mechanistic studies, as well as asymmetric versions are also part of the scope. Secondly, some ylides were also employed in intramolecular N-H insertion reactions (from sulfoxonium amino acid derivatives) aiming the formation of 3-azetidinones.

A natural phenomenon characterized by dense aggregations of unicellular photosynthetic marine organisms has been termed colloquially as red tides because of the vivid discoloration of the water. The dinoflagellate Karenia brevis is the cause of the Florida red tide bloom. K. brevis produces the brevetoxins, a potent suite of neurotoxins responsible for substantial amounts of marine mammal and fish mortalities. When consumed by humans, the toxin causes Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP). The native function of brevetoxin within the organism has remained mysterious since its discovery. There is a need to identify factors which contribute to and regulate toxin production within K. brevis. These toxins are produced and retained within the cell implicating a significant cellular role for their presence. Localization of brevetoxin and identification of a native receptor may provide insight into its native role as well as other polyether ladder type toxins such as the ciguatoxins, maitotoxins, and yessotoxins. In higher organisms these polyether ladder molecules bind to transmembrane proteins with high affinity. We anticipated the native brevetoxin receptor would also be a transmembrane protein. Photoaffinity labeling has become increasingly popular for identifying ligand receptors. By attaching ligands to these photophors, one is able to activate the molecule after the ligand binds to its receptor to obtain a permanent linkage between the two. Subsequent purification provides the protein with the ligand directly attached. A molecule that is capable of fluorescence is a fluorophore, which upon excitation is capable of re-emitting light. Fluorescent labeling uses fluorophores by attaching them covalently to biologically active compounds. The synthesis of a brevetoxin photoaffinity probe and its application in identifying a native brevetoxin receptor will be described. The preparation of a fluorescent derivative of brevetoxin will be described and its use in localizing the toxin to an organelle within K. brevis. In addition, the general utility of a synthesized photoaffinity label with other toxins having similar functionality will be described. An alternative synthetic approach to a general photoaffinity label will also be discussed whose goal was to accelerate the preparation and improve the overall synthetic yields of a multifunctional label.