This thesis describes the development of nitro-Mannich/hydroamination cascade reactions for the synthesis of N-heterocycles, which are important motifs found in a variety of biologically active natural products and pharmaceuticals, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor®). Chapter 2 outlines the development of an efficient synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted pyrroles using a nitro-Mannich/hydroamination cascade. Starting from easily prepared N-protected imines and nitroalkyne substrates, a compatible combination of KOtBu (10 mol%) and AuCl3 (5 mol%) was used to afford the desired pyrrole products, after an alkene isomerisation/HNO2 elimination reaction sequence. Chapter 3 describes the extension of this methodology to the diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine derivatives using a nitroalkyne substrate with an extended carbon chain. The sequential addition of a bifunctional Brønsted base/H-bond donor organocatalyst and a gold complex was found to facilitate the desired cascade reaction affording substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine products. We then established that highly substituted pyrrolidine compounds could be prepared by replacing the nitroalkyne substrate with a nitroallene substrate (Chapter 4). The combination of KOtBu (5 mol%) and a gold catalyst derived from Au(PPh3)Cl (10 mol%) and AgSbF6 (20 mol%) was found to give an efficient diastereoselective synthesis of pyrrolidine derivatives after an additional nitro group epimerisation step. In addition, the nitro-Mannich/hydroamination cascade using nitroallene substrates was developed into an enantioselective variant using the previously employed bifunctional Brønsted base/H-bond donor organocatalyst. This afforded enantioenriched pyrrolidine derivatives.

Iminosugars, carbohydrate analogues in which nitrogen replaces the endocyclic oxygen, have attracted much interest due to their biological activity. Iminosugars inhibit carbohydrate-processing enzymes, thereby affecting many biological processes. Several iminosugars are licensed drugs, with many more compounds undergoing clinical trials. The main subject of this thesis is the synthesis and evaluation of novel iminosugars, particularly the effects of structural modifications on the biological activity of these compounds. Chapter 1 describes the role of carbohydrate-processing enzymes in the body, and explores the therapeutic applications of iminosugars that arise from their activity against these enzymes. Examples of substituted iminosugars are reviewed, and the effects of substituents on enzyme inhibition are described. Chapter 2 concerns methyl-branched swainsonine derivatives. Swainsonine has shown potential as a cancer treatment through its inhibition of α-mannosidase. The synthesis of (6R)- and (6S)-C-methyl D-swainsonine is described; both compounds were potent and selective α-mannosidase inhibitors (IC₅₀ 3.8 μM, 14 μM). Although less active than the parent compound, their selectivity for Golgi mannosidase over lysosomal mannosidase may be more important than the absolute value against the model enzyme. Chapter 3 describes the synthesis of a 2-C-methyl L-fucose derivative. A diastereoselective Kiliani reaction allowed the formation of a single lactone bearing a new quaternary centre. The utility of this intermediate in accessing di-branched iminosugars was explored; however, attempts to introduce nitrogen to the lactone lacked the necessary stereoselectivity. Chapter 4 relates to the synthesis of pyrrolidine iminosugars, specifically methyl amides. Two enantiomeric dihydroxyproline amides were synthesised; the D-proline derivative was a potent β-N-acetylhexosaminidase inhibitor (IC₅₀ values of up to 3.6 μM), but the L-enantiomer was completely inactive. Inhibition of N-acetylhexosaminidases is relevant to the treatment of cancer and lysosomal storage diseases, and this work contributed to a wider project investigating the effects of altered stereochemistry on the biological activity of pyrrolidine amides.

The 2-aryl-6,8-dibromoquinazolin-4(3H)-ones were prepared in a single-pot operation by condensing 6,8-dibromoanthranilamide and aryl aldehydes in the presence of molecular iodine in ethanol. Treatment of the 2-aryl-6,8-dibromoquinazolin-4(3H)-ones with thionylchloride in the presence of dimethylformamide afforded the corresponding 2-aryl-4-chloro-6,8-dibromoquinazolines. Palladium(0)-copper iodide catalysed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of 2-aryl-4-chloro-6,8-dibromoquinazolines with terminal alkynes at room temperature afforded series of 2-aryl-6,8-dibromo-4-(alkynyl)quinazolines. Further transformation of the 2-aryl-6,8-dibromo-4-(phenylethynyl)quinazolines via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling with arylboronic acids occurred without selectivity to afford the corresponding 2,6,8-triaryl-4-(phenylethynyl)quinazolines. The compounds were characterized using a combination of NMR (1H and 13C) and IR spectroscopic techniques as well as mass spectrometry. The absorption and emission properties of 2,6,8-triaryl-4-(phenylethynyl)quinazolines were determined in solution. / Chemistry / M.Sc. (Chemistry)

The 2-aryl-6,8-dibromoquinazolin-4(3H)-ones were prepared in a single-pot operation by condensing 6,8-dibromoanthranilamide and aryl aldehydes in the presence of molecular iodine in ethanol. Treatment of the 2-aryl-6,8-dibromoquinazolin-4(3H)-ones with thionylchloride in the presence of dimethylformamide afforded the corresponding 2-aryl-4-chloro-6,8-dibromoquinazolines. Palladium(0)-copper iodide catalysed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of 2-aryl-4-chloro-6,8-dibromoquinazolines with terminal alkynes at room temperature afforded series of 2-aryl-6,8-dibromo-4-(alkynyl)quinazolines. Further transformation of the 2-aryl-6,8-dibromo-4-(phenylethynyl)quinazolines via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling with arylboronic acids occurred without selectivity to afford the corresponding 2,6,8-triaryl-4-(phenylethynyl)quinazolines. The compounds were characterized using a combination of NMR (1H and 13C) and IR spectroscopic techniques as well as mass spectrometry. The absorption and emission properties of 2,6,8-triaryl-4-(phenylethynyl)quinazolines were determined in solution. / Chemistry / M.Sc. (Chemistry)