Thesis (Ph.D.)--California Institute of Technology, 1999. / "UMI number: 9941121"--T.p. verso. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on microfilm. On-line version available via Caltech Library System.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, School of Chemistry, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of unknown cause that afflicts about 1.5 million Americans. The characteristic feature of PD is a deficiency of dopamine in the terminals of nigrostriatal neurons. Two enzyme systems, the neuronal form of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), have been linked to neurodegenerative pathways leading to PD. Several MAO-B and nNOS inhibitors have been evaluated for their neuroprotective properties in the mouse model of neurodegeneration which employs the parkinsonian inducing neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). One such compound is 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), a compound which is reported to inhibit both enzymes. This thesis focuses on the synthesis and biological evaluation of a potential prodrug form of 7-NI and related indazolyl containing compounds which are designed to release the active drugs following a metabolic bioactivation process. These studies have led to a detailed description of the nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions between 4-chloro-1-methylpyridinium iodide and the indazolyl reactants that were employed as the initial step in the synthesis of the target compounds. The MAO-B substrate and inhibition properties of these "prodrugs" as well as the parent indazolyl compounds were examined. The results are discussed in relation to a previously developed active site model of MAO-B. / Master of Science

Abstract not available

[Truncated abstract] This study was carried out to investigate the teaching and learning processes occurring in the topic of reaction mechanisms in three tertiary level organic chemistry courses and focussed on investigating perceptions about the importance of teaching and learning about reaction mechanisms and about the difficult aspects of the topic .... In the organic chemistry courses under investigation, students achieved many of the explicitly stated aims that their lecturers identified. The students rarely achieved implicit outcomes anticipated by the lecturer. Lecturers demonstrate a tendency to use particular structural representations when discussing certain types of reaction process. The study identified that students commonly use these same types when working through particular reaction processes. In addition, it was found that the use of a particular structure could cue students into thinking about only one type of reaction process taking place in a given reaction. The use of language that is consistent with a consideration of only single reaction particles was also commonly observed in lectures. While this can be adequate in some circumstances, other aspects of reaction processes are better considered in terms of multiple reaction particles ... The project proposes an integrated model, which takes into account the many levels (macroscopic, single particle molecular, multiple particle molecular and intramolecular) involved when describing reaction processes. It is felt that a consideration of the levels discussed in this model is useful when teaching and learning about reaction mechanisms.

Thesis (M.S.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of Chemistry, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Orientadores: Claudia Herrera Tambeli, Luana Fisher / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T23:53:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Brito_TaniaCristinaChicreAlcantarade_D.pdf: 972625 bytes, checksum: fad5a501fbd6f8e4ad43ce3d1b700242 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Na tentativa de diminuir os efeitos colaterais de ação central associados ao uso dos analgésicos opióides, algumas estratégias têm sido desenvolvidas para que eles atuem especialmente nos receptores opióides periféricos. Nesse contexto, os receptores capa opióides são de grande interesse, uma vez que, em contraste com outros receptores opióides, sua ativação não está associada com efeitos colaterais periféricos significativos. Estudo recente, realizado em nosso laboratório demonstrou que a ativação de receptores capa opióides localizados na região da articulação temporomandibular de ratos reduz significativamente a nocicepção induzida pela administração do agente inflamatório formalina nessa mesma articulação. No entanto, ainda não havia sido investigado até então, se a ativação de receptores capa opióides localizados na região da articulação temporomandibular de ratos também diminuía a inflamação induzida pela formalina nessa mesma articulação. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar se a ativação de receptores capa opióides localizados na região da articulação temporomandibular de ratos diminui o extravasamento plasmático e a migração de neutrófilos induzidos pela administração de formalina na articulação temporomandibular de ratos. A intensidade do extravasamento plasmático foi determinada pela concentração do corante Azul de Evans extravasado no tecido articular e a intensidade de migração de neutrófilos pela avaliação da atividade da enzima mieloperoxidase. Para avaliar as diferenças significativas entre os grupos de extravasamento plasmático e migração de neutrófilos foi usado o teste one-way ANOVA seguido do teste de Tukey e o nível de significância estatística foi p <0,05.Os dados estão expressos em valores como média ± S.E.M. A co- administração de formalina a 1,5% e U50,488 (agonista seletivo de receptor capa opióide) (50?g) reduziu significativamente o extravasamento plasmático (Média± EPM: 23,42 ?g/g ± 4,88) de forma dose dependente e reversível quando comparado com os demais grupos de 1,5?g (46,60 ?g/g; ± 5,40) e 30?g (37,60 ?g/g ±3,64). Quando o U50,488 foi administrado na articulação temporomandibular contralateral a que recebeu formalina 1,5%, ele não afetou o extravasamento plasmático. A co- administração de formalina a 1,5% e U50,488 (1,5?g) reduziu significativamente a migração de neutrófilo (1,10 ?g/mg ± 0,20) de forma dose dependente quando comparado com os demais grupos de 0,3?g (3,23?g/mg ± 0,56) e 0,75?g (2,4323 ?g/mg ± 0,42). Quando o U50,488 foi administrado na articulação temporomandibular contralateral a que recebeu formalina 1,5%, ele não afetou a migração de neutrófilos induzidos pela formalina. Este efeito antiinflamatório foi revertido pela administração prévia, na articulação temporomandibular ipsilateral, mas não contralateral, do antagonista seletivo do receptor capa opióide nor-BNI (cloridrato de nor-Binaltorfimina, 200?g). Este estudo demonstrou que a ativação local de receptores capa opióides na região da articulação temporomandibular reduz significativamente dois parâmetros importantes da inflamação, que são o extravasamento plasmático e a migração de neutrófilos, de uma forma dose-dependente e antagonista reversível. Esse efeito antiinflamatório, em conjunto com o potente efeito antinociceptivo previamente observado desse agonista capa opióide, sugere que drogas que atuem sobre os receptores capa opióides periféricos são promissoras para o tratamento da dor e da inflamação nas articulações temporomandibulares e, provavelmente, para o tratamento de outras condições de dor articular que possua componente inflamatório / Abstract: In an attempt to decrease central side effects associated with the use of opioids, some strategies have been developed by targeting peripheral opioid receptors. In this context, kappa opioid receptors are of major interest, since, in contrast to other opioid receptors, their activation is not associated with potent peripheral side effects. We have recently demonstrated that local activation of kappa opioid receptors significantly decreases formalin-induced temporomandibular joint nociception, however, whether it also decreases temporomandibular joint inflammation is not known. To address this issue, we evaluated if the selective kappa opioid receptor agonist, U50,488 (trans-(1S,2S)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl] enzeneacetamide hydrochloride hydrate), administered into the temporomandibular joint decreases formalin-induced plasma extravasation and neutrophil migration. The intensity of plasma extravasation was determined by measuring the concentration of Evan's blue dye extravasated in the articular tissue and the intensity of leukocyte migration was determined by measuring Myeloperoxidase activity also in the articular tissue. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test (p?0.05) and the results are expressed as mean ± EPM. The co-administration of 1.5% formalin with the selective kappa opiod receptor agonist U50,488 at 50 ?g significantly reduced the plasma extravasation (Mean±EPM: 23.42 ?g/g ± 4.88) compared to the other groups receiving 1.5% formalin plus U50,488 at 1.5?g (46.60 ?g/g ± 5,40) and at 30?g (37.60 ?g/g ± 3.64). When applied on the contralateral temporomandibular joint, U50,488 had no effect on formalin-induced plasma extravasation. The co-administration of 1.5% formalin with U50,488 at 1.5?g significantly reduced formalin-induced neutrophil migration (1.10 ?g/mg ±0.20) compared to the other groups receiving 1.5% formalin plus U50,488 at 0.3?g (3.23?g/mg ± 0.56) and at 0.75?g (2.43 ?g/mg ± 0.42). When applied on the contralateral temporomandibular joint, U50,488 had no effect on formalin-induced neutrophil migration. The anti-inflammatory effect of U50,488 was blocked by the ipsilateral, but not contralateral administration of the selective kapa opioid receptor antagonist nor-BNI (Nor-Binaltorphimine dihydrochloride). This study demonstrates that local activation of kappa opioid receptors decreases two important parameters of temporomandibular joint inflammation, that is, plasma extravasation and neutrophil migration, in a dose-dependent and antagonist-reversible manner. This anti-inflammatory effect taken together with the previously demonstrated potent antinociceptive effect of U50,488, suggest that drugs targeting peripheral kappa opioid receptors are promising for the treatment of inflammatory temporomandibular joint pain and probably, other articular pain conditions with an inflammatory basis / Doutorado / Fisiologia Oral / Doutor em Odontologia

Ph.D. / The research contained in this thesis was aimed at the applications of Lewis acids (metal triflate salts in particular) and Brønsted acids as catalysts for various organic synthesis reactions. The ultimate objective was to prepare combinations of the Lewis and Brønsted acids to form assisted acids. The assisted acids yield to the formation of highly acidic assisted acids which exhibit high activity as compared to the individual Lewis and Brønsted acids. A detailed literature study was undertaken, with emphasis on the applications of metal triflate salts as catalysts for various organic reactions and the applications of assisted acids. The study was motivated by the fact that metal triflate Lewis acids are thermally stable, non corrosive and water tolerant catalysts, hence can be used industrially to replace the corrosive, moisture sensitive acids as catalysts. However, metal triflates have not yet been recognised and utilised in the chemical industry. On the other hand, the active Brønsted acids such as triflic acid, H2SO4 etc. are corrosive, which restricts the type of construction material to hastelloy. However, the assisted acids composed of less corrosive Brønsted acids and metal triflate Lewis acid is desirable to address the corrosion and safety challenges. The metal triflate salts and Brønsted acids were evaluated as catalysts for etherification reactions of alcohols and olefins, Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions phenolic substrates with isobutylene. The study showed that some dependence of the charge density to the activity, i.e. metal triflate salts such as Al(OTf)3, Zr(OTf)4 and Sc(OTf)3 with relatively high charge density were more effective in catalysing the reactions than those with relatively smaller charge density such as lanthanides, which were virtually active. The activity of Brønsted acids showed a clear dependence on the acid strength pKa, with H3PO4 giving the least activity. The assisted acids formed via a combination of metal triflate salts with mineral Brønsted acids showed a significant enhancement of the reaction rates as compared to the individual acids. This set of new combined acids was proven to be excellent catalysts for the etherification reactions, Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions and also for the synthesis of biologically active compounds called chromans. The assisted acids as well as Al(OTf)3, and Zr(OTf)4 could be recycled at least four times without significant loss of activity. The study also showed that assisted acids could be recycled for both etherification and Friedel-Crafts reactions.

We report here the development of very efficient sulfonate based leaving groups, termed Nucleophile Assisting Leaving Groups (NALGs), to accelerate the rate of nucleophilic substitution reactions involving poor nucleophiles and/or substrates traditionally considered too hindered to undergo nucleophilic attack. Indeed NALGs have shown exceptional ability in improving rate of nucleophilic substitution reactions. New very mild stereoretentive halogenations and azidation reactions have also been developed for secondary cyclic alcohols using NALGs involving titanium(IV) reagents. This reaction is particularly significant since the carbon-halogen bond is found widely in natural products and is used extensively as a synthesis intermediate. Azide is also a synthetically important functional group from which a variety of biologically important functional groups are conveniently obtained. Though stereoretentive chlorination and bromination reactions are known, we have developed, for the first time, a stereoretentive azidation reaction using titanium(IV) azide, a reagent not previously used in organic synthesis. During our development of stereoretentive reactions, we eventually developed very efficient, mild, two-step one-pot stereoretentive halogenations (chlorination and bromination) using titanium(IV) halides as catalysts or stoichiometric reagents. These reactions were found to be particularly efficient for cyclic alcohols. An efficient one pot stereoretentive amidation reaction for secondary cyclic alcohols is also reported. The important features of this reaction are that, for the first time, chlorosulfite (prepared in situ from alcohol using thionylchloride) has been used as a leaving group and titanium(IV) fluoride as an activator. / Utilization of those two reagents is unique as thionylchloride has never been used for nucleophilic substitution reactions except in chlorination procedures. In addition, this work has found new and creative applications for titanium (IV) fluoride, a reactant rarely used in organic synthesis. Further exploiting the unique reactivity of titanium(IV), reactions of alkenes with various nucleophiles have been developed with this reagent in both catalytic and stoichiometric quantities. It was observed that a-substituted aromatic conjugated alkenes dimerize to generate important indan class of compounds which are very important in the polymer industry. In addition, non conjugated unactivated alkenes react with various nucleophiles to yield the adduct. / by Deboprosad Mondal. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

We report here the development of very efficient aryl- and quinolinyl- sulfonate based leaving groups, termed Nucleophile Assisting Leaving Groups (NALGs), which substantially accelerate the rate of nucleophilic substitution reactions with metal halides. Detailed synthesis and kinetics study are described herein. Our synthesized NALGs have shown great reactivity towards poor nucleophiles and/or substrates traditionally considered too hindered to undergo nucleophilic attack. The abundant existence of halide, azide and amine in natural products demands new synthetic pathway. To fulfill this requirement, new mild stereoretentive halogenations (chlorination, bromination and iodination) reactions have also been developed for secondary cyclic alcohols using NALGs involving titanium (IV) reagents. The novel methodology can be extended to Azidation reactions as well with titanium (IV) azide, in which Ti (N3)4 is the first time being engaged in organic synthesis. Beased on the NALGs theory we discover the chlorosulfite can be a simplest NALG and applied as the intermediate in mild one-pot stereoretentive halogenations (chlorination and bromination) using titanium (IV) halides as catalysts or stoichiometric reagents. These reactions were found to be particularly efficient for cyclic alcohols. Finally, an efficient mild bromination and iodination reaction for primary and secondary alcohols with Grignard reagents is also reported. This reaction exhibits the generality with substrates with various leaving groups. The important features of this reaction are that, for the first time, bromide formation using Grignard reagents without the Cu (I) catalysts. / by Songye Li. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.