This thesis describes the synthesis of structures related to the capsular polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A and the synthesis of analogues of mycothiol, a compound produced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The first part of the thesis describes the synthesis of structural elements present in the native capsular polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A. In this part, an improved synthesis of 2-azido-2-deoxy-D-mannopyranose is included. The second part of the thesis describes the formation of stable C-phosphonate analogues related to the capsular polysaccharide. The last part outlines the formation of analogues of mycothiol, where the syntheses of a bicyclic analogue and a thioglycosidic analogue are described.

In order to understand biological processes, to treat and diagnose diseases, find appropriate vaccines and to prevent the outbreak of epidemics, it is essential to obtain more knowledge about carbohydrate structures. This thesis deals with structure and conformation of carbohydrates, analysed by NMR spectroscopy and MD simulations.In the first two papers, the structures of O-antigen polysaccharides (PS) from two different E. coli bacteria were determined using NMR spectroscopy. The O-antigenic PS from E. coli O152 (paper I) consists of branched pentasaccharide repeating units, built up of three different carbohydrate residues and a phosphodiester, whilst the repeating unit of the O-antigen from E. coli O176 (paper II) is built up of a linear tetrasaccharide consisting of two different monosaccharides. In papers III and IV, the conformational analysis of different disaccharides is described. Conformational analysis was performed using NMR spectroscopy and MD simulations (paper IV). In paper III four different glucobiosides were studied using coupling constants and Karplus-type relationships. By use of specific 13C isotopically labelled derivatives, additional coupling constants were obtained and the number of possible torsion angles was reduced by half. In paper IV, we examine the conformations of two disaccharides that are part of an epitope of malignant cells. From NOE and T-ROE experiments, short proton-proton distances around the glycosidic linkage were estimated. Furthermore, interpretation of the extracted coupling constants using Kaplus relationships gave the values of the torsion angles. As in paper III, isotopically labelled compounds were synthesised in order to enhance the sensitivity of the analysis. Finally, MD simulations were performed and the results were compared with results from NMR data.

Interactions between light and a molecule can result in reversible or irreversible changes in properties of both the light and the molecule. Of the many known interactions, nonlinear absorption is a process in which an intense light signal, for instance from a laser, can be moderated. This can be manifested either in a marked lowering of the light’s intensity or in reductions in fluctuations of its intensity. Such an effect is often termed ‘optical power limiting’ (OPL). High power lasers can be very dangerous since their high intensity can damage or destroy eyes and optical sensors. However, there are currently no adequate protective measures against lasers that cover the entire visible region and there is an increasing demand for new or improved OPL materials. Some of the most promising optical power limiting materials are substances that combine nonlinear optical properties with high transparency in normal light, but after activation by a laser beam, their light transmittance falls extremely rapidly via so-called self-activating mechanisms. The platinum(II) acetylides comprise one class of compounds with such properties. In this study, various OPL Pt(II) acetylides were synthesized and their nonlinear optical properties were characterized. The emphasis of the work was on preparation of the compounds, but in order to design organoplatinum chromophores for OPL, attempts were also made to obtain insight into the mechanisms of nonlinear absorption. The work was divided into two main parts. In the first the goal was to find compounds that are good optical limiters in solution. The possibility of isolating the chromophore site by dendron shielding and the effects of incorporating a thiophene ring into the organic molecular system were also explored. In addition, a new route for synthesizing these compounds was developed. The second part was focused on incorporating the most interesting compounds into solid materials. The preparation and characterization of Pt(II) acetylides with molecular groups for covalent attachment to a silica matrix via the solution gel approach is described.

This thesis describes the development and mechanistic studies of carbocyclization reactions of allene-substituted olefins and 1,3-dienes, catalyzed by palladium(0) and palladium(II). These reactions results in the formation of [n,3,0] bicyclic systems (n = 3-5) with high stereoselectivity and in good to excellent yields. The first carbocyclization presented is a novel palladium(0)-catalyzed cyclo- isomerization of allene-substituted olefins. Secondly an efficient aerobic biomimetic system has been developed for a Pd(II)-catalyzed allylic oxidative carbocyclization of allene-substituted olefins. Additionally, during the studies of palladium-catalyzed carbocyclizations of allene-substituted olefins, it was found that in the absence of palladium a mild thermal ene-reaction occurs. In this manner stereodefined, functionalized bicyclic compounds are obtained with good regioselectivity and in high yields. The third and fourth carbocyclization developed are a palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidation and a palladium(0)-catalyzed intramolecular telomerization of allene-substituted 1,3-dienes. A mechanistic study of the palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidation of allene-substituted 1,3-dienes was made, and reaction intermediates could be isolated. The stereochemistry of the reaction intermediates was assigned, and this made it possible to suggest a mechanism for the reaction. The presented mechanism is a trans carbopalladation of the 1,3-diene, where the allene act as the carbon nucleophile. Due to different stereochemical outcomes of the stoichiometric and catalytic reactions, this mechanism could only explain the stoichiometric reaction. Another mechanism for the catalytic reaction was suggested, which rationalizes both the regio- and stereochemistry of the products.

Carbohydrates play important roles in biological processes. Their function is closely related to their conformation. In this thesis, conformational studies of carbohydrates by NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics computer simulations are described. The first two papers discuss the anomalous solubility of β-cyclodextrin compared to other cyclodextrins. Time correlation functions revealed flexibility in all cyclodextrins. Molecular dynamics computer simulations showed that the glycosidic linkages were rather rigid and the flexibility was suggested to be macrocyclic. From spatial distribution functions β-cyclodextrin was found to have greater ability to order the surrounding water than the other cyclodextrins. Paper III deals with some of the difficulties of conformational studies. In Paper IV, a new method, Additative Potential Maximum Entropy, APME, is applied to a disaccharide. Conformational distribution functions are derived from NOEs, J-couplings and residual dipolar couplings and calculated from computer simulations. All distribution functions were found to be in good agreement. In papers V and VI oligosaccharides from human milk are studied. Residual dipolar coupling, J-couplings and cross relaxation rates were measured by NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics computer simulations were carried out. Both oligosaccharides showed high flexibility for the β-D-GlcpNAc-(1→3)-β-D-Galp linkage.

[FeFe]-Hydrogenases (H2ases) are metalloenzymes that can catalyze the reversible reduction of protons to molecular hydrogen as part of the metabolism of certain cyanobacteria and green algae. Due to the low availability of the enzyme, synthetic complexes that mimic the natural active site in structure, function and activity are highly sought after. In this thesis, a number of [FeFe]-H2ases active site model complexes were synthesized to answer open questions of the active site and to develop unprecedented bio-inspired proton reduction catalysts. The first part describes the synthesis and the protonation properties of a [Fe2(μ-adt)(CO)4(PMe3)2] (adt = azadithiolate) complex which contains two basic sites that are similar to those found in the enzyme active site. Unusual kinetic factors give rise to four discrete protonation states. The twofold protonated state is the first model complex that simultaneously carries a proton at the azadithiolate nitrogen and a bridging hydride at the Fe-Fe bond. In the second part, a model complex with an unprecedented amine ligand was synthesized and studied. In analogy to the enzyme active site, the labile amine ligand is expelled after electrochemical reduction. The third part describes a series of model complexes with electronically different aromatic dithiolate ligands. It is demonstrated in one case that the tuning of the ligand by electron-withdrawing substituents results in proton reduction catalysis at an overpotential that is lower than that required by the non-substituted parent compound. The design and the synthetic work towards a new ruthenium-diiron dyad for light-driven hydrogen production are presented in the fourth part. In the final part, differently isotope-labelled mixed valent Fe(I)-Fe(II) model complexes were synthesized, in particular the unprecedented 15N labelled analogue, with the aim to provide EPR-spectroscopic references that will allow the elucidation of the nature of the central atom in the dithiolate bridge of the [FeFe] hydrogenase active site.

A deeper understanding of the diversity of carbohydrates and the many applications of oligo- and polysaccharides found in nature are of high interest. Many of the processes involving carbohydrates affect our everyday life. This thesis is based on six papers all contributing to an extended perspective of carbohydrate property and functionality. An introduction to carbohydrate chemistry together with a presentation of selected carbohydrate synthesis and analysis methods introduces the reader to the research field. The first paper is an NMR spectroscopy reinvestigation of the structures of the O-antigens from the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Shigella dysenteriae type 3 and Escherichia coli O124. The repeating units were concluded to be built of identical branched pentasaccharides now with the correct anomeric configurations. Paper II is a structural investigation of the O-antigen from the LPS of E. coli O74 which is built of branched tetrasaccharide repeating units including the uncommon monosaccharide d-Fuc3NAc. Paper III is a conformational study of a rhamnose derivative, using NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The benzoyl ester group positioned at C4 prefers an “eclipsed” conformation in the crystal as well as in solution. The use of site-specifically 13C-labeled compounds in conformational studies is discussed in Papers IV and V. The disaccharide α-L-Rhap-(1→2)-α-L-Rhap-OMe was synthesized together with two 13C-isotopologues and studied with NMR spectroscopy to give seven J-couplings related to torsion angles φ and ψ. The trisaccharide α-L-Rhap-(1→2)[α-L-Rhap-(1→3)]-α-L-Rhap-OMe was synthesized with 13C-labeling at two positions which presented a solution to a problem of overlapping signals in the 1H NMR spectrum. The site-specific labeling also facilitated the measurement of two 3JCC and two 2JCH coupling constants. Finally, chapter 6 gives a short introduction to glycosynthase chemistry and discusses the synthesis of α-glycosyl fluorides. A novel cyclic heptasaccharide was synthesized from α-laminariheptaosyl fluoride using a mutant of the enzyme laminarase 16A and subsequently analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. / At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Manuscript. Paper 5: Manuscript.

The development of a synthetic method of radiolabelled methylphosphono-fluoridates on a milligram scale is presented. The aim of this method is, besides affording high yield, to choose reaction pathways and reagents so that handling and transfer of labelled toxic substances is minimised, thereby reducing the risk of exposure as much as possible. The only substituent that is stable enough to be labelled is the methyl group, directly bonded to phosphorus. A drawback when labelling the methyl group is that it requires the label to be introduced early in the synthesis since the carbon-phosphorus bond of the methyl substituent usually has to be synthesized a few steps ahead of the final product. Two new classes of reagents for halogenation of phosphorus oxyacids have been developed. Firstly, four different analogues of α-chloroenamines and α-fluoroenamines were evaluated. Secondly, cyanuric fluoride was assessed in solution, but more importantly, as a resin-bound reagent. The reagents are evaluated for halogenation of phosphinic, phosphonic and phosphoric acids. Cyanuric fluoride is also successfully loaded on a polystyrene resin and used as a solid-phase reagent. The reagents produce high yields and low levels of impurities on a milligram scale. Furthermore, a new method for the preparation of mono-alkylated phosphonic acids on a small scale has been developed. The new method utilises the crystal water bound to certain salts to liberate limited amounts of water in a controlled manner. Phosphonic dichlorides are in this way reacted with water to form anhydrides. The anhydride is then cleaved with an appropriate alcohol to produce mono-alkylated phosphonic acids. / Rikard Norlin = Rikard Wärme

This thesis is concerned with the synthesis and evaluation of regenerable chalcogen containing antioxidants. Variously substituted 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]selenophene-5-ol antioxidants were evaluated in order to gain information about structure/reactivity-relationships. Within the series explored, the most regenerable unsubstituted compound inhibited lipid peroxidation for more than 320 minutes when assayed in a two-phase lipid peroxidation model in the presence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). α-Tocopherol which could inhibit lipid peroxidation for 90 minutes under similar conditions was therefore easily outperformed. The antioxidant activity of the parent was also documented in an aqueous environment. The best catalyst quenched/inhibited ROS production by neutrophils and PMA-stimulated macrophages more efficiently than Trolox. In addition, over a period of seven days, no disruption in proliferation for the cell lines used was observed when exposed to our synthetic compound or Trolox at a concentration of 60 µM. 3-Pyridinols substituted with alkyltelluro groups in the ortho-position were more regenerable in the two-phase model than their corresponding para-substituted analogues in the presence of NAC and also inhibited autoxidation of styrene in a catalytic fashion in homogenous phase in the presence of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl cysteine methyl ester (LipCys), a lipid-soluble analogue of NAC. The best inhibitors quenched peroxyl radicals more efficiently than α-tocopherol. They could also catalyze reduction of organic hydroperoxides in the presence of thiols and therefore mimic the action of the glutathione peroxidase enzymes. Mechanisms for the catalysis are proposed. Octylthio, octylseleno and octyltelluro analogues of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) were synthesized and evaluated. Among these, the tellurium compound was superior to α-tocopherol in the presence of NAC both when it comes to quenching capacity and regenerability.  Organochalcogen substituent effects in phenolic compounds were studied by using EPR, IR and computational methods.

This thesis is based on the development of novel catalytic reactions for the synthesis and application of organometallic reagents. The main focus is directed towards organoboronate derivatives. We developed an efficient procedure for converting allylic alcohols to the corresponding allylboronates using palladium pincer complexes as catalysts. The reactions were performed under mild conditions with high selectivity, allowing further one-pot transformations. Using this approach, a variety of stereodefined homoallylic alcohols and amino acid derivatives were synthesized via trapping of the in situ generated allylboronate derivatives with an appropriate electrophile. The synthetic scope of these types of multi-component reactions is broad as many different substrate allylic alcohols may be used together with various electrophiles. Several aspects of these reactions were studied, including different reagents, catalysts and electrophiles. Furthermore, we studied the possibility to use oxidizing reagents as an essential component in the functionalization of olefins. Two main strategies were utilized for these catalytic methods using palladium pincer complexes. The functional group was either transferred from the oxidizing reagent, or introduced via an oxidation-transmetallation route. We propose that both methods involve palladium(IV) intermediates thus expanding both the coordination sphere of palladium and the synthetic scope of pincer complex catalysis. / At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 11: In press.