This thesis describes an extensive investigation of the O- to C-carboxyl transfer of oxazolyl carbonates using isothioureas as Lewis base catalysts. The structural requirements of simple bicyclic amidines and isothioureas to promote this transformation have been investigated, showing that the catalytic efficiency and product distribution of these reactions are markedly affected by the catalyst structure. The optimal isothiourea catalyst was efficiently applied to the rearrangement of a wide range of oxazolyl, benzofuranyl and indolyl carbonates. The structural motif of tetrahydropyrimidine-based isothioureas has then been evaluated in order to develop an asymmetric variant of the O- to C-carboxyl transfer of oxazolyl carbonates. A number of chiral isothioureas bearing stereodirecting groups in C(2) and/or C(3) have been synthesised and used in this rearrangement, showing that a C(2)-stereodirecting unit is essential for high enantioselectivity, with an additional C(3)-substituent increasing the reactivity. The optimal chiral C(2)-substituted isothioureas identified are general and efficient asymmetric catalysts for O- to C-carboxyl transfer of oxazolyl carbonates, generating a quaternary stereocentre with high enantioselectivity (up to 94% ee). The origin of the enantioselectivity of this process has been probed mechanistically and rationalised computationally. Having gained an insight into the structural motifs of isothioureas required to impart good catalytic activity and asymmetric induction in the O- to C-carboxyl transfer of oxazolyl carbonates, the mechanism of this reaction was probed using kinetic and mechanistic experiments. ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopic analysis allowed the evolution of product, by-product and intermediate throughout the reaction to be monitored while a number of crossover and stability experiments gave additional information about the catalytic cycle. Extension to a related system has been demonstrated with the O- to C-carboxyl transfer of furanyl carbonates, producing a mixture of α- and γ-butenolides depending on the nature of the Lewis base employed. DMAP gives a mixture of both regioisomers with a preference for the α-regioisomer, while NHCs lead predominantly to the γ-regioisomer. Chiral isothioureas have been used to promote this rearrangement, giving the major α-regioisomer with good enantioselectivity (up to 83% ee). To quantify the different reactivities observed with these isothioureas, their nucleophilicities and Lewis basicities using the stopped-flow technique have been determined. Finally, model studies toward the synthesis of the natural product calcaridine A, using the methodology developed herein, have been investigated.

Catalyse et repliement sont deux notions intimement liées dans la Nature à travers les protéines et les enzymes, puis par extension, avec les catalyseurs synthétiques conçus par les chimistes. Des briques élémentaires artificielles ont été développées depuis deux décennies afin de synthétiser de nouvelles architectures moléculaires ayant une forte propension à se replier, appelées foldamères. Dans de nombreux systèmes biomimétiques inspirés par les biopolymères, la stabilisation d’une forme repliée résulte de la formation d’un fort réseau de liaisons H. Ces squelettes repliés apportent plusieurs avantages pour une application en catalyse : ils peuvent offrir un effet coopératif lors de la coordination d’un ligand, une meilleure stabilisation des intermédiaires chargés ainsi qu’une minimisation du coût entropique de la formation de l’état de transition. Ils constituent une nouvelle classe d’organocatalyseurs méritant de plus amples investigations. L’organocatalyse présente un fort intérêt dans la recherche actuelle, dû la simplicité de mise en œuvre des systèmes et l’absence de métaux conduisant à une moindre toxicité. Cependant, des charges importantes (5-20 mol%) en catalyseur sont souvent nécessaires pour réaliser des transformations chimiques avec de bons rendements et de bonnes stéréosélectivités. L’effet synergique apporté par la structure bien définie des foldamères via leur fort réseau de liaisons hydrogène peut jouer en faveur d’une diminution de la charge catalytique du système.Les foldamères à base de motifs oligo(thio)urées sont des analogues des peptides, avec une structure secondaire hélicoïdale, 2.5 résidus par tour et un réseau de liaisons hydrogène fermant des pseudo-cycles à 12 et 14 atomes, et ils présentent un macrodipôle pouvant être renforcé par l’activation avec un groupe électroattracteur au niveau du pôle positif. La liaison d’anions avec des oligourées a été démontrée comme étant site-spécifique et n’ayant aucune influence sur la structure hélicoïdale, illustrant leur fort potentiel de liaison d’espèces chargés négativement. Les urées et les thiourées ont été largement utilisées comme donneurs de liaisons hydrogène pour l’organocatalyse avec des résultats très satisfaisants. Ces concepts posent les bases pour développer un organocatalyseur innovant avec des foldamères oligo(thio)urées, interagissant par activation des substrats par formation de liaisons H. Une étude autour de la relation structure-activité, accompagnée de l’élaboration d’une réaction modèle avec un large panel de substrats, ainsi que des études mécanistiques via des mesures RMN, vont permettre d’établir les principes gouvernant la catalyse avec des foldamères oligo(thio)urées. / Catalysis and folding are two closely interwoven notions in Nature particularly among enzymes, and by extension can be applied to synthetic catalysts designed by chemists. Artificial monomers have been created for two decades to synthesize new oligomeric molecular architectures with a high propensity to fold, which are called foldamers. In many systems, folded structure is stabilized by a strong hydrogen-bonding network, in a similar way to biopolymer structures. These folded backbones may provide significant advantages as catalyst as they could offer cooperativity in ligand binding, a greater stabilization of charged intermediates and then a minimization of entropic cost of the transition state binding. They constitute a class of potential organocatalysts which deserves more investigation. Organocatalysis is an area of strong interest nowadays because of the lower toxicity of the catalysts and meta free procedures, their modularity and easiness to handle them. But generally high loading (5-20 mol%) are needed to perform chemical transformations with good yields and good stereoselectivities. The synergistic effect brought by the well-defined structures of foldamers through the strong hydrogen-bonding network can be in favour of a decrease of the catalyst loading.Oligo(thio)urea foldamers are peptides analogues, with a helical secondary structure, 2.5 residues per turn and 12- and 14-membered H-bond ring and present a macrodipole which can be reinforced through activation with electro-withdrawing group at the positive pole. Binding of anions to oligourea has been studied and was shown to be site specific and not to have any impact on the helical structure thus illustrating the high potential of coordination of negatively charged species to oligourea foldamers. Urea and thiourea small molecules have been widely used as H-bond donors for organocatalysis with very satisfying results. These concepts are the basis of the development of an innovative organocatalyst with oligo(thio)urea foldamers, acting through H-bond activation. A structure-activity relationship study combining an extended substrate scope and NMR mechanistic studies was performed allowing delineation of the principles governing oligourea foldamer-based catalysis.

A l’inverse des carbocations dont l’existence a pu être prouvée dès le début des années 60, les ions silyliums (R3Si+) ont longtemps été supposés comme étant des intermédiaires de nombreuses transformations .impliquant des organosilanes. Ce n’est qu’en 2002 que la première preuve structurale (diffraction de rayons X) a permis de lever le doute sur l’existence des cations silylés tricoordinés en phase condensée. Les ions silyliums sont extrêmement acides de Lewis, ils sont capables de se coordiner à de faibles nucléophiles et des solvants tels que le benzène. La possibilité de stabiliser cette acidité de Lewis par une coordination labile ouvre le champ d’application de ces espèces réactives afin de permettre leur utilisation en catalyse organique. L’objectif de cette thèse a été de synthétiser de nouveaux ions silyliums stabilisés par différentes bases de Lewis et de rationnaliser l’effet de celles-ci sur la réactivité. Dans une première partie, nous nous sommes concentrés sur l’utilisation de dérivés azotés encombrés pour stabiliser le centre silylé. La nature et la force de l’interaction résultante a pu être évaluée par des analyses de spectroscopie RMN et des calculs théoriques. Dans une seconde partie, l’introduction d’une chiralité sur le cation silylé a été étudiée. Une série de silyliums supportés par un squelette binaphtyle comportant une base de Lewis intramoléculaire a été synthétisée. Selon la force de la stabilisation, l’information chirale présente sur le silicium peut être maintenue et utilisée pour effectuer de la catalyse asymétrique. / In contrast with carbocations which existence was unambiguously proven in the early 60’s, silylium ions (R3Si+) have remained for a long time elusive species and putative intermediates in many transformations involving organosilicon compounds. It was only in 2002 that the first structural proof (X-ray crystallography) dispelled any doubt about the existence of tricoordinated silicon cations in the condensed phase. Silylium ions are extremely electrophilic, able to coordinate to weak Lewis bases including solvent molecules such as benzene. The possibility to tame this acidity through an appropriate labile coordination even widens the scope of applications of these reactive species and allows their use as catalysts for organic synthesis. The aim of this thesis was to synthesize new stabilized silyliums ions and rationalize the impact of this stabilization onto the reactivity. In a first part, we focused on the use of hindered nitrogen derivatives to stabilize the silicon center. The nature and the strength of the interaction were assessed by NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. In a second part, the introduction of chirality onto the silicon cation has been studied. A series of binaphtyl templated silyliums bearing an intramolecular Lewis base were synthesized. According to the strength of the stabilization, the chiral information present on the silicon can be persistent and used for asymmetric catalysis.

4 ABSTRACT This diploma thesis is focused on the synthesis of new bifunctional thiourea organic catalysts containing a carbohydrate moiety, in particular D-glucose with modification on the primary hydroxyl group. The first part of this diploma thesis describes a modification of synthesis of the known bifunctional thiourea catalyst with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranose and (1R,2R)-diaminocyclohexane. The second part is dedicated to the synthesis of new bifunctional thiourea catalysts with modification of the carbohydrate moiety. We focused on per-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranose derivatives with pefluoroalkyl moiety on the primary hydroxyl group. We examined different ways of the preparation of 6-O-perfluoroalkylated glucose derivatives. These perfluoroalkylated carbohydrate compounds were transformed into corresponding glycosyl isothiocyanates. Those derivatives upon treatment of (1R,2R)-diaminocyklohexane or 3,5- bis(trifluormethyl)aniline afforded new bifunctional thiourea organocatalysts.

Organoboron derivatives represent an important class of compounds due to the versatility of the carbon-boron bond in a variety of chemical reactions. Boron-containing compounds have garnered increasing attention as synthetic intermediates and medicinal agents. Therefore, the introduction of carbon-boron bonds to organic molecules continues to be an important field of study. This dissertation describes novel methodology for the regio- and stereo-selective introduction of carbon-boron bonds to generate β-borylacrylonitrile and 1-boryl-1,3-enyne products. Propiolonitriles are intriguing research targets due to the electron-withdrawing nature of the cyano group on the adjacent alkyne. In this dissertation, we developed a phosphine-catalyzed regio- and stereo-selective hydroboration of propiolonitriles to generate novel β-borylacrylonitriles in up to 89% yield and 97:3 (E)-selectivity. These products were converted to the corresponding postassium 1,2-vinylcyanotrifluoroborate salts and demonstrated applications in oxidation and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. Interestingly, 31P and 13C NMR studies suggest that this hydroboration reaction proceeds in a 1,2-phosphine addition pathway instead of a canonical 1,4-conjugate addition pathway. We also developed a transition metal-free cis hydroboration of 1,3-diyne substrates. In the presence of catalytic amounts of tri-n-butylphosphie and the unsymmetric diboron reagent pinBBdan, 1-boryl-1,3-enyne products were generated in up to 63% and >99:1 (Z)-selectivity. These 1,8-diaminonaphthalene products can be converted to the corresponding pinacolboranes or trifluoroborate salts. They also demonstrated applications in protodeboronation and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. We propose that this hydroboration occurs via a nucleophilic boron addition mechanism. / Doctor of Philosophy / Incorporating boron into organic molecules provides access to a variety of otherwise difficult chemical reactions. Therefore, our laboratory seeks to develop new methods for synthesizing organoboron compounds. A major goal of our work is to develop transition metal-free reactions due to the expense and environmental impact of transition-metal mediated methodology. This dissertation reports two new methods for installing boron to organic molecules without the use of transition metals. The reported reactions utilize mild conditions to selectively generate functionalized products, and applications of these products are demonstrated. Chapter 1 describes a hydroboration reaction of propiolonitrile derivatives to afford (E)-β-borylacrylonitrile products. Notably, this reaction proceeds via a unique mechanism, contrasting that of similar reported reactions. Chapter 2 reports a transition metal-free hydroboration of 1,3-diynes to afford (Z)-1-boryl-1,3-enyne products. These products are structurally similar to relevant molecules in medicinal, polymer, and synthetic chemistry.

In biological systems, most of the active organic molecules are chiral. Some of the main constituents of living organisms are amino acids and sugars. They exist predominantly in only one enantiomerically pure form. For example, our proteins are built-up by L-amino acids and as a consequence they are enatiomerically pure and will interact in different ways with enantiomers of chiral molecules. Indeed, different enantiomers or diastereomers of a molecule could often have a drastically different biological activity. It is of paramount importance in organic synthesis to develop new routes to control and direct the stereochemical outcome of reactions. The aim of this thesis is to investigate new protocols for the synthesis of complex chiral molecules using simple, environmentally friendly proline-based organocatalysts. We have investigated, the aziridination of linear and branched enals, the stereoselective synthesis of β-amino acids with a carbene co-catalyst, the synthesis of pyrazolidines, the combination of heterogeneous transition metal catalysis and amine catalysis to deliver cyclopentenes bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter and a new heterogeneous dual catalyst system for the carbocyclization of enals. The reactions presented in this thesis afforded the corresponding products with high levels of chemo-, diastero- and enantioselectivity. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 5: Submitted. </p>

This thesis details the attempt to design and synthesis a range of ligands and organocatalysts based on a common backbone design. Initial results were promising with a number of ligands being generated from our common C2-symmetric backbone. Unfortunately none of the molecules synthesises gave promising results in test reactions. Variations on the initial design also failed to give any encouraging results. More positively, work on phosphorus-nitrogen (P,N) ligands was successful, with a number of different ligands being synthesised and metal complexes prepared. Pleasingly we were able to obtain X-ray crystallography of one of these complexes indicating that the ligand was complexed to the metal via the phosphorus moiety. Work using the Buchwald-Hartwig reaction for coupling aryl bromides to both 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline was successful, with methodology being developed which we believe can be applied to the synthesis of Ancistrocladinium A. In particular the coupling between 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and 1-bromonaphthalene afforded us the full carbon skeleton of the ring system of the natural product in one step, from which we were able to generate the iminium salt. We also investigated an alternative route for the synthesis of Ancistrocladinium A achieving atropoisomerism. Experimental data is provided in chapter three, and all X-ray crystallography structures reported in chapter two are provided in the appendix.

With regard to a fast development in the field of fluoroorganic chemisty, the intention of this diploma thesis is focused to utilize of organocatalysis by secondary amines as catalysts for preparation enantiomerically pure compounds containing fluorine atom in its structure. The preparation of these subsances is realized by way of nucleofilic addition to α,β- unsaturated aldehydes using suitable fluorine containing nuclephilic agent 1-(fluoronitromethylsulphonyl)benzene, to get appropriate 1,4-adduct.

This work consists of four separate chapters. Although they are seemingly different projects, they have a common feature - the application of organometallic chemistry. 1. Lusianthridin and denbinobin, the phenanthrene derivatives, can be found in plants of the family Orchidaceae. They exhibit cytostatic activity against cancer of human lung and ovarian and against promyelocytic leukemia. Therefore, new synthetic methods for these substances may be applied in research and development of new bioactive compounds. I prepared 9,10- disubstituted phenanthrenes through reactions of biphenylene with alkynes, which were catalyzed by iridium complexes. Phenanthridine derivatives are found naturally in the group benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids. The most famous of these include sanguinarine and chelerythrine. Sanguinarine selectively induces apoptosis (planned cell death) of human cancer cells and, therefore, is investigated as a potential antitumor agent. Chelerythrine selectively inhibits protein kinase C, leading again to apoptosis. I have studied reactions of biphenylene with nitriles catalyzed by rhodium complexes that have not been described yet. By this, I prepared a series of 6-substituted phenanthridines. 2. Carboranes are artificially prepared organic compounds of boron, which are not represented in...

This thesis describes investigations into the ability of isothioureas to act as organocatalysts in formal [4+2] cycloadditions between carboxylic acids and various Michael acceptors via C1-ammonium enolate intermediates. Initial research focused upon establishing optimal reaction conditions to affect the asymmetric intermolecular formal [4+2] cycloaddition between a range of arylacetic acids and α-keto-β,γ-unsaturated esters, giving anti-dihydropyranones in high yield (49-87%) and with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity (up to 98:2 dr, up to 99% ee). This represented the first time that carboxylic acid derived ammonium enolates have been successfully applied towards an intermolecular reaction process. Subsequent studies utilised trifluoromethyl enones as Michael acceptors, forming a range of C(6)-trifluoromethyl anti-dihydropyranones with good diastereoselectivity (up to 95:5 dr) and enantioselectivity (up to >99% ee). Detailed mechanistic studies were carried out, revealing that the process was stereospecific, with the diastereoisomer of product formed dependent upon the configuration of trifluoromethyl enone used. A variety of product derivatisations were demonstrated including those which introduce additional trifluoromethyl-bearing stereogenic centres with high diastereoselectivity. Kinetic studies indicated that this Michael addition-lactonisation process is first order with respect to both in situ formed anhydride and catalyst concentration, with a primary kinetic isotope effect observed using α,α-di-deuterio 4-fluorophenylacetic acid. DFT computational studies support a rate-determining formation of a reactive ammonium enolate prior to a stereochemistry-determining enone conjugate-addition step. The isothiourea-catalysed α-amination of carboxylic acids with low catalyst loadings (as low as 0.25 mol%) using N-aryl-N-aroyl Michael acceptors was demonstrated, forming a range of 1,3,4-oxadiazin-6(5H)-ones or hydrazide products with excellent enantiocontrol (typically >99% ee). Notably, the scope of this methodology was expanded to allow the direct functionalisation of carboxylic acids bearing α-heteroatom and alkyl substitution for the first time. The synthetic utility of the hydrazide products was demonstrated through their derivatisation into a range of bespoke functionalised N-aryl-α-arylglycine derivatives in high enantiopurity (up to 99% ee). Isothiourea-mediated functionalisation of 3-alkenoic acids was shown to occur regioselectively, giving products derived from α-functionalisation of an intermediate C1-ammonium dienolate in a range of formal [2+2] and [4+2] cycloadditions. Formal [4+2] cycloadditions with either trifluoromethyl enones of N-aryl-N-aroyl diazenes allow access to products in high diastereo- and enantiocontrol (up to 95:5 dr, up to 99% ee). The simple, two-step elaboration of stereodefined hydrazides into aza-sugar analogues without erosion of enantiopurity has also been demonstrated. 2-Arylacetic anhydrides were also demonstrated as useful precursors for the formation of C1-ammonium enolates in isothiourea-mediated Michael addition-lactonisation processes. Trifluoromethylenones,α-keto-β,γ-unsaturated esters and N-aryl-N-aroyldiazenes are reactive Michael accceptors in this process, with HBTM-2.1 (5 mol%) readily promoting heterocycle formation with high diastereo- and enantiocontrol (up to 95:5 dr, up to >99% ee). This protocol offered a useful and practical alternative to the in situ carboxylic acid activation method, in which by-product formation and the amount of sacrificial base used is minimised. DHPB was shown to promote the one-pot synthesis of 2,4,6-subsituted pyridines bearing a readily derivatised 2-sulfonate functionality from (phenylthio)acetic acid and a range of α,β-unsaturated ketimines in moderate yields (40-66%). Functionalisation of the 2-sulfonate group via various methodologies allowed the rapid assembly of both novel and biologically relevant pyridines.