In this thesis, C-F bond activation and C-F bond construction under platinum and iridium catalysis is described. Chapter 1 provides a general introduction on the use of transition metal catalysis for the formation and activation of Csp³-F bonds in organofluorine compounds. In Chapter 2, an investigation on the reactivity of allylic fluorides, under platinum and palladium catalysed alkylation conditions, is presented. The relative reactivity of fluoride versus other commonly used leaving groups was compared via internal competition experiments. Fluoride showed a different reactivity profile, when subjected to Pt and Pd catalytic systems. Based on the observed reactivity trend, a Pd-catalysed fluorination reaction of allylic alcohol derivatives was successfully developed, within the group. In Chapter 3, a new iridium catalysed fluorination using branched, E- or Z-linear allylic carbonates is described. The catalyst [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ leads to an unexpected regio- and stereoretentive selectivity, affording fluorinated products not accessible via palladium catalysis. The effect of a fluoride additive on the selectivity of the Ir-catalysed alkylation reaction is also presented. A highly efficient ¹⁸F-fluorination variant for this new catalytic transformation is reported. Chapter 4 gives full experimental procedures and characterisation data for all compounds.

N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHC) present a viable alternative to traditional phosphine ligands in a variety of organometallic mediated catalytic reactions. Singlet ground-state carbenes are stabilized by the push-pull presence of two adjacent nitrogen atoms in an imidizolium 5-membered ring, allowing neutral electron donor properties. The ability to synthesize a variety of NHC ligands with differing steric and electronic properties is possible by changing the sustiuents on the nitrogen atoms of the imidizolium. Tunable characteristics and enhanced chemical and thermal stability give NHC’s an advantage over phosphines in many catalytic systems. This dissertation focuses on the use N-Hetercyclic Carbenes in a variety of organometallic complexes. The synthesis of NHC complexes with a variety of transition metals is described. The transition metals complexed with NHC’s include palladium, iridium, nickel and ruthenium. The catalytic activity of the metal-NHC complexes is investigated as well.

The principle aims of this thesis have been to develop well-defined heterogeneous catalysts for potential applications in tandem hydrocarbon upgrading. Catalysts for olefin oligomerisation and metathesis of &alpsha;-olefins and transfer hydrogenation of alkanes based on tungsten mono-imido and PCP pincer iridium complexes have been synthesised and immobilised on solid supports. The reactivity of the immobilised catalysts has been tested and compared with the precursor complexes. Co-immobilisation of the two complexes on the same support has been undertaken. <b>Chapter One</b> provides a background to the olefin metathesis reaction and the development of highly active tungsten mono-imido and ruthenium alkylidene complexes. A summary of the implementation of the olefin oligomerisation reaction by industry and the development of highly active systems based on group 6 metals is discussed, along with a mechanistic discussion. The SOMC grafting procedure is considered and the immobilisation of catalysts for alkane and olefin metathesis and oligomerisation discussed; with focus on support materials: silica, sMAO and AMO-LDHs. Finally, tandem catalysis and its use in hydrocarbon upgrading and copolymerisation are presented. <b>Chapter Two</b> details the synthesis of W(NR)Cl₄(THF) complexes and their conversion to W(NR)Me₃Cl complexes employing TMA. The products are characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. W(NR)Me₃Cl complexes are shown to be active for the selective dimerisation of ethylene to 1-butene. Attempted formation of possible intermediates in the reaction is presented, and efforts to form mimics for silica supported species are also discussed. <b>Chapter Three</b> describes the preparation of AMO-LDHs for use as catalyst supports. The effect on the surface hydroxyl content and structural properties of these materials by thermally treating them under vacuum is analysed. Their capability to act as supports for ethylene polymerisation after impregnation with MAO and (ⁿBuCp)₂ZrCl₂ is described. <b>Chapter Four</b> investigates the immobilisation and characterisation of synthesised tungsten mono-imido complexes on sMAO, AMO-LDHs and silica, utilising SSNMR, FTIR and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The reactivity of the grafted complexes towards ethylene oligomerisation is discussed. For the immobilised species effects of varying the imido ligand, temperature and solvent medium are reported. Attempts to immobilise ruthenium carbene complexes on AMO-LDHs and sMAO is detailed. <b>Chapter Five</b> gives an account of the immobilisation of Ir(^tBuPCP)HCl on sMAO which is characterised by SSNMR and FTIR spectroscopy. Molecular analogues of the supported species are synthesised and reactivity for the hydrogenation of ethylene compared. Transfer hydrogenation reaction with sMAO-Ir(^tBuPCP)HCl and COA or ethane with TBE as a sacrificial H₂ acceptor are discussed. Finally, co-immobilisation of W{N(2,6-F-C₆H₃)}Cl₄(THF) and Ir(^tBuPCP)HCl on sMAO was carried out and the solid characterised by SSNMR spectroscopy. <b>Chapter Six</b> provides experimental details and characterising data for the preceding chapters. An <b>Appendices</b> with crystallographic data, and characterising spectra for each chapter is provided, while the <b>Electronic Appendix</b> contains a combined CIF and checkcif for all the molecular structures presented.

This thesis describes the discovery of catalytic reactions that create carbon-carbon bonds stereoselectively between substrates bearing an alkene and organoboronic acids reagents. Chiral rhodium(I) catalysts were found to react with various meso-symmetrical substrates, thereby resulting in enantioselective desymmetrization reactions. The methodologies presented herein allow the rapid synthesis of several chiral functionalized molecules; including branched homoallylic alcohols, cyclopentenyl hydrazines, and ketohydrazines. The thesis is divided according to three main transformations: asymmetric allylic substitution of allylic carbonates, asymmetric ring-opening of [2.2.1]-diazabicyles, and carbonylation of alkenes or alkynes. Chapter 2 details the investigations of a ligand-controlled catalytic process to prepare either trans-2-arylcyclopent-3-enols (up to 94% ee), or trans-4-arylcyclopent-2-enols (up to 99% ee) as the major products starting from cyclic meso allylic dicarbonates. This rhodium-catalyzed methodology was extended to include linear allylic dicarbonates, thereby yielding chiral 2-arylbut-3-enols with up to 95% ee. An enantioselective desymmetrization of strained alkenes by ring-opening of meso bicyclic hydrazines is described in Chapter 3. The reaction allows one to prepare trans-2-arylcyclopent-3-enyl hydrazides with up to 99% ee. In addition, an enantioselective hydroarylation process was identified to yield 5-aryl-2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes. Mechanistic investigations showed that the reaction proceeds via an unusual C-H activation/1,4-migration of the rhodium catalyst. Finally, Chapter 4 outlines the development of a mild catalytic acylation of pi systems. This mode of reactivity was optimized to promote the desymmetrization of [2.2.1]-diazabicycles via a formal allylic substitution with acyl anions as nucleophiles. The method yields densely functionalized trans-2-ketocyclopent-3-enyl hydrazides. In addition, preliminary studies demonstrate that the rhodium(I)-catalyzed acyl anion addition is also possible with other pi electrophiles. For example, with alkyne, it provided a synthesis of cyclopentenones that complements the Pauson-Khand reaction. Overall, the catalytic transformations reported herein give access to seven classes of products stereoselectively; starting from simple reagents.

This thesis describes the discovery of catalytic reactions that create carbon-carbon bonds stereoselectively between substrates bearing an alkene and organoboronic acids reagents. Chiral rhodium(I) catalysts were found to react with various meso-symmetrical substrates, thereby resulting in enantioselective desymmetrization reactions. The methodologies presented herein allow the rapid synthesis of several chiral functionalized molecules; including branched homoallylic alcohols, cyclopentenyl hydrazines, and ketohydrazines. The thesis is divided according to three main transformations: asymmetric allylic substitution of allylic carbonates, asymmetric ring-opening of [2.2.1]-diazabicyles, and carbonylation of alkenes or alkynes. Chapter 2 details the investigations of a ligand-controlled catalytic process to prepare either trans-2-arylcyclopent-3-enols (up to 94% ee), or trans-4-arylcyclopent-2-enols (up to 99% ee) as the major products starting from cyclic meso allylic dicarbonates. This rhodium-catalyzed methodology was extended to include linear allylic dicarbonates, thereby yielding chiral 2-arylbut-3-enols with up to 95% ee. An enantioselective desymmetrization of strained alkenes by ring-opening of meso bicyclic hydrazines is described in Chapter 3. The reaction allows one to prepare trans-2-arylcyclopent-3-enyl hydrazides with up to 99% ee. In addition, an enantioselective hydroarylation process was identified to yield 5-aryl-2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes. Mechanistic investigations showed that the reaction proceeds via an unusual C-H activation/1,4-migration of the rhodium catalyst. Finally, Chapter 4 outlines the development of a mild catalytic acylation of pi systems. This mode of reactivity was optimized to promote the desymmetrization of [2.2.1]-diazabicycles via a formal allylic substitution with acyl anions as nucleophiles. The method yields densely functionalized trans-2-ketocyclopent-3-enyl hydrazides. In addition, preliminary studies demonstrate that the rhodium(I)-catalyzed acyl anion addition is also possible with other pi electrophiles. For example, with alkyne, it provided a synthesis of cyclopentenones that complements the Pauson-Khand reaction. Overall, the catalytic transformations reported herein give access to seven classes of products stereoselectively; starting from simple reagents.

Cette thèse porte sur l’étude mécanistique de réactions mettant en jeu des complexes de palladium. Deux systèmes différents sont étudiés, mettant ainsi en évidence des approches mécanistiques à différents niveaux. La première étude réalisée concerne l’addition oxydante de complexes [palladium - ligands azotés] sur des iodoarènes. Une cinétique d’ordre 2 en palladium(0) a été mise en évidence expérimentalement, pour une grande variété de conditions (ligands, solvants, iodoarènes). Un mécanisme coopératif faisant intervenir l’activation de la liaison CI par un complexe de palladium, suivi par l’insertion oxydante d’un deuxième complexe de palladium a été proposé et étudié par DFT. La deuxième étude porte sur formation d’oxazolidine-2,4-diones à partir d’adduits de Passerini, catalysée au palladium. L’objectif est ici de déterminer les intermédiaires mis en jeu dans cette réaction impliquant la formation de 3 nouvelles liaisons sur le squelette carboné. Une double réaction de Tsuji-Trost a été mise en évidence et le rôle particulier de l’allylméthylcarbonate utilisé a été étudié. A la lumière de ces résultats, un cycle catalytique a été proposé. Cette étude montre le potentiel de la compréhension détaillée des phénomènes à l’échelle moléculaire pour imaginer de futurs développements. / In this thesis, the mechanistic study of reactions involving palladium complexes is presented. Two systems have been studied, with different levels of mechanistic investigation. The first study aims at explaining the peculiar behavior of palladium ligated to nitrogen-containing ligands in the oxidative addition on iodoarenes. A second order in palladium(0) reaction rate has been experimentally demonstrated for various conditions (ligand, solvent, iodoarene). A cooperative mechanism involving the pre-activation of the C-I bond by a palladium complex prior to the oxidative insertion itself has been proposed and studied by DFT. In the second study, the palladium-catalyzed formation of oxazolidine-2,4-diones from Passerini adducts is investigated. The goal is to determine the relevant intermediates of the reaction and to explain the formation of the three new bonds. Two Tsuji-Trost reactions occur and the special role of allylmethylcarbonate has been studied. This mechanistic study highlights the potential of thorough understanding of mechanisms at the molecular level to envision further synthetic developments.

Au cours de ce travail, nous nous sommes intéressés à la préparation d'esters arylboroniques issus de l'hexylène glycol et porteurs de substituants électroattracteurs. Nous avons d'abord étudié la borylation catalysée au palladium d'halogénures d'aryle pauvres en électrons par MPBH, substitut économique du PinBH. Il s'est avéré que MPBH était moins performant sur ce type de substrats que le PinBH. Nous nous sommes alors tournés vers une borylation par un échange iode/magnésium avec piégeage in situ par le borate MPBOiPr. Cette méthode nous a permis de boryler des iodures d'aryle pauvres en électrons, porteurs de groupes fonctionnels sensibles, de manière propre et sécurisée (pas d'accumulation de magnésien). Elle s'avère applicable à grande échelle (kilogramme). Ces esters arylboroniques ont ensuite été engagés dans des réactions d'addition sur des nitrones, sans succès. Cela nous a amené à développer une nouvelle réaction : l'arylation directe de nitrones cycliques par des halogénures d'aryle. Au cours de l'étude, nous avons démontré l'effet d'accélération de deux additifs introduits en quantité catalytique : un sel de cuivre et l'acide pivalique. Les réactions sont ainsi rapides et propres, et s'appliquent à des iodures, bromures ou chlorures (hétéro)aromatiques très variés. Pour finir, nous avons effectué une étude mécanistique qui nous a permis de proposer deux mécanismes, selon l'additif mis en jeu. / The first part is focused on the preparation of arylboronic esters derived from hexylene glycol, and bearing electron withdrawing substituents. We studied the palladium catalyzed borylation of electron-poor aryl halides with MPBH, an economic substitute for PinBH. MPBH, however, was found less efficient than PinBH. Next, a borylation through iodine/magnesium exchange with in situ trapping by the borate MPBOiPr was developed. This method allowed the borylation of aryl iodides carrying electron withdrawing and sensitive substituents, cleanly and safely (no accumulation of organomagnesium species), and scale up was possible (kilogram scale). Our attempts to use these arylboronic esters in addition reaction onto nitrones were unsuccessful. This led us to develop a new reaction: the direct arylation of cyclic nitrones with aryl halides. The coupling is dramatically accelerated by catalytic amounts of either a copper salt or pivalic acid. The reactions are fast and clean, and various (hetero)aryl iodides, bromides and chlorides can be used. Last, a mechanistic study allowed us to propose a mechanism for each additive.

La recherche de petites molécules bioactives et la quête de diversité moléculaire sont des sources d’inspiration infinies pour les chimistes de synthèse. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de ma thèse a été de développer de nouvelles voies de synthèse pour accéder aux squelettes de molécules naturelles complexes, et à élaborer une méthodologie de synthèse polyvalente et modulable permettant l’accès à des composés hétéroaromatiques polyazotés. La première partie de ce manuscrit concerne le développement d’une stratégie de synthèse, vers une plateforme de type amincyclopentitol, dont les représentants naturels, la pactamycine et la jogyamycine, présentent un potentiel pharmacologique établi. Ce projet implique l’utilisation de transferts catalytiques de nitrènes dans des réactions d’aziridination et d’amination C-H. La deuxième partie décrit une approche en synthèse totale d’une nouvelle classe de produits naturels, les raputindoles. L’étape clé est une réaction de cycloaddition [3+2] iridocatalysée permettant de préparer des indanes possédant deux centres asymétriques dont la stéréochimie peut être contrôlée. Enfin, la troisième partie relate le développement d’une réaction domino multi-composant, catalysée par le cuivre, pour la synthèse de composés hétéroaromatiques. Les quinazoline-4(3H)-imines, les quinazoline-4-ones et les benzimidazo[1,2-c]quinazolines peuvent être obtenues via l'assemblage d'un cyanamide, d'un acide boronique et d'une amine, promu par un système catalytique unique. / The search for small bioactive molecules and molecular diversity are constant sources of inspiration for organic chemists. In this context, major developments in the design of always more effective, flexible and environment-friendly synthetic methods were described, in particular thanks to organometallic catalysis. Within this context, this Thesis project deals with the development of synthetic approaches towards natural molecules or simplified analogues, and the development of a new methodologies for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic compounds.The first part of this manuscript concerns the development of a synthetic strategy towards a cyclopentitol platform, found in the natural products pactamycin and jogyamycin which show a great pharmacological potential. This project involves the use of catalytic nitrene transfers within aziridination and C-H amination reactions.The second part of the project describes a total synthesis approach towards a new class of natural products, the raputindoles. The key step is a [3+2] cycloaddition reaction, catalysed by an iridium complex, to prepare indanes possessing two asymmetric centres whose stereochemistry can be controlled. Finally, the third part is devoted to the development of a domino multicomponent reaction, catalysed by copper, for the synthesis of heteroaromatic compounds. Quinazolin-4(3H)-imines, quinazolin-4-ones and benzimidazo[1,2-c]quinazolines can be obtained from the same catalytic system, by the assembly of a cynamide, a boronic acid and an amine with an unique catalytic system.

Ces dernières années, les analogues nucléosidiques ont eu un rôle majeur dans le traitement de maladies virales infectieuses tels le SIDA, les hépatites, l’herpès, la variole ou la grippe. Cependant, l’apparition de nouveaux virus ou de mutations virales ont renforcé la nécessité de développer des antiviraux plus efficaces et plus résistants. L’intensive recherche de dérivés nucléosidiques cliniquement actifs a permis l’émergence d’une multitude de nouvelles approches pour leurs synthèses. Parmi ce panel, les réactions catalysées par des métaux de transition tardifs font certainement partie des méthodes les plus importantes pour accéder à une large gamme de pharmacomodulations. Lors de ce projet de recherche, nous nous sommes intéressés à la conception, la synthèse et la découverte de nouveaux dérivés nucléosidiques en tant qu’antiviraux contre le virus de la variole. Pour ce faire, nous avons ciblé des 1,2,3-triazolo-carbanucléosides en série racémique ou énantiosélective ainsi que des nucléosides phosphonates acycliques. Dans un effort de développement et/ou d’amélioration de leurs méthodes de synthèse, nous avons également étudié la contribution de complexes au ruthénium et au cuivre contenant un carbène Nhétérocyclique (CNH) dans des réactions de métathèse croisée et de cycloaddition 1,3-dipolaire de Huisgen. Enfin, en vue d’obtenir des outils efficaces utilisables en synthèse nucléosidique, nous avons développés des nouveaux complexes au palladium portant un ligand CNH et testé leurs réactivités dans des réactions de Narylation de Buchwald-Hartwig et d’hydrogénation d’oléfines. / In the last decades, nucleoside analogues have played a major role in the treatment of viral infectious diseases, such as AIDS, hepatitis, herpes, smallpox or influenza. Nevertheless, the apparition of new or mutated viruses highlights the need of more potent and resistant antiviral therapeutics. The intense search for clinically useful nucleoside derivatives has resulted in a wealth of new approaches for their synthesis. Among them, latetransition metal-catalyzed reactions are certainly the most important methods to access variety of appealing pharmacomodulations. In this research project, we were interested in the conception, the synthesis and the discovery of new nucleoside derivatives as antiviral agents against smallpox viruses. Hence, we have targeted racemic or enantiomerically pure 1,2,3-triazolo-carbanucleosides as well as acyclic nucleoside phosphonates. In our effort into the development or/and the improvement of their synthetic methodologies, we have also studied the contribution of ruthenium and copper complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands in cross-metathesis and Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions. Finally, in order to obtain efficient tools useful in nucleoside synthesis, we have developed new NHC-containing palladium complexes and examined their reactivity in Buchwald-Hartwig N-arylation and olefins hydrogenation reactions.

In this thesis will be described research towards the development of bioorthogonal bond-cleavage reactions, and their applications in targeted drug delivery (Figure 1). The first project relates to the development of a palladium mediated bond-cleavage or "decaging" reaction which can cause a propargyl carbamate to decompose and release an amine. This was further developed by the incorporation of a protein modification handle which allowed an amine-bearing drug to be covalently ligated to a protein by a palladium-cleavable linker. This chemistry was demonstrated by the conjugation of the anticancer drug doxorubicin to a tumour targeted anti-HER2 nanobody. The drug could then be delivered to cancer cells upon addition of a palladium complex. The second project relates to the development of a platinum mediated bond-cleavage reaction. This was developed with the aim of using platinum-containing anticancer drugs - such as cisplatin - as a catalyst to cause drug release reactions in tumours. In this reaction an alkyne-containing amide can decompose to release an amine upon addition of platinum complexes, and was applied to the release of prodrugs of the cytotoxins monomethylauristatin E and 5-fluorouracil in cancer cells. A cisplatin-cleavable antibody-drug conjugate was designed and synthesised, and progress towards its biological evaluation will be discussed.