The generation of new chemical entities (NCEs) for use in chemical biology and drug discovery is of wide interest to both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. In order to generate NCEs, this project focused on development of new synthetic methodologies using transition-metal mediated [2+2+2] cyclotrimerisation of alkynes and unsaturated molecules to form bi- and tricyclic heterocyclic derivatives, some with structural resemblance to the quinocarcin family of natural products. Three different dialkynes (1,5-di(prop-2-yn-1-yl)pyrrolidin-2-one 2.117a, 1,6-di(prop-2-yn-1-yl)piperidin-2-one 2.118a and 4-benzyl-1,6-di(prop-2-yn-1-yl)piperazin-2-one 2.120a) were successfully synthesised. Several cyclotrimerisations were attempted, with the best yields being obtained when diethylacetylene dicarboxylate 2.113a was used as the monoalkyne and Cp*Ru(cod)Cl as the catalyst in refluxing toluene. New heterocyclic compounds with potential for diversification were synthesised using a diversity-oriented synthesis approach; specifically the build/couple/pair strategy for the synthesis of small molecules. Racemic nitrogen and oxygen building blocks were coupled with acrylonitrile, bromoacetonitrile and acyl chlorides. The pair step involved the intramolecular ring closure using transition-metal catalysed [2+2+2] cyclotrimerisations using microwave assisted radiation. The best catalyst for this approach was found to be CpCo(CO)2 at 150 ºC (300 W) in chlorobenzene. This provided a new methodology with potential for synthesising a diverse set of small molecules for biological testing. 20 compounds were subjected to chemosensitivity testing using the MTT assay. Several compounds were shown to possess activity in bladder (RT112) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines. As these two cell lines are known to express extra-hepatic cytochromes P450 enzymes, it is possible that these are involved in generating cytotoxic metabolites that may damage DNA.

This work investigated the synthesis, characterisation and properties of known and novel scandium carboxylate Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs). The first part reports the performance of these Sc-MOFs as Lewis acid catalysts. The porous MOF scandium trimesate MIL-100(Sc) and the scandium terephthalates such as MIL-101(Sc), MIL-88B(Sc) and MIL-68(Sc) (prepared as the Sc-analogue for the first time), and scandium biphenyldicarboxylate MIL-88D(Sc) were prepared and tested as Lewis acid catalysts. Chromium MIL-101 and MIL-100 and scandium-exchanged zeolites were prepared for comparison. Moreover, successful encapsulation of the phosphotungstate polyoxometalates (POMs) in the cavities of MIL-101(Sc) enhanced the stability of this material. These scandium and chromium MOFs, POM-MOF composites and scandium-exchanged zeolite were tested as heterogeneous catalysts in the carbonyl ene reaction between α-methyl styrene and ethyl trifluoropyruvate. This showed that MIL-100(Sc) was the best catalyst for this reaction, achieving a conversion of 99% to the desired product. The stabilized MIL-101(Sc) was also very active, but less selective for this reaction. Acetalisation of acetaldehyde was also studied, and in this reaction the isoreticular MOFs MIL-88(B) and MIL-88D(Sc) were the most active and selective catalysts. For this reaction, the activity of MIL-100(Sc) was low, which was attributed to reduce pore size and blockage. Functionalisation of the range of scandium terephthalates such as MIL-101(Sc), MIL-88B(Sc), MIL-68(Sc), Sc₂BDC₃,and MIL-53(Sc) particularly with –NH₂ groups, made up the second main part of this research. Solvothermal synthesis were performed at lower temperatures and using mixed solvents to synthesize these amino-terephthalate MOFs, often for the first time, and their adsorption properties were studied, particularly for the adsorption of CO₂. The synthesis of pure Sc₂(NH₂-BDC)₃ and Sc₂(Br-BDC)₃ was achieved for first time by a solvothermal route, lower temperatures, and mixed solvents. This approach yielded large crystals suitable for single crystal diffraction and microcrystal IR spectroscopy. Post-synthetic modification (PSM) of Sc₂(NH₂-BDC)₃ was explored by incorporation of NO₂-groups into the framework by solvent-assisted ligand exchange. The adsorption properties of functionalised and post-modified materials were compared with those of Sc₂BDC₃ and Sc₂(NO₂-BDC)₃ for methanol and hydrocarbons This study demonstrated that Sc₂BDC₃ and Sc₂(NH₂-BDC)₃ give the higher uptakes while the –Br and –NO₂ forms display shape selectivity for n-alkanes over iso-alkanes. Amino-functionalised MIL-53(Sc) was prepared for the first time using a mixed ligand approach, so that 10-20% of a second functionalised terephthalate ligand (NO₂, Br, -(OH)₂) was required for successful single phase synthesis in addition to amino-terephthalic acid. The materials were characterised using PXRD, TGA and gas adsorption, which confirms the samples show a range of behaviour for CO₂ adsorption. Notably, the `breathing´ behaviour is strongly dependent on the type of functionalisation. Finally, the exploratory synthesis of novel scandium MOFs, using isophthalic acid (IA) and its amino and nitro- derivatives, 2,5-furandicarboxylate (FDA) and the porphyrin tetra(carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) as linkers was carried out and six novel materials were synthesized, three of which gave crystals large enough for their structure to be determined by single crystal diffraction. Further characterisation was carried out by PXRD, TGA and solid-state NMR. Some of these materials have been shown to be porous to CO₂ and N₂.

The research presented in this thesis aims to determine the effectiveness of the uptake of toxic gases by several MOFs for future use in gas-mask cartridges, and to attempt to compensate for any deficiencies they show in “real-world” conditions. The main findings of this thesis confirm that MOFs are suitable candidates for the use in respirator cartridge materials and provide high capacity for adsorption of toxic gases like ammonia and STAM-1 in particular showed an impressive improvement in humid conditions, which normally decrease the performance of MOFs made from the same materials, such as HKUST-1. STAM-1's improved performance in humid conditions is attributed to the structural shift it displays upon dehydration and rehydration and this was shown to be the case in a structural analogue, CuEtOip, which was synthesised in the author's research group. This analogue was analysed using a combination of single crystal XRD and solid state MAS-NMR, both of which showed the structural change occurring and displays similar gas sorption behaviours, suggesting that this mechanism is the source of STAM-1's improved performance in humid conditions. This thesis also examines the “Armoured MOF” process and investigates the transferability of the process of deposition of mesoporous silica onto MOFs with vastly different properties and synthetic methods compared to those published in the original publication. Alongside this, attempts to protect MOFs using mesoporous silicates were investigated for their viability.

La production d'énergie nucléaire nécessite des systèmes avancés pour améliorer les procédures de stockage et de confinement des déchets radioactifs. Par ailleurs, la capture d'éléments radioactifs mobiles dans les effluents des centrales nucléaires demande une amélioration de la capacité et de la sélectivité. L'iode 129-I est un des produits les plus critiques à confiner et il est produit pendant les procédés de recyclage des déchets nucléaires. Dans ce travail de thèse, la classe de matériaux moléculaires, dénommée structures de type Hofmann, a été étudiée en tant que matériaux massifs et nanoparticules supportées pour la capture sélective de l'iode moléculaire. En premier lieu, les matériaux M'(L)[M''(CN)4] ont été précipités sous la forme de poudres microcristallines. L'insertion d'iode dans le réseau des matériaux massifs a été effectuée par différents protocoles: 1) adsorption d'iode dans des solutions de cyclohexane à température ambiante; 2) adsorption d'iode en phase gazeuse à 80 °C; 3) adsorption de vapeurs d'iode en phase gazeuse à 80 °C et en présence de vapeurs d'eau. Les différents protocoles pour l'insertion d'iode n'ont pas influencé la nature de l'iode confiné. Pour la capture en solution, les structures NiII(pz)[NiII(CN)4], NiII(pz)[PdII(CN)4] et CoII(pz)[NiII(CN)4] ont montré une capacité d'une molécule d'iode par unité de maille. L'iode confiné est physisorbé en tant qu'iode moléculaire en interaction avec le réseau. Les modélisations GCMC ont confirmé la capacité maximale et ils ont indiqué que l'iode interagit avec la pyrazine et avec les cyanures. Sur la base des données expérimentales, la modulation des métaux dans le réseau a montré une légère différence dans la force d'interaction entre l'iode et le réseau et une adaptation de la maille spécifique pour chaque composition. Une complète régénération du réseau a été possible, puisque l'iode était complètement désorbé avant la décomposition du réseau. Pour le réseau NiII(pz)[PtII(CN)4], on a observé un mécanisme différent de capture puisque ce réseau contenant Pt a réagi avec l'iode en donnant le complexe de coordination NiII(pz)[PtII/IV(CN)4].I-. La formation de ce type de complexe était déjà observée dans la littérature par Ohtani et al. lesquels avaient préparé le complexe via une synthèse in-situ. Ensuite, le changement du ligand organique pyrazine avec d'autres ligands plus longs, c'est-à-dire la 4,4'-bipyridine (bpy) ou 4,4'-azopyridine (azpy), pour avoir des cages plus grandes a montré une diminution de la capacité maximale de capture d'iode. Les données expérimentales ont suggéré que pour un confinement d'iode optimisé, le réseau doit disposer de cages avec une dimension très proche de la molécule d'iode (0.5 nm). Après l'étude des matériaux massifs, nous avons considéré la préparation de nanoparticules supportées de NiII(pz)[NiII(CN)4] pour la capture d'iode. Nous avons obtenu les nanoparticules via un procédé étape par étape, par imprégnation d'une série de silices mésoporeuses greffées avec un ligand diamine, puis avec les précurseurs de NiII(pz)[NiII(CN)4]. Nous avons utilisé en tant que supports, une silice SBA-15 modifiée et des billes de verre poreux pour obtenir respectivement les nanocomposites Sil@NP and Glass@NP. Par microscopie électronique à transmission, nous avons détecté pour Sil@NP des nanoparticules de diamètre moyen 2.8 nm. L'adsorption d'iode dans les nanoparticules a été confirmée par spectroscopie FT-IR. Les traitements thermiques ont indiqué que la portion d'iode dans les nanoparticules pouvait être désorbé dans l'intervalle 150-250 °C. Nous avons pu estimer que la capacité de capture des nanoparticles était très proche de la capacité du massif NiII(pz)[NiII(CN)4]@I2. / Nuclear power industry still demands further research to improve the methods for the storage and the confinement of the hazardous radioactive wastes coming from the fission of radionuclide 235U. The volatile radioactive 129I (half-life time 15x107 years) is one of the most critical products coming from the reprocessing plants in the fuel-closed cycles. In the present thesis the family of coordination solid networks, known as Hofmann-type structures, was studied in the form as both bulk and supported nanoparticles for the selective entrapment of the molecular iodine. This set of investigated materials exhibited a general formula M'(L)[M''(CN)4] where M' = NiII or CoII; L = pyrazine, 4,4'-bipyridine, 4,4'-azopyridine; M'' = NiII, PdII or PtII. Initially, the material NiII(pz)[NiII(CN)4] and its analogue structures were precipitated as microcrystalline bulky compounds and fully characterized. The insertion of the iodine in the bulky host structures was performed with different methods: 1) adsorption of iodine in solutions of cyclohexane at room temperature; 2) adsorption of iodine vapours at 80 °C; 3) adsorption of iodine vapours at 80 °C in presence of water steam (for few selected materials). The different methods did not affect the nature of the confined iodine. For the entrapment in solution, results indicated that the Hofmann-type structures NiII(pz)[NiII(CN)4], NiII(pz)[PdII(CN)4] and CoII(pz)[NiII(CN)4] could host one I2 molecule per unit cell. The iodine resulted physisorbed as molecular iodine in interaction with the host structure. GCMC simulations confirmed the maximal capacities and indicated that iodine could interact with both the pyrazine and the coordinated cyanides. Experimentally, however, the modulation of the metals showed a slightly different strength of interaction I2-lattice bringing to a different lattice adaptation. The materials also could be fully regenerated since the complete desorption of iodine occurred before the decomposition of the host structure. Reiterated adsorption-desorption steps (3 cycles) on the networks NiII(pz)[NiII(CN)4] and NiII(pz)[PdII(CN)4] indicated an excellent structural resistance to cycling and a maintained high capacity. A different mechanism of confinement was detected for the structure NiII(pz)[PtII(CN)4] which reacted with iodine giving complex NiII(pz)[PtII/IV(CN)4].I-. Finally, the modulation of the organic ligand L indicated that the replacement of the ligand pyrazine with longer ligands, to obtain larger pores, had a detrimental effect on the maximal iodine loading due to a weaker confinement. After the study of the bulk materials, we considered the preparation of supported nanoparticles of NiII(pz)[NiII(CN)4] for the entrapment of iodine. The nanoparticles were obtained by a step-by-step method, impregnating a set of diammine-grafted mesoporous silicas with the precursors of NiII(pz)[NiII(CN)4]. We detected nanoparticles with mean size 2.8 nm by transmission electronic microscopy. The insertion of iodine in the nanoparticles was confirmed by FT-IR. Thermal treatments indicated that the portion of iodine inside the nanoparticles could be reversibly desorbed in the range 150-250 °C and reintroduced in a cyclic process. It was estimated that the amount of physisorbed iodine in the NPs, with respect to the amount of deposited NPs matched with the maximal capacity NiII(pz)[NiII(CN)4]@I2.

Les polymères fluorés sont des matériaux possédant des propriétés remarquables, ce qui donne lieu à des nombreuses applications. Cependant, même si la polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée (PRC ou RDRP) a connu un grand développement dès le milieu des années 90, l’obtention de polymères de taille et de structure bien définies pour certains monomères fluorés reste encore un réel défi. C’est le cas du fluorure de vinylidène (VDF), H2C=CF2, qui lors de la polymérisation radicalaire peut conduire à une addition normale (têtequeue) ou des additions inverses (têtetête et queuequeue). Ces défauts d’enchainement provoquent la formation d’espèces dormantes peu réactives lors d’une PRC. Ceci entraine l’accumulation de chaînes dormantes difficiles à réactiver qui conduit à une perte de contrôle et à l’augmentation de la polymolécularité. Des études récentes ont montré que l’utilisation de complexes organométalliques peut minimiser ce problème en rééquilibrant les énergies nécessaires pour réactiver les deux différentes chaînes dormantes. D’autre part, des calculs théoriques ont montré que les complexes de manganèse pentacarbonyle alkyle et fluoroalkyle, [Mn(CO)5R] et [Mn(CO)5RF] respectivement, peuvent former des espèces dormantes normales et inverses dont les énergies d’activation sont proches. Ceci pourrait entrainer un certain degré de contrôle de la polymérisation. Dans cette étude, plusieurs complexes de manganèse du type [Mn(CO)5R] et [Mn(CO)5RF] (R = CH(CH3)(COOCH3), CH(CH3)(OCOCH3) et CH(CH3)(C6H5); RF = CF3, CHF2, CH2CF3 et CF2CH3) ont été synthétisés et parfaitement caractérisés, puis ont été utilisés comme amorceurs de polymérisation de divers monomères et comme modèles de bouts de chaîne en PRC par des complexes organométalliques (OMRP). Pour cela, des mesures expérimentales de l’enthalpie de dissociation homolytique de la liaison MnC ont été réalisées par des méthodes cinétiques. De plus, une étude plus approfondie sur la formation de certains sousproduits lors de la décomposition thermique de complexes de manganèse fluoroalkyle en présence du tris(trimethylsilyl)silane en tant que piégeur de radicaux a été réalisée et soutenue par des calculs théoriques. Ces complexes ont également été testés en polymérisation du VDF et d’autres monomères nonfluorés. / Fluoropolymers are materials characterized by remarkable properties and are involved in many applications. However, although controlled radical polymerization (CRP or RDRP) has been extraordinarily developed since the mid90s, synthesizing welldefined polymers of certain fluorinated monomers still remains a crucial challenge. This is the case of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), H2C=CF2, which under radical polymerization can undergo normal additions (head to tail) or reverse additions (head to head and tail to tail). These chain defects cause the formation of less reactive dormant species during a CRP. This favors an accumulation of less reactive dormant chains and leads to a loss of the control as well as to an increase of the dispersity. Recent studies have concluded that the use of organometallic complexes can minimize this problem by equilibrating the energies needed to reactivate both types of dormant chains. On the other hand, theoretical calculations have shown that alkyl and fluoroalkyl manganese pentacarbonyl complexes, [Mn(CO)5R] and [Mn(CO)5RF] respectively, are able to lead to normal and inverse dormant species with a similar activation energy. This could afford some degree of controlled polymerization. In this study, several manganese complexes ([Mn(CO)5R] and [Mn(CO)5RF], where R = CH(CH3)(COOCH3), CH(CH3)(OCOCH3) and CH(CH3)(C6H5); RF = CF3, CHF2, CH2CF3 and CF2CH3) have been synthesized and fully characterized. They were then used as original initiators for the polymerization of various monomers and as chainend models in CRP mediated by organometallic complexes (OMRP). Experimental measurements of the dissociation enthalpy of the MnC bond were carried out by kinetic methods. In addition, a deeper study of the formation of certain byproducts during the thermal decomposition of the fluoroalkylpentacarbonylmanganese(I) complexes in the presence of tris (trimethylsilyl)silane as a radical trap was carried out and supported by theoretical calculations. These complexes were also tested in the polymerization of VDF and of other nonfluorinated monomers.

ABSTRACT SYNTHESIS OF FERROCENYL CYCLOPENTENONES TUMAY, T&uuml / lay Asli M.S., Department of Chemistry Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Metin Zora August 2005, 80 pages Construction of highly functionalized five-membered rings via cycloaddition reaction of cyclopropylcarbene-chromium complex with alkynes has become a very active area of research in recent years by virtue of their presence in antitumour natural products. Also with the finding that ferrocene derivatives are active against various tumours, considerable interest has been devoted to the synthesis of new ferrocene derivatives since properly functionalized ferrocene derivatives could be potential antitumour substances. So, the incorporation of the essential structural features of cyclopentenones with a ferrocene moiety could provide compounds with enhanced antitumour activities. For this purpose, we have investigated the reaction between cyclopropylcarbene-chromium complex and ferrocenyl alkynes. The reaction of cyclopropylcarbene-chromium complex with ferrocenyl alkynes afforded &amp / #945 / -hydroxycyclopentenones in a one-pot process, whereas the same reaction with alkynes gave cyclopentenones as major products. Interestingly, water addition was observed instead of reduction according to the previously proposed mechanism. This is a different result than those in literature. The reaction was regioselective both with terminal ferrocenyl alkynes and internal unsymmetrical ferrocenyl alkynes. The products obtained were those where the sterically larger alkyne substituent, ferrocene, was &amp / #945 / to the carbonyl group.

[Truncated abstract] This thesis describes various synthetic approaches toward the synthesis of highly conjugated complexes incorporating multiple transition metal centres. Particular attention is given to the synthesis of mononuclear complexes that allow for the facile assembly of discrete oligo- and poly-nuclear complexes in a controlled, stepwise fashion. Conjugated multi-metallic materials are of interest on account of their unique photophysical and electronic properties, with a particular emphasis on elucidating the nature of intramolecular communication between multiple metal centres. Chapter 1 provides a survey of these topics and current research efforts in the field. Chapter 2 describes the synthesis of Group-VIII allenylidene complexes incorporating a terminal bipyridyl moiety that provides a site for further coordination. The new compound 9-hydroxy-9-ethynyl-4,5-diazafluorene was synthesised, and reaction of this proligand with a coordinatively unsaturated metal fragment yields the allenylidene complexes [MCl(PnP)2=C=C=(4,5-diazafluoren-9-yl)]PF6 (M = Ru, PnP = dppm, dppe, dmpe; M = Os, PnP = dppm) and [CpRu(dppe)=C=C=(4,5-diazafluoren- 9-yl)]PF6. The dmpe-ligated complex is particularly susceptible to decomposition, though it was possible to obtain partial spectroscopic characterisation in addition to a single-crystal X-ray structural determination. The remaining allenylidene complexes are stable compounds readily characterised by standard spectroscopic and electrochemical means, with the bis(diphosphine) complexes characterised by single crystal X-ray structural determinations. ... Reactions of the proligand with [RuCl(PnP)2]+ (PnP = dppm, dppe) led to the isolation of a product spectroscopically consistent with the formation of the target cationic allenylidene complexes, though the complexes were not readily purified and the identity of the accompanying anion was not elucidated. The new compound 4-hydroxy-4- ethynyl-cyclopentadithiophene was also prepared, though the compound was found to be highly unstable and susceptible to rapid decomposition. The derived allenylidene complexes [RuCl(PnP)2=C=C=(4-cyclopentadithiophene)]PF6 (PnP = dppm, dppe) were isolated in a pure form and the complexes stable toward spontaneous decomposition. The thienyl-derived allenylidene complexes were characterised by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques, with a single-crystal X-ray structural determination undertaken for [RuCl(dppm)2=C=C=(4-cyclopentaditiophene)]PF6. Electrochemical properties are significantly different between the complexes, and also show significant variation between electrodes and solvents. The terminal thienyl substituents are electroactive and show one or two oxidation processes consistent with oligomerisation of the thienyl moiety in dichloromethane solvent, and in acetonitrile solvent cyclic voltammograms are consistent with the deposition of an electroactive film on the electrode surface. The electro-polymerisation of the thienylallenylidene complexes offers a promising new route toward multi-metallic allenylidene complexes.

This thesis is comprised of two parts. The first part describes the synthesis of cyclopentadienyltungsten complexes containing a pendant alkyne group (I), and the subsequent photo-induced intramolecular coordination of the alkyne, forming complexes such as II. Compounds containing intramolecularly coordinated alkynes are rare, and this is the first example using cyclopentadiene as the core ligand. The second part describes the synthesis and structural characterisation of a number of novel metal complexes containing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, some containing particular functionality for taylored applications. New methods were used to form complexes of rhodium, iridium, silver and gold (eg. III, IV). Structural and spectroscopic properties of the complexes were correlated with electronic characteristics of the ancillary ligands. A number of rhodium and iridium complexes (eg. IV) derived from imidazolium-linked cyclophanes were synthesised and structurally characterised. Complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes with pendant ionic groups were synthesised, and a preliminary examination of their catalytic activity in water was performed. N-Heterocyclic carbenes complexes containing an electron withdrawing nitro group were synthesised and the effect of the nitro group on metal-ligand bonding was examined.

This thesis combines synthetic studies for isotopic enrichment with solid-state characterisation techniques to investigate two classes of microporous materials: zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). These materials have a wide range of successful applications, from industrial catalysis to medicine, resulting in the increasing need for both a complete understanding of their unique structural features and synthetic methods to target new frameworks. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, thanks to its sensitivity to the local, atomic-scale, environment and its element specificity, is applied, in combination with powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), electron microscopy, N2 adsorption and mass spectrometry, to the study of these materials. Oxygen atoms play a crucial role in the structure and chemistry of zeolites and MOFs, making 17O NMR an excellent tool for chemical and structural investigations. However, the low natural abundance of this isotope (0.037%) and the cost of 17O-enriched reactants require the development of atom-efficient synthetic processes for isotopic enrichment. In the first part of this work, the unconventional assembly-disassembly-organisation-reassembly (ADOR) method is applied to the Ge-doped UTL framework and optimised in reduced-volume conditions for economic enrichment to obtain 17O- and 29Si-enriched UTL-derived zeolites. In situ and ex situ solid-state characterisation studies show that isotopic enrichment not only enables a more detailed spectroscopic investigation, but also provides new insights into the mechanism of the ADOR process and its sensitivity to experimental conditions. In the second part of this work, dry gel conversion synthesis and a novel steaming procedure are studied as cost-effective 17O-enrichment pathways for Al, Ga and Sc mixed-metal terephthalate MOFs. 17O solid-state NMR spectroscopy, in combination with PXRD and electron microscopy, is employed to investigate cation disorder and 17O NMR spectra are shown to be sensitive to substitution of metal centers and conformational changes upon interaction with guest molecules.

Dans cette thèse les mécanismes de trois réactions catalysées par des complexes de palladium et de cuivre ont été étudiés en utilisant des méthodes expérimentales et théoriques. La première réaction est la synthèse d’amides à partir d’halogénoarènes, d’isonitriles et d’eau, qui est un exemple de couplage catalysé par le palladium impliquant l’insertion d’un isonitrile. Cette dernière molécule sert à la fois de ligand et de substrat, et son influence sur chaque étape du cycle catalytique a été mise en évidence. La deuxième réaction est l’ouverture des benzofuranes conduisant à des dérivés indoliques catalysée par des sels de palladium. Les conditions opératoires ont été optimisées et les étapes clés du mécanisme ont été élucidées.La dernière réaction étudiée, qui est le sujet principal de cette thèse, est l’addition d’amines sur des allènes catalysée par des sels de cuivre (hydroamination). La caractérisation des espèces catalytiques de cuivre(I) et l’étude théorique du mécanisme ont permis d’étendre cette réaction à différents substrats (allénamides, N-allénylazoles, N-allénylsulfamides) dans des conditions particulièrement douces et efficaces. / In this thesis, the mechanism of three organic reactions catalyzed by palladium and copper complexes has been elucidated by the use of both experimental and theoretical methods. The first reaction is the synthesis of amides from haloarenes, isocyanides and water as an example of the broad family of palladium-catalyzed imidoylative couplings. Multiple roles of the isocyanide as both a ligand and a substrate in the different steps of the catalytic cycle have been disclosed. The second transformation is the palladium-catalyzed ring opening of benzofurans leading to indoles. Optimal conditions for this transformation have been found and the key aspects of its mechanism clarified. The last reaction, which is the main topic of this thesis, is the addition of amines to allenes catalyzed by copper salts (hydroamination). A characterization of the catalytically active copper(I) species and insight from theoretical calculations suggested how to extend this reaction to other substrates (allenamides, N-allenylazoles, N-allenylsulfonamides) under mild and efficient conditions.