Thesis advisor: Kian L. Tan / Utilization of catalytic directing groups in the regioselective hydroformylation of 1,2-disubstituted olefins and in the site-selective functionalization of 1,2-diols. Chapter One: Catalytic directing groups for the regioselective hydroformylation of allylic alcohols. Chapter Two: Scaffolding catalysis as an alternate and more practical solution to the site-selective functionalization of 1,2-diols. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2011. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: Kian L. Tan / Chapter 1. We reported the first synthesis of all-carbon quaternary centers via hydroformylations using a catalytic directing group. With the ability of reversibly and covalently binding to a substrate, and coordinating to a metal center, scaffolding catalyst 1.1 is able to direct the branch-selective hydroformylation of 1,1-disubstituted olefins under mild temperature. Chapter 2. We have designed and synthesized a chiral organocatalyst 2.11. This catalyst is able to covalently bind to one hydroxyl, and utilize the induced intramolecularity to stereoselectively functionalize the other hydroxyl within a cis-1,2-diol via electrophile transfer. Catalyst 2.11 was used in the desymmetrization of meso-1,2-diols under mild conditions (4 C to room temperature), leading to high yields and selectivities for a broad substrate scope. Chapter 3. Catalyst 3.1 and 3.6 were demonstrated to selectively bind to primary hydroxyls over secondary hydroxyls. By combining the binding selectivity with asymmetric catalysis, these scaffolding catalysts were shown to promote the selective silylation of secondary hydroxyls within terminal (S)-1,2-diols. The reversal of substrate bias was further applied to a regiodivergent kinetic resolution of racemic terminal 1,2-diols, producing secondary protected products in synthetically practical levels of enantioselectivity (>95:5 er) and yields (≥40%). Time course studies of this reaction further revealed the optimal condition to form the primary silylated product in high s-factor. Chapter 4. Based on the previous understanding of catalyst 4.5 and 4.6, the exclusive catalyst recognition of cis-1,2-diols within polyhydroxylated molecules was further discovered. This unique functional group display recognition was further allied with the catalyst's ability to stereoselectively differentiate hydroxyls within cis-1,2-diols, enabling the site-selective protection, functionalization, and activation of the inherently less reactive axial hydroxyl groups within carbohydrates. This methodology also enables the selective functionalization of multiple complex molecules, including digoxin, mupirocin, and ribonucleosides, demonstrating the potential power of scaffolding catalysis in the rapid access to valuable synthetic derivatives of polyhydroxylated compounds. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2013. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: Kian L. Tan / Thesis advisor: Shih-Yuan Liu / Chapter 1. In the Tan laboratory, we developed synthetic methods to control reaction selectivity (regio-, stereo-, and site-selectivity) using scaffolding catalysis. Our strategy utilizes directing groups that induce intramolecularity through the formation of a labile covalent bond between the substrate and a binding site in a catalytic system. In the first part, we described site-selective functionalization of various carbohydrates and complex polyhydroxylated molecules which contain cis-1,2-diol motif using a chiral organic scaffold. In the second part, meta-selective C–H functionalization of arenes was demonstrated. High meta-selectivity was achieved by the use of a nitrile-based silyl tether which is cleavable and recyclable. Chapter 2. In the Liu laboratory, we focuses on studies of boron-nitrogen containing heterocycles. In this chapter, synthesis of 1,2-azaborines and their binding study with T4 lysozyme mutants were described. Specifically, we directly compared binding of NH-containing 1,2-azaborines and their carbonaceous analogs to probe hydrogen bonding interaction between the NH group of azaborine and a carbonyl oxygen of protein residue. Structural and thermodynamic analysis provided us the first evidence of H-bonding of azaborines with a biological macromolecule. Chapter 3. Described are the synthesis of regioisomers of ethyl-substituted 1,2-azaborines and their binding thermodynamics to T4 lysozyme mutants. To access the azaborine ligands used in the binding study, we developed synthetic methods for regioselective functionalization of six positions of 1,2-azaborines. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments showed differences in binding free energy for regioisomers to the L99A T4 lysozyme. This result could originate from electronic differences of the isosteric ligands inducing dipole-dipole interaction between ligand and surrounding protein residues or it may be from local dipolar interactions. Chapter 4. A general method for late-stage N-functionalization of 1,2-azaborines is described to afford libraries of BN-containing complex molecules. The chemical transformations include electrophilic substitution reactions, N–C(sp2) bond forming reactions under Buchwald-Hartwig amination conditions, and N–C(sp) bond forming reactions using copper-catalyzed N-alkynylation. As applications in materials science and medicinal chemistry, synthesis of the first parental BN isostere of trans-stilbene and lisdexamfetamine derivative is described utilizing the methodology developed in this work. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2017. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.