O presente trabalho descreve a síntese do ácido corcórico B, isolado de folhas de Corchorus olitorius, L. (Tiliaceae). Este ácido graxo exerce atividade inibitória na produção de NO (óxido nítrico) induzida por lipopolissacarídeo bacteriano em cultura de macrófagos de peritôneo de rato. Uma vez que a produção excessiva de NO (óxido nítrico) é responsável por processos inflamatórios, reações imunológicas (vg., choque séptico causado por endotoxinas), a utilização do ácido corcórico B em terapêutica pode ser efetivo contra inflamação e choque séptico. A síntese total do ácido corcórico B, foi realizada através das reações de Wittig e de Stille, utilizadas na construção do sistema trienona (responsável por seu efeito biológico). / This present work describes the synthesis of the corchorifatty acid B, isolated from leaves of Corchorus olitorius, L. (Tiliaceae). This fatty acid exerts inhibitory activity on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO (nitric oxide) production in cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages. Since over-production of NO (nitric oxide) is the cause of inflammation, immunological responses (vg., endotoxin shocks), the therapeutic use of this fatty acid may be effective against inflammations cases and endotoxin shocks. The total synthesis of corchorifatty acid B, was achieved using the Stille and Wittig reactions to construct the trienone system (responsible for its biological effect.).

La Gymnodimine et le 13-desméthyle Spirolide C sont des neurotoxines macrocycliques à imine cyclique. Elles ont été isolées dans des organismes filtreurs tels que les moules et les huitres et sont produites par des algues unicellulaires de type dinoflagellé. Lors d’efflorescences algales, la forte concentration de ces molécules est à l’origine de problèmes de santé publique car les micro-algues sont absorbées puis concentrées par les organismes filtreurs. Elles se retrouvent ensuite transmises aux animaux marins et à l’Homme via la chaîne alimentaire. Dans ce contexte, leur synthèse s’avère indispensable pour disposer de quantités suffisantes à leur étude pharmacologique. Cette thèse a porté sur la synthèse des fragments spiromines du 13-desméthyle Spirolide C et de la Gymnodimine. Plusieurs stratégies unifiées ont été testées au cours de ces travaux. Dans un premier temps, des cyclisations cationiques et radicalaires d’époxy-allylsilanes obtenus par une réaction clé de substitution allylique sont présentées. Dans un second temps, une approche diastéréosélective à la synthèse d’allylsilanes et des cyclisations par ouverture radicalaire d’époxydes ont été testés. Finalement, une stratégie de synthèse basée sur la réaction de Diels-Alder a permis la synthèse d’une imine cyclique modèle et d’un intermédiaire avancé pour la synthèse totale de la Gymnodimine. / The Gymnodimine and the 13-desméthyle Spirolide C are two macrocyclic neurotoxins bearing a cyclic imine. They were isolated in filter organisms such as mussel and oysters and are produced by marine unicellular organisms called dinoflagellates. In the occurrence of algal blooms, a massive production of these molecules creates public health issues. The absorption and concentration by filter organisms, allow this molecules to be delivered to marine wild life and human trough the food chain. To date, the mode of action of spirolides is not fully elucidated and the toxicity toward humans still needs studies. Considering their low bioavailability, their synthesis proves to be crucial to have enough material for pharmacological studies. This manuscript present the synthesis of the spiroimine fragment of the 13-desméthyle Spirolide C and the Gymnodimine. Various unified strategies were tested in this work. In the first part, cationic and radical cyclisations of epoxy-allylsilanes obtained by a key allylic substitution are presented. In the second part, a diastereoselective approach for the synthesis of allylsilanes and cyclisation attempts by radical opening of epoxides are presented. Finally, a Diels-Alder based strategy allowed the synthesis of a model cyclic imine and a highly substituted fragment for the total synthesis of the Gymnodimine.

Ces travaux de thèse ont porté sur le développement d’une méthodologie de conversion de chiralité centrale vers axiale pour la formation de 4-arylpyridines atropoisomères, et de son application en synthèse totale. En premier lieu, une méthodologie de synthèse organocatalysée a été optimisée pour la préparation de 1,4-dihydropyridines énantioenrichies et hautement encombrées. Le défi a été, ici, de réussir à trouver le bon compromis entre sélectivité et réactivité afin de générer suffisamment d’encombrement sur la position C4 de la 1,4-dihydropyridine énantioenrichie, et de pouvoir accéder, après conversion du centre stéréogène (C4) en axe de chiralité, à un atropoisomère 4-arylpyridine stable. Une optimisation des conditions opératoires pour l’oxydation de ces 1,4-dihydropyridines énantioenrichies en 4-arylpyridines correspondantes a ensuite été menée et a permis d’atteindre des conversions de chiralité modérées à totales. Sur la base de cette stratégie, la synthèse énantiosélective de la (+)-streptonigrine, produit naturel présentant un motif 4-arylpyridine, a été envisagée selon deux stratégies principales s’appuyant sur des processus organocatalysés. / This work focused on the development of central-to-axial chirality conversion methodology for the synthesis of 4-arylpyridine atropisomers, and its application in total synthesis. In the first place, synthetic methodology was optimised for the synthesis of enantioenriched and hindered 1,4-dihydropyridines. At this point, the challenge was to find the right compromise between selectivity and reactivity to get enantioenriched dihydropyridines with sufficient bulkiness around the C4 position, for formation of stable 4-arylpyridine atropisomers after conversion of the chiral center (C4) to a chiral axis. A detailed screen was performed to find the optimal oxidation conditions leading to moderate to full chirality conversion. Based on this strategy, the total synthesis of (+)-streptonigrin, a natural product containing a 4-arylpyridine framework, was planned following two main pathways using organocatalytic transformations as key steps.

Face aux problèmes de résistance aux médicaments actuels sur le marché, issus pour la grande part du milieu terrestre, les molécules isolées du milieu marin ont suscité un grand intérêt ces dernières années. Pour notre part, nous nous sommes intéressés au R1864-03, un macrocycle a 16 chaînons qui a été extrait d¿une éponge marine présente en Nouvelle Calédonie et qui possède des propriétés anticancéreuses. La synthèse de ce produit naturel a été envisagée à partir de deux fragments principaux, qui ont été rassemblés grâce à un couplage chimiosélectif de Suzuki. Dans un premier temps, une réaction intramoléculaire de Diels-Alder a été envisagée pour construire le motif cis- décaline du R1864-03 avant de réaliser le couplage des deux fragments. Suite à la mauvaise stéréosélectivité inverse observée pour la réaction de Diels-Alder intramoléculaire, une réaction de Diels-Alder transannulaire sur le macrocycle à 24 chaînons du R1864-03 a été envisagée. Nous avons pu accéder au précurseur de macrocyclisation, ayant le squelette carboné complet du R1864-03, en 16 étapes avec un rendement global de 4.2%. La macrocyclisation sur ce dernier, suivie de la Diels-Alder transannulaire semble avoir conduit au R1864-03 protégé ou à un diastéréoisomère. Ces étapes restent à optimiser et a réaliser sur plus grosse échelle pour pourvoir réaliser la détermination structurale complète du produit de Diels-Alder transannulaire et de compléter la synthèse totale du R1864-03. / Due to resistance problems faced by existent drugs on the market, originated most from terrestrial sources, a great attention has recently been devoted to marine natural products. In this context, we have been interested in the total synthesis of R1864-03, a new 16-membered macrolide isolated from a Caledonian marine sponge and with important anticancer properties. The synthesis of this natural product was designed around the chimiosélective Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of two main fragments. A key intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction was first planed to install the cis-decalin motif of R1864-03 to generate one of these fragments. Due to an inverse stereoselectivity of the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, a transannular Diels-Alder reaction on the 24-membered macrocycle of R1864-03 was considered. We have been able to obtain the macrocyclisation precursor with the complete carbon skeleton of R1864-03 in place in 16 steps (4.2% overall). Macrocyclisation of the latter, followed by the transannular Diels-Alder reaction, seems to have provided the protected R1864-03 or a diastereoisomer. These last steps have to be optimized and carried out on larger scale in order to achieve complete structural determination of the transannular Diels-Alder product and to complete the total synthesis of R1864-03.

La Nature est une source quasi inépuisable de molécules possédant des propriétés biologiques souvent remarquables. Ainsi, les plantes fournissent chaque jour de nouvelles structures dont les chimistes s’inspirent afin de créer de façon synthétique des molécules similaires ou dérivées pouvant avoir de potentielles applications en tant qu’agents thérapeutiques par exemple.L’émergence de la catalyse organométallique a permis d’améliorer considérablement les méthodes de synthèse de molécules complexes. La catalyse homogène à l’or, dont le potentiel n’a été exploité qu’à partir des années 2000, a prouvé son efficacité pour effectuer de nombreuses réactions permettant de créer plusieurs liaisons carbone-carbone ou carbone-hétéroatome en une étape. Les conditions douces et la grande tolérance des catalyseurs d’or vis-à-vis de groupements fonctionnels divers ont naturellement mené à l’application de la catalyse à l’or à la synthèse de produits naturels. Ces études s’inscrivent dans cette dynamique et exploitent la réactivité d’azacycles contraints et d’alcynes en présence d’or(I) pour former des squelettes hétérocycliques couramment rencontrés au sein de produits naturels. La réactivité particulière des groupements sulfonyles protecteurs de l’azote a également été étudiée pour synthétiser différentes molécules azabicycliques. Les méthodes de synthèse mises au point ont finalement été appliquées à la synthèse de molécules cibles. / Nature is a nearly endless source of molecules, often possessing remarkable biological properties. Thus, plants provide new structures every day, inspiring chemists to synthetically create similar molecules or analogs, which are potential therapeutic agents for example. The emergence of organometallic chemistry allowed for considerable improvement of synthetic methods to make complex molecular scaffolds. Homogeneous gold catalysis, whose potential has only been explored starting from 2000, proved its efficiency to make numerous reactions. Most of them can generate several carbon-carbon or carbon-heteroatom bonds in one step. Soft conditions as well as good tolerance of gold catalysts toward multiple functional groups naturally led to the application of gold-catalyzed steps in various total syntheses of natural products.The present study evolves in this context and explores the reactivity of strained azacycles and alkynes in the presence of gold(I) to form heterocyclic skeletons that are commonly found in natural products. The specific reactivity of sulfonyl nitrogen-protecting groups has also been studied to synthesize azabicyclic compounds. The application of those various new methodologies to the synthesis of target molecules has finally been studied.

L’ulcère de Buruli est une maladie nécrotique de la peau présente dans plus de trente pays dans le monde, et affectant principalement le continent africain et l’Océanie. L’infection est due à Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans), un micro-organisme qui sécrète une exotoxine appelée mycolactone, représentant le premier polycétide isolé d’un pathogène humain. La maladie est caractérisée par la formation progressive de lésions nécrotiques combinée à une absence de réponse immunitaire et de sensation de douleur ; la mycolactone est connue pour être directement impliquée dans ce mécanisme biologique. A ce jour, aucun traitement totalement performant et spécifique contre l’ulcère de Buruli n’a été développé, ce qui révèle le manque crucial de connaissances sur les mécanismes chimique et biologique. Dans ce contexte, le projet développé s’intéresse à l’élucidation du mécanisme d’action des mycolactones en utilisant la synthèse totale comme outil principal. Pour cela, notre équipe a mis au point une voie de synthèse modulaire permettant la préparation de la toxine naturelle et de ses différents analogues en vue de les tester biologiquement et d’affiner ainsi notre compréhension mécanistique de cette infection. / Buruli ulcer is a necrotizing skin disease present in more than thirty countries in the world, located mainly in West and Central Africa but also in Australia and in Japan. This infection is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans) that secretes a macrolide toxin called mycolactone, which is the first polyketide isolated from a human pathogen. The disease is characterized by the formation of painless progressive necrotic lesions combined with a lack of acute inflammatory response, and mycolactone is known to be directly involved in the biological mechanism. To date no specific and completely efficient treatment of Buruli ulcer has been developed which correlates with the dramatic lack of understanding of the associated chemical and biological mechanisms. In this context, this research project aims at a better understanding of mycolactone A/B molecular interactions by using total synthesis as main tool. To this end, our research team has developed an efficient synthetic pathway allowing the preparation of the natural toxin and its differents analogues for purposes of their biological evaluation and fine-tuning our mechanical understanding of this infection.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Duy H. Hua / I. Ovalicin is a natural product isolated from the culture of fungus Pseudorotium ovalis Stolk, it selectively inhibit type 2 methionine amino-peptidase (MetAP 2), which related to many physiological activities such as angiogenesis. Total synthesis of [plus or minus] ovalicin, its C4(S*), C4(S*)C5(S*) stereo-isomers, and C5 regio-isomer were synthesized via an intramolecular Heck reaction of (Z)-3-(t-butyldimethyl silyloxy)-1-iodo-1,6-heptadiene utilizing a catalytic amount of palladium acetate. Subsequent epoxidation, dihydroxylation, methylation (or stereochemistry inversion before or after methylation) and oxidation led to a variety of ketones, key intermediates for synthesis of ovalicin and its analogues. Introduction of side-chain to ketones by lithium (Z)-6-methylhepta-2,5-dien-2-ide and following functional group transformation led to ovalicin and its analogues. Anti-trypanosomal activities of various ovalicin analogues and synthetic intermediates were evaluated. II. Bio-based polymers from vegetable oils are renewable and environment-friendly materials. Dihydroxylated, trihydroxylate, tetrahydroxylated and hexahydroxylated triglycerides, triamino and triisopropylamino glycerides were synthesized from model triglyceride glyceryl trioleoate. These monomers were cross-linked with 1, 4-phenylene diisocynate to make polyurethanes and polyureas. The physical properties of these polymers were examined by gel content and swelling value measurements, thermodynamic and viscoelastic properties were studied from TGA, DSC and DMA measurements. The structure-property relationship was discussed based on these measurements. III. Diacetylenic fatty acids were widely applied in material science to regulate alignment on surface and stabilize self-assembled nanomaterials. A novel synthetic method of diacetylenic fatty acids from vegetable oils was developed. Its self-assembling properties on alumina surface were measured and discussed.

First chapter of the thesis describes the desymmetrization of the bis-dimethyl amide 1 derived from tartaric acid with vinyl Grignard reagents and subsequent reduction of the resultant -keto amides 2a-c to the -hydroxy amides 3a-c. Application of the -hydroxy amides 3a-c in the total synthesis of bio-active natural products such as gabosines, crassalactone C and anamarine is described in the subsequent sections. In section A of the first chapter, application of the -hydroxy amides 3a-b to the total synthesis of gabosine A 4, gabosine F 5 and gabosine H 6 was described. Key strategy in the synthesis was the use of ring closing metathesis (RCM) reaction. Incidentally, the total synthesis of gabosine H 6 was not only accomplished for the first time but the synthesis also ascertained the absolute stereochemistry of the natural product. During the course of the synthesis of gabosine A 4, an unprecedented formation of a unique 14-membered macrocycle 7 was observed. Incisive studies were conducted to elucidate the reaction sequence for the formation of the macrocyle 7. It was found that the formation of the macrocycle 7 was through a tandem cross-metathesis/intramolecular hetero Diels-Alder reaction. Section B of chapter 1 delineated the utility of the -hydroxy amide 3a in the total synthesis of (–)-crassalactone C 8a. Crassalactone C 8a is a cinnamoyl derivative of styryllactone natural product goniofufurone and was found to possess marginal in vitro cytotoxic activity. Pivotal strategies in the synthesis include the use of bis-cinnamoyl ester 10a in the ring closing metathesis reaction which also evades the selective cinnamoylation of the benzylic hydroxy group. Section C of Chapter 1 deals with the total synthesis of (+)-anamarine 11. While the - hydroxy amide 3a was employed to synthesize an important intermediate 12 enroute to the synthesis of anamarine, to mitigate the number of steps in the synthesis, the -hydroxy amide 13 was employed for the synthesis of (+)-anamarine 11. Key reactions in the total synthesis include the use of 1,3-dithiane as a surrogate for the methyl group, Brown’s allylation and ring closing metathesis. In second chapter of the thesis, formal total synthesis of iriomoteolide 3a 16 is presented. Iriomoteolide 3a 16 is a unique 15-membered marine macrolide isolated by Tusda’s group from the Amphidinium strain HYA024, with impressive in vitro cytotoxic activity against human lymphoma cell line DG-75 (IC50 0.08 g/mL) and Raji cells (IC50 0.05 g/mL). Salient features of the synthesis include the synthesis of the chiral aldehyde 19 from the oxazolidinone 17 and the use of -keto phosphonate 20 derived from D-(–)-tartaric acid in the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination reaction to construct the C1-C10 fragment 23 of iriomoteolide 3a 16. Synthesis of the C10-C18 fragment 29 was accomplished from the butyrolactone 24 using Keck allylation and olefin cross metathesis reactions as key steps. Ring closing metathesis of the ester 30, followed by selective deprotection of the primary TBS group afforded the key intermediate 31, the transformation of which to iriomoteolide 3a 16 is known in literature.

The thesis entitled “Enantiospecific total synthesis of indole alkaloids eburnamonine, aspidospermidine, quebrachamine, henrycinols A and B and synthesis of azepino[4,5-b]indolones” is divided into three chapters. In the first chapter, a unified strategy for the enantiospecific total synthesis of monoterpene indole alkaloids (+)-eburnamonine (1), (–)-aspidospermidine (2) and (–)-quebrachamine (3) is described. The chiral pool synthesis commenced with (S)-ethyl lactate 4, which was elaborated to the allylic alcohol 5. Johnson-Claisen orthoester rearrangement of the allylic alcohol 5 furnished the key chiral building block 6 possessing a quaternary stereogenic center. Pictet-Spengler cyclization of tryptamine with the corresponding aldehydes obtained by appropriate functionalization of the chiral building block 6 and ring closing metathesis were the key reactions employed en route the total synthesis of the indole alkaloids 1–3 (Scheme 1). Scheme 1. Unified strategy for the synthesis of monoterpene indole alkaloids (+)-eburnamonine (1), (–)-aspidospermidine (2) and (–)-quebrachamine (3). The second chapter of the thesis pertains to the synthesis of azepino[4,5-b]indolones 7 via Brønsted acid mediated intramolecular cyclization of unsaturated tryptamides 8. Various ,-unsaturated acids 9 derived from different -hydroxy esters 10, were converted to the corresponding unsaturated tryptamides 8 and subjected to the optimized reaction conditions. The results of the study indicated that -substituted unsaturated secondary tryptamides derived from (S)-ethyl lactate were the most effective in undergoing an intramolecular cyclization to furnish the corresponding azepino[4,5-b]indolones 7, possessing a quaternary stereogenic center in good yields. The presence of an alkenyl moiety in the quaternary center allowed the functionalization of these compounds and was subsequently employed to access the ABCD core 11 of tronocarpine and the tetracyclic cores 12 of some iboga alkaloids. The loss of chirality in the formation of the azepino[4,5-b]indolones indicated that the reaction proceeds predominantly by an SN1 pathway. During the course of the study an interesting formation of an azonino[5,4-b]indolone 13 by a competing SN1 pathway and a tetracyclic azepino[4,5-b]indolone 14 via a cascade cyclization were noticed (Scheme 2). Scheme 2. Synthesis of azepino[4,5-b]indolones 7 possessing a quaternary stereogenic center. The first total synthesis of two new indole alkaloids, henrycinols A (15) and B (16) which were isolated from the plant Melodinus henryi CRAIB is described in the third chapter of the thesis. The key reaction in the synthetic sequence is the Pictet-Spengler cyclization of L-tryptophan methyl ester 17a and the aldehyde 18 derived from D-tartaric acid which leads to the installation of all the stereogenic centers present in the natural products. Interestingly, a switch in the diastereoselectivity of the reaction was observed by varying the substituent on the amine in L-tryptophan methyl ester 17. When L-tryptophan methyl ester 17b possessing an N-allyl substitution was employed, the desired 1,3-trans tetrahydro--carboline 19b could be obtained in good yields, which was subsequently elaborated to the natural products 15 and 16 (Scheme 3). Scheme 3. Total synthesis of henrycinols A (15) and B (16).

Les trachycladindoles sont des composés naturels extraits de l’éponge marine Trachycladus laevispirulifer, récoltée au large de la grande baie sur de l’Australie.Cette famille composée de 7 membres, du trachycladindole A au trachycladindole G, présente des activités cytotoxiques intéressantes contre diverses souches de cellules cancéreuses comme le colon, le sein ou les poumons. C’est le trachycladindole E qui présentes les activités les plus intéressantes et donc sur lequel nous nous concentrerons.D’un point de vue chimique, tous les membres de cette famille présentent un squelette indolique substitué en position C2 par une fonction acide carboxylique et en position C3 par une guanidine cycle à 5 chaînons. La position C5 peut présenter un atome de brome alors que la position C6 peut porter un hydroxyle. Une méthode récemment développée au laboratoire permet l’introduction d’un groupemenet alkoxy et d’un atome d’azote sur un motif de type énamide. Cette méthode a été appliquée à la formation de la guanidine portée par la position C3.La synthèse d’un modèle simplifié des trachycladindoles, assurant la faisabilité de la formation de la guanidine au moyen de l’alkoxyamination, est décrite tout comme les efforts pour son application à la synthèse totale du trachycladindole E. Alors que nous essayions d’obtenir le motif énamide nécessaire à l’application de l’alkixyamination, nous avons observé un résultat surprenant qui nous a donné l’opportunité de développer une nouvelle réaction entre les indoles et les ynamides.Les ynamides sont des outils synthétiques puissants connus pour présenter à la fois un centre nucléophile et un centre électrophile. En effet, grâce à la délocalisation du doublet non liant de l’azote, la position α est électrophile alors que la position β est nucléophile.Nous avons observé que le traitement d’un indole par une base en présence d’un N-sulfonylynamide menait à une réactivité inhabituelle, formant exclusivement un Z-indoloéthènamide N-substitué. Etonnemment, la formation de ce composé serait le fruit d’une addition de l’atome d’azote de l’indole sur la position β, ce qui constitue formellement une réaction entre deux centres nucléophiles.Cette réactivité peut être inversée en modifiant les substituants sur l’atome d’azote de l’ynamide d’un sulfonamide pour un carbamate ou un acétamide. Dans ces cas, la réaction a lieu sur la position α de l’ynamide, accompagnée par la perde du groupement électro-attracteur, aboutissant à l’amidine correspondante. La post-fonctionnalisation des composés issus de ces transformations a été effectuée, permettant l’accès à des squelettes macrocycliques inédits. / The trachycladindoles are natural compounds extracted from the marine sponge Trachycladus laevispirulifer, harvested in the great south bay of Australia. This family presents 7 members, from trachycladindole A to trachycladindole G, which show interesting cytotoxic activities against diverse cancer cells e. g. colon, breast or lung. It is trachycladindole E which presents the most interesting activity and on which we will focus.From a chemical point of view, all the members of this family present an indolic scaffold substituted in C2 position by a carboxylic acid function and in C3 position by a five membered cyclic guanidine moiety. The C5 position may present a bromine atom while the C6 position may bear a hydroxyl.A method recently developed in our laboratory allows the introduction of an alkoxy and an amine moiety on an enamide scaffold. This method was applied to the formation of the guanidine borne by the C3 position. The synthesis of a simplified model of trachycladindole, insuring the formation of the guanidine using alkoxyamination, is described as well as the efforts toward its application to the natural product trachycladindole E.While trying to obtain the enamide moiety necessary for the application of the alkoxyamination, we observed a surprising result which gave us the opportunity to develop a new reaction between indoles and ynamides.Ynamides are powerful synthetic tools known to present both an electrophilic and a nucleophilic center. Thus, due to the delocalization of the nitrogen atom lone-pair, the α-position is electrophilic while the β-position is nucleophilic.We observed that the treatment of an indole by a base in presence of an N-sulfonyl-ynamide led to an unusual reactivity, giving birth exclusively to an N-substituted Z-indoloethenamide. Quite surprisingly, the formation of this compound arises from the addition of the indole nitrogen on the ynamide β-position, which formally constitutes a reaction between two nucleophilic centers. This reactivity can be reversed by varying the substituent on the ynamide nitrogen from sulfonamide to carbamate or acetamide. In these cases, the reaction takes place at the α-position of the ynamide, along with the loss of the EWG, leading to the corresponding amidine. The post-functionalization of the compounds arising from these transformations has been performed, allowing the access to unprecedented macrocyclic scaffolds.Mechanistic investigations using DFT calculations were carried out to understand how the reaction proceeds.