<p>This thesis deals with the copper-catalyzed substitution of allylic substrates.</p><p>In the first part of this thesis, the synthesis of a series of metallocenethiolates is described. The thiolates were examined as ligands in the enantioselective copper(I)-catalyzed γ-substitution of allylic acetates.</p><p>The second part describes a study on copper-catalyzed α-substitution of enantiomerically pure secondary allylic esters. It was observed that the degree of chirality transfer is strongly dependent on the reaction temperature. The loss of chiral information is consistent with an equilibration of the allylCu(III) intermediates prior to product formation, which is essential in order to realize a copper-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation process.</p><p>The third part describes a study on copper-catalyzed stereoselective α-substitution of enantiopure acyclic allylic esters. This method, when combined, with ruthenium and enzyme catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution of allylic alcohols, provides a straightforward route to pharmaceutically important α-methyl carboxylic acids.</p><p>The fourth part is a mechanistic study on the reaction of perfluoroallyl iodide with organocuprates. Experimental studies as well as theoretical calculations were used to explain the contrasting reactivity of perfluoroallyl iodide vs. allyl iodide in cuprate allylation reactions.</p><p>In the fifth part, the development of a practical and useful method for the preparation of pentasubstituted acylferrocenes is presented.</p>

<p>Allylic amines are important and fundamental building blocks due to their wide-spread occurrence in many natural products and the ability to further functionalize them by transformations on the double bond to generate a diverse range of compounds. Transition-metal catalyzed allylic substitution represents an attractive and efficient approach towards the synthesis of these allylic amines. However, limitations associated with the traditional methods developed for such allylic amination in terms of regiospecificity, atom economy and generality in these transformations, combined with the importance of allylic amination, prompted us to develop novel atom efficient and regiospecific methods for their synthesis.</p><p>A 1:1 mixture of AuCl[P(<italic>t</italic>-Bu)₂<italic>o</italic>-biphenyl] (5 mol %) and AgSbF₆ (5 mol %) catalyzed the intermolecular amination of underivatized allylic alcohols with 1-methyl-2-imidazolidinone and related nucleophiles. The first examples of intermolecular allylic amination was developed that in the case of gamma-unsubstituted and gamma-methyl-substituted allylic alcohols, occurred with high gamma-regioselectivity and <italic>syn</italic>-stereoselectivity.</p><p>A 1:1 mixture of AuCl[P(<italic>t</italic>-Bu)₂<italic>o</italic>-biphenyl] (5 mol %) and AgSbF₆ (5 mol %) also served as a very efficient catalytic system for the intramolecular amination of allylic alcohols with alkylamines to form substituted pyrrolidine and piperidine derivatives. The protocol was effective for a range of secondary as well as primary alkylamines as nucleophiles with different substitutions on the alkyl chain tethering the nucleophile to the allylic alcohol. The method was also extended towards the total synthesis of the naturally occurring alkaloid (S)-(+)-coniine in two steps from the starting (R,Z)-8-(N-benzylamino)-3-octen-2-ol. In addition, gold(I)-catalyzed cyclization of (R,Z)-8-(N-benzylamino)-3-octen-2-ol (96% ee) led to isolation of (R,E)-1-benzyl-2-(1-propenyl)piperidine in 99% yield and 96% ee that established the net syn-addition of the nucleophile with respect to the departing hydroxyl group.</p><p> A bis(gold) phosphine complex (S)-Au₂Cl₂(DTBM-MeOBIPHEP) (2.5 mol %) and AgClO₄ (5 mol %) catalyzed the intramolecular enantioselective dehydrative amination of allylic alcohols with carbamates to form the corresponding substituted pyrrolidines, piperidines, morpholines and piperazines in excellent yields and with up to 95% ee. This general and effective protocol tolerated a range of carbamates as well as sulfonamides as nucleophiles. Cyclization of chiral amino allylic alcohols that possessed a stereogenic homoallylic or hydroxy-bound carbon atom occurred with an overriding catalyst control of asymmetric induction. In addition, stereochemical analysis of the cyclization of a chiral non-racemic secondary allylic alcohol established the net syn-displacement of the hydroxy group by the carbamate nucleophile.</p><p>Alongside allylic amination, a cationic gold(I)-N-heteocyclic carbene complex catalyzed the intermolecular etherification (alkoxylation) of allylic alcohols in a regiospecific and syn-stereoselective fashion. The transformation was highly efficient to utilize unactivated primary and secondary alcohols as nucleophiles with different allylic alcohols to undergo regiospecific etherification. Employment of a chiral nonracemic secondary allylic alcohol, trans-5-(benzyloxy)pent-3-en-2-ol (98% ee) showed a high level of chirality transfer on reaction with n-butanol to the corresponding allylic ether, (2-butoxypent-3-en-1-yloxy)methylbenzene (97% ee) and established the net syn-addition of the alcohol nucleophile with respect to the departing hydroxyl group of the allylic alcohol.</p> / Dissertation

This thesis is concerned with the development and application of methods for the stereoselective cyclopropanation of allylic amines and derivatives. Firstly, a highly chemo- and stereoselective cyclopropanation of N,N-dibenzyl-protected allylic amines was developed using the highly reactive Shi’s carbenoid [CF₃CO₂ZnCH₂I]. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that the high diastereoselectivity of the reaction was likely to be due to coordination of the amine to the zinc carbenoid reagent. It is then shown that the reaction is general for a wide range of both cyclic and acyclic substrates giving the corresponding cyclopropanes in high yields and diastereoselectivities. Secondly, a novel stereodivergent cyclopropanation of allylic carbamates and amides was developed. It was found that reaction of cyclic allylic carbamates with the Wittig-Furukawa reagent [Zn(CH₂I)₂] typically gives the syn-diastereoisomer in high yields and diastereoselectivities, whilst treatment of the same substrates with Shi’s carbenoid [CF₃CO₂ZnCH₂I] gives the corresponding anti-diastereoisomers in high yields and diastereoselectivities. Mechanistic investigations suggested that reactions with the Wittig-Furukawa reagent proceed via a N-directed intramolecular cyclopropanation step whilst those with Shi’s carbenoid proceed via a sterically directed intermolecular cyclopropanation step. Unsuccessful investigations into an asymmetric variant of the cyclopropanation reaction utilising chiral carbamate protecting groups are then described. Finally, studies towards the total synthesis of the potential anti-obesity therapeutic trans-SCH-A and its epimer cis-SCH-A are described. A stereodivergent route towards the epimeric products was developed through the cyclopropanation of a common allylic carbamate intermediate with either the Wittig-Furukawa reagent or Shi’s carbenoid to give the corresponding trans-2-amino-5-arylbicyclo[3.10]hexane or cis-2-amino-5-arylbicyclo-[3.10]hexane intermediates respectively.

Catalysis plays an important part in our society. Numerous transition metal catalysts have been developed which can convert many different substrates in a wide range of reactions. Catalysis also plays an important role in nature and therefore special catalysts, enzymes, have evolved over time. Enzymes are tremendously efficient giving high yields and selectivities both regio and chemical but have a limited substrate and reaction scope. It was speculated that by combining the two, an ideal catalyst can be obtained. We planned to achieve this by introducing a transition metal, the catalytic centre, into the chiral environment of a double helical oligonucleotide. The transition metals were introduced by coordinating them to a ligand which was located in the chiral environment of a double helix. The ligand was either covalently bound (Chapter 2) or non-covalently bound (Chapter 3) to the oligonucleotide (Figure 1). Figure 1: A) covalent introduction of a transition metal into a nucleotide B) non-covalent introduction of a transition metal into a nucleotide For the covalent approach a phosphine ligand was chosen. A nucleoside was modified with an alkyne to which a phosphine moiety could be coupled via the copper catalysed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The modified nucleoside was incorporated into an oligonucleotide before attempting to attach the phosphine moiety. The monomer was used as a ligand in allylic substitution and hydroformylation. In the non-covalent approach polyamide minor groove binders were functionalised with an amine linker. Phosphine moieties were connected via amide bond formation. Although the coupling worked effortlessly the phosphines oxidised during purification therefore dienes were also investigated.

The work described in this thesis is focused on exploring the efficacy of iridium-catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation of precursors to chiral alcohols and chiral cyclohexanes. A range of allylic alcohols including γ,γ-dialkyl allylic alcohols and (Z)-allylic alcohols were prepared and evaluated in the asymmetric hydrogenation using iridium catalysts resulting in chiral alcohols in high yields and excellent enantioselectivity. This methodology was applied in the formal synthesis of Aliskiren, an efficient renin inhibitor drug, using the asymmetric hydrogenation of an allylic alcohol as a key-step. Another project concerned the dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic secondary allylic alcohols using Ir-N,P catalysts under hydrogenation conditions. A range of secondary allylic alcohols and protected alcohols were evaluated in the asymmetric hydrogenation via dynamic kinetic resolution using Ir-N,P catalysts. The corresponding chiral saturated alcohols were formed in good yield with excellent diastereoselectivites (up to 95/5) and enantioselectivities (&gt;99% ee). The last part of this thesis is directed towards the development of highly regio- and enantioselective asymmetric hydrogenation of 1,4-cyclohexadienes and its application in the preparation of useful chiral cyclohexenone intermediates. Non-functionalised, functionalised and heterocycle-containing cyclohexadienes were evaluated. Good yield of regioselectively mono-hydrogenated silyl protected enol ethers were obtained in most cases with excellent enantioselectivity. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Manuscript. Paper 5: Manuscript.</p>

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

La fonctionnalisation par voie catalytique de substrats naturels a été menée dans le but d’accroître l’activité biologique reconnue de la molécule naturelle de départ ou de découvrir de nouvelles activités. Des réactions catalytiques telles que l’hydroformylation et l’alcoxycarbonylation mettant en jeu le monoxyde de carbone et catalysées par des complexes du rhodium et du palladium ou encore la réaction de cycloisomérisation catalysée par des complexes d’or ou du platine ont déjà permis d’accéder sélectivement à de nouvelles molécules intéressantes. Dans une première partie nous nous sommes intéressés à l’huile essentielle du cèdre de l’atlas (cedrus atlantica) qui est constituée d’une partie hydrocarbure et d’une partie oxygénée. Notre étude s’est focalisée sur la partie oxygénée de l’huile essentielle du cèdre de l’atlas qui est composée de deux cétones isomères, les Z- et E-α- atlantones. La réaction de cyclocarbonylation des alcools allyliques dérivés des α-atlantones a été étudiée. Cette réaction catalysée par des complexes du palladium permet d’obtenir des lactones à 5 et à 6 chainons. Plusieurs systèmes catalytiques de type [PdCl2L2]/SnCl2.2H2O ont été testés, lors de cette étude et nous avons montré que la regiosélectivité de la réaction peut être contrôlée par la nature du ligand utilisé. Ainsi, les ligands monophosphines favorisent la formation des lactones à 6 chainons obtenues sous forme de deux diastéréoisomères et les ligands diphosphines favorisent la formation de celles à 5 chainons obtenues sous forme de quatre diastéréoisomères. Ces lactones sont complètement caractérisées par RMN 1D et 2D et la spectrométrie de masse. Des monocristaux ont été obtenus et analysés par diffraction des rayons X. Dans une deuxième partie, la synthèse d’aldéhydes par réaction d’hydroformylation à partir de l’estragol, un allylbenzène extrait de l’huile essentielle de l’estragon, a été étudiée en présence du système catalytique [Rh(cod)(OMe)]2/ligand phosphole. Ainsi, nous avons évalué l’activité de plusieurs ligands phospholes dans cette réaction d’hydroformylation. Tous les ligands phospholes testés se sont révélés actifs et chimiosélectifs dans la réaction d’hydroformylation d’estragol pour donner majoritairement l’aldéhyde linéaire correspondant. Dans une étude préliminaire, nous avons étudié la réaction de cycloisomérisation d’énynes oxygénés dérivés d’α-atlantones catalysée par des complexes d’or ou du platine. / The catalytic functionnalisation of the natural substrates have been developped to increase their own biological activity or to give them new biological properties. The reactions such as hydroformylation, alkoxycarbonylation and cyclocarbonylation in presence of carbon monoxide catalyzed by rhodium or palladium complexes or cycloisomerisation catalyzed by gold or platinium complexes give an access to new interesting molecules with high selectivity. In first part we have been interested in study of the essential oil of the Atlas Cedar (Cedrus Atlantica). We focused in this study on the oxygenated fraction, which contains the two sesquiterpenic ketone,isomers Z- and E-α-atlantone. Starting from allylic alcohols derived from α-atlantone, the cyclocarbonylation reaction catalyzed by palladium complexes have been investigated. This reaction provide a mixture of five and six membered ring lactones with excellent conversion and excellent chemioselectivity. Different catalytic systems [PdCl2L2]/SnCl2.2H2O or [Pd(OAc)2]/L have been studied. The regiochemical control depends on the nature of the ligand L. The monophosphine ligands favor the formation of the six-membered ring lactones obtained as two diastereomers, while the diphosphine ligands allow the formation of the five- membered ring lactone obtained as four diastereomers. These new lactones were fully characterized by 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometry. Monocrystals of the six- and five-membered ring lactones suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis have been obtained. In a second part the hydroformylation reaction of estragol, a natural allylbenzene extracted from the essential oil of estragon, have been studied with the catalytic system [Rh(cod)(OMe)]2/phospholes. All the phosphole ligands show good activities and chemoselectivities in the hydroformylation of estragol and affords the linear aldehyde corresponding as a major product. In a preliminary study, we have investigated the cycloisomerisation reaction of o-tethered enynes derived from α-atlantones catalyzed by gold or platinum complexes.

Thesis advisor: Amir H. Hoveyda / Chapter One: An overview of Cu-catalyzed enantioselective allylic substitutions with organometallic reagents. Chapter Two: Development of Cu-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylations of allylic chlorides with Grignard reagents for the formation of all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers is disclosed. Chapter Three: Development of Cu-catalyzed enantioselective allylic substitutions of allylic phosphates with alkyl, aryl, and heterocyclic aluminum reagents for the formation of quaternary stereogenic centers is discussed. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2010. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: Amir H. Hoveyda / Chapter 1. In this chapter, the ability of chiral bidentate N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) to activate alkylmetal reagents directly in order to promote C&#8210;C bond forming reactions in the absence of a Cu salt is presented. Highly regio- and enantioselective Cu-free allylic alkylation reactions of di- and trisubstituted allylic substrates with organomagnesium, organozinc, and organoaluminum reagents are demonstrated. Chiral bidentate sulfonate-bearing NHC-Zn and NHC-Al complexes are isolated and fully characterized. Based on crystal structures of these catalytic complexes, mechanistic details regarding Cu-free allylic alkylations with alkylmetal reagents are proposed. Chapter 2. New methods for efficient and highly enantioselective Cu-catalyzed allylic alkylation reactions of a variety of trisubstituted allylic substrates with alkylmagnesium and alkyl-, aryl-, 2-furyl-, and 2-thiophenylaluminum reagents are presented. Transformations are promoted by a chiral NHC complex in the presence of commercially available, inexpensive and air stable CuCl2*H2O. Enantiomerically enriched compounds containing difficult-to-access all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers are obtained. Chapter 3. New methods for highly site- and enantioselective Cu-catalyzed allylic alkylation reactions of allylic phosphates with vinylaluminum reagents are presented. The requisite vinylaluminums are prepared by reaction of readily accessible terminal alkynes with DIBAL-H and used directly without further purification. Vinyl additions are promoted in the presence of a chiral bidentate sulfonate-based NHC complex and a Cu salt. The desired SN2' products are obtained in >98% E selectivities, >98% SN2' selectivities, >98% group selectivities (<2% i-Bu addition) and high enantioselectivities. The enantioselective total synthesis of the natural product bakuchiol highlights the versatility of the one-pot hydroalumination/Cu-catalyzed enantioselective allylic vinylation process. Chapter 4. Efficient and highly site-selective Cu-catalyzed hydroboration reactions of 1,2-disubstituted aryl olefins with bis(pinacolato)diboron (B2(pin)2) are presented. Transformations are promoted by an NHC-Cu complex in the presence of MeOH, affording only secondary &#946;-boronate isomers. A Cu-catalyzed method for the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched secondary alkylboronates promoted by chiral NHC complexes is disclosed. Chapter 5. A new method for efficient and site-selective tandem Cu-catalyzed copper-boron additions to terminal alkynes with B2(pin)2 in the presence of an NHC-Cu complex is demonstrated. In a one-pot process, Cu-catalyzed hydroboration of alkynes provides vinylboronates in situ, which undergo a second site-selective hydroboration to afford vicinal diboronates. Highly Enantiomerically enriched diboronates obtained through Cu-catalyzed enantioselective dihydroboration in the presence of chiral bidentate sulfonate-based NHC-Cu complex are obtained. The control of site selectivity in the first-stage hydroboration of alkynes is critical for efficient and highly enantioselective reactions in the tandem dihydroboration. Functionalizations of the vicinal diboronates described herein underline the significance of the current method. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2010. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Este trabalho compreende a síntese e caracterização de um novo catalisador magneticamente recuperável de CoO para oxidação alílica de alcenos. O catalisador foi preparado através da deposição de nanopartículas (de tamanho entre 2-3 nm) do metal cataliticamente ativo em nanopartículas de magnetita revestidas por sílica. A natureza magnética do suporte permitiu a fácil separação do catalisador do meio reacional após o termino das reações pela simples aproximação de um ímã na parede do reator. O catalisador pôde ser completamente separado da fase líquida, fazendo com que a utilização de outros métodos de separação como filtração e centrifugação, comumente utilizados em sistemas heterogêneos líquidos, fossem completamente dispensados. O catalisador foi inicialmente testado em reações de oxidação do substrato modelo cicloexeno e mostrou seletividade para a produção do produto alílico, cicloex-2-en-1-ona, que é reagente de partida de grande interesse para a síntese de diversos materiais na indústria química. As reações de oxidação foram realizadas utilizando-se apenas O2 como oxidante primário, dispensando o uso de oxidantes tóxicos como cromatos ou permanganatos, que não são recomendados do ponto de vista ambiental. O catalisador sintetizado mostrou ser reutilizável em sucessivos ciclos de oxidação, destacando-se o aumento da seletividade para a formação da cetona alílica conforme o catalisador perde atividade. A lixiviação da espécie ativa para o meio reacional, problema comum na catálise heterogênea, não foi observada. Um estudo cinético mostrou que mesmo no inicio da reação o catalisador tem seletividade para a ocorrência de oxidação alílica em detrimento da reação de oxidação direta que dá origem ao produto epóxido. Em todos os tempos estudados o produto principal da reação foi sempre a cicloexenona. Os estudos também revelaram que CoO é a espécie mais ativa quando comparado com Co2+, Co3O4 e Fe3O4 nas mesmas condições reacionais. O catalisador de CoO foi empregado na oxidação de monoterpenos mostrando alta seletividade para a formação dos produtos alílicos, resultando em derivados oxigenados altamente valiosos para a indústria de fragrâncias. / This master thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of a magnetically recoverable CoO catalyst for allylic oxidation of alkenes. The catalyst was prepared through the deposition of the catalytic active metal nanoparticles of 2-3 nm on silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles. The magnetic nature of the support allowed the easy separation of catalyst from the reaction medium after the completion of the reaction by simply placing a magnet on the reactor wall.The magnetic separation technique used was able to completely isolate the solid from the liquid phase, making the use of other separation methods such as filtration and centrifugation, commonly used in liquid heterogeneous systems, unnecessary.The catalyst was initially tested in the oxidation of cyclohexene, as a model substrate, and showed high selectivity to the formation of the allylic product, cyclohex-2-en-1-one, an interesting starting reactant for many reactions in the chemical industry. The oxidation reactions were performed using O2 as primary oxidant, eliminating the use of toxic oxidants such as chromate or permanganate, which are not environmentally friendly. The synthesized catalyst was found to be reusable in successive runs, with the increasing selectivity to the allylic ketone as the catalyst lost its activity. The leaching of active species to the reaction medium, a common problem in heterogeneous catalysis, was not observed. A kinetic study showed that even at initial times the catalyst is selective for the allylic oxidation despite the direct oxidation, which leads to the formation of the epoxy product. For all reactions studied in different times, the product was always cyclohexenone. The studies also revealed that CoO is the most active species when compared to Co2+, Co3O4 and Fe3O4 in the catalytic conditions studied. The CoO catalyst was used in the oxidation of monoterpenes and showed high selectivity for the allylic products, giving oxygenate derivatives of highly value for flagrance industry.