Les travaux de recherche fondamentale présentés ici sont ancrés au cœur de la chimie organique de synthèse moderne, et plus particulièrement dans le domaine de la multi-organocatalyse énantiosélective. Dans ce manuscrit, nous avons identifié deux organocascades originales et démontré la pertinence synthétique de l'une d'elle par des applications en synthèse totale de produits naturels. L’originalité de ce travail repose sur l’utilisation d’un NHC de la classe des 1,3-imidazol-2-ylidenes comme base de Brønsted ou base de Lewis organocatalytique / The basic research work presented herein is anchored at the core of modern synthetic organic chemistry, and more specifically in the field of enantioselective multi-organocatalysis. In this manuscript, we have identified two original organocascades and demonstrated the synthetic relevance of one of these through applications in total synthesis. The originality of the work lies on the use of a 1,3-imidazol-2-ylidene NHC as an organocatalytic Brønsted or Lewis base.

Les travaux de recherche présentés dans cet ouvrage ont été effectués dans le but de développer des catalyseurs pour la réaction d'halolactonisation énantiosélective. Deux approches différentes ont été réalisées. Dans l'introduction, il sera mention des précédents de la littérature sur la réaction d'halolactonisation énantiosélective. Aussi, une contrainte traitant d'une réaction en compétition lors de la réaction d'halolactonisation énantiosélective sera expliquée. Cette particularité devra être contournée lors du développement d'une nouvelle méthodologie asymétrique. Au premier chapitre, la première approche pour effectuer la réaction de façon énantiosélective sera abordée. Un cycle catalytique où il y aura oxydation d'un composé chiral d'iode (I) en iode (III) sera proposé. Au second chapitre, une autre méthodologie sera développée pour l'halolactonisation énantiosélective. Dans ce chapitre, les composés haloiodanes seront étudiés plus en profondeur. Leurs synthèses et leurs réactivités seront étudiées afin de mieux comprendre ces composés. Par la suite, un cycle catalytique impliquant un acide de Bronsted chiral sera développé. Au troisième chapitre, un sujet complètement différent sera traité, celui de la chimie des diazirines. Actuellement, les diazirines sont utilisées principalement comme source de carbènes, mais dans cet ouvrage il sera démontré que les diazirines peuvent agir comme source d'azote électrophile. Cette propriété est très intéressante et sera exploitée pour effectuer la synthèse d'indoles de façon expéditive et divergente.

Since its discovery in 1912, the Mannich reaction has been widely utilized in organic chemistry to form C-C bonds. Reactivity of an enol with an imine allows for easy formation of a [beta]-aminoketone. Enamines have also been widely utilized as convenient nucleophiles. In our work, unexpected reactivity of the [gamma] position of [beta]-enamidoesters in a Brønsted acid environment and high enantioselectivity of a Mannich reaction were achieved through chiral phosphoramidic acid catalysis. A novel class of chiral phosphoramidic acids was designed, synthesized from the corresponding diamines, with several sulfonyl N-protecting groups, and characterized. Their unique properties arise from their Brønsted acid nature, atropisomerism and ability to form complexes via H-bond. Once prepared, such catalysts were successfully used as organocatalysts for the regio- and enantioselective Mannich reaction of [beta]-enamidoesters and imines. Their activity is described as a method to reverse the regioselectivity of the nucleophile while achieving high enantioselectivities in the formation of chiral benzhydrils. A diverse range of imines has been tested, obtaining yields of up to 93% and enantioselectivities of up to 99:1. A few substituted enamines were also tested to study the influence of substituents on the regioselectivity. A mechanism for this reaction is proposed and kinetic studies confirmed that the reaction is first order in catalyst. The ozonolysis of the product of this Mannich reaction was performed to prove the absolute stereochemistry of the product; and a new efficient methodology for the asymmetric preparation of aminoacid [beta]-phenyl-[beta]-alanine benzyl ester is described. The reduction of the enamide moiety of the Mannich product was attempted via asymmetric hydrogenation and via hydride reduction to diastereomerically obtain 1,3-diamines, which are compounds of major synthetic interest. Unfortunately our attempts in this direction were not successful. Finally, a multicomponent reaction between an aldehyde, a substituted phenol, and a styrylboronate was developed as an alternative method for the preparation of chiral benzhydrils. This process is also organocatalytic and the methodology was optimized in the presence of 3-3'-disubstituted BINOLs. Yields up to 71% and enantioselectivities up to 96:4 were achieved. A mechanism for this organocatalytic reaction is also proposed.

Les Polyoxométallates (POMs) sont des nano-molécules anioniques faites par des métaux fortement oxydés et d'oxygène, dont la structure est facilement contrôlée en changeant les conditions synthétiques. Les POMs simples sont utilisés dans des processus industriels comme catalyseurs acides de Brønsted ou comme oxydants. Pour concevoir des nouvelles structures hybrides catalytiques pour la catalyse acide asymétrique (enzymes artificielles), façon Brønsted, nous avons fonctionnalisé le POM (P2W15V3O62)9- avec des ligands organiques (amides et urées). Des études pour comprendre comment le POM influence l'activité acide du ligand organique ont été faites : le POM permet d'améliorer l'acidité des protons du ligand grâce à son caractère electro-attracteur et à sa propriété d'agir comme un réservoir d'électrons. En plus, les POMs lacunaires (?1/?2-P2W17O61)10- étaient fonctionnalisés par des chaînes polyglyciniques de différentes longueurs, dans le but d'étudier par RMN à très haut-champ et par Dynamique Moléculaire quìels sont les facteurs critiques dirigeant les interactions intra-moléculaires en solution, entre les polypeptides et le POM. Le polyoxométallate permet de rigidifier les chaînes peptidiques, agissant comme accepteur des liaisons hydrogène contre les protons amidiques de la chaîne latérale. Nous avons démontré que l'interaction est une fonction de la longueur de chaîne peptidique, de la position de la lacune sur le POM et de la position spécifique du proton sur la chaine latérale / Polyoxometalates (POMs) are anionic nano-molecules made by highly oxidized metals and oxygen, whose structure can be easily controlled changing synthetic conditions. Thanks to their robustness, simple POMs are regularly used in industrial processes as Brønsted acids or oxidants. With the aim to rationally design new hybrid POM-based Brønsted acid catalysts for asymmetric catalysis (artificial enzymes), we functionalized the inorganic framework (P2W15V3O62)9- with organic moieties (amides and ureas) to understand how the POM can influence the acid activity of the organo ligands. We established that the POM allows to improve the acidity of the protons in the organo-ligands thanks to its electrowithdrawing character and its property to act as electron reservoir.In parallel, the lacunary (?1/?2-P2W17O61)10- POMs were functionalized with polyglycines chains of different lengths to understand through high-field NMR studies and Molecular Dynamics simulations which are the critical factors governing the intramolecular interactions in solution between polypeptides and the POM surface. The polyoxometalate rigidifies the peptide chains, acting as H-bonding acceptor versus the amidic protons of the lateral chain. We also demonstrated that the interaction is a function of the peptide chain length, the lacuna position on the POM and the amidic proton position on the lateral chain

L'objectif du projet est de synthétiser et de tester de nouveaux catalyseurs organiques supportés qui servont à la préparation d'amines chirales par la réaction de réduction de ketimines et à la préparation d'acides aminés phosphoniques par la réaction de Pudovik. La présence d'un support facilite la récupération et le recyclage du catalyseur. Le projet est basé sur le développement de nouveaux types de catalyseurs organiques, comme les acides de Bronsted chiraux, sur support polymérique – polyéthylène glycol, possédant une activité catalytique et de stéréodifférentiation élevée, facilement récupérables d'un mélange réactionnel pour une utilisation dans plusieurs cycles catalytiques. Les diesters de l'acide phosphorique, dérivés de bisphenols, ont étés utilisés comme catalyseurs acides. Une série de dérivés polymériques basés sur des PEG monofonctionnalisés de différentes tailles ont été préparée. Ces catalyseurs ont testés dans plusieurs réactions énantiosélectives d'addition de différents nucléophiles sur liaisons C = N permettant l'accès à des précurseurs importants, que sont les amines chirales et les acides α-aminés phosphorés. / Asymmetric organocatalysis has emerged recently as a powerful tool for the preparation of chiral molecules. The aim of the project was to design, synthesize and test new supported organocatalysts for the preparation of molecules by transfer hydrogenation reaction of ketimines and by Pudovik reaction for the amino phosphonic acid. The presence of a soluble support provided homogeneous conditions for catalysis and facilitated recovery and recycling of the catalyst. A series of derivatized polymers based on monofunctional PEG's with different sizes were prepared. These catalysts were tested in several enantioselective addition reactions of various nucleophiles to multiple C=N-bond leading to precursors of practically important compounds such as chiral amines, amino phosphonic acids.

Durante o último século, diversas transformações envolvendo diazocompostos foram descobertas. Diazocompostos em presença de um átomo metálico como Rh, Cu, Au, entre outros, dão origem a um carbenóide o qual pode ser utilizado em diversos tipos de transformações. Dentre estas, podem ser destacadas as reações de ciclopropanação, rearranjos de Wolff, formação de ilídeos, reações de inserção C-H e reações de inserção X-H (sendo X= N, O, S, Se, halogênios, etc). As reações de inserção X-H, em especial as inserções de nitrogênio e oxigênio, tem sido muito estudadas nos últimos anos. Para se ter ideia do tamanho da importância dessas reações, as inserções N-H são atualmente usadas como etapa chave do processo da síntese do antibiótico Tienamicina, desenvolvido pela Merck. Recentemente, a primeira síntese total do Maecristal V, um produto natural muito promissor no combate ao câncer, evolveu em uma das etapas chave a reação de inserção O-H. Entretanto, a maior parte das metodologias para reações de inserção são descritas com a utilização de catálise metálica ou por reações fotoquímicas. A organocatálise tem se destacado nos últimos anos, o que pode ser notado pelo crescente número de publicações na área. Além das vantagem como, por exemplo, o menor custo, menor geração de resíduos, menor toxicidade, maior tolerância ao ar e umidade, entre outras. O presente trabalho demonstra uma nova metodologia para reações de inserção O-H, utilizando-se ácidos de Brønsted como organocatalisadores, especificamente um ácido fosfórico. Foram desenvolvidas duas metodologias, uma sem solvente com excesso de um álcool e outra utilizando solvente na presença de uma menor quantidade de álcool, fornecendo rendimentos entre 19-91%. Essas metodologias foram avaliadas em outras substâncias hidroxiladas, tais como, água, fenóis e silanóis, porém sem sucesso nesses casos. Por último, foram realizadas reações de inserção de metanol em alguns exemplos de um exemplo de α-aril-diazoéteres e em α-diazocetona, com rendimentos entre 50-96%, sendo possível mostrar a aplicabilidade do método. Por fim, foi estudada a inserção de metanol em β-ceto-α-diazoésteres, mas não houve sucesso nessa reação. / Over the last century, several transformations involving diazocompounds were discovered. Diazocompounds in the presence of metallic atoms such as Rh, Cu, Au, among others, lead to a carbenoid, which may be used in many kinds of transformations. Among them, we may hightlight cyclopropanation reactions, the Wolff rearrangement, formation of ylides, C-H and X-H insertion reactions (being X= N, O, S, Se, halogen, etc). The X-H insertion reactions, in special insertions of nitrogen and oxygen, have been extensively studied in the last years. To mention the importance of these reactions, a N-H insertion was used as the key step for the preparation of the antibiotic Tienamicene, developed by Merck. Recently, the first total synthesis of Maecristal V, a very promising natural product for cancer treatment, involved an O-H insertion reaction. Despite of that, most methodologies for insertion reactions are still described by metal catalysis or photochemistry reactions. Organocatalisys has been very popular in recent years, as may be seen by the growing number of publications in the area. Beyond this advantage, lower cost, less waste, less toxicity, increased tolerance to air and moisture are also encountered in organocatalysis. The present work demonstrates a new methodology for O-H insertion reaction, using Brønsted acids as the catalyst, specifically a phosphoric acid. Two methodologies were developed, one without solvent and with an excess of alcohol and other using solvent in presence of small amount of alcohol. Insertion reactions were performed in different alcohols, furnishing yields between 19-91%. These methodologies were evaluated with other hydroxylated substances, such as, water, phenols and silanols, but without success. Insertion reactions in the presence of methanol were carried out for some examples of α-aril-diazoesthers and with one example of a α-diazoketone (yields between 50-96%), showing the applicability of this method. Finally, the insertion of methanol in a β-keto-α-diazoesther was studied, but without success in this reaction.

Durante o último século, diversas transformações envolvendo diazocompostos foram descobertas. Diazocompostos em presença de um átomo metálico como Rh, Cu, Au, entre outros, dão origem a um carbenóide o qual pode ser utilizado em diversos tipos de transformações. Dentre estas, podem ser destacadas as reações de ciclopropanação, rearranjos de Wolff, formação de ilídeos, reações de inserção C-H e reações de inserção X-H (sendo X= N, O, S, Se, halogênios, etc). As reações de inserção X-H, em especial as inserções de nitrogênio e oxigênio, tem sido muito estudadas nos últimos anos. Para se ter ideia do tamanho da importância dessas reações, as inserções N-H são atualmente usadas como etapa chave do processo da síntese do antibiótico Tienamicina, desenvolvido pela Merck. Recentemente, a primeira síntese total do Maecristal V, um produto natural muito promissor no combate ao câncer, evolveu em uma das etapas chave a reação de inserção O-H. Entretanto, a maior parte das metodologias para reações de inserção são descritas com a utilização de catálise metálica ou por reações fotoquímicas. A organocatálise tem se destacado nos últimos anos, o que pode ser notado pelo crescente número de publicações na área. Além das vantagem como, por exemplo, o menor custo, menor geração de resíduos, menor toxicidade, maior tolerância ao ar e umidade, entre outras. O presente trabalho demonstra uma nova metodologia para reações de inserção O-H, utilizando-se ácidos de Brønsted como organocatalisadores, especificamente um ácido fosfórico. Foram desenvolvidas duas metodologias, uma sem solvente com excesso de um álcool e outra utilizando solvente na presença de uma menor quantidade de álcool, fornecendo rendimentos entre 19-91%. Essas metodologias foram avaliadas em outras substâncias hidroxiladas, tais como, água, fenóis e silanóis, porém sem sucesso nesses casos. Por último, foram realizadas reações de inserção de metanol em alguns exemplos de um exemplo de α-aril-diazoéteres e em α-diazocetona, com rendimentos entre 50-96%, sendo possível mostrar a aplicabilidade do método. Por fim, foi estudada a inserção de metanol em β-ceto-α-diazoésteres, mas não houve sucesso nessa reação. / Over the last century, several transformations involving diazocompounds were discovered. Diazocompounds in the presence of metallic atoms such as Rh, Cu, Au, among others, lead to a carbenoid, which may be used in many kinds of transformations. Among them, we may hightlight cyclopropanation reactions, the Wolff rearrangement, formation of ylides, C-H and X-H insertion reactions (being X= N, O, S, Se, halogen, etc). The X-H insertion reactions, in special insertions of nitrogen and oxygen, have been extensively studied in the last years. To mention the importance of these reactions, a N-H insertion was used as the key step for the preparation of the antibiotic Tienamicene, developed by Merck. Recently, the first total synthesis of Maecristal V, a very promising natural product for cancer treatment, involved an O-H insertion reaction. Despite of that, most methodologies for insertion reactions are still described by metal catalysis or photochemistry reactions. Organocatalisys has been very popular in recent years, as may be seen by the growing number of publications in the area. Beyond this advantage, lower cost, less waste, less toxicity, increased tolerance to air and moisture are also encountered in organocatalysis. The present work demonstrates a new methodology for O-H insertion reaction, using Brønsted acids as the catalyst, specifically a phosphoric acid. Two methodologies were developed, one without solvent and with an excess of alcohol and other using solvent in presence of small amount of alcohol. Insertion reactions were performed in different alcohols, furnishing yields between 19-91%. These methodologies were evaluated with other hydroxylated substances, such as, water, phenols and silanols, but without success. Insertion reactions in the presence of methanol were carried out for some examples of α-aril-diazoesthers and with one example of a α-diazoketone (yields between 50-96%), showing the applicability of this method. Finally, the insertion of methanol in a β-keto-α-diazoesther was studied, but without success in this reaction.

This thesis concerns the development of the first BINOL phosphoric acid (BPA) catalysed enantioselective N-acyliminium cyclisation reactions and their incorporation into domino sequences that allow for the construction of architecturally complex enantioenriched polycycles in a single step from easily accessible starting materials. More specifically, this thesis deals with the discovery of a BPA-catalysed enantioselective N-acyliminium cyclisation cascade of enol lactones and tryptamines. Its extension to a doubly catalysed process involving gold(I) to cycloisomerise alkynoic acids and a BPA to effect the enantioselective N-acyliminium cyclisation is presented. In addition, the exploitation of this method in highly diastereo- and enantioselective N-acyliminium cyclisations of oxoacids and tryptamines and in a site isolated base-catalysed Michael addition / acid-catalysed N-acyliminium cyclisation cascade is described. A study on the proposed mechanism and model for the origin of enantioselectivity is discussed, based on experimental data and a computational study. As a separate part of our programme, the development of a new class of stronger Brønsted acids, chiral benzenesulphonic acids, is described. The optimisation of the synthetic routes as well as the synthesis of a library of acids is presented and their assessment in precedented reactions is discussed.

Values of the rate constant for the alkaline hydrolysis of methyl acetate in various aqueous-organic solvent mixtures (dimethyl sulfoxide 0<x40.2, dioxane 0 <, x., < 0.2, methyl ethyl ketone 0<x<0.06 and diglyme, i. e. ether-bis (2-methyloxethyl) 0x<0.10) have been determined for the temperatures 15 0 C, 25 0C and 35 0C conductometrically. To interpret these results the approach adapted is to experimentally determine the activity coefficient of the ester (YE ) and the activity of the water (aH20', mechanistically, at least one molecule of water is involved in the rate-determining step) and then to use the Bronsted-Bjerrum equation to determine the residual activity coefficient ratio of the participating ions, y (Yf - for Oil the transition state). Values of YE and aH 20 have been determined by a transpiration method, using gas-chromatographic analysis of the vapours of solutions of methyl acetate in aqueous-organic solvent mixtures of dir. ethyl sulfoxide, dioxane, methyl ethyl ketone and diglyme in the same composition ranges as above, tetrahydrofuran 04x org z<, 0.15, methanol, ethanol and tert-butanol in t1h6e range 04x0.20'at 25oC. These results indicate that on changing org the solvent composition YE varies by a larger factor than is predicted for the ratio YOH-/yýO_ by the Debye-Iluckel approach, and hence is the dominant factor in determining the effects of solvent composition on the rates of the hydrolysis. This is in contradiction to the assumptions of the electrostatic theories of Laidler and Eyring, and of Amis and Jaffe. The gas-chromatographic results also indicate that whilst the concentration of the water varies in each mixture studied, the activity coefficient varies in the opposite way to produce almost constant values of aý, 0* Using the transpiratioii/gas-chromatogralýlic method, the thermodynamic properties of the ternary systems, methyl acetate-water-organic Solvcat, using the organic solvents mentioned above (excepting, diglyme) have been investigated, and the results indicate that the variation of *ýE with solvent composition, for the dilute solutions of ester used, can be estimated from the thermodynamic properties of the binary water-organic solvent mixtures, using the Gibbs-Dahem equation. Single ion activity coefficients in the literature for small negative ions, to represent the OH_ ion, and for large ions, to rep-resent the transition state ion, have been used to explain the experimentally fomd variation of the residual activity coefficient -ratio with solvent composition. Hence, it is concluded that the importance of the parameters involved in the hydrolysis of esters - an ion-molecule reaction - in aqueousorganic solvent mixtures are in the order of Ymolecule > aH 20> YOH_/YM+ -> (dielectric constant), and that the nonelectrostatic effects -- thermodynamic effects - are more important in these studies than the electrostatic effects. From a preliminary investigation of the data in the literature the thermodynamic approach also yields a valid interpretation of the effect of solvent composition on the rates of the acid hydrolysis of esters.

Values of the rate constant for the alkaline hydrolysis of methyl acetate in various aqueous-organic solvent mixtures (dimethyl sulfoxide 0<x40.2, dioxane 0 <, x., < 0.2, methyl ethyl ketone 0<x<0.06 and diglyme, i. e. ether-bis (2-methyloxethyl) 0x<0.10) have been determined for the temperatures 15 0 C, 25 0C and 35 0C conductometrically. To interpret these results the approach adapted is to experimentally determine the activity coefficient of the ester (YE ) and the activity of the water (aH20', mechanistically, at least one molecule of water is involved in the rate-determining step) and then to use the Bronsted-Bjerrum equation to determine the residual activity coefficient ratio of the participating ions, y (Yf - for Oil the transition state). Values of YE and aH 20 have been determined by a transpiration method, using gas-chromatographic analysis of the vapours of solutions of methyl acetate in aqueous-organic solvent mixtures of dir. ethyl sulfoxide, dioxane, methyl ethyl ketone and diglyme in the same composition ranges as above, tetrahydrofuran 04x org z<, 0.15, methanol, ethanol and tert-butanol in t1h6e range 04x0.20'at 25oC. These results indicate that on changing org the solvent composition YE varies by a larger factor than is predicted for the ratio YOH-/yýO_ by the Debye-Iluckel approach, and hence is the dominant factor in determining the effects of solvent composition on the rates of the hydrolysis. This is in contradiction to the assumptions of the electrostatic theories of Laidler and Eyring, and of Amis and Jaffe. The gas-chromatographic results also indicate that whilst the concentration of the water varies in each mixture studied, the activity coefficient varies in the opposite way to produce almost constant values of aý, 0* Using the transpiratioii/gas-chromatogralýlic method, the thermodynamic properties of the ternary systems, methyl acetate-water-organic Solvcat, using the organic solvents mentioned above (excepting, diglyme) have been investigated, and the results indicate that the variation of *ýE with solvent composition, for the dilute solutions of ester used, can be estimated from the thermodynamic properties of the binary water-organic solvent mixtures, using the Gibbs-Dahem equation. Single ion activity coefficients in the literature for small negative ions, to represent the OH_ ion, and for large ions, to rep-resent the transition state ion, have been used to explain the experimentally fomd variation of the residual activity coefficient -ratio with solvent composition. Hence, it is concluded that the importance of the parameters involved in the hydrolysis of esters - an ion-molecule reaction - in aqueousorganic solvent mixtures are in the order of Ymolecule > aH 20> YOH_/YM+ -> (dielectric constant), and that the nonelectrostatic effects -- thermodynamic effects - are more important in these studies than the electrostatic effects. From a preliminary investigation of the data in the literature the thermodynamic approach also yields a valid interpretation of the effect of solvent composition on the rates of the acid hydrolysis of esters. / Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Iran