The asymmetric synthesis of cis-1,4-aminoalcohols with norbornene backbone was performed starting with simple and cheap anhydride 30. Quinine-mediated desymmetrization of anhydride 30 with methanol resulted in (2S,3R)-(-)-cis-hemiester 31 (98% e.e.). Chemoselective amination with HMPTA and NH4OH followed by LAH reduction afforded (2S,3R)-(+)-36 and (2S,3R)-(-)-37, respectively. The amidoester (2S,3R)-(-)-32 was transformed into chiral ligand (2S,3R)-(-)-35 with Grignard reaction followed by LAH reduction. The chiral ligands (2S,3R)-(-)-35, (2S,3R)-(+)-36 and (2S,3R)-(-)-37 were subjected to asymmetric diethylzinc addition reaction to examine their effectiveness as chiral catalyst. Among these, chiral ligand 36 exhibited the highest enantioselectivity (88% e.e.)

This thesis describes the use of 2H-azirines, three-membered unsaturatednitrogen-containing heterocycles, as reactive intermediates ina number of Lewis acid promoted alkylations and Diels-Alderreactions providing synthetically useful aziridines. In order to carry out this investigation a new generalprocedure for the ring closure of vinyl azides, forming theresultant 3-substituted-2H-azirines, was developed applying low boiling solventsin closed reaction vessels at elevated temperatures. The addition of organolithium reagents in the presence ofcommercially available chiral ligands, to the 3-(2-naphthyl)-2H-azirine was studied, which gave the correspondingaziridines. Several Lewis acids were shown to catalyze the normalelectron-demand Diels-Alder reaction between 3-alkyl-,3-aromatic-, and 3-ester-substituted 2H-azirines and various dienes. These reactions gave theexpected cycloadducts in moderate yields. Using a chiral auxiliary high diastereoselectivity wasobtained in the addition of alkyl radicals to a8-phenylmenthyl-substituted 2H-azirine-3-carboxylate. The alkyl radicals weregenerated from the corresponding trialkyl borane and molecularoxygen. Hydroborations and transmetallations were used toprepare these trialkylboranes. Catalytic amounts of CuClincreased the diastereoselectivity in the radical additionreactions. Attempts were made to explain how the coordination of aLewis acid to the azirine nitrogen atom affects thereactivity/stability of the azirine. DFT calculations and NMRexperiments involving Lewis acid-azirine complexes wereperformed. Keywords:Enantioselective, diastereoselective, vinylazide, 2H-azirines, aziridines, Lewis acid, chiral ligand,chiral auxiliary, organolithiums, Diels-Alder reaction, alkylradicals, triethylborane.

This thesis deals with the design of ligands for efficientasymmetric catalysis and studies of the conformation of theligands in the catalytically active complexes. All ligandsdeveloped contain chiral oxazoline heterocycles. The conformations of hydroxy- and methoxy-substitutedpyridinooxazolines and bis(oxazolines) during Pd-catalysedallylic alkylations were investigated using crystallography,2D-NMR techniques and DFT calculations. A stabilising OH-Pdinteraction was discovered which might explain the differencein reactivity between the hydroxy- and methoxy-containingligands. The conformational change in the ligands due to thisinteraction may explain the different selectivities observed inthe catalytic reaction. Polymer-bound pyridinooxazolines and bis(oxazolines) weresynthesised and employed in Pd-catalysed allylic alkylationswith results similar to those of monomeric analogues;enantioselectivities up to 95% were obtained. One polymer-boundligand could be re-used several times after removal of Pd(0).The polymer-bound bis(oxazoline) was also used in Zn-catalysedDiels-Alder reactions, but the heterogenised catalyst gavelower selectivities than a monomeric analogue. A series of chiral dendron-containing pyridinooxazolines andbis(oxazolines) were synthesised and evaluated in Pd-catalysedallylic alkylations. The dendrons did not seem to have anyinfluence on the selectivity and little influence on the yieldwhen introduced in the pyridinooxazoline ligands. In thebis(oxazoline) series lower generation dendrimers had a postiveon the selectivity, but the selectivity and the activitydecreased with increasing generation. Crown ether-containing ligands were investigated inpalladium-catalysed alkylations. No evidence of a possibleinteraction between the metal in the crown ether and thenucleophile was discovered. A new type of catalyst, an oxazoline-containing palladacyclewas found to be very active in oxidations of secondary alcoholsto the corresponding aldehydes or ketones. The reactions wereperformed with air as the re-oxidant. Therefore, this is anenviromentally friendly oxidation method. <b>Keywords:</b>asymmetric catalysis, chiral ligand,oxazolines, conformational study, allylic substitution,polymer-bound ligands, dendritic ligands, crown ether,oxidations, palladacycle.

Amino alcohols are valuable bioactive substances and frequently used as chiral catalyst in various asymmetric transformation reactions. In the synthetic route, the asymmetric synthesis of novel chiral N,N-dialkyl substituted chiral 1,4-amino alcohols are performed starting with meso-anhydride 38. Quinine-mediated desymmetrization of the anhydride with methanol afforded (2S,3R)-cis-monoester 39 with a high enantiomeric excess (up to 98% ee). Chemoselective amidation of hemiester with various N,N-dialkyl substituted amines resulted in amido esters and they were subjected to LAH reduction to afford chiral 1,4-amino alcohol ligands. The activities of the chiral ligands, (2S,3R)-43, (2S,3R)-44, (2S,3R)-45, (2S,3R)-46 were tested in various asymmetric transformation reactions, i.e. asymmetric diethylzinc addition and asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions. Keywords: 1,4-Amino alcohols, chiral ligand, asymmetric diethylzinc addition reaction, Diels-Alder reaction

<p>This thesis deals with the design of ligands for efficientasymmetric catalysis and studies of the conformation of theligands in the catalytically active complexes. All ligandsdeveloped contain chiral oxazoline heterocycles.</p><p>The conformations of hydroxy- and methoxy-substitutedpyridinooxazolines and bis(oxazolines) during Pd-catalysedallylic alkylations were investigated using crystallography,2D-NMR techniques and DFT calculations. A stabilising OH-Pdinteraction was discovered which might explain the differencein reactivity between the hydroxy- and methoxy-containingligands. The conformational change in the ligands due to thisinteraction may explain the different selectivities observed inthe catalytic reaction.</p><p>Polymer-bound pyridinooxazolines and bis(oxazolines) weresynthesised and employed in Pd-catalysed allylic alkylationswith results similar to those of monomeric analogues;enantioselectivities up to 95% were obtained. One polymer-boundligand could be re-used several times after removal of Pd(0).The polymer-bound bis(oxazoline) was also used in Zn-catalysedDiels-Alder reactions, but the heterogenised catalyst gavelower selectivities than a monomeric analogue.</p><p>A series of chiral dendron-containing pyridinooxazolines andbis(oxazolines) were synthesised and evaluated in Pd-catalysedallylic alkylations. The dendrons did not seem to have anyinfluence on the selectivity and little influence on the yieldwhen introduced in the pyridinooxazoline ligands. In thebis(oxazoline) series lower generation dendrimers had a postiveon the selectivity, but the selectivity and the activitydecreased with increasing generation.</p><p>Crown ether-containing ligands were investigated inpalladium-catalysed alkylations. No evidence of a possibleinteraction between the metal in the crown ether and thenucleophile was discovered.</p><p>A new type of catalyst, an oxazoline-containing palladacyclewas found to be very active in oxidations of secondary alcoholsto the corresponding aldehydes or ketones. The reactions wereperformed with air as the re-oxidant. Therefore, this is anenviromentally friendly oxidation method.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>asymmetric catalysis, chiral ligand,oxazolines, conformational study, allylic substitution,polymer-bound ligands, dendritic ligands, crown ether,oxidations, palladacycle.</p>

<p>This thesis describes the use of 2<i>H</i>-azirines, three-membered unsaturatednitrogen-containing heterocycles, as reactive intermediates ina number of Lewis acid promoted alkylations and Diels-Alderreactions providing synthetically useful aziridines.</p><p>In order to carry out this investigation a new generalprocedure for the ring closure of vinyl azides, forming theresultant 3-substituted-2<i>H</i>-azirines, was developed applying low boiling solventsin closed reaction vessels at elevated temperatures.</p><p>The addition of organolithium reagents in the presence ofcommercially available chiral ligands, to the 3-(2-naphthyl)-2<i>H</i>-azirine was studied, which gave the correspondingaziridines.</p><p>Several Lewis acids were shown to catalyze the normalelectron-demand Diels-Alder reaction between 3-alkyl-,3-aromatic-, and 3-ester-substituted 2<i>H</i>-azirines and various dienes. These reactions gave theexpected cycloadducts in moderate yields.</p><p>Using a chiral auxiliary high diastereoselectivity wasobtained in the addition of alkyl radicals to a8-phenylmenthyl-substituted 2<i>H</i>-azirine-3-carboxylate. The alkyl radicals weregenerated from the corresponding trialkyl borane and molecularoxygen. Hydroborations and transmetallations were used toprepare these trialkylboranes. Catalytic amounts of CuClincreased the diastereoselectivity in the radical additionreactions.</p><p>Attempts were made to explain how the coordination of aLewis acid to the azirine nitrogen atom affects thereactivity/stability of the azirine. DFT calculations and NMRexperiments involving Lewis acid-azirine complexes wereperformed.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>Enantioselective, diastereoselective, vinylazide, 2<i>H</i>-azirines, aziridines, Lewis acid, chiral ligand,chiral auxiliary, organolithiums, Diels-Alder reaction, alkylradicals, triethylborane.</p>

L'utilisation des matières premières renouvelables dans la synthèse des molécules organiques ou les additifs alimentaires, les pesticides et les polymères a trouvé un intérêt croissant ces dernières années pour des raisons économiques aussi bien qu'écologiques. Au cœur des produits naturels on trouve les terpènes provenant essentiellement des bioressources et représentant une grande famille de molécules naturelles. Ils offrent un potentiel important pour l'accès à des produits à haute valeur ajoutée en utilisant des outils catalytiques sélectifs, tout en respectant le principe d'économie d'atomes. Les réactions cascades basées sur les processus d’(auto)transfert d'hydrogène, générant uniquement de l'eau et des sels non toxiques comme produits secondaires sont particulièrement propres, efficaces et attractives du point de vue de la valorisation durable des terpènes. Dans ce contexte, nous avons développé un nouveau système catalytique et efficace pour l’amination réductrice des alcools allyliques en présence de différentes amines en utilisant des complexes de ruthénium(II). Cette méthode a été appliquée à une large gamme d'alcools allyliques terpéniques tels que le géraniol, le nérol et le phytol, ce qui a permis leur valorisation d’une façon chimiosélective, ne générant que l’eau et le dioxyde de carbone comme sous produits bénins. La fonctionnalisation sp3 C-H des azaterpènes cycliques a été ensuite réalisée avec différents terpènes aldéhydes en présence de complexe de ruthénium(II). Ces transformations ont permis la production d'une petite librairie de N-et C-azaterpenes. Certains de ces terpènes alcaloïdes ont montré une bonne activité antibactérienne. Par la suite, la synthèse de nouveaux complexes chiraux [Ru(Cp’)] (IV) à partir de (+)-nopinone, un monoterpène issu de l’oxydation de β-pinène a été réalisée. L'application de ces complexes dans l'allylation asymétrique de carbonate de cinnamyle par le phénol a montré une bonne régio- et énantiosélectivité. / The use of renewable feedstock in the synthesis of organic molecules such as food additives, pesticides and polymers, has found increasing interest over recent years due to economic as well as ecological reasons. At the heart of natural products are terpenes derived essentially from bioresources and they represent a large family of natural molecules, which have a moderate cost. They offer a significant potential for the access to products with high added value using selective catalytic tools, respecting the principle of atom economy. Catalytic reactions involving hydrogen (auto)transfer, generating only water and non-toxic salts as byproducts are particularly clean, efficient and attractive methods from a sustainable point of view for the valorization of terpenes. In this context we have developed a new and efficient catalytic system for reductive amination of allylic alcohols in the presence of various amines using arene ruthenium(II) complex. The application of this method to a wide range of terpenic allylic alcohols like geraniol, nerol and phytol allowed the formation of new azaterpenes in good yield and high chemoselectivity generating only water and carbon dioxide as benign side products. The sp3 C–H functionalization of N-terpenylated cyclic amines was then performed with various terpenaldehydes without side alkene reduction in the presence of arene ruthenium(II) catalyst. These eco-friendly transformations enable the production of a small library of N- and C- terpenylated amines. Some of these terpene alkaloids showed good antibacterial activities. The synthesis of new chiral [Ru(Cp’)] (IV) complexes featuring a N,O chelate were successful, using a chiral ligand derived from commercially available (+)-nopinone, a monoterpene derived from oxidation of β-pinene. The application of these complexes in the asymmetric allylation of cinnamyl carbonate by phenol gave high regioselectivity and satisfactory enantioselectivity.

<p>This thesis describes the synthesis and application of new chiral bicyclic ligands and their application in asymmetric catalysis. The studies involved: [i] The development of novel chiral bicyclic amino sulfur ligands and their use in transfer hydrogenation. [ii] The development of the kinetic resolution of racemic epoxide through the use of chiral lithium amides. [iii] The synthesis and application of chiral bicyclic amine in the organocatalysed epoxidation of alkenes. [iv] Development and application of new chiral diamine ligands in the rearrangement of epoxides into allylic alcohols.</p><p>[i] The preparation of two-series of amino thiol ligands based on the structure of camphor is described, together with their application in the iridium-catalysed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone using isopropanol as the hydrogen source. Excellent activity and good enantioselectivity have been achieved using 2 mol% of chiral ligand in combination with [IrCl(COD)]2.</p><p>[ii] The chiral diamines (1S,3R,4R)-3-(pyrrolidine-1-ylmethyl)-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane and its (2R,5R)-dimethylpyrrolidine derivative were applied to the kinetic resolution of a variety of racemic 5-7 membered cycloalkene oxides with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) as the bulk base. Using 5 mol% of the chiral diamines, both unreacted epoxides and allylic alcohols could be produced in enantiomeric excess up to 99%.</p><p>[iii] The synthesis of chiral bicyclic amines and their use in the organocatalysed epoxidation of alkene has been described. Using a substoichiometric amount of the chiral amines and aldehydes as ligands precursors, with Oxone® as oxidant, a good activity but moderate enantioselectivity was observed for the epoxidation of trans-stilbene. </p><p>[iv] The preparation of 6-substituted-7-bromo-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes via nucleophilic addition of organocopper reagents to 3-bromo-1-azoniatricyclo[2.2.1.0]heptyle bromide has been described. These compounds have been utilised as chiral building blocks in the preparation of novel chiral diamine ligands, which have been successfully applied to the catalysed asymmetric rearrangement of epoxide into the corresponding allylic alcohol.</p>

This thesis deals with the design and syntheses of chiral,enantiopure pyridinecontaining ligands and their applicationsin asymmetric catalyis. Chiral pyridyl pyrrolidine ligands and pyridyl oxazolineligands were synthesized and employed in thepalladium-catalysed allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. Theinfluence of the steric properties of the ligands wereinvestigated. Ditopic ligands, containing crown ether units as structuralelements, were synthesized and some of the ligands were used asligands in the palladiumcatalysed allylic alkylation of1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. A smallrate enhancement was observed, compared with analogous ligandslacking the crown ether unit, when these ditopic ligands wereused in dilute systems. A modular approach was used to synthesize chiralenantiomerically pure pyridyl alcohols and C2-symmetric2,2’-bipyridines, with the chirality originating from thechiral pool. Electronic and steric properties of the compoundswere varied and they were used as ligands in theenantioselective addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. Thesense of asymmetric induction was found to be determined by theabsolute configuration of the carbinol carbon atom. Theelectronic properties of the ligands had a minor influence onthe levels of enantioselectivity induced by the ligands. Chiral pyridyl phosphinite ligands and pyridyl phosphiteligands were synthesized from the pyridyl alcohols andevaluated as ligands in palladiumcatalysed allylic alkylations.With the phosphinite ligands, the sense of chiral induction wasfound to be determined by the absolute configuration of theformer carbinol carbon atom. A kinetic resolution of theracemic starting material was observed with one of thephosphite ligands. Moderate enantioselectivities wereachieved. <b>Kewords:</b>asymmetric catalysis, chiral ligand, chiralpool, oxazoline, crownether, ditopic receptor, bipyridine,pyridyl alcohol, modular approach, P,Nligand, diethylzinc,allylic alkylation.

This thesis describes the synthesis and application of new chiral bicyclic ligands and their application in asymmetric catalysis. The studies involved: [i] The development of novel chiral bicyclic amino sulfur ligands and their use in transfer hydrogenation. [ii] The development of the kinetic resolution of racemic epoxide through the use of chiral lithium amides. [iii] The synthesis and application of chiral bicyclic amine in the organocatalysed epoxidation of alkenes. [iv] Development and application of new chiral diamine ligands in the rearrangement of epoxides into allylic alcohols. [i] The preparation of two-series of amino thiol ligands based on the structure of camphor is described, together with their application in the iridium-catalysed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone using isopropanol as the hydrogen source. Excellent activity and good enantioselectivity have been achieved using 2 mol% of chiral ligand in combination with [IrCl(COD)]2. [ii] The chiral diamines (1S,3R,4R)-3-(pyrrolidine-1-ylmethyl)-2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane and its (2R,5R)-dimethylpyrrolidine derivative were applied to the kinetic resolution of a variety of racemic 5-7 membered cycloalkene oxides with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) as the bulk base. Using 5 mol% of the chiral diamines, both unreacted epoxides and allylic alcohols could be produced in enantiomeric excess up to 99%. [iii] The synthesis of chiral bicyclic amines and their use in the organocatalysed epoxidation of alkene has been described. Using a substoichiometric amount of the chiral amines and aldehydes as ligands precursors, with Oxone® as oxidant, a good activity but moderate enantioselectivity was observed for the epoxidation of trans-stilbene. [iv] The preparation of 6-substituted-7-bromo-aza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes via nucleophilic addition of organocopper reagents to 3-bromo-1-azoniatricyclo[2.2.1.0]heptyle bromide has been described. These compounds have been utilised as chiral building blocks in the preparation of novel chiral diamine ligands, which have been successfully applied to the catalysed asymmetric rearrangement of epoxide into the corresponding allylic alcohol.