An important role of Pin1 is to catalyze the cis-trans isomerization of pSer/Thr-Pro bonds; as such, it plays an important role in many cellular events through the effects of conformational change on the function of its biological substrates, including Cdc25, c-Jun, and p53. The expression of Pin1 correlates with cyclin D1 levels, which contributes to cancer cell transformation. Overexpression of Pin1 promotes tumor growth, while its inhibition causes tumor cell apoptosis. Because Pin1 is overexpressed in many human cancer tissues, including breast, prostate, and lung cancer tissues, it plays an important role in oncogenesis, making its study vital for the development of anti-cancer agents. Many inhibitors have been discovered for Pin1, including 1) several classes of designed inhibitors such as alkene isosteres, non-peptidic, small molecular Pin1 inhibitors, and indanyl ketones, and 2) several natural products such as juglone, pepticinnamin E analogues, PiB and its derivatives obtained from a library screen. These Pin1 inhibitors show promise in the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic anticancer drugs due to their ability to block cell cycle progression. In order to develop potent Pin1 inhibitors, the concept of transition-state analogues was used for the design of three classes of compounds: ketoamide, ketone, and reduced amide analogues. Specifically, a convergent synthesis of α-ketoamide inhibitors of Pin1 was developed. An α-hydroxyorthothioester derivative of Ser was reacted directly with an aminyl synthon. The reaction was catalyzed by HgO and HgCl2 to form an α-hydroxyamide. Hydrolysis and coupling were combined in one step in 80% yield. Two diastereomers of a phospho-Ser-Pro α-ketoamide analogue were synthesized. The resulting IC50 values of 100 µM and 200 µM were surprisingly weak for the Pin1 peptidyl-prolyl isomerase. Diastereomeric ketones were synthesized by coupling cyclohexenyl lithium to the serine Weinreb amide, via the Michael addition of a carboxylate synthon. The IC50 values of the two ketone diastereomers were determined to be 260 μM and 61 μM, respectively. Five reduced amide inhibitors for Pin1 were synthesized through a selective reduction using borane. The most potent inhibitor was found to be Fmocâ pSerâ Ψ[CH2N]-Proâ tryptamine, which had an IC50 value of 6.3 µM. This represents a 4.5-fold better inhibition for Pin1 than a comparable cis-amide alkene isostere. The co-crystal structure of Acâ pSerâ Ψ[CH2N]-Proâ tryptamine bound to Pin1 was determined to 1.76 Ã resolution. Towards understanding the two proposed mechanisms of Pin1 catalysis, nucleophilic-additition mechanism and twisted-amide mechanism, three classes of Pin1 inhibitors (ketoamide, ketone, and reduced amide analogues) involving a total of nine compounds were synthesized and evaluated. The weak inhibitory activities of ketoamide and ketone analogues do not support the nucleophilic-addition mechanism, while the twisted-amide mechanism of Pin1 catalysis is promising based on the reduced amide inhibitors with good potencies. / Ph. D.

A novel acid-catalyzed self-condensation reaction of 6-diketones in the presence of 2,2,2-trifluorodiazoethane (TFD) has been discovered. This reaction is of interest because not many methods are available for the preparation of cyclized products (e.g., aromatic natural products) from 6-dicarbonyl units. Acid-catalyzed reactions of 1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione and several substituted derivatives of 1- phenyl-1,3-butanedione with TFD afforded two groups of substituted biphenyl compounds. One of these groups could be an important synthon for the preparation of larger polycyclic aromatic compounds. Several cyclized products have also been obtained from the reaction of 2, 4-pentanedione with TFD. Two potential mechanisms have been suggested to describe this cyclization process. Mechanistic studies utilizing dienophiles suggest that the previously described cyclized products have originated from Michael addition reactions. Several NMR techniques have been utilized to characterize the reaction products which were obtained in this study. These techniques include ¹³C labeling, the ¹³C NMR INADEQUATE pulse experiment, and applications of lanthanide shift reagents. The results that were obtained from the lanthanide shift reagent studies illustrate that certain oxygen atoms can be converted to 2, 2, 2-trifluoroethyl ethers to prevent complexation with lanthanide shift reagents. This methodology was successfully utilized to simplify the interpretation of lanthanide shift reagent results that were obtained from polyfunctional molecules. The reactions of several additional β-diketones have also been studied to better understand the cyclization process. / Ph. D.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Thermodynamic models have been investigated extensively since Johannes van der Waals first devised a mathematical relation capable of predicting both vapour and liquid phases for a mixture at equilibrium. With the advent of modern computing power, these equations of state have gone from their humble empirical beginnings to the comprehensive and fundamentally derived models we have today. One such physically sound model is the Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (SAFT) family of equations, derived from the molecular perturbation theories of the 1980’s. The relative youth of this thermodynamic framework has meant that much work has gone into modification and optimisation of the model recently. The variants of particular interest to this work are the simplified perturbed chain SAFT equations with the Jog & Chapman (sPC-SAFTJC) and Gross & Vrabec (sPC-SAFTGV) polar terms. Each of the polar terms supports one adjustable polar parameter that relates to the quantity of polar segments in the reference fluid but not necessarily its position in the carbon chain. The strength of polar interactions is known to decrease as the functional group moves away from the terminal methyl group and the effects of steric hindrance increase. Thus, in question here is whether the models can account for the change in polar interactions associated with the changing position of the polar group, by only adjusting the values of the existing pure component parameters; that is, in lieu of a position specific parameter. The carbonyl group in ketone molecules is one such polar group, and it is this homologous series that is the focus of this study. The decrease in polar interactions as the carbonyl group in a ketone molecule shifts centrally is apparent from the lower boiling points of the isomers where the polar group is central as compared to those where the functional group is nearer the terminal methyl group. The effect of this functional group shift on binary phase behaviour has not previously been assessed for any system however, as the lack of experimental data attests. Thus, experiments had to be conducted to generate phase equilibrium data for systems comprising each structural isomer of a mid-length ketone with a common second component with no functionality. This limitation was imposed to isolate the cause of experimentally observed phenomena to the shifting polar group alone. The generated data could then be appropriately modelled using the polar sPC-SAFT variants and the capabilities of each model, as outlined above, assessed. To this end, isobaric binary vapour-liquid equilibrium data were measured for 2-, 3- & 4-heptanone with three separate normal alkanes of similar length (n-octane, n-nonane & n-decane) at 40kPa. The apparatus used was a dynamic Gillespie VLE still with temperature and pressure accuracies of 0.03°C and 1.6mbar respectively. Equipment verification was achieved through the reproduction of experimental data for the ethanol/1-butanol system at 1.013bar. The vapour and liquid samples for all nine systems were analysed by gas chromatography with a maximum compositional error of ±0.022 mole fraction. All reported data were found to be thermodynamically consistent using both the L/W and McDermott-Ellis consistency tests. When paired with a common n-alkane, all three structural heptanone isomers displayed similar qualitative trends in phase behaviour. Minimum boiling azeotropes were measured in all nine systems; in the high alkane region for n-octane systems (~98 mole%), the equal concentration region for n-nonane systems (34 mole% to 53 mole%) and in the very dilute n-alkane region for n-decane systems (~3 mole%). The n-nonane systems in particular highlighted the effect of shifting functional group, with completely separate phase envelopes away from the pure alkane composition space evident in a particularly small temperature range. Modelling was performed using in-house developed software, with pure component parameters generated for each system using five different regression procedures. The first was traditional fitting of the segment diameter (σ), segment number (m), segment energy (є/k) and the respective polar parameter (xp, np) to DIPPR correlations of pure component saturated vapour pressure, liquid density and the heat of vaporisation. The latter four procedures included the fixing of the polar parameter according to functional group correlations and the three instances of including the binary VLE data set for each of the three alkanes considered in this work. When applied to the nine binary ketone-alkane systems measured in this work, excellent predictions of the experimental data were in evidence in most cases and only small binary interaction parameters were necessary to correlate the data where pure predictions were poor. The performance of the parameter sets based on the fixing of the polar parameter and the inclusion of VLE data were consistent and of a high quality for both models, with near identical parameters generated in all four cases for each of the nine systems. The parameter sets generated in this fashion were shown to be applicable not only to the systems measured in this work, but also successfully predicted the independently measured experimental data of the n-hexane/4-heptanone system. It was thus concluded that either of these regression alternatives are viable for the generation of accurate component parameters, and the choice of VLE data set included is trivial. The pure predictions of the sPC-SAFTGV model were generally better than its sPC-SAFTJC counterpart, particularly in the case of the traditionally regressed parameter sets. sPC-SAFTGV displayed constant qualitative agreement with the experimental data for each of the heptanone isomers with a given n-alkane. The quality of the predictions of sPC-SAFTJC, however, worsened significantly as the polar interactions diminished from 2- to 4-heptanone, with no predictions even possible for the least polar isomer. This was attributed to the different perturbation theories used in the development of these terms, but a more detailed study would be necessary to confirm this. This work thus shows an apparent inability of the sPC-SAFTJC equation of state to account for the decreasing polar interactions associated with the carbonyl group in a ketone molecule shifting centrally, while sPC-SAFTGV produces qualitatively good fits for all three isomers. These flaws can be overcome through the incorporation of VLE data in the regression procedure if such data is available, or otherwise through the use of group specific correlations for fixing the polar parameter value. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sedert Johannes van der Waals die eerste wiskundige verhouding ontwikkel het wat beide die damp- en vloeibare fases van 'n mengsel by ewewig kon voorspel, is die veld van termodinamiese modellering al deeglik ondersoek. Na die koms van die moderne rekenaars het hierdie vergelykings van hul nederige empiriese wortels gegroei tot die omvattende, fundamentele modelle wat ons vandag het. Een so 'n fundamenteel gebaseerde familie van vergelykings is die ‘Statistical Associating Fluid Theory’ (SAFT) modelle, wat afgelei is vanaf molekulêre versteuringsteorieë, ontwikkel in die 1980s. Hierdie relatiewe jong modelle het in die afgelope ruk aansienlike aanpassing en optimering ondervind. Modelvariante van besondere belang tot hierdie werk, is die vereenvoudigde versteurde ketting of ‘simplified perturbed chain’ SAFT vergelykings, met Jog & Chapman (sPC- SAFTJC) en Gross & Vrabec (sPC- SAFTGV) polêre terme. In die sPC-SAFT toestandsvergelyking word elkeen van die polêre terme ondersteun deur een polêre veranderlike. Hierdie veranderlike is afhanklik van die aantal polêre segmente in die verwysingsvloeistof, maar nie noodwendig hul posisie in die koolstofketting nie. Daarteen is dit bekend dat die polêre interaksies tussen molekules swakker word soos die polêre groep wegbeweeg van die terminale metielgroep, en steriese hindernis ʼn groter rol begin speel. Dus is die vraag of die model die verandering in die polêre interaksie, as gevolg van veranderende posisie van die polêre groep, kan voorspel deur in plek van ʼn posisie afhanklike parameter, slegs ʼn aanpassing van die polêre waardes van die suiwer komponente te maak. Die karbonielgroep in ketoon molekules is een so 'n polêre groep, en ʼn homoloë reeks ketone word in hierdie studie ondersoek. Die afname in die polêre interaksie soos wat die karbonielgroep in 'n ketoon molekule weg skuif vanaf die terminale metiel groep is sigbaar deur die afname in kookpunt van die verskillende isomere. Hierdie effek van die funksionele groepsposisie op binêre fasegedrag is nog nie voorheen vir enige stelsels geëvalueer nie en geen eksperimentele data is vrylik beskikbaar nie. Om hierdie tekortkoming in die literatuur aan te spreek, is eksperimentele fase ewewig data gemeet. ʼn Reeks stelsels is ondersoek wat elk bestaan uit ʼn struktuurisomeer van ʼn mid-lengte ketoon en ʼn tweede komponent met geen funksionele bydrae. Eksperimente is so opgestel om die effek van die skuiwende polêre groep op die fasegedrag te isoleer en kwalitatief te ondersoek. Die gegenereerde data is dan gemodelleer met behulp van die polêre sPC- SAFT variante, soos hierbo gespesifiseer, en die vermoëns van elke model is beoordeel. Isobariese binêre fase ewewig data is by 40kPa gemeet vir damp-vloeistof stelsels bestaande uit 2, 3 & 4 heptanoon, gemeng met drie verskillende normaal alkane van vergelykbare kettinglengte (n-oktaan, n-nonaan & n-dekaan). Die apparaat wat gebruik was is 'n dinamiese Gillespie VLE eenheid met temperatuur- en drukakkuraatheid van 0,03°C en 1.6mbar, onderskeidelik. Die akkuraatheid van die toerusting is bevestig deur eksperimentele data vir ʼn etanol/1-butanol stelsel by 1.013bar te reproduseer. Die damp en vloeibare monsters vir al nege stelsels is ontleed deur gaschromatografie met 'n maksimum komposisionele fout van ± 0,022 (molfraksie). Alle data is as termodinamies konsekwent gevind deur van beide die L/W en McDermott-Ellis konsekwentheidstoetse gebruik te maak. Mengsels van die drie strukturele isomere van heptanoon met ʼn gemene n-alkaan het tydens eksperimente soortgelyke kwalitatiewe tendense in fasegedrag getoon. Gedurende eksperimente is die lae kookpunt asiotrope gemeet vir al nege stelsels. Die asiotrope verskyn in die hoë alkaan konsentrasies (~98 mol%) vir n-oktaan stelsels, medium konsentrasies (34 mol% tot 53 mol%) vir n-nonaan stelsels en baie verdunde konsentrasies (~ 3 mol%) vir n-dekaan stelsels. Die n-nonaan stelsels beeld veral die effek van die verskuiwing van die funksionele groep uit, met diskrete fasegrense wat duidelik apart staan van die suiwer alkaan ruimte, binne ʼn klein temperatuurverskil. Modellering van die stelsels is uitgevoer met behulp van sagteware wat in-huis ontwikkel is. Suiwer komponent data is gegenereer vir elke stelsel deur van vyf verskillende regressie prosedures gebruik te maak. Die eerste is die tradisionele passing van die segment deursnee (σ), segment nommer (m), segment energie (є/k) en die onderskeie polêre parameters (xp, np) op DIPPR korrelasies van die suiwer komponent versadigde dampdruk, vloeistof digtheid en die hitte van verdamping. Die oorblywende vier prosedures sluit in die bepaling van die polêre parameter deur funksionelegroep korrelasies, en drie gevalle waar die binêre VLE data vir elk van die drie alkane ingesluit is. Deur hierdie prosedures op die modellering van die nege binêre ketoon/alkaan stelsels toe te pas, is uitstekende passings van die eksperimentele data verkry met slegs baie klein binêre interaksie parameters nodig waar voorspellings minder akkuraat was. Die prestasie van die parameter stelle, gebaseer op die bepaling van die polêre parameter en die insluiting van VLE data, is konsekwent en van 'n hoë gehalte vir albei modelle, met 'n byna identiese parameters gegenereer in al vier gevalle vir elk van die nege stelsels. Die parameter stelle wat op hierdie metode gegenereer is, is nie net toepaslik gevind op eksperimentele data gemeet in hierdie werk nie, maar ook op onafhanklike data vir die n-heksaan/4-heptanoon stelsel. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat beide van die regressie alternatiewe lewensvatbaar is vir die generasie van akkurate suiwer komponent parameters, en dat die insluiting van die VLE data triviaal is. Die suiwer sPC - SAFTGV voorspelling was oor die algemeen beter as die suiwer sPC- SAFTJC model met die voorspelling van data, veral in die geval van passings gedoen met parameters verkry vanaf tradisionele regressie metodes. sPC- SAFTGV het ʼn voortdurende, kwalitatiewe ooreenkoms met eksperimentele data getoon vir elk van die nege stelsels. Daarteen het voorspellings deur sPC- SAFTJC beduidend verswak soos die polêre interaksies afgeneem het vanaf 2- na 4- heptanoon, met geen akkurate voorspelling moontlik vir die minste polêre isomeer nie. Die verskynsel kan toegeskryf word aan die verskil in versteuringsteorieë wat gebruik word in die ontwikkeling van die onderskeie toestandsvergelykings, maar ʼn meer in-diepte ondersoek is nodig om hierdie teorie te bevestig. Hierdie werk toon dus 'n skynbare onvermoë van die sPC - SAFTJC toestandsvergelyking om die verandering in polêre interaksie, as gevolg van die veranderende posisie van die polêre groep, vir die karbonielgroep in ʼn ketoon te voorspel, terwyl die sPC-SAFTGV toestandsvergelyking goeie kwalitatiewe passings vir al drie isomere bied. Hierdie tekortkominge kan oorkom word deur VLE data, indien beskikbaar, in die regressie prosedure in te sluit, of deur die gebruik van groep spesifieke korrelasies vir die aanpassing van die polêre parameter.

This thesis deals with different optimization problems encountered in organic synthesis. The use of response surface, sequential simplex and PLS techniques, for simultanious optimization of yield and suppression of side reactions is investigated. This is illustrated by an example of enamine synthesis, were a side reaction was a serious problem. The problem of efficient screening to find suitable catalysts and solvents in new reactions is also investigated. Here, the use of principal properties as selection criterion, is demonstrated with a new process for the silylation of a,ß-unsaturated ketones. The extension of the new method to bis silylation of 1,2- and 1,3-diketones is demonstrated. The total synthesis of (±)-geosmin is investigated by an approach aimed to reduce the number of necessary steps involved. The suggested strategy, is to find compatible solvents through several transformations in the sequence to accomplish one-pot multistep reactions. In this context an improved method for the preparation of 1,10-dimethyl-l(9)-octalone-2 was established. Comparison with previously reported total syntheses of (±)-geosmin was done. / digitalisering@umu

The aim of this diploma thesis is to evaluate the data about holstein dairy cow body condition at calving and to review its effect on ketones blood level and its relation to incidence of ketosis. The monitoring took place in a selected dairy farm from October 2017 to February 2019. Body condition of 280 cows was evaluated on the day of calving by assessing the body condition score (BCS) and later on 10 days in milk the blood level of B-hydroxybutyrate was measured. Furthermore, parity, body weight in calving day, body weight on 10 days in milk, content of milk fat and protein on 10 days in milk and milk yield on 10 days in milk were monitored. Average BCS of the herd was 3,7, the maximum measured BCS value was 5, the minimum was 2. Total incidence of ketosis on herd level was 21,07 % considering ketosis if BHB 1,0 mmol.l-1. 62,7 % of that was a subclinical form of ketosis while the remaining 37,3 % was the clinical form of ketosis. Correlation analysis of the relation between parity and level of BHB in blood showed positive correlation (r=0,15, p=0,00), when cows on higher lactation had higher level of blood BHB. Positive correlation between fat/protein ratio in milk and level of BHB in blood was evaluated by correlation analysis (r=0,31 , p=0,00). The BCS at calving and BHB level on 10 days in milk showed positive correlation (r=0,14 , p=0,02). As far as negative energy balance is taken into account, the positive correlation between BCS at calving and body weight loss was confirmed (r=0,17 , p=0,00). The fact that heavier cows and cows with higher BCS mobilise more body fat reserves was confirmed by positive correlation between the body weight at calving and the body weight loss (r=0,47, p=0,00) and between the body weight at calving and the fat/protein ratio in milk (r=0,27, p=0,00). Body weight at calving had provable positive impact on the milk yield (r=0,19, p=0,00).

Neste trabalho foram realizadas reações de redução de cetonas empregando diferentes organismos marinhos como biocatalisadores (algas, fungos e bactérias). Nas triagens foram utilizados derivados de acetofenonas (o-iodoacetofenona, m-iodoacetofenona, p-iodoacetofenona, o-fluoracetofenona, o-cloroacetofenona, o-bromoacetofenona, o-nitroacetofenona) e duas cetonas 1,3-dicarboniladas: a 4,4,4-triflúor-1-(furan-2-il)butano-1,3-diona e a 4,4,4-triflúor-1-(naftalen-2-il)butano-1,3-diona. As reações com as algas marinhas Bostrychia tenella e a Bostrychia radicans levaram aos álcoois com excelentes seletividades (ee >98%), contudo, obtiveram-se baixas conversões. Foram isoladas as bactérias Bt-01 (B. tenella) e Bt-02 (B. radicans), as quais catalisaram as reduções das acetofenonas com resultados similares aos obtidos com as algas. Os fungos (Br-09, Br-23, Br-27, Br-61) isolados da alga B. radicans reduziram as acetofenonas com boas seletividades e conversões. Ainda, reações de redução das acetofenonas com quatro linhagens de fungos isolados da alga Sargassum sp (SMA2-C, SMA2-8, SMA2-58, SGPY-41) levaram a obtenção dos respectivos álcoois com diferentes conversões e seletividades. As reduções das cetonas 1,3-dicarboniladas foram realizadas com as algas B. tenella e B. radicans, e com sete linhagens de fungos marinhos (Aspergillus sydowii Ce15, Aspergillus sydowii Ce19, Aspergillus sydowii Gc12, Bionectria sp Ce5, Penicillium raistrickii Ce16, Penicillium miczynskii Gc5 e Trichoderma sp Gc1). As algas e os fungos marinhos catalisaram a redução regiosseletiva e estereosseletiva das cetonas 1,3-dicarboniladas, onde ocorreu a redução do grupo α-trifluorcarbonílico. Concluiu-se que as algas e seus microrganismos associados, e os fungos marinhos têm potencial para serem utilizados como biocatalisadores em reações de redução. Este trabalho foi o primeiro estudo realizado no país envolvendo algas marinhas e seus microrganismos associados em reações de redução de cetonas, cujos resultados são bastante promissores. / In this work, were investigated the ketone reduction reactions using several marine organisms as biocatalysts (algae, fungi and bacteria). In the screening were utilized acetophenone derivatives (o-iodoacetophenone, m-iodoacetophenone, p-iodoacetophenone, o-fluoroacetophenone, o-chloroacetophenone, o-bromoacetophenone, o-nitroacetophenone) and two 1,3-dicarbonylated compounds: 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(furan-2-yl)butane-1,3-dione and 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(naftalen-2-yl)butane-1,3-dione. The reactions with algae Bostrychia tenella and Bostrychia radicans afforded the alcohols with high selectivities (ee > 98%), however, with low conversions. The bacteria Bt-01 and Bt-02 were isolated from algae B. tenella and B. radicans, respectively, which catalyzed the reductions of acetophenones as the same as obtained with the algae. The acetophenones were reduced by several fungi (Br-09, Br-23, Br-27, Br-61) in good selectivities and conversions. These fungi were isolated from Bostrychia radicans. In addition, the acetophenone reduction reactions were screened with four strains of fungi, which were isolated from algae Sargassum sp (SMA2-C, SMA2-8, SMA2-58, SGPY-41). The alcohols were obtained with different conversions and selectivities. The reductions of 1,3-dicarbonylated compounds were carried out with the algae B. tenella and B. radicans, and marine fungi (Aspergillus sydowii Ce15, Aspergillus sydowii Ce19, Aspergillus sydowii Gc12, Bionectria sp Ce5, Penicillium raistrickii Ce16, Penicillium miczynskii Gc5 and Trichoderma sp Gc1). The algae and marine fungi catalyzed regio- and estereoselectively reductions of the 1,3-dicarbonylated compounds. The α-trifluoromethylcarbonyl group was reduced preferentially. In conclusion, the algae and associated micro-organisms and marine fungi have potential for catalyzing ketone reduction reactions. This investigation was the first study carried out in the Brazil by using algae and associated micro-organisms in the ketone reduction reactions. The obtained results here are promising and interesting.

Sustainable chemical processes are becoming increasingly important in all fields of synthetic chemistry. Catalysis can play an important role in developing environmentally benign chemical processes, and transition metals have an important role to play in the area of green chemistry. In particular, palladium(II) catalysis includes many key features for successful green chemistry methods, as demonstrated by a number of eco-friendly oxidation reactions catalyzed by palladium(II). The aim of the work presented in this thesis was to develop novel and greener palladium(II)-catalyzed coupling reactions. In striving to achieve this aim, the first open-vessel, room-temperature palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidative Heck reaction, using oxygen from the air as the reoxidant of palladium, was developed. In a further investigation of the palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidative Heck reaction, base-free conditions for the transformation were identified and suitable conditions for microwave-assisted oxidative Heck reactions were established. A convenient and low-cost palladium(II)-catalyzed method for the synthesis of styrene derivatives, by coupling arylboranes with vinyl acetate, was developed. The reaction mechanism was studied using ESI-MS, which enabled the detection of cationic palladium intermediates in ongoing productive reactions, and a plausible catalytic cycle was proposed. In an attempt to make the oxidative Heck and the styrene synthesis reactions more attractive from an industrial point of view, conditions for continuous flow synthesis were identified. The results were generally good and rapid synthesis of the desired products was obtained. The first palladium(II)-catalyzed C–P bond-forming Hirao-type reaction, employing arylboranes instead of the commonly used aryl halides, was developed. An ESI-MS study was performed, and a plausible catalytic pathway was suggested. Finally, a novel method for synthesizing aryl ketones from benzoic acids and nitriles, via palladium(II)-catalyzed decarboxylation of the benzoic acids, was established. Further, the reaction mechanism was studied by ESI-MS and a plausible catalytic route presented.

&amp / #945 / -Hydroxy phosphonates are versatile building blocks for the synthesis of many biologically active compounds that display antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, pesticide activities beside their enzyme inhibitory activities such as they are the inhibitors of rennin or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease and polymerase. Benzaldehyde lyase is able to catalyze not only C-C bond formation reactions but also C-C bond breaking reactions with high enantioselectivity that brings about the development of new synthetic methodologies for the synthesis of hydroxy ketones which are the key intermediates in the synthesis of many biologically active compounds due to the versatility of stereogenic center for developing structural diversity. There are several synthetic methodologies for the synthesis of hydroxy phoshonates however, in this work we have achieved the synthesis of hydroxy phoshonates through C-C bond forming reactions catalyzed by Benzaldehyde lyase that offers the use of green methodologies. Moreover, we have achieved the synthesis of hydroxy ketones which are versatile building blocks in the synthesis of many biologically active compounds via the immobilization of BAL enzyme on superparamagnetic solid support with high yield and high enantioselectivity.

This thesis focuses on the asymmetric reduction of N-protected derivatives of (3S)-3-amino-1-chloro-4-phenyl-2-butanone to their corresponding diastereomeric alcohol products, which are key intermediates in the synthesis of HIV protease inhibitors. Although the stereoselective synthesis of the (S,S) alcohol product is easily achieved, preparing the (R,S) diastereomer is much more challenging. I investigated three diastereoselective reduction processes: 1) Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley (MPV) reduction, 2) asymmetric transfer hydrogenation, and 3) boron reducing agents. The diastereoselectivity of the MPV reduction still favored the (S,S) product; however, I discovered a significant rate enhancement when the standard catalyst (aluminum isopropoxide) was replaced with aluminum tert-butoxide. Many reaction variables were investigated in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reaction and the diastereoselectivity was improved to give a ratio of the desired (R,S) diastereomer to the undesired (S,S) alcohol of 9.5:1. Using chiral oxazaborolidine catalysts, an unprecedented (R,S) to (S,S) ratio of 9.5:1 was achieved. Finally, I investigated the effect of the N-protecting group on the stereoselectivity of the reduction. When the original boc-protecting group was replaced with a phthalimide group, the diastereoselectivity of the MPV reduction was reversed to favor the desired (R,S) product.

[Alpha]-Amino ketones can serve as important intermediates for the synthesis of biologically active molecules, and making these precursors in a practical manner has long been a challenge for organic chemists. The oxygen-carbon-carbon-nitrogen (O-C-C-N) sequence is common in natural and synthetic compounds of biological interest, due in part to their relatedness to peptides. Because of the many known carbonyl transformations, [alpha]-amino ketones have the potential to form various amine derivatives. Herein we present our research endeavors which led to several novel methods of forming this type of functionality. These endeavors culminated with the development of a two-step hydrazidation/N-N bond cleavage technique for forming [alpha]-amino ketals--which can be readily hydrolyzed to [alpha]-amino ketones. / text