published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Sulfoxide-ligand exchange (SLE) and asymmetric halogen-metal exchange (AHME) processes were separately examined for the enantioselective synthesis of functionalized alpha-haloalkylmetal (carbenoid) reagents. Carbenoids derived from SLE were used to effect stereospecific reagent-controlled homologation (StReCH) of boronic esters and those generated via AHME were engaged in Darzens-type chemistry with aldehydes. Abstract for Part 1. Scalemic syn alpha-chloroalkylsulfoxides p-TolS(O)CHClR [R = allyl, (1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)methyl, proparygyl, and 2-(benzyloxy)ethyl] were prepared from the corresponding thioethers by Jackson-Ellman-Bolm catalytic enantioselective sulfoxidation [cat. VO(acac)₂, tert-leucinol derived chiral Schiff base ligand, aq. H₂O₂, CHCl₃; 76-80% yield, >98% ee] followed by non-racemizing chlorination mediated by N-chlorosuccinimide in the presence of potassium carbonate (84-86% yield, syn:anti ≥ 20:1). The corresponding anti diastereoisomers were accessed from their syn epimers by sodium hexamethyldisilazide mediated deprotonation (THF, –78 °C) followed by treatment with either CH₃OH or CD₃OD to yield alpha-[¹H] or alpha-[²H] isotopomers, respectively (88% yield, anti:syn ≥ 17:1). Allyl and (1,3- dioxan-2-yl)methyl substituted chlorosulfoxides reacted with R'Li (t-BuLi or PhLi, THF, –78 °C) to give the expected products of SLE [p-TolS(O)R' and LiCHClR or LiCDClR]; however, neither the benzylether nor propargyl substituted substrates gave wholly satisfactory results under the same reaction conditions. The functionalized carbenoid reagents so obtained, 1-chloro-3-butenyllithium and 1-chloro-2-(1,3- dioxolan-2-yl)ethyllithium, were applied to the StReCH of B-(2-chloropyrid-5-yl) pinacol boronate but only the latter gave acceptable yields of chain extended products. The anti alpha-[²H]-chlorosulfoxide dioxolanyl bearing carbenoid precursor gave superior results to the analogous syn or anti alpha-[¹H]-chlorosulfoxides for StReCH of the B-pyridyl boronate [79% conversion, ≥ 89% ee (99% stereofidelity), vs. ≤ 68% conversion for non-deuterated chlorosulfoxides]. The origin of this isotope effect was traced to a deleterious proton transfer pathway between the alpha- chloroalkyllithium reagent and its chlorosulfoxide precursor. Sequential double iterative StReCH of B-(2-chloropyrid-5-yl) pinacol boronate with two separate portions of (S)-1-[²H]-1-chloro-2-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)ethyllithium (generated via SLE with phenyllithium) followed by oxidative work-up (with KOOH) gave (1R,2R)-1,2- [²H]₂-2-(2-chloropyrid-5-yl)-1,2-bis[(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)methyl]ethanol (40% yield, ≥ 98% ee, dr = 85:15). Substitution of the (R)-configured carbenoid for its antipode in the second StReCH stage above gave the unlike (1S,2R)-isomer of the same pyridylethanol derivative (49% yield, ≥ 98% ee, dr = 79:21). The unlike diastereoisomer was advanced to the trifluoroacetamide of (1R,2R)-1,2-[2H]2-1- amino-2-(2-chloropyrid-5-yl)cyclohex-4-ene (6 steps, 5% overall yield); the non- deuterated isotopomer of this compound was previously advanced to the analgesic alkaloid (–)-epibatidine by Corey and co-workers. Abstract for Part 2. Scalemic planar chiral N,N-dialkyl 2-iodoferrocene carboxamides envisioned as recyclable precursors to ferrocenyl metal reagents for AHME, were prepared from ferrocene carboxylic acid by a three step sequence of: acid chloride formation [(COCl)₂ and cat. DMF)], aminolysis (with R₂NH, R = Me, Et, i-Pr; 65- 80% yield over 2 steps), and sec-butyllithium/(–)-sparteine mediated enantioselective directed ortho-metallation (DoM) followed by iodinolysis (87% yield, ≥ 96% ee). Attempts to access more elaborate 5-substituted 2-iodoferrocene carboxamides via DoM/iodinolysis of ortho-substituted ferrocene carboxamides (Me, Ph, or SiMe₃ substituents) mostly failed; however, analogous trisubstituted ferrocene oxazolines could be synthesized. Treatment of N,N-diisopropyl 2-iodoferrocene carboxamide (298, ≥ 96% ee) with n-BuLi (THF, –78 °C) resulted in complete conversion to the corresponding lithioferrocene (327) via I/Li interchange; subsequent iodinolysis initiated reverse Li/I exchange and returned iodoferrocene 298 without diminished enantiomeric excess, establishing configurational stability for the lithiated ferrocene intermediate. Prochiral (RCHI₂) and racemic (RCHICl) geminal dihalide substrates for AHME studies were prepared by electrophilic quench of dihalomethylsodiums with either Ph(CH₂)₃I or Me₃SiCl (50-78% yield). Of the four dihalides so produced, only prochiral substrate Me₃SiCHI₂ engaged in I/Li exchange with scalemic lithioferrocene 327 resulting in regeneration of its precursor iodoferrocene 298 and the formation of a putative chiral carbenoid Me₃SiCHLiI. Trapping of the carbenoid with aldehydes RCHO (R = Ph, 4-MeOC₆H₄, Ph(CH₂)₂, c-C₆H₁₁) in the presence of Me₂AlCl gave the expected epoxysilane products (35-40% yield, cis:trans ≥ 2:1) but without discernable enantiomeric excess. Hypotheses to account for the apparent lack of stereoinduction in this AHME cycle are presented. Comparable experiments using analogous magnesiated ferrocenes failed to produce putative carbenoid species from the same set of geminal dihalide substrates. / Graduation date: 2012

M.Sc. / 2-(Pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine ligands were synthesised by phase transfer alkylation of 2-picolyl hydrochloride with the appropriate pyrazole. These ligands were subsequently reacted with NiCl2, NiBr2, FeCl2 or CoCl2 to form the respective complexes. The substituents on the pyrazole included phenyl and tert-butyl groups as well as electron withdrawing CF3 groups. The substituents played an important role in the steric and electrophilic nature of the metals. A second ligand design is 2,6-bis(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine and were prepared by phase transfer alkylation of 2,6-bis(chloromethyl)pyridine with two mole equivalents of the appropriate pyrazole. These ligands were reacted with NiCl2, NiBr2, FeCl2 or CoCl2 to form the respective complexes. A third ligand design is 2-(chloromethyl)- or 2-(bromomethyl)-6-(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine and were prepared by the selective alkylation of 2,6-bis(chloromethyl)pyridine with one mole equivalent of the appropriate pyrazole. These ligands were also reacted with NiCl2, NiBr2, FeCl2 or CoCl2 to form the respective complexes. Characterisation of all compounds was done by a range of spectroscopic techniques as well as X-ray crystallography and elemental analysis. The data showed good fit to the proposed structures and in a few cases were confirmed by X-Ray crystallography. All complexes were tested as catalysts for ethylene and higher olefin oligomerisation and showed good activity. The production of alkenes were confirmed in toluene and hexane, however, due to the use of EtAlCl2 and toluene the oligomers were alkylated to form the Friedel-Crafts alkylation products. Similar alkylation was observed for the higher olefin reactions. In comparison, the same reactions in hexane resulted in only C4, C6 and C8 oligomers. When higher olefin reactions were also conducted in hexane, polymeric solids were observed.

The conversion of alkynyl carbonyls to allenyl carbonyls via manganese mediated coordination followed by a base-catalyzed isomerization was carried out using a range of chiral and achiral amine bases. Chiral amidine and chiral DBU derivatives were synthesized to carry out the isomerization enantioselectively. We employed HPLC equipped with a chiral column to determine the enantiomeric excess. We also proved that the mechanism of that the manganese-coordinated alkyne/allene rearrangement reaction involved an intermediate cumenolate. It was also confirmed that amine base with pKa lower than that of DBU (pKa = 13.6) would not carry out the isomerization. Alkoxy base were also used in isomerization and the mechanism was also investigated. / by Chang He. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Abstract not available

Luminescent transition metal complexes have attracted tremendous interest in the analytical field. Most luminescent metal complexes possess long emission lifetimes in the visible region, and their phosphorescence can be readily distinguished from short-lived background auto-fluorescence. Moreover, their large Stokes shift can prevent self-quenching, while their modular synthesis allows their properties to be readily tuned without labor-intensive synthetic protocols. These properties render transition metal complexes as promising candidates for the development of biosensors. In this study, I aimed to explore different kinds of Ir(III) complexes that can be used as biosensors to monitor DNA secondary structures or protein conformations. Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction regarding the luminescence mechanism of transition metal complexes, and the properties, structures and preparations of Ir(III) complexes are also introduced. Chapters 24 report the syntheses and screening of Ir(III) complexes, and the use of these Ir(III) complexes to monitor the secondary structure of DNA, such as G-quadruplex, G-triplex and i-motif DNA. Chapter 2 reports the G-quadruplex-selective properties of two luminescent Ir(III) complexes 2.1 and 2.9 for the detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) and nicking endonuclease in aqueous solution, respectively; Chapter 3 explores a novel Ir(III) complex 3.8 which is highly specific for G-triplex DNA, and was thus employed for Mung Bean nuclease activity detection; Chapter 4 introduces the Ir(III) complex 4.1 that exhibited a high signal enhancement to i-motif DNA, and was therefore used for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) activity detection. Chapter 5 describes the two novel cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes 5.1 and 5.21 that were used to monitor two kinds of proteins, human serum albumin (HSA) and beta-amyloid(140) (Aβ140), respectively.

This thesis describes the synthesis and isolation of silver, mercury, ruthenium and palladium complexes of bidentate N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), derived from imidazolium-linked cyclophanes and related bis-imidazolium salts. The cyclophane structures contain two imidazolyl links between ortho- and meta- substituted aromatic rings and the related structures are ortho-, meta- and para-xylyl linked bis-imidazolium salts. The complexes have been characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The synthesis of five new silver complexes has been achieved via a simple complexation reaction of the cyclophane and bis-imidazolium salts with the basic metal source Ag2O. The new silver carbene systems are thermally stable. Three of the complexes are dinuclear, cationic complexes, while two are mononuclear complexes, one cationic and one neutral. A number of mono- and di-nuclear mercury(II)-NHC complexes have been synthesised from the ortho- and meta-linked cyclophanes and the related meta-linked bis-imidazolium salts. The mercury complexes were prepared by direct mercuration method using mercury(II) acetate. The syntheses were perfomed in air and the complexes are stable to air and moisture. Mercury complexes I and II represent the first example of mononuclear metal complexes derived from meta-substituted imidazolium-linked cyclophanes. NHC-ligand transfer reactions from NHC-silver complexes and NHC-mercury complexes are described. An ortho-cyclophane ligand was successfully transfered from a silver complex to its palladium counterpart. Furthermore, palladium complex III, bearing a para-xylyl linked bis-NHC ligand, was made by transmetallation from both a silver and mercury complex. This is the first reported NHC-palladium complex of a para-xylyl linked bis-NHC ligand. A new redox transmetallation method for NHC ligand transfer, using a mercury complex, is presented. A palladium complex was made via redox transmetallation using a mercury complex of an ortho-NHC-cyclophane. A ruthenium(II)-NHC complex, IV containing an ortho-cyclophane ligand has been prepared via silver transmetallation and in situ complexation methods. In the transmetallation route, a silver complex of an ortho-cyclophane was treated with RuCl2(PPh3)3 to form IV. This complex represents the first example of a ruthenium complex bearing an NHC-cyclophane ligand, v and is also the first example of a metal complex derived from an imidazolium-linked cyclophane where the arene unit of the cyclophane is also involved in bonding to the metal centre.

Este trabalho descreve uma nova metodologia sintética que combina a química de espécies organometálicas contendo Se e Te com biotransformações usando lipases, para a síntese enantiosseletiva de fenilselenolactonas 7a e feniltelurolactonas 7b. Estas lactonas foram obtidas pela resolução cinética de álcoois secundários racêmicos 6, pela ação da lipase de pâncreas de porco (PPL- Sigma-Aldrich) em meio orgânico anidro. (Ver arquivo PDF). / This work describes a novel synthetic methodology that combines the chemistry of organic compounds, organometalic species containing Se and Te and biotransformations using lipases for the enantioselective synthesis of phenylselenolactones 7a and phenyltelurolactones 7b. These lactones were obtained by kinetic resolution of racemic sec-alcohols 6 by the action of pig pancreatic lipases (PPL- Sigma-Aldrich) in organic media (Scheme1). (See files PDF)

[Truncated abstract] This thesis describes various synthetic approaches toward the synthesis of highly conjugated complexes incorporating multiple transition metal centres. Particular attention is given to the synthesis of mononuclear complexes that allow for the facile assembly of discrete oligo- and poly-nuclear complexes in a controlled, stepwise fashion. Conjugated multi-metallic materials are of interest on account of their unique photophysical and electronic properties, with a particular emphasis on elucidating the nature of intramolecular communication between multiple metal centres. Chapter 1 provides a survey of these topics and current research efforts in the field. Chapter 2 describes the synthesis of Group-VIII allenylidene complexes incorporating a terminal bipyridyl moiety that provides a site for further coordination. The new compound 9-hydroxy-9-ethynyl-4,5-diazafluorene was synthesised, and reaction of this proligand with a coordinatively unsaturated metal fragment yields the allenylidene complexes [MCl(PnP)2=C=C=(4,5-diazafluoren-9-yl)]PF6 (M = Ru, PnP = dppm, dppe, dmpe; M = Os, PnP = dppm) and [CpRu(dppe)=C=C=(4,5-diazafluoren- 9-yl)]PF6. The dmpe-ligated complex is particularly susceptible to decomposition, though it was possible to obtain partial spectroscopic characterisation in addition to a single-crystal X-ray structural determination. The remaining allenylidene complexes are stable compounds readily characterised by standard spectroscopic and electrochemical means, with the bis(diphosphine) complexes characterised by single crystal X-ray structural determinations. ... Reactions of the proligand with [RuCl(PnP)2]+ (PnP = dppm, dppe) led to the isolation of a product spectroscopically consistent with the formation of the target cationic allenylidene complexes, though the complexes were not readily purified and the identity of the accompanying anion was not elucidated. The new compound 4-hydroxy-4- ethynyl-cyclopentadithiophene was also prepared, though the compound was found to be highly unstable and susceptible to rapid decomposition. The derived allenylidene complexes [RuCl(PnP)2=C=C=(4-cyclopentadithiophene)]PF6 (PnP = dppm, dppe) were isolated in a pure form and the complexes stable toward spontaneous decomposition. The thienyl-derived allenylidene complexes were characterised by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques, with a single-crystal X-ray structural determination undertaken for [RuCl(dppm)2=C=C=(4-cyclopentaditiophene)]PF6. Electrochemical properties are significantly different between the complexes, and also show significant variation between electrodes and solvents. The terminal thienyl substituents are electroactive and show one or two oxidation processes consistent with oligomerisation of the thienyl moiety in dichloromethane solvent, and in acetonitrile solvent cyclic voltammograms are consistent with the deposition of an electroactive film on the electrode surface. The electro-polymerisation of the thienylallenylidene complexes offers a promising new route toward multi-metallic allenylidene complexes.

Este trabalho descreve uma nova metodologia sintética que combina a química de espécies organometálicas contendo Se e Te com biotransformações usando lipases, para a síntese enantiosseletiva de fenilselenolactonas 7a e feniltelurolactonas 7b. Estas lactonas foram obtidas pela resolução cinética de álcoois secundários racêmicos 6, pela ação da lipase de pâncreas de porco (PPL- Sigma-Aldrich) em meio orgânico anidro. (Ver arquivo PDF). / This work describes a novel synthetic methodology that combines the chemistry of organic compounds, organometalic species containing Se and Te and biotransformations using lipases for the enantioselective synthesis of phenylselenolactones 7a and phenyltelurolactones 7b. These lactones were obtained by kinetic resolution of racemic sec-alcohols 6 by the action of pig pancreatic lipases (PPL- Sigma-Aldrich) in organic media (Scheme1). (See files PDF)