A major driving force for development of new catalyst systems is the need for more efficient synthesis of chemical compounds essential to modern life. Catalysts having superior performance offer significant environmental and economic advantages, but their discovery is not trivial. Well-defined, homogeneous catalysts can offer unparalleled understanding of ligand effects, which proves invaluable in directing redesign strategies. This thesis work focuses on the design of ruthenium complexes for applications in dinitrogen activation and olefin metathesis. The complexes developed create new directions in small-molecule activation and asymmetric catalysis by late-metal complexes. Also examined are the dual challenges, ubiquitous in catalysis, of adequate interrogation of catalyst structure and performance. Insight into both is essential to enable correlation of ligand properties with catalyst activity and/or selectivity. Improved methods for accelerated assessment of catalyst performance are described, which expand high-throughput catalyst screening to encompass parallel acquisition of kinetic data. A final aspect focuses on direct examination of metal complexes, both as isolated species, and under catalytic conditions. Applications of charge-transfer MALDI mass spectrometry to structural elucidation in organometallic chemistry is described, and the technique is employed to gain insight into catalyst decomposition pathways under operating conditions.

A major driving force for development of new catalyst systems is the need for more efficient synthesis of chemical compounds essential to modern life. Catalysts having superior performance offer significant environmental and economic advantages, but their discovery is not trivial. Well-defined, homogeneous catalysts can offer unparalleled understanding of ligand effects, which proves invaluable in directing redesign strategies. This thesis work focuses on the design of ruthenium complexes for applications in dinitrogen activation and olefin metathesis. The complexes developed create new directions in small-molecule activation and asymmetric catalysis by late-metal complexes. Also examined are the dual challenges, ubiquitous in catalysis, of adequate interrogation of catalyst structure and performance. Insight into both is essential to enable correlation of ligand properties with catalyst activity and/or selectivity. Improved methods for accelerated assessment of catalyst performance are described, which expand high-throughput catalyst screening to encompass parallel acquisition of kinetic data. A final aspect focuses on direct examination of metal complexes, both as isolated species, and under catalytic conditions. Applications of charge-transfer MALDI mass spectrometry to structural elucidation in organometallic chemistry is described, and the technique is employed to gain insight into catalyst decomposition pathways under operating conditions.

Heterocyclic organic and organometallic compounds (i.e. polypyrrole), and their derivatives, have been of great interest for conductive polymers due to their novel properties and environmental stability as compared to their non-aromatic analogs (i.e. polyacetylene). Our current interest focus upon the potential role of metal ligand bound pyridazines as the next generation of electronic devices that utilize the metal ligands bound to organics as the semiconducting material. Pyridazine is a 6-membered aromatic ring with two adjacent nitrogen atoms. These are promising candidates for a variety of materials and commercial applications; but they are difficult to get a metal ligand to fuse to the aromatic ring. Our recent efforts focused in attaching Rhenium and Manganese ligands/substituents (process in which is called doping) that would cause oxidation to occur to our polymer making it a p-type polymer. Since p-type polymers charge carriers leave a vacancy that does not delocalize completely. This vacancy (known as a hole) or a radical cation that only partially delocalizes over several monomeric units causing them to be structurally deformed. This deformed structure is at a higher energy than that of an undoped polymer. Typical carriers in organic semiconductors are holes and electrons in a π-orbital. So when these molecules of π-conjugated systems have a π-bond overlap (or π- stacking), electrons can move via these π-electron clouds overlapping thus causing an electrical current. Our worked focused on the synthesis of pyridazines and their organometallic rhenium complexes and polymer research. Several aryl-substituted 5,6-fused pyridazines have been synthesized but none have been documented until this study. The main goal of the research was to fully characterize the general synthesis of furan containing organometallic complexes, [M(CO)3{η5-1,2-C5H3(CC4H3ON)(CC4H3ON)}] (M = Re or Mn) (4B). We successfully characterized the ability to attach a metal organic ligand to pyridazine though IR and NMR. However, when attempts were made to recrystallize our product, we yielded an orange-brown, block like crystal of 1,2- C5H3(CC4H3ONH)(CC4H3ON) (5) in which our metal ligand group fell off and we were left with pyridazine and inorganics. Though, we successfully got an X-ray characterization and electronic studies of compound 5 which are reported herein.

Compte tenu du développement continu de nouveaux complexes organométalliques, il est impératif de trouver des alternatives aux méthodes de synthèses classiques qui utilisent des solvants toxiques, des températures de réaction élevées et qui ne conduisent pas toujours aux complexes souhaités avec de bons rendements. L’utilisation de broyeurs billes pour la synthèse de complexes NHC-métal (argent et cuivre tout particulièrement) et de leurs précurseurs a permis le développement de méthodes efficaces, générales, rapides et présentant un impact environnemental plus faible que les méthodes classiques en solution. Ces méthodes permettent aussi de donner accès à des molécules d’intérêts, difficilement synthétisables par voie classique. De nombreux complexes jusqu’alors jamais reportés dans la littérature ont ainsi pu être formés. Ces complexes ont démontré leur efficacité en tant que catalyseur dans la réaction de A3 pour la formation d’amines propargyliques. / Due to the constant increase of publications reporting new organometallic complexes, it becomes urgent to develop alternative synthetic methods to the classical ones that use toxic solvents, high reaction temperatures and that do not always lead to the desired complexes in good yields. The use of ball-mills for the synthesis of NHC-metal complexes (silver and copper in particular) and their precursors has enabled the development of efficient, general, quick and more sustainable methods. These methods give an access to interesting compounds, difficult to synthesize using another pathway. Numerous complexes never reported in the literature were also formed. These complexes have demonstrated their efficiency as catalysts in the A3 reaction to form the propargylamines.

Des complexes de Cyclodextrine (CD)-NHC-Métaux (NHC= Carbènes N-Hétérocycliques), comprenant des métaux tel que AgI, CuI et AuI ont été synthétisés. Une étude structurale a mis en évidence la position intra-cavitaire du métal, induisant des interactions C-H…M, C-H…X et π…X. L’influence du type de cavité (α-, β-, γ-CD) et du type de dérivés NHC (Imidazole, benzimidazole, triazole) a été étudiée. Les interactions diminuent avec l’augmentation de la taille de la cavité et en parallèle, celles-ci ont été amplifiées avec des dérivés NHC possédant un effet donneur plus fort. Les complexes de cuivre correspondants montrent une bonne réactivité pour la réaction d’hydroboration des alcynes. Il a de plus été observé que la sélectivité est dépendante de la taille de la cavité. En effet, alors que le complexe α-CD-Cu donne le produit linéaire, le complexe β-CD-Cu oriente vers la formation de l’isomère branché. Les espèces CD-Cu potentiellement impliquées dans le cycle catalytique ont été étudiées. Deux mécanismes différents sont ainsi proposés. Dans la réaction catalysée par le complexe α-CD-Cu, le processus catalytique a lieu en dehors de la cavité; tandis que lorsque la cavité est plus grande (β-CD) la catalyse a lieu à l’intérieur de la celle-ci. Par ailleurs, les complexes ont également montré une différente énantiosélectivité et régiosélectivité dans une réaction de cycloisomerization catalysée par des comlexes dor, en fonction de la taille de la cavité de ces catalyseurs. Les résultats catalytiques ont prouvé que les complexes CD-NHC-Métaux fonctionnent comme des catalyseurs pour lesquels la taille de la cavité influe sur la séléctivité. / Cyclodextrin (CD)-NHC-Metal complexes (NHC=N-Heterocyclic Carbene), including the AgI, CuI and AuI complexes were synthesized. A structural study showed that the metal was inside the cavity, and induced by C-H…M, C-H…X and π…X interactions. Variations on α-, β-, γ-CD cavities and NHC derivatives (midazole, benzimidazole, triazole) were studied. When the size of the cavity increased, these interactions decreased. Furthermore, stronger σ-donating effects lead to stronger interactions. CD-Cu complexes showed good activity in catalytic hydroboration of alkynes. The selectivity is depending on the size of the cavity of the catalyst. α-CD copper complex gives linear hydroboration products, while β-CD copper complex yields the branched isomers. The CD-Cu species potentially involved in the catalytic cycle were studied, two different mechanisms were thus proposed. In the α-CD-Cu complex catalyzed reactions, the catalytic process takes place outside the cavity; while a bigger cavity β-CD permits the catalysis to take place inside the cavity. Furthermore, the gold complexes also show different enantioselectivity and regioselectivity in cycloisomerization using different cavity-based catalysts. Catalytic results evidenced the selectivity of a catalytic reaction is dependent on the cavity of the CD-NHC-metal complexes.

Since the sandwich structure of ferrocene was elucidated in 1952, metallocenes have generated a vast amount of interest. Transition metal metallocenes have previously been shown to be suitable precursors in the syntheses of novel organometallic and metallo-organic complexes, although the use of metal halide starting materials for organometallic synthesis is much more common due to their being readily commercially available and generally easier to handle than the extremely air- and moisture-sensitive metallocene alternatives. In this project, the polar transition metal metallocenes Cp2V, Cp2Cr, Cp2Mn and Cp2Ni were employed as precursors in the synthesis of fourteen novel metal containing complexes, in several cases generating products which could not have been obtained using metal halide starting materials.

A major driving force for development of new catalyst systems is the need for more efficient synthesis of chemical compounds essential to modern life. Catalysts having superior performance offer significant environmental and economic advantages, but their discovery is not trivial. Well-defined, homogeneous catalysts can offer unparalleled understanding of ligand effects, which proves invaluable in directing redesign strategies. This thesis work focuses on the design of ruthenium complexes for applications in dinitrogen activation and olefin metathesis. The complexes developed create new directions in small-molecule activation and asymmetric catalysis by late-metal complexes. Also examined are the dual challenges, ubiquitous in catalysis, of adequate interrogation of catalyst structure and performance. Insight into both is essential to enable correlation of ligand properties with catalyst activity and/or selectivity. Improved methods for accelerated assessment of catalyst performance are described, which expand high-throughput catalyst screening to encompass parallel acquisition of kinetic data. A final aspect focuses on direct examination of metal complexes, both as isolated species, and under catalytic conditions. Applications of charge-transfer MALDI mass spectrometry to structural elucidation in organometallic chemistry is described, and the technique is employed to gain insight into catalyst decomposition pathways under operating conditions.

The introductory Chapter to this thesis outlines fundamental aspects of 4f lanthanide(III) coordination chemistry, in particular compounds that possess the intriguing properties of slow relaxation of magnetisation, (or the ability to behave as single-molecule magnets, SMMs). The recent renaissance into the study of the magnetic behaviour of 4f-coordination complexes has led to the consideration of utilising organometallic precursors for the development of novel lanthanide containing compounds, which may possess interesting magnetic properties, subsequently forming the basis of Chapter Two. In Chapter Two, the syntheses and structures of the novel lithiated thiolate ligand, lithium triphenylsilylthiolate, (Ph3SiS-Li) (2.1), and the sulfur-bridged, dimetallic dysprosium(III) and gadolinium(III) complexes [(MeCp)2Dy(µ-SSiPh3)]2 (2.2) and [(MeCp)2Gd(µ-SSiPh3)]2 (2.3), are described in detail. The structural and physical properties of these compounds are analysed through NMR, elemental analysis and SQUID magnetometry, alongside supporting theoretical calculations to reveal that compound 2.2 is the first dimetallic, sulfur-bridged SMM reported, giving an energy barrier to the reversal of magnetisation of Ueff = 192 ± 5 K.56bChapter Three reports on the structural development of a series of lanthanide monomers, exhibiting the general motif [Ln(OSiPh3)3(THF)3] (where Ln = Dy(3.4), Er(3.5), Ho(3.6), Gd(3.7), Tb(3.8)), exploiting the siloxide ligand Ph3SiOH through two novel synthetic routes. This Chapter also provides new analytical insight to these complexes by exploring their magnetic properties through a series of SQUID measurements and through the analysis of their electronic properties using air sensitive, variable temperature optical absorption spectroscopy. Compounds 3.4 and 3.5 were revealed to be SMMs, with 3.5 having a much higher thermal barrier to the reversal of magnetisation, Ueff = ~ 28 K, than 3.4, which are supported by theoretical analysis. Chapter Four describes the utility of ligand 2.1 and Ph3SiOH in the context of 3d transition metal cyclopentadienyl chemistry, outlining the syntheses and structures of three distinct compounds; the trimetallic, [Cp2Mn3(µ-OSiPh3)4](4.7), the hetero-cubane tetramer [CpMn(µ-SSiPh3)]4 (4.8) and the dimetallic thiolate-bridged [CpCr(µ-SSiPh3)]2 (4.9) compound. These compounds were formed in reactions exploiting organometallic manganocene and chromocene precursors. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were conducted on these compounds to gain further insight into their structural properties. The magnetic exchange coupling constants for Mn(II) compounds 4.7 and 4.8 were J = - 4.4 cm-1 and J = - 3.0 cm-1 respectively. Furthermore, having demonstrated the use of metal-cyclopentadienyl building blocks in the synthesis of novel SMMs, Chapter Five discusses the possibility of further advancement on the development of this class of magnetic molecules.

No description available.

There is an urgent need to find novel anticancer therapeutics with different mechanisms of action than platinum-containing drugs, particularly for patients who relapse after having been initially treated with a platinum-containing chemotherapy regimen. This chemoresistance phenomena, along with the serious side effects observed with cisplatin, have led research in Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry to using other precious metals for the design of novel anticancer therapeutics. This work reports on the synthesis and characterisation of a series of organometallic drug candidates based on ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, and iridium, followed by investigation of their cancer-inhibiting properties via in vitro and in vivo studies. The cytotoxicity of these complexes against various human cancer cell lines is presented, as well as preliminary studies on their possible modes of action, determined via gene expression studies, cell cycle and apoptosis analysis, reactive oxygen species detection and mitochondrial-membrane potential assays. In addition, to confirm the surprising absence of in vitro toxicity against normal cells exhibited by some compounds, studies on ex vivo/in vitro isolated human lymphocytes from healthy individuals, have been conducted. One lead molecule has been progressed to in vivo studies in mice and toxicity and efficacy were assessed with a series of assays including determination of the maximum tolerated dose and pharmacodynamic studies. Structural modifications of the lead molecule with water-soluble phosphines were subsequently undertaken, with the aim to improve the stability and solubility of the parent 16-electron specie, and evaluations of the biological activity of these novel complexes are presented.