Geldanamycin possesses various biological activities as seen in the NCI 60 cell line panel (13 nM avg., 70 nM SKBr-3 cells). The predominant mode of action providing these unique results arises from the ability of geldanamycin (GA) to bind to the chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). Despite its complicated functionality, the first total synthesis of GA was accomplished, which included two new reactions developed specifically to address the stereochemical features. The final step in the synthesis of GA was a demethylation-oxidation sequence to generate the desired para-quinone. This step could only be accomplished with HNO3/AcOH, producing GA in 5% yield. A GA model study, which closely resembled the aromatic core, was extensively investigated to solve this critical oxidation issue. A protected hydroquinone model compound was determined to be the optimum choice. Using Pd in the presence of air with a 1,4-hydroquinone provided the desired para-quinone quickly and nearly quantitatively in 98% yield. This study formulated the recipe of success for para-quinone formation of GA and future synthetic analogs. Asymmetric glycolate alkylation has been developed using phase-transfer-catalysis (PTC). Diphenylmethoxy-2,5-dimethoxyacetophenone with trifluorobenzyl cinchonidinium catalyst and cesium hydroxide provided alkylation products at —35 °C in high yield (80-99%) and with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 90% ee). Useful α-hydroxy products were obtained using bis-TMS peroxide Baeyer—Villiger conditions and selective transesterification. The intermediate aryl esters can be obtained with >99% ee after a single recrystallization. The newly developed PTC glycolate alkylation was applied to the asymmetric syntheses of ragaglitazar and kurasoin A. Ragaglitazar is a potent antihyperglycemic and lipid modulator, currently in phase II clinical trials. Kurasoin A is a relatively potent protein farnesyltransferase (PFTase) inhibitor with an IC50 value of 59.0 micromolar. PTC glycolate alkylation was optimized to provide 4-benzyloxy glycolate intermediates in excellent overall yield and with 96% ee after recrystallization. Ragaglitazar was then synthesized after considerable experimentation to provide the potent lipid modulator with yields and enantiopurity rivaling the best-known routes produced by industry standards. Kurasoin A was produced through an α-triethylsiloxy Weinreb amide to provide the highest overall yielding route to this PFTase inhibitor currently disclosed.

Brief explanation and history of cinchona based Phase Transfer Catalysis (PTC). Studied aryl acetates in PTC, encompassing napthoyl, 6-methoxy napthoyl, phenyl and protected 4-hydroxy phenyl acetates. Investigated means of controlling the selectivity of the PTC reaction by changing the electrophile size, the ether side group size or by addition of inorganic salts. Found that either small or aromatic electophiles increased enantioselectivity more than aliphatic electrophiles, and that increasing the size of ether protecting group also increased selectivity. Positive effects of salt addition included either decreasing reaction time or increasing enantiomeric excess. Applied findings towards the synthesis of S-equol. Computational experiments working towards deducing the transition state between PTC and aryl acetate substrates.

Para a síntese de um dos quatro possíveis estereoisômeros do ácido 3-(4- clorofenil)piroglutâmico, precursor da forma mais ativa do fármaco Baclofen, foram investigadas duas metodologias alternativas, cujas etapas principais eram, respectivamente, (i) a reação de Michael entre o N-acetamidomalonato de dietila ou de dibenzila com o 4-clorotiocinamato de metila ou fenila, na ausência de solvente e na presença de catalisadores de transferência de fase enantioméricamente puros, e (ii) a reação de Michael entre complexos de níquel (quirais ou aquirais), derivados da glicina, com a (5S)-N-(E-4-clorocinamoil)-5-metoxicarbonil-2-pirrolidinona. A primeira destas metodologias não conduziu a bons resultados, mas a investigação das causas da baixa estereosseletividade, observada para reações empregando tanto tiolésteres como chalcona, permitiu a proposição de um novo modelo de interação catalisador/doador/aceptor, em que o doador é o N-acetamidomalonato de dibenzila e o aceptor é a chalcona. Quanto às adições de Michael dos complexos de níquel, empregados como equivalentes nucleofílicos da glicina, as reações foram bem sucedidas. O par aceptor/doador que se mostrou mais adequado foi aquele composto pelo complexo de níquel, derivado da (L)-prolina, e pela (5S)-N-(E-4- clorocinamoil)-5-metoxicarbonil-2-pirrolidinona. Neste caso, o ácido (2R,3S)-3-(4- clorofenil)piroglutâmico foi obtido em rendimento global de 46%. Este resultado permite prever que, pelo emprego do mesmo aceptor, mas de estereoquímica absoluta contrária, é possível preparar o precursor do (R)- baclofen, que é o enantiômero mais ativo do fármaco em questão. / Two alternative methodologies were investigated aiming the synthesis of one of the four stereoisomers of the 3-(4-chlorophenyl)pyroglutamic acid, as a precursor of Baclofen, a drug used for the treatment of some neurological diseases. The key step for the first one was the asymmetric Michael addition of diethyl or dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to methyl or phenyl 4-chlorotiocinnamate, in the absence of solvent, and employing enatiomerically pure phase transfer catalysts. A low degree of enantioselectivity was observed for all addition reactions of dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to tiolesters or chalcone as Michael acceptors. The investigation of the origin of such lack of stereoselectivity allowed the proposal of a model for the diastereomeric transition states of the Michael addition of dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to chalcone. As for the second synthetic methodology, the asymmetry generating step would be the Michael addition of glycine derived chiral or achiral nickel complexes to (5S)-N-(E-4-clorocinnamoil)-5-methoxycarbonyl-2- pirrolidinone. Best results were obtained for the Michael addition of a nickel complex, bearing (S)-2-[N-(N\'-benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone as ligand , to (5S)-N-(E-4- clorocinnamoil)-5-methoxycarbonyl-2-pirrolidinone.Such reaction afforded the expected (S)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)pyroglutamic acid, in 46% yield. Such result can be extrapolated to the synthesis of the (R)-configured analog, precursor of the more active stereoisomer of Baclofen.

En dépit de sa rareté au sein des produits naturels et des processus biologiques, le fluor joue un rôle de plus en plus important dans nos vies quotidiennes. Un atome de fluor ou un groupement fluoré, lorsqu’il fait partie d’une molécule biologiquement active, permet d’améliorer drastiquement ses propriétés physiques, chimiques et biologiques. Le groupement -CHF2, en plus de posséder les propriétés remarquables communes à de nombreuses espèces émergentes fluorées, est considéré comme un bioisostère des groupements hydroxyle, thiol et amino. Il peut également être engagé dans des liaisons de type hydrogène grâce à son proton acide. Cependant, les voies de synthèse permettant d’introduire stéréosélectivement le groupe -CHF2 sont encore peu nombreuses. Par exemple, seuls peu de groupes ont concentré leurs efforts sur la synthèse d’alcools α,α-difluorométhylés. Afin de remédier à ce manque de méthodologies, deux stratégies ont été imaginées au sein de notre équipe. La première consiste à utiliser un sulfoxyde α,α-difluorométhylé énantiopur en tant qu’inducteur de chiralité. La seconde méthode repose sur l’utilisation de cyclopeptoïdes chiraux lors de la difluorométhylation énantiosélective de dérivés carbonylés dans des conditions de catalyse à transfert de phase. Ces deux stratégies ainsi que les résultats qui ont été obtenus au cours de ce projet de thèse sont exposés dans le présent manuscrit. / Despite being largely absent from natural products and biological processes, fluorine plays an increasingly important role in numerous areas of our daily life. The presence of fluorine atoms or fluoroalkyl groups in bioactive molecules can indeed deeply modify their physical, chemical and biological properties. In addition to these outstanding properties common to many emerging fluorinated groups, the -CHF2 group has been shown to be an interesting bioisostere of hydroxyl, thiol and amine groups and a strong hydrogen bond donor. However, in contrast to enantioselective trifluoromethylation, the enantioselective introduction of a difluoromethyl group is still in its infancy. For instance only few examples in the literature describe the synthesis of enantioenriched α,α-difluoromethyl alcohols. As part of our study to overcome this scarcity, we envisaged two different strategies to synthesise these compounds. The first method aimed to access highly enantioenriched α,α-difluoromethyl alcohols by using an enantiopure aryl α,α-difluoromethyl sulfoxide as chiral and traceless auxiliary. Phase transfer catalysis was chosen as a second strategy for the enantioselective difluoromethylation of carbonyl derivatives in presence of chiral cyclopeptoïds. Those two methods and the results obtained are discussed in this manuscript.

Para a síntese de um dos quatro possíveis estereoisômeros do ácido 3-(4- clorofenil)piroglutâmico, precursor da forma mais ativa do fármaco Baclofen, foram investigadas duas metodologias alternativas, cujas etapas principais eram, respectivamente, (i) a reação de Michael entre o N-acetamidomalonato de dietila ou de dibenzila com o 4-clorotiocinamato de metila ou fenila, na ausência de solvente e na presença de catalisadores de transferência de fase enantioméricamente puros, e (ii) a reação de Michael entre complexos de níquel (quirais ou aquirais), derivados da glicina, com a (5S)-N-(E-4-clorocinamoil)-5-metoxicarbonil-2-pirrolidinona. A primeira destas metodologias não conduziu a bons resultados, mas a investigação das causas da baixa estereosseletividade, observada para reações empregando tanto tiolésteres como chalcona, permitiu a proposição de um novo modelo de interação catalisador/doador/aceptor, em que o doador é o N-acetamidomalonato de dibenzila e o aceptor é a chalcona. Quanto às adições de Michael dos complexos de níquel, empregados como equivalentes nucleofílicos da glicina, as reações foram bem sucedidas. O par aceptor/doador que se mostrou mais adequado foi aquele composto pelo complexo de níquel, derivado da (L)-prolina, e pela (5S)-N-(E-4- clorocinamoil)-5-metoxicarbonil-2-pirrolidinona. Neste caso, o ácido (2R,3S)-3-(4- clorofenil)piroglutâmico foi obtido em rendimento global de 46%. Este resultado permite prever que, pelo emprego do mesmo aceptor, mas de estereoquímica absoluta contrária, é possível preparar o precursor do (R)- baclofen, que é o enantiômero mais ativo do fármaco em questão. / Two alternative methodologies were investigated aiming the synthesis of one of the four stereoisomers of the 3-(4-chlorophenyl)pyroglutamic acid, as a precursor of Baclofen, a drug used for the treatment of some neurological diseases. The key step for the first one was the asymmetric Michael addition of diethyl or dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to methyl or phenyl 4-chlorotiocinnamate, in the absence of solvent, and employing enatiomerically pure phase transfer catalysts. A low degree of enantioselectivity was observed for all addition reactions of dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to tiolesters or chalcone as Michael acceptors. The investigation of the origin of such lack of stereoselectivity allowed the proposal of a model for the diastereomeric transition states of the Michael addition of dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to chalcone. As for the second synthetic methodology, the asymmetry generating step would be the Michael addition of glycine derived chiral or achiral nickel complexes to (5S)-N-(E-4-clorocinnamoil)-5-methoxycarbonyl-2- pirrolidinone. Best results were obtained for the Michael addition of a nickel complex, bearing (S)-2-[N-(N\'-benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone as ligand , to (5S)-N-(E-4- clorocinnamoil)-5-methoxycarbonyl-2-pirrolidinone.Such reaction afforded the expected (S)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)pyroglutamic acid, in 46% yield. Such result can be extrapolated to the synthesis of the (R)-configured analog, precursor of the more active stereoisomer of Baclofen.

Le travail qui est décrit dans ce manuscrit de thèse traite de la chimie des superbases de type proazaphosphatranes, systèmes phosphorés bicycliques très utilisés en catalyse. L’objectif des investigations qui ont été menées à été d’ouvrir de nouvelles voies d’applications de ces catalyseurs. Afin de satisfaire cet objectif, plusieurs stratégies ont été envisagées. D’une part par la mise en confinement de la structure proazaphosphatrane et l’étude de l’influence de ce confinement sur la réactivité intrinsèque du proazaphosphatrane, et d’autre part par la catalyse en conditions bi-phasiques, que ce soit à l’interface entre une phase liquide et un solide ou entre deux phases liquides non-miscibles. Les recherches se sont orientées dans un premier temps sur la synthèse et la caractérisation complète d’un proazaphosphatrane supramoléculaire, obtenu par la fonctionnalisation par un proazaphosphatrane de la cavité supramoléculaire d’un récepteur macrobicyclique. Les séparations semi-préparatives des deux énantiomères d’un intermédiaire et de la molécule phosphorée finale ont également été réalisées, séparations qui ont permis de réaliser l’attribution des configurations absolues des deux structures macrobicycliques. La synthèse d’une famille de catalyseurs de type proazaphosphatrane supportés sur silice mésoporeuse a ensuite été réalisée, suivie de sa caractérisation texturale et structurale par les procédés physico-chimiques habituels, et enfin de sa mise en application dans des réactions d’intérêts de la synthèse organique. En dernier lieu, l’exploitation de la forme acide conjuguée des proazaphosphatranes, dite forme azaphosphatrane, dans des réactions de catalyse par transfert de phase a été entreprise. Il a ainsi put être démontré leur activité en tant qu’agent de transfert dans le cadre de quatre réactions significatives de la catalyse par transfert de phase en version racémique. Ce travail de thèse s’est finalement terminé par une ouverture vers la catalyse par transfert de phase en version asymétrique, par le biais de l’utilisation d’azaphosphatranes chiraux énantiopurs. / The work described in this PhD thesis deals with the chemistry of proazaphosphatrane-type superbases, which are highly reactive bicyclic phosphorous systems largely applied in catalysis. The main goal of these investigations was to devise new applications for their use in catalysis. In this way, several strategies were followed, with an emphasis on their molecular confinement and use in interfacial catalytic systems. In the first part, the manuscript describes the synthesis and characterisation of a supramolecular proazaphosphatrane obtained via the enclosing of a proazaphosphatrane moiety in a hemicryptophane-type macrobicyclic cavity. In parallel, the semi-preparative scale resolution of two macrobicyclic intermediates allowed us to assign their absolute configurations. In the second part, the synthesis and characterisation of a new class of superbases supported on mesoporous silica was achieved. The synthesis was followed by their application in base-catalysed organic reactions. The last part reports the use of their conjugate acids, or azaphosphatranes, in phase transfer catalysis. Their usefulness as achiral phase transfer agents in four relevant reactions was thus determined. The thesis ends with an introduction into asymmetric phase transfer catalysis, using enantiopure azaphosphatranes.

Le principal objectif de cette thèse a été d'exploiter des isoxazolidin-5-ones α-substituées aisément accessibles comme plateformes originales pour la synthèse d'acides β2,2-aminés énantiomériquement enrichis. Pour cela, nous avons montré que la catalyse par transfert de phase, avec l'utilisation de faibles quantités (2-3 mol%) d'un sel d'ammonium quaternaire énantiopur dédié, était l'outil adéquate pour la fonctionnalisation énantiosélective de la position α des isoxazolidin-5-ones et ainsi générer un centre quaternaire stéréogène. Cette stratégie organocatalytique a été appliquée à la création de liaison Carbone-Soufre, Carbone-Carbone et Carbone-Azote avec des excès énantiomériques de bons à excellents. Des réactions d'hydrogénolyse de la liaison N-O ou bien des réactions d'ouvertures via l'attaque de nucléophiles ont conduit à la formation des acides β2,2-aminés correspondants énantiomériquement enrichis. Enfin, de nouveaux sels d'ammonium quaternaires chiraux de type tropos, faciles d'accès, ont été conçus et évalués dans les réactions d'α-sulfanylation et d'addition conjuguée énantiosélectives dans les conditions de catalyse par transfert de phase mises en place. / The main purpose of this thesis was to use readily available α-substituted isoxazolidin-5-ones as original building blocks for the synthesis of enantioenriched β2,2-amino acids. Phase-transfer catalysis approach, with low loading of an appropriate quaternary ammonium salt, was found to be the most efficient tool for the enantioselective functionalization of the α-position of isoxazolidin-5-ones, allowed thereby to generate a stereogenic quaternary center. This organocatalytic strategy was applied to C-S, C-C and C-N bond formation with good to excellent enantiomeric excess. Hydrogenolysis reactions of the N-O bond or ring-opening reactions via nucleophilic addition reaction led to the corresponding enantioenriched β2,2-amino acids formation. Finally, new easily available chiral quaternary tropos-ammonium salts were designed and evaluated for both the enantioselective α-sulfanylation and conjuguated addition reactions.

Phase-transfer catalysts derived from the cinchona alkaloids cinchonine and cinchonidine are widely used in the asymmetric alkylation of substrates bearing moieties that resonance stabilize their enolates. The investigation of α-oxygenated esters revealed decreased α-proton acidity, indicating the oxygen's overall destabilizing effect on enolates by electron-pair repulsion. Alkylation of α-oxygenated aryl ketones with various alkyl halides proved successful with a cinchonidine catalyst, giving products with high yield and enantioselectivity. The resulting compounds were converted to esters through modified Baeyer-Villiger oxidation. Alkylation with indolyl electrophiles gave products that underwent decomposition under Baeyer-Villiger conditions. Alternative N-methylimidazolyl ketones were explored. Alkylated imidazolyl ketones, obtained in high yield and enantioselectivity, could be converted to esters through treatment with methyl triflate and basic methanol. This technique has the advantage of not requiring stoichiometric addition of chiral reagents, which is requisite when employing traditional chiral auxiliaries. This method's utility is demonstrated in the total asymmetric syntheses of (+)-kurasoin B and analogs, and 12-(S)-HETE. Kurasoin B is a fungal-derived natural compound possessing moderate farnesyl transfer (FTase) inhibitive activity (IC50 = 58.7 μM). FTase catalyzes post-translation modifications of membrane-bound Ras proteins, which function in signal cell transduction that stimulates cell growth and division. The oncogenic nature of mutated Ras proteins is demonstrated by their commonality in human tumors. Thus, FTase inhibitors like (+)-kurasoin B possess potential as cancer chemotherapy leads. Derivatization may enable structure-activity-relationship studies and greater FTase inhibition activity to be found. 12-(S)-HETE, a metabolite from a 12-lipoxygenase pathway from arachidonic acid, has been found to participate in a large number of physiological processes. Its transient presence in natural tissues makes total synthesis an attractive avenue for obtaining sufficient quantities for further study. Five asymmetric syntheses of 12-(S)-HETE have been reported. Three require chiral resolutions of racemates, with the undesired enantiomers being discarded or used for other applications. Asymmetric PTC alkylation is also described for aryl acetates, whose products were enantioenriched through recrystallization. This technique is applied to a total synthesis of the anti-inflammatory drug (S)-Naproxen.

The primary objective of this research project was to develop a novel protocol for the synthesis of densely functionalized optically enriched indanes through a chiral cation directed 5-endo-trig ring closure. In chapter two, a convergent strategy for the construction of the cyclization precursors is reported, which employs two easily adapted fragments. In chapter three, a range of quaternary ammonium salts are screened to establish the optimal phase-transfer conditions for this system. A variety of substrates were evaluated to probe the scope and limitations of this methodology. Finally, two potential mechanistic pathways for this enigmatic process are outlined and discussed in chapter four.

<strong>Introduction – Dearomatisation of Heteroaromatic Compounds</strong> The introduction provides a survey of dearomatisation reaction of heteroaromatics, with a particular focus on pyridines/pyridinium salts and furans. The mechanism, scope, and limitations of various approaches are covered, along with the goals of this project. <strong>Results and Discussion – Dearomatisation of Electron-Deficient Heteroaromatics</strong> This chapter initially explores the asymmetric addition of organometallic nucleophiles to pyridinium salts bearing a chiral counterion. Unfortunately, this approach ultimately proved unsuccessful, due to low observed enantioselectivities, and the low solubility of such salts. The second part of this chapter concerns the attempted asymmetric addition of dicarbonyl nucleophiles to electron-deficient furans, under conditions of chiral phase-transfer catalysts, affording bicyclic products in moderate enantioselectivity. Various alternative routes were also explored for the dearomatisation of furans and benzenoid systems. <strong>Introduction – Hydrogen Borrowing Alkylation Reactions with Alcohols</strong> The introduction surveys the range of methods available for the alkylation of various nucleophiles with alcohols under transition metal-catalysed conditions. Related methodologies are also explored, along with methods for the dehydrogenation of methanol. <strong>Results and Discussion - Rhodium-catalysed Methylation of Ketones Using Methanol</strong> This chapter describes the development of a novel ketone α-methylation using methanol. The development of reaction conditions is explored, followed by expansion of the substrate scope, including limitations of the methylation reaction. Mechanistic investigations support a methanol oxidation, aldol reaction/elimination, conjugate reduction pathway. Investigations into the role of O2 in the methylation reaction proved inconclusive. The utility of the reaction was also expanded via one-pot dialkylation reactions (work by Di Shen), Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the products, and an attempted asymmetric transfer-hydrogenation. <strong>Results and Discussion - Interrupted Hydrogen Borrowing Reactions of Methanol</strong> This chapter looks to intercept intermediates from the α-methylation reaction. The selective methylenation of ketones is described, and a range of nucleophiles are screened for further functionalisation of ketones. Finally, a number of nucleophiles, including nitroalkanes, amines, peroxides and boronic acids are applied to one pot methylenation/conjugate addition protocols, affording complex products after two steps in one reaction vessel. <strong>Experimental</strong> Full experimental procedures and spectroscopic characterisation of compounds are provided.