Thesis advisor: Amir H. Hoveyda / Chapter 1. The first examples of highly Z- and enantioselective ring-opening/cross-metathesis reactions are disclosed. Transformations involve meso cyclic olefin substrate and styrenes or enol ethers as olefin cross partners. A stereogenic-at-Mo monoaryloxide monopyrrolide (MAP) complex, prepared and used in situ, is discovered for the efficient formation of Z olefins. Such complex, bearing a relatively smaller adamantylimido and a larger chiral aryloxide ligand, leads to kinetic Z-selectivity due to the size differential. In most cases, the resulting disubstituted Z olefins are formed with excellent stereoselectivity (>95% Z). Chapter 2. The protocols for efficient Z-selective formation of macrocyclic disubstituted alkenes through catalytic ring-closing metathesis (RCM) is described. Stereoselective cyclizations are performed with either Mo- or W-based monoaryloxide monopyrrolide (MAP) complex at 22 oC. Synthetic utility of such broadly applicable transformation is demonstrated by synthesis of several macrocyclic natural products: relatively simpler molecules such as epilachnene (91% Z) and ambrettolide (91% Z), as well as advanced precursors to epothilones C and A (97% Z) and nakadomarin A (94% Z). Several principles of catalytic stereoselective olefin metathesis reactions are summarized based on the studies: 1) Mo-based catalysts are capable of delivering high activity but can be more prone to post-RCM isomerization. 2) W-based catalysts, though furnish lower activity, are less likely to cause the loss of kinetic Z selectivity by isomerization. 3) Reaction time is critical for retaining the stereoselectivity gained from kinetic, which not only applicable with MAP complexes but potentially with other complexes as well. 4) By using W-based catalyst, polycyclic alkenes can be accessed with sequential RCM reactions, without significant erosion of the existing Z olefins in the molecule. Chapter 3. An enantioselective total synthesis of anti-proliferative agent (+)-neopeltolide is presented. The total synthesis is accomplished in 11 steps for the longest linear sequence and 28 steps in total, including 8 catalytic reactions. Particularly, several Mo- or Ru-catalyzed stereoselective olefin metathesis reactions as well as N-hetereocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed enantioselective boron conjugate addition to an acyclic enoate have proven to be effective for convergent construction of the molecule. The most important novelty of the study incorporates the explorations of feasibility of Z-selective cross-metathesis reactions to solve the challenge of installing two Z olefins with excellent selectivity. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Thesis advisor: Amir H. Hoveyda / Chapter 1. In Situ Methylene Capping: A Key Strategy in Catalytic Stereoretentive Olefin MetathesisA general approach for in situ methylene capping that significantly expands the scope of catalyst-controlled stereoselective olefin metathesis is presented. By incorporation of stereodefined 2-butene as the capping reagent, the catechothiolate Ru complex is enabled to catalyze olefin metathesis reactions of terminal alkenes. Substrates bearing a carboxylic acid, an aldehyde, an aryl substituent, an α substituent were thus converted to the desired products in 47–88% yield and 90:10–98:2 Z:E selectivity. The capping strategy was also applied in ring-closing metathesis reactions leading to 14- to 21-membered macrocyclic alkenes (96:4–98:2 Z:E). The utility of this method was highlighted through synthesis of a platelet aggregate inhibitor and two members of the prostaglandin family compounds by cross-metathesis reaction, as well as a strained 14-membered ring stapled peptide by macrocyclic ring-closing metathesis. Examples of the corresponding E-selective cross-processes are provided as well. Chapter 2. Synthesis of Z- or E-Trisubstituted Allylic Alcohols and Ethers by Kinetically Controlled Catalytic Cross-MetathesisKinetically controlled Ru-catalyzed cross-metathesis reactions that generate Z- or E-trisubstituted alkenes are discussed. Reactions were catalyzed by catechothiolate Ru complex to generate trisubstituted allylic alcohols and ethers in up to 81% yield and >98% stereoisomeric purity. The approach is applicable to synthesis of products containing an alcohol, an aldehyde, a carboxylic acid or an alkenyl substituent. Mechanistic models that account for the observed trends in efficiency and stereoselectivity will be provided. Chapter 3. A New Ru-Based Catechothiolate Complex Bearing an Unsaturated NHC Ligand for Synthesis of Z-α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds by Cross Metathesis Design and development of a new Ru catechothiolate complex that may be used to promote Z-selective cross-metathesis transformations that afford Z-α,β-unsaturated esters, acids, and amides (including Weinweb amides) are discussed. Comparison between Ru catechothiolate complexes with an unsaturated NHC and a saturated NHC ligand will be provided. Utility of the approach is demonstrated by an eight-step synthesis (15% overall yield) of an intermediate for synthesis of stagonolide E, and a five-step synthesis of a precursor to dihydrocompactin / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.