Stilbene phytoalexins such as resveratrol, 1, and the arachidins, including arachidin-1,2, are naturally synthesised by peanut (Arachis hypogaea) plants. The peanut phytoalexins are polyphenolic compounds consisting of a stilbene backbone, with a number of derivatives also possessing a prenyl moiety. These distinctive phytoalexins have gained attention, as they exhibit various biological activities, for instance arachidin-1, 2, has been reported to be more potent than resveratrol, 1, in the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and COX-2 mRNA, in vitro at doses that were low in cytotoxicity. Additionally the various arachidins have recently been shown to exhibit their anti-inflammatory properties, through the inhibition of a number of inflammatory mediator pathways. In this work, various routes into the synthesis of arachidin-1, 2, are described, via use of the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction. Three different methodologies were explored, the first approach involving silyl ether (TIPS or TBDMS) protected benzaldehydes, proved unsuccessful due to cleavage of the silyl ether protecting groups, in basic and/or acidic conditions. This led to an alternative approach, whereby formation of the stilbene backbone proceeded via the regioselective demethylation of an acetal in the presence of sodium metal, subsequent electrophilic substitution using iodomethane and finally acetal hydrolysis of the acetal, gave the isolated aldehyde in moderate yield (52 %). Coupling of the aldehyde with the substituted benzylphosphonate, via the HWE reaction gave the desired trans-stilbene in good yield (86 %), however incorporation of the prenyl side chain proved to be challenging via the Wohl-Ziegler bromination. Further adaptation of the aforementioned route, whereby alkylation using diethyl iodomethylphosphonate, enabled the incorporation of the prenyl moiety and the subsequent construction of the trans-stilbene backbone, gave the 4-(3-methyl-but-1- enyl)-3,5,3',4'-tetramethoxystilbene, 3, albeit in poor yield (47 %). The final step involving demethylation using BBr3 gave arachidin-1, 2, also in poor yield (30 %), nevertheless this approach has been proved to be a successful route for the total synthesis of arachidin-1, 2, however optimised studies are required in order to obtain the desired compound in quantitative yields. Synthetic analogues of resveratrol, 1, are also known for their biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and chemopreventative properties. Recently, the anti-proliferative activity of a number of stilbenesulfonamides, against the National Cancer Institute's 60 (NCI-60) human tumour cell line has been reported. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effects of novel heterocyclic methylsulfone and sulfonamide analogues, via inhibition of the COX-2 protein have also been published, however both synthetic routes described require a total of six or seven steps, from the sulfanilamide and are limited to the synthesis of primary sulphonamides (SO2NH2). In this work, an efficient three step synthesis has been designed and successfully implemented, proceeding via chlorosulfonation of diethyl benzylphosphonate, to form the sulfonyl chloride intermediate. Aminolysis of the sulfonyl chloride intermediate was then performed, using a range of primary, secondary and cyclic alkyl amines, as well as aromatic amines; including ammonia, dimethylamine, morpholine and diphenylamine. Finally, formation of the stilbene backbone with various substituted aldehydes, via the HWE reaction offered a short, versatile and alternative route to the synthesis of novel primary, secondary and tertiary trans-stilbene benzenesulfonamides and heterocyclic analogues, in yields of 42 - 100 %. The activity of a selection of the synthesised stilbene benzenesulfonamides was evaluated against the human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line (A549). Amongst the compounds tested, analysis of the data showed that the novel analogue, 4, was found to be the most potent compound, with a GI50 of 0.1 μM. Comparison with the previously published data found analogue, 4, to be approximately 500-fold more potent than the lead compound resveratrol, 1, (GI50 = 51.64 μM) and approximately twice as potent than 5-fluorouracil (GI50 = 0.189μM), a chemotherapy drug used to treat various forms of cancer 8. Overall, these results demonstrate that the total synthesis of trans-arachidin-1, 2, can be achieved via a five step methodology. A versatile route to the synthesis of novel stilbene benzenesulfonamides has also been successfully achieved, amongst the compounds synthesised one appears to show promising anticancer activity, and warrants further investigation (i.e. in vitro studies using other cancer cell lines, and the synthesis of additional compounds using analogue, 4, as a lead compound).

No description available.

Depuis les années 60, la génération d’acide fort de Brönsted par un processus photoinduit à un photon est utilisée dans des nombreux domaines de recherche de plus en plus nombreux. Cependant, de tels acides peuvent-être facilement obtenus par voie biphotonique ce qui présente de nombreux avantages comme par exemple : une meilleure réactivité via une excitation direct du photoacide, l’utilisation possible d’une atmosphère non contrôlée, l’utilisation de microlasers à impulsions sub-nanosecondes peu couteux, mais aussi l’augmentation de la résolution spatiale des micro-objets 3D fabriqués. La génération d’acide se fait généralement par transfert d’électron entre un sensibilisateur et un générateur de photoacide (PAG). Une approche prometteuse consiste à associer, sur une même molécule, un PAG et un chromophore actif à deux photons. Il a donc semblé intéressant de développer de nouveaux PAG capables, par excitation biphotonique, d’amorcer directement la photopolymérisation. Nous avons choisi de préparer des systèmes capto-datifs stilbéniques, de nature neutre ou ionique. Aussi, une série de PAG neutres substitués par des groupements diphénylamino- donneur et iminosulfonates -cyanés accepteurs a été synthétisée. Nous avons également commencé, mais non achevé, la synthèse de PAG neutres portant des groupements iminosulfonates -trifluorométhylés. Puis, nous avons cherché à synthétiser des PAG ioniques substitués soit par un groupement éthoxy soit par un groupement diphénylamino soit par un groupement julolidine. Néanmoins, la dernière étape de la synthèse est pour l’instant un verrou synthétique. / Since the 60’s, the generation of strong Brönsted acids by a one-proton photoinduced process has been used in more and more research areas. Recently, it has been shown, that such acids are easily obtained by a two-photon process. This offers many advantages such as: i) a better reactivity owing to a direct excitation of the photoacid, ii) the possible use of a non-controlled atmosphere, iii) the use of inexpensive microlasers with sub-nanosecond impulsions, iv) the increase of spatial resolution in 3D microfabrication. The acid generation generally proceeds through a photo-induced electro transfer from an excited sensitizer to the photoacid generator (PAG). A promising approach should be the introduction on a single molecule of both a PAG and a two-photon active chromophore moiety. In this context, we have developed new PAGs able to initiate photopolymerisation through a two-photon activation process. The syntheses were focused on stilbenic push-pull systems having either a neutral or an ionic nature. A series of neutral PAGs bearing a diphenylamino donor group and an α-cyano iminosulfonate acceptor moiety has been synthesized. The preparation of neutral PAGs bearing iminosulfonate α-trifluoromethylated groups were not yet completed. The syntheses of ionic PAGs substituted by an ethoxy group, a diphenylamino group or a julolidine one, could not be completed either.

No description available.

Nanoporous organic polymers, including hypercrosslinked polymers (HCPs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs), and conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) etc., are considered good candidates for potential gas storage and gas separation applications. Porosities and surface areas of a series of semirigid alternating copolymers, which contained tert-butyl carboxylate-functionalized stilbene or tert-butyl carboxylate-functionalized styrene, and maleic anhydride or tert-butyl carboxylate-functionalized phenyl maleimide, were investigated using nitrogen sorption/desorption isotherms at 77 K and molecular simulations. These alternating copolymers were found to have Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas in the range of 20-40 m2/g. Surface areas of these alternating copolymers increased as the steric crowding of the polymer backbone increased, which was the result of introducing extra phenyl rings and/or N-phenyl substituent maleimide units. Surface areas were found to increase as the persistence length increased. A series of HCPs containing functionalized stilbene and N-substituted phenyl maleimide were synthesized via free radical suspension polymerization. The incorporation of these functionalized, chain stiffening, Tg enhancing comonomers raised the Tgs of precursor polymers before they were crosslinked. Surface areas of these HCPs, obtained from nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms at 77 K, were up to 1058 m2/g. However, the surface areas of these HCPs were systematically lower than the controls. The high rigidity of the polymer backbone, which was the result of incorporating Tg enhancing comonomer, likely affected the chain mobility of the precursor polymer, decreased the efficiency of post-crosslinking reactions, and thus resulted in lower surface areas. Amine-functionalized styrene/stilbene polymers were prepared via free radical polymerization or post-modification. Amine-containing silica-based sorbents were prepared using the impregnation method. Sorption of CO2 by these materials was tested using TGA and compared with control samples. Both high amine content and certain levels of surface area were found to be important for a sorbent to achieve high CO2 uptake. Highest CO2 uptake (12 wt%) under our testing condition in these materials was achieved by an amine-containing silica sorbent. / Ph. D.

Cette thèse comprend deux parties distinctes, dans lesquelles seront décrits tout d’abord, le développement d’un procédé multicatalytique en un seul pot d’une réaction de méthylénation suivie d’un couplage de Heck, puis dans un second temps, une étude vers la synthèse de l’Hodgsonox. Le premier thème de la thèse correspond à la mise en place d’un procédé en un seul pot, basé sur la méthodologie de méthylénation catalysée par un métal de transition, développée au sein du groupe du Pr. Lebel, et sur des couplages de Heck. Différentes études de compatibilité des réactifs mis en présence sont abordées, ainsi que le choix des conditions optimales (Pd(OAc)2 et P(o-tol)3) pour la réalisation d’un tel système qui ne requiert aucun isolement du produit intermédiaire. Il a été démontré que la présence de triphénylphosphine en excès inhibe la réaction de couplage de Heck, ce qui a finalement orienté notre choix vers les sels de cuivre pour la catalyse de la réaction de méthylénation. Le tandem séquentiel a ensuite été appliqué à la synthèse de divers stilbènes, notamment des composés dérivés du Resvératrol, molécule d’intérêt thérapeutique pour les maladies cardiovasculaires, et à la synthèse d’indanes substitués, avec un couplage intramoléculaire, avec de bons rendements. La deuxième partie de cette thèse traite de l’étude menée vers la synthèse de l’Hodgsonox. Cette molécule correspond à une nouvelle classe de sesquiterpènes tricycliques, comportant un dihydropyrane doté d’une fonction éther diallylique. Cette molécule représente un défi synthétique pour le groupe du Pr. Lebel, qui envisage de synthétiser les deux doubles liaisons terminales au moyen de la méthodologie de méthylénation développée au sein du groupe. L’Hodgsonox, dont la biosynthèse utilise la voie MEP, a un potentiel insecticide pour la croissance de la larve de la mouche verte d’Australie, Lucilia cuprina. La synthèse envisagée au cours de ces travaux est basée sur la formation préalable d’un cycle à 5 chaînons, comportant 3 centres stéréogéniques, puis sur la cyclisation du cycle pyranique au moyen d’une réaction d’insertion dans un lien O H. Un dédoublement cinétique dynamique sur une δ butyrolactone substituée permet de fixer la stéréochimie relative de deux centres chiraux dès la première étape. Le cycle à 5 chaînons est ensuite formé par métathèse après 6 étapes avec un rendement de 37%. Une addition conjuguée suivie d’une réaction de Saegusa et d’une réaction d’hydrosilylation introduit le groupement isopropyle de manière syn. Après mise en place d’un groupement céto-ester, un transfert de groupement diazonium permet de préparer le précurseur pour la réaction d’insertion dans un lien O-H. Le bicycle correspondant à la structure de base de l’Hodgsonox a été préparé au moyen de 16 étapes linéaires avec un rendement global de 12%. / This thesis is divided in two sections. The first topic to be discussed is the development of a multicatalytic one pot process of methylenation and Heck coupling reactions, and the second topic is the studies toward the synthesis of Hodgsonox. The first part of this thesis describes the development of a one pot process, based on the transition-metal catalyzed methylenation reaction reported by the Lebel group, and on Heck coupling reactions. The compatibility of reagents is studied and the optimal reaction conditions of the coupling reaction (Pd(OAc)2 et P(o tol)3) are described for this process, which does not require isolation of the alkene intermediate. The presence of excess triphenylphosphine inhibits the Heck coupling reaction, thus copper salts are used to catalyze the methylenation reaction. This tandem sequence was then used to synthesize different stilbenes, particularly hydroxylated (E) stilbenoids, analogues of Resveratrol, which are known to have a therapeutic activity against cardiovascular diseases, and substituted indanes, through an intramolecular Heck coupling reaction, all in good yields. The second part of this thesis describes the studies toward the synthesis of Hodgsonox. This molecule represents a new class of sesquiterpene with a cyclopenta[5,1-c]pyran ring system fused to an epoxide ring. The combination of a mono- and a 1,1-disubstituted double bond flanking the oxygenated carbon of the pyran ring is a unique structural feature, making the synthesis of this molecule a very attractive challenge. Hodgsonox also represents a good system to test the versatility of our metal-catalyzed methylenation reaction, since we propose to use this methodology to construct the two terminal alkenes from a dicarbonyl derivative. Hodgsonox, which is biosynthesized by the MEP pathway, exhibits activity against the larvae of the Australian green blowfly Lucilia cuprina. The synthesis planned during this work, is based on the prior formation of a 5-membered ring, with 3 stereogenic centers, followed by an O-H insertion reaction to cyclize the dihydropyran ring. A dynamic kinetic resolution of a substituted δ butyrolactone determines the relative stereochemistry of two chiral centers in the first step. The 5 membered cycle is then synthesized via a cross metathesis reaction, after 6 steps and a 37% global yield. A conjugated addition, followed by a Saegusa oxidation reaction and a hydrosilylation reaction gave the syn isopropyl group. After the formation of the ketoester functionality, a diazo transfer allows us to prepare the presursor for the OH insertion reaction. The bicycle, corresponding to the structural base of the Hodgsonox, was prepared in 16 linear steps in a 12 % global yield.

<p>Epoxides are three-membered cyclic ethers formed in the metabolism of foreign substances and as endogenous metabolites. Epoxide hydrolases (EHs) are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of epoxides to yield the corresponding diols. EHs have been implicated in diverse functions such as detoxification of various toxic epoxides, as well as regulation of signal substance levels.</p><p>The main goal of this thesis was to investigate and characterize the α/β hydrolase fold EH. The first part concerns the identifictaion of an EH in <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>. The second part involves detailed mechanistic and structural studies of a plant EH from potato, StEH1. </p><p>Despite the important function of EH, no EH has previously been established in <i>S. cerevisiae</i>. By sequence analysis, we have identified a new subclass of EH present in yeast and in a wide range of microorganisms. The <i>S. cerevisiae</i> protein was produced recombinantly and was shown to display low catalytic activity with tested epoxide substrates. </p><p>In plants, EHs are involved in the general defence system, both in the metabolism of the cutin layer and in stress response to pathogens. The catalytic mechanism of recombinantly expressed wild type and mutant potato EH were investigated in detail using the two enantiomers of <i>trans</i>-stilbene oxide (TSO). The proposed catalytic residues of StEH1 were confirmed. StEH1 is slightly enantioselective for the <i>S,S</i>-enantiomer of<i> trans</i>-stilbene oxide. Furthermore, distinct pH dependence of the two enantiomers probably reflects differences in the microscopic rate constants of the substrates. The detailed function of the two catalytic tyrosines was also studied. The behavior of the tyrosine pair resembles that of a bidentate Lewis acid and we conclude that these tyrosines function as Lewis acids rather then proton donors.</p><p>The three dimensional structure of StEH1 was solved, representing the first structure of a plant EH. The structure provided information about the substrate specificity of StEH1.</p>

Gegenstand der Arbeit ist die lichtinduzierte Orientierung von multifunktionalen Polymeren, die u.a. für die Herstellung von optischen Schichten in Flüssigkristalldisplays verwendet werden können. Dafür wurden Polymere entwickelt, die wenigstens eine mesogene und eine lichtsensitive Gruppe enthalten. Diese Gruppen zeigen Eigenschaften, die für die Orientierung der kompletten Polymerfilme verantwortlich sind. Das Material wird dafür zunächst in einem ersten Schritt kurz mit linear polarisiertem Licht bestrahlt, wobei richtungsabhängig eine photochemische Reaktion an der lichtsensitiven Gruppe erfolgt und dadurch ein "Orientierungskeim" gelegt wird. Durch die thermische Ausrichtung der mesogenen Gruppen an den photochemisch generierten "Orientierungskeimen" erfolgt die komplette Orientierung des Filmes in einem zweiten Schritt. Dadurch wird eine hohe optische Anisotropie erhalten. Dieses Verfahren wurde als Zwei-Stufen-Bulk-Orientierungsprozess bezeichnet. <br><br> In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die Photoreaktionen verschiedener lichtsensitiver Gruppen, wie z. B. Azobenzen, Stilben und Zimtsäureester und deren Orientierungsfähigkeit in flüssigkristallinen Polymeren untersucht. Der Orientierungsprozess wurde durch die Wahl geeigneter Bestrahlungsbedingungen optimiert. Die Effizienz der Orientierung wurde anhand der sich verändernden winkelabhängigen Absorptionseigenschaften und der Doppelbrechung des Materials analysiert. Es wurde gezeigt, dass eine effiziente lichtinduzierte Orientierung bei einer Vielzahl von flüssigkristallinen Polymeren realisierbar ist. So wurde z. B. erstmalig gefunden, dass durch eine Photo-Fries-Orientierung eine hohe optische Anisotropie erhalten werden kann. Außerdem wurde eine neue lichtsensitive Gruppe auf der Basis von Donor-Akzeptor-substituiertem Ethen entwickelt, die farbneutral ist und durch polarisiertes UV-Licht sowohl orientiert als auch re-orientiert werden kann. <br><br> Es wurden weiterhin Polymere entwickelt, die zusätzlich zu den photosensitiven und flüssigkristallinen Einheiten, fluoreszierende Gruppen enthalten. Die Auswahl geeigneter Fluoreszenzverbindungen erfolgte aufgrund ihrer anisometrischen Form, ihrer Ordnungsparameter in einer niedermolekularen Flüssigkristallmischung und ihrer Photostabilität. Das Orientierungsverhalten von ausgewählten Fluorophoren wurde in sechs Ter- und zwei Copolymeren untersucht. Das Prinzip der Orientierung beruht auf einer kooperativen Ausrichtung der Seitengruppen. Aus diesem Grund kommt dem Nachweis der Kooperativität in der vorliegenden Arbeit eine besondere Stellung zu. <br><br> Durch lichtinduzierte Bulk-Orientierung wurden Filme erhalten, welche durch eine richtungsabhängige Fluoreszenz und Absorption im sichtbaren- oder UV-Bereich charakterisiert sind. Die Fluoreszenz wird durch einige lichtsensitive Verbindungen komplett gelöscht. Die wahlweise erhaltenen anisotropen Filme von farbigen, fluoreszierenden oder farbneutralen Verbindungen, die zudem in kleinen Pixeln von wenigen Mikrometern orientiert werden können, eröffnen vielfältige Möglichkeiten für den Einsatz von multi-funktionalen Polymeren als optische Schichten in Flüssigkristalldisplays. / The work presents the light-induced orientation of multifunctional polymers, which can be used for the preparation of optical films in liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Polymers which contain at least one mesogenic and one photosensitive side group were developed for this approach. The side groups of the specially designed polymers show properties which allow for the orientation of the whole polymer film. Isotropic films of the polymeric material were shortly irradiated with linearly polarised light in a first step. So, a photochemical reaction on the light-sensitive group takes place and results in the generation of "orientational seeds". The complete orientation of the polymer film takes place applying a secondary thermal step which aligns the mesogenic groups near to these "orientational seeds". In this way highly anisotropic films are generated. This method was called two-step-bulk-orientation process. <br><br> The photoreaction of different light-sensitive groups, such as azobenzene, stilbene, cinnamic ester and their ability to orient liquid crystalline polymers were investigated in this thesis. The orientation process was optimised using suitable irradiation conditions. The efficiency of the orientation was analysed measuring the angular dependent absorbance and the birefringence of the material due to the ordering procedure. It was shown, that a light-induced orientation is practicable in a high amount of different liquid crystalline polymers. So, for the first time it was found, that the generation of a high optical anisotropy is achieved as result of the rearrangement of the Photo-Fries-Reaction. Moreover, a new light-sensitive group based on donor-acceptor substituted ethylene was developed, which is colourless and allow the orientation and reorientation using polarised UV light. <br><br> Moreover, polymers were developed, which contain fluorescent groups in addition to the photo-sensitive and mesogenic units. The selection of suitable fluorophores was carried out with respect to their anisometric shape, their order parameter in a low molecular liquid crystalline mixture and their photostability. The orientational behaviour of selected fluorophores in six terpolymers and in two copolymers were investigated. The principle of the ordering is based on the cooperative orientation of the side groups. In this way the verification of the cooperativity of the process plays an important role in this work. <br><br> It was shown, that films can be fabricated by means of the light-induced bulk-orientation, which is characterised by an angular selective fluorescence and absorption in the UV or visible region. The fluorescence was completely quenched by some light-sensitive groups. In this way the anisotropic films became optional coloured, fluorescent or colourless and can be patterned in small anisotropic pixels of some micrometers. So, the developed multifunctional materials and the ordering method open new possibilities for the generation of different types of optical films in LCDs.

Epoxides are three-membered cyclic ethers formed in the metabolism of foreign substances and as endogenous metabolites. Epoxide hydrolases (EHs) are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of epoxides to yield the corresponding diols. EHs have been implicated in diverse functions such as detoxification of various toxic epoxides, as well as regulation of signal substance levels. The main goal of this thesis was to investigate and characterize the α/β hydrolase fold EH. The first part concerns the identifictaion of an EH in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The second part involves detailed mechanistic and structural studies of a plant EH from potato, StEH1. Despite the important function of EH, no EH has previously been established in S. cerevisiae. By sequence analysis, we have identified a new subclass of EH present in yeast and in a wide range of microorganisms. The S. cerevisiae protein was produced recombinantly and was shown to display low catalytic activity with tested epoxide substrates. In plants, EHs are involved in the general defence system, both in the metabolism of the cutin layer and in stress response to pathogens. The catalytic mechanism of recombinantly expressed wild type and mutant potato EH were investigated in detail using the two enantiomers of trans-stilbene oxide (TSO). The proposed catalytic residues of StEH1 were confirmed. StEH1 is slightly enantioselective for the S,S-enantiomer of trans-stilbene oxide. Furthermore, distinct pH dependence of the two enantiomers probably reflects differences in the microscopic rate constants of the substrates. The detailed function of the two catalytic tyrosines was also studied. The behavior of the tyrosine pair resembles that of a bidentate Lewis acid and we conclude that these tyrosines function as Lewis acids rather then proton donors. The three dimensional structure of StEH1 was solved, representing the first structure of a plant EH. The structure provided information about the substrate specificity of StEH1.

No description available.