Synthèse de monohalocyclopropanes et étude de carbénoïdes de zinc
This thesis is focused on the development of enantioselective halocyclopropanation methodologies and the study of both the formation and behaviors of zinc carbenoids. Initially, we developed an enantioselective bromocyclopropanation reaction of allylic alcohols by modifying previous conditions described by our group for the synthesis of iodo- and chlorocyclopropanes. To further improve this reaction with particular regard to mitigating wate production, we performed several NMR experiments that elucidated both the active zinc carbenoid structure and the mechanism of its formation. Based on these findings, we developed modified conditions, providing improved yields without the need for excess reagents. Cognizant of a similar mechanistic pathway for previously developed halocyclopropanations, we applied these mechanistic findings towards improving both the iodocyclopropanation and chlorocyclopropanation reactions. Much to our delight, we successfully improved the efficiency of the iodocyclopropantion and characterized the active zinc carbenoid species.  In contrast, the chlorocyclopropanation presented more challenges due to the complex mixture of various organometallic species obtained from the mixing of carbenoid reagents. These results suggested scrambling mechanisms were occuring, which were not really understood until now. In order to avoid those mechanisms, an organic zinc salt was used, providing access to an improved, more efficient chlorocyclopropanation reaction. Finally, we conducted an in-depth investigation into the observed scrambling mechanisms using a wide panel of carbenoids to both understand the causes of such scramblings and to potentially predict when they will occur.
Simmons-Smith Zinc Mechanism Cyclopropanes Carbenoids Halogens