Production of Methyl-Iodide in the Environment

Iodine is an essential micronutrient for most of the living beings, including humans. Besides its indispensable role in animals, it also plays an important role in the environment. It undergoes several chemical and biological transformations resulting in the production of volatile methylated iodides, which play a key role in the iodine’s global geochemical cycle. Since it can also mitigate the process of climate change, it is reasonable to study its biogeochemistry. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide information on its origin, global fluxes and mechanisms of production in the environment.

Bonding and Reactivity of Gallium and Aluminium Coordination Complexes

<p>This thesis describes the synthesis, structures and reactivities of gallium and aluminium complexes supported by β-diketiminato ligands ([CR{C(R)N(R’)}₂]-, abbrev. [(BDIR’)]-). Chapter 1 gives a general introduction into the trends and properties that distinguish the heavier p-block elements from their lighter counterparts. An introduction into the theory of multiple bond formation, both homonuclear and heteronuclear, in the heavy p-block elements is provided and a summary of the sterically demanding ligands required to stabilise these complexes is introduced. The β-diketiminato ligand framework utilised in this study is introduced and the methods of generation of low valent gallium and aluminium complexes supported by the BDIDIPP ligand are discussed. Chapter 2 discusses the reactivity of the complex BDIDIPPGa with diazo- compounds in the quest to isolate a complex with a formal gallium-carbon double bond. BDIDIPPGa reacts with two equivalents of both trimethylsilyldiazomethane and diazofluorene, presumably through the target gallium-carbon double bond intermediate. No reaction is observed with di-tert-butyldiazomethane, while BDIDIPPGa catalyses the decomposition of diphenyldiazomethane into tetraphenylethene. Three new β-diketiminato gallium(I) complexes were synthesised: ArBDIDIPPGa, BDIAr*Ga and BDIAr’Ga. ArBDIDIPPGa also reacted with two equivalents of trimethylsilyldiazomethane, presumably through the target gallium-carbon double bond intermediate. BDIAr*Ga and BDIAr’Ga both inserted into the C-H bond of trimethylsilyldiazomethane to give BDIAr*Ga(H)C(N2)SiMe₃ and BDIAr’Ga(H)C(N2)SiMe₃ respectively. Upon addition of diazofluorene to BDIAr*Ga, one of the aromatic protons of the BDIAr* ligand was abstracted by the diazofluorene, resulting in coordination of one of the flanking phenyl groups to the gallium centre. Chapter 3 discusses an investigation into the formation of formal double bonds between aluminium and phosphorus, and gallium and phosphorus. The proposed ‘deprotonation/elimination’ method, reacting BDIDIPPM(PHAr)Cl (M = Al, Ga Ar = Ph, Mes) with nBuLi, resulted in the formation of intractable mixtures of products. Direct synthesis by the addition of MesPLi₂ to BDIDIPPMCl₂ (M = Al, Ga) resulted in the formation of BDIDIPPM(PHMes)Cl (M = Al, Ga). Changing the elimination product to TMS-Cl, through the synthesis of BDIDIPPM(P(TMS)Ph)Cl (M = Al, Ga), resulted in the synthesis of BDIDIPPAl(P(TMS)Ph)Cl, which showed no signs of elimination occurring upon heating to 110 °C. BDIDIPPGa(P(TMS)Ph)Cl could not be isolated, potentially as the complex was undergoing the desired elimination of TMS-Cl, but the resulting complex was decomposing. Changing the elimination product to ethane, through the synthesis of BDIDIPPAl(PHMes)Et, resulted in no sign of elimination occurring upon heating to 110 °C. Reduction of BDIDIPPMCl₂ (M = Al, Ga) in the presence of bistrimethylsilylacetylene, as part of the synthesis of BDIDIPPMLi₂ (M = Al, Ga) salts, was unsuccessful, as was the reaction of BDIDIPPGa with bistrimethylsilylacetylene. Reduction of MesPCl₂ with potassium metal in the presence of BDIDIPPGa resulted in an intractable mixture of products, reduction with magnesium resulted in the formation of (MesP)₃ and (MesP)₄. Addition of MesPH₂ to BDIDIPPGa resulted in the formation of BDIDIPPGa(H)P(H)Mes, which did not undergo H₂ elimination at 110 °C. The synthesis of BDIDIPPAl was unsuccessful as the product could not be isolated cleanly. The synthesis of ArBDIDIPPAl resulted in the intramolecular rearrangement of the ligand to give a five-membered aluminium containing ring. The synthesis of BDIAr*Al stalled at the formation of BDIAr*Al(Me)I due to the steric bulk of the ligand blocking the second substitution of iodine from occurring. Chapter 4 discusses the reactivity of the primary phosphanide complexes BDIDIPPAl(PHMes)Cl, BDIDIPPAl(PHMes)Et and BDIDIPPGa(H)P(H)Mes with phenyl acetylene, 4-nitro-phenyl isocyanate, phenyl isothiocyanate, dicyclohexyl carbodiimide, cyclohexene, benzophenone, benzaldehyde, selenium, sulfur, and methyl iodide. Reactivity was not observed for phenyl acetylene, dicyclohexyl carbodiimide or benzophenone with any of the phosphanides. Reactivity with the phosphanides was observed with cyclohexene, however rapid decomposition of the products occurred and they were unable to be identified. BDIDIPPAl(PHMes)Cl and BDIDIPPGa(H)P(H)Mes showed no reactivity with benzaldehyde, however, the ethyl ligand of BDIDIPPAl(PHMes)Et reacted with the aldehyde proton, eliminating ethane and substituting the PhC(O)- ligand onto the aluminium centre. Reactivity with the phosphanides was observed with both sulfur and selenium, however multiple different products were formed, none of which were successfully isolated. Reactivity between the phosphanides and methyl iodide was observed, with the P-M bond appearing to be cleaved and formation of a M-I bond occurring. 4-nitro-phenyl isocyanate and phenyl isothiocyanate underwent insertion reactions into the M-P bond, however only BDIDIPPAl(Cl)N(4-NO₂-Ph)C(O)P(H)Mes was able to be isolated and fully characterised. Finally, chapter 5 summarises the results of this research and provides an outlook at the future direction of this field of research.</p>

Bonding and Reactivity of Gallium and Aluminium Coordination Complexes

<p>This thesis describes the synthesis, structures and reactivities of gallium and aluminium complexes supported by β-diketiminato ligands ([CR{C(R)N(R’)}₂]-, abbrev. [(BDIR’)]-). Chapter 1 gives a general introduction into the trends and properties that distinguish the heavier p-block elements from their lighter counterparts. An introduction into the theory of multiple bond formation, both homonuclear and heteronuclear, in the heavy p-block elements is provided and a summary of the sterically demanding ligands required to stabilise these complexes is introduced. The β-diketiminato ligand framework utilised in this study is introduced and the methods of generation of low valent gallium and aluminium complexes supported by the BDIDIPP ligand are discussed. Chapter 2 discusses the reactivity of the complex BDIDIPPGa with diazo- compounds in the quest to isolate a complex with a formal gallium-carbon double bond. BDIDIPPGa reacts with two equivalents of both trimethylsilyldiazomethane and diazofluorene, presumably through the target gallium-carbon double bond intermediate. No reaction is observed with di-tert-butyldiazomethane, while BDIDIPPGa catalyses the decomposition of diphenyldiazomethane into tetraphenylethene. Three new β-diketiminato gallium(I) complexes were synthesised: ArBDIDIPPGa, BDIAr*Ga and BDIAr’Ga. ArBDIDIPPGa also reacted with two equivalents of trimethylsilyldiazomethane, presumably through the target gallium-carbon double bond intermediate. BDIAr*Ga and BDIAr’Ga both inserted into the C-H bond of trimethylsilyldiazomethane to give BDIAr*Ga(H)C(N2)SiMe₃ and BDIAr’Ga(H)C(N2)SiMe₃ respectively. Upon addition of diazofluorene to BDIAr*Ga, one of the aromatic protons of the BDIAr* ligand was abstracted by the diazofluorene, resulting in coordination of one of the flanking phenyl groups to the gallium centre. Chapter 3 discusses an investigation into the formation of formal double bonds between aluminium and phosphorus, and gallium and phosphorus. The proposed ‘deprotonation/elimination’ method, reacting BDIDIPPM(PHAr)Cl (M = Al, Ga Ar = Ph, Mes) with nBuLi, resulted in the formation of intractable mixtures of products. Direct synthesis by the addition of MesPLi₂ to BDIDIPPMCl₂ (M = Al, Ga) resulted in the formation of BDIDIPPM(PHMes)Cl (M = Al, Ga). Changing the elimination product to TMS-Cl, through the synthesis of BDIDIPPM(P(TMS)Ph)Cl (M = Al, Ga), resulted in the synthesis of BDIDIPPAl(P(TMS)Ph)Cl, which showed no signs of elimination occurring upon heating to 110 °C. BDIDIPPGa(P(TMS)Ph)Cl could not be isolated, potentially as the complex was undergoing the desired elimination of TMS-Cl, but the resulting complex was decomposing. Changing the elimination product to ethane, through the synthesis of BDIDIPPAl(PHMes)Et, resulted in no sign of elimination occurring upon heating to 110 °C. Reduction of BDIDIPPMCl₂ (M = Al, Ga) in the presence of bistrimethylsilylacetylene, as part of the synthesis of BDIDIPPMLi₂ (M = Al, Ga) salts, was unsuccessful, as was the reaction of BDIDIPPGa with bistrimethylsilylacetylene. Reduction of MesPCl₂ with potassium metal in the presence of BDIDIPPGa resulted in an intractable mixture of products, reduction with magnesium resulted in the formation of (MesP)₃ and (MesP)₄. Addition of MesPH₂ to BDIDIPPGa resulted in the formation of BDIDIPPGa(H)P(H)Mes, which did not undergo H₂ elimination at 110 °C. The synthesis of BDIDIPPAl was unsuccessful as the product could not be isolated cleanly. The synthesis of ArBDIDIPPAl resulted in the intramolecular rearrangement of the ligand to give a five-membered aluminium containing ring. The synthesis of BDIAr*Al stalled at the formation of BDIAr*Al(Me)I due to the steric bulk of the ligand blocking the second substitution of iodine from occurring. Chapter 4 discusses the reactivity of the primary phosphanide complexes BDIDIPPAl(PHMes)Cl, BDIDIPPAl(PHMes)Et and BDIDIPPGa(H)P(H)Mes with phenyl acetylene, 4-nitro-phenyl isocyanate, phenyl isothiocyanate, dicyclohexyl carbodiimide, cyclohexene, benzophenone, benzaldehyde, selenium, sulfur, and methyl iodide. Reactivity was not observed for phenyl acetylene, dicyclohexyl carbodiimide or benzophenone with any of the phosphanides. Reactivity with the phosphanides was observed with cyclohexene, however rapid decomposition of the products occurred and they were unable to be identified. BDIDIPPAl(PHMes)Cl and BDIDIPPGa(H)P(H)Mes showed no reactivity with benzaldehyde, however, the ethyl ligand of BDIDIPPAl(PHMes)Et reacted with the aldehyde proton, eliminating ethane and substituting the PhC(O)- ligand onto the aluminium centre. Reactivity with the phosphanides was observed with both sulfur and selenium, however multiple different products were formed, none of which were successfully isolated. Reactivity between the phosphanides and methyl iodide was observed, with the P-M bond appearing to be cleaved and formation of a M-I bond occurring. 4-nitro-phenyl isocyanate and phenyl isothiocyanate underwent insertion reactions into the M-P bond, however only BDIDIPPAl(Cl)N(4-NO₂-Ph)C(O)P(H)Mes was able to be isolated and fully characterised. Finally, chapter 5 summarises the results of this research and provides an outlook at the future direction of this field of research.</p>

Development of Triazoles and Triazolium Salts Based on AZT and Their Anti-Viral Activity against HIV-1

We report herein a set of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) derivatives based on triazoles and triazolium salts for HIV-1 infection. The compounds were synthesized via click chemistry with Cu(I) and Ru(II) catalysts. Triazolium salts were synthesized by reaction with methyl iodide or methyl triflate in good yields. The antiviral activity of the compounds was tested using two methodologies: In method one the activity was measured on infected cells; in method two a pre-exposure prophylaxis experimental model was employed. For method one the activity of the compounds was moderate, and in general the triazolium salts showed a decreased activity in relation to their triazole precursors. With method two the antiviral activity was higher. All compounds were able to decrease the infection, with two compounds able to clear almost all the infection, while a lower antiviral activity was noted for the triazolium salts. These results suggest that these drugs could play an important role in the development of pre-exposure prophylaxis therapies.

Synthesis of Platinum(II) N-Heterocyclic Carbenes Based on Adenosine

Organometallic derivatization of nucleosides is a highly promising strategy for the improvement of the therapeutic profile of nucleosides. Herein, a methodology for the synthesis of metalated adenosine with a deprotected ribose moiety is described. Platinum(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes based on adenosine were synthesized, namely N-heterocyclic carbenes bearing a protected and unprotected ribose ring. Reaction of the 8-bromo-2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyladenosine with Pt(PPh3)4 by C8−Br oxidative addition yielded complex 1, with a PtII centre bonded to C-8 and an unprotonated N7. Complex 1 reacted at N7 with HBF4 or methyl iodide, yielding protic carbene 2 or methyl carbene 3, respectively. Deprotection of 1 to yield 4 was achieved with NH4OH. Deprotected compound 4 reacted at N7 with HCl solutions to yield protic NHC 5 or with methyl iodide yielding methyl carbene 6. Protic N-heterocyclic carbene 5 is not stable in DMSO solutions leading to the formation of compound 7, in which a bromide was replaced by chloride. The cis-influence of complexes 1–7 was examined by 31P{1H} and 195Pt NMR. Complexes 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 induce a decrease of 1JPt,P of more than 300 Hz, as result of the higher cis-influence of the N-heterocyclic carbene when compared to the azolato ligand in 1 and 4.

Targeted knockout of the gene OsHOL1 removes methyl iodide emissions from rice plants

Iodine deficiency represents a public health problem worldwide. To increase the amount of iodine in the diet, biofortification strategies of plants have been tried. They rely on the exogenous administration of iodine to increase its absorption and accumulation. However, iodine is not stable in plants and can be volatilized as methyl iodide through the action of specific methyltransferases encoded by the HARMLESS TO OZONE LAYER (HOL) genes. The release of methyl iodide in the atmosphere represents a threat for the environment due to its ozone depletion potential. Rice paddies are among the strongest producers of methyl iodide. Thus, the agronomic approach of iodine biofortification is not appropriate for this crop, leading to further increases of iodine emissions. In this work, we used the genome editing CRISPR/Cas9 technology to knockout the rice HOL genes and investigate their function. OsHOL1 resulted a major player in methyl iodide production, since its knockout abolished the process. Moreover, its overexpression reinforced it. Conversely, knockout of OsHOL2 did not produce effects. Our experiments helped elucidating the function of the rice HOL genes, providing tools to develop new rice varieties with reduced iodine emissions and thus more suitable for biofortification programs without further impacting on the environment.