Photocatalytic fluorination of benzylic C-H bonds and studies towards the synthesis of salinosporamide C

Fluorinated pharmaceuticals comprise nearly a quarter of the total pharmaceutical market. However, current fluorination methods and reagents lack a certain range particularly in the fluorination of C-H bonds. The first part of this thesis describes the fluorination of benzylic C-H bonds utilizing the hydrogen abstracting ability of a classic photocatalyst and a bench stable fluorine atom transfer reagent. The simple and straightforward reaction demonstrates a wide range of tolerance to functionalities and provides access to fluorinated compounds in moderate to good yield. The second part of this thesis consists of research towards the synthesis of a marine natural product, salinosporamide C, which was discovered in 2002 and has yet to be synthesized. The true activity of the compound is unknown, however its biogenetically related counterpart salinosporamide A is considered a potent 20S proteasome inhibitor. Though the total synthesis of salinosporamide C was not accomplished, an advanced intermediate was successfully synthesized and the groundwork for a successful synthesis of this natural product was completed.