Preparations of 1,2,4-trioxanes from gamma,delta-unsaturated ketones, and reduction of alkyl silyl peroxides with catalytic quantities of phosphines

Organic molecules that contain the peroxide moiety are synthetically challenging targets due to the lack of methods that can furnish the products in high yields or with good control of stereoselectivity. This dissertation discusses the development of methods useful for the preparation of organic peroxides. Chapter One and Two presents our efforts in the synthesis of endoperoxides by acid-catalyzed addition of hydrogen peroxide to carbonyl compounds. The methodology outlined in Chapter One and Two was used to prepare medicinally important 1,2,4-trioxane and 1,2-dioxolane structures. Chapter Three and Four details our development of a method to reduce alkyl silyl peroxides with catalytic quantities of phosphines. Chapter Four specifically discusses the development of a stereoselective reduction of alkyl silyl peroxides by catalytic amounts of enantiopure phosphines.