Koehn, Jordan T., authorCrans, Debbie C., advisorReynolds, Melissa M., committee memberShi, Yian, committee memberCrick, Dean C., committee member2019-09-102020-09-032019https://hdl.handle.net/10217/197288There are many types of molecules that are biologically important because they either carry out crucial functions or exhibit exploitable biological activity. Some of the most interesting and challenging molecules to work with are those that are redox-active and hydrophobic or water insoluble. Herein, the synthesis and investigation of two classes of hydrophobic redox-active molecules are explored. Chapter one provides background on menaquinone (MK) and vanadium chemistry and primes the reader for the subsequent chapters. Chapter two describes the synthesis and characterization of truncated MK derivatives with varying isoprenyl side chain length and degrees of saturation. Chapter three explores the conformational flexibility of the isoprenyl side chain of MK and shows that a truncated MK analog, MK-2, can adopt folded conformations in hydrophobic environments and within a model membrane system. Chapter four isolates the conformational and chemical effect of saturation of the isoprenyl side chain on MK and shows that saturation minimally affects folded conformations of truncated MK derivatives but remarkably, a 20 mV redox potential difference was observed between unsaturated MK-1 and the saturated analog MK-1(H2). Then in chapter five, hydrophobicity and steric bulk are explored as properties to enhance membrane affinity and anti-cancer properties of Schiff base vanadium(V) catecholate complexes, where the hydrophobic [VO(Hshed)(ditertbutylcatechol)] complex was found to have enhanced hydrolytic stability and potent activity against a bone cancer cell line. Together, the findings of the studies presented herein help to further understand how the conformation and the degree of saturation in the isoprenyl side chain of MK affects the recognition, reactivity, and function of MK within the electron transport system of pathogenic bacteria. These studies are important because they begin to explain and provide a working model behind the chemical rationale as to why partially saturated MK-9 is observed in pathogenic M. tuberculosis. Furthermore, the studies with the hydrophobic vanadium(V) catecholate metallo-complexes underpin a drug design concept exploiting hydrolytic stability imparted by hydrophobicity and steric bulk of a non-innocent ligand.born digitaldoctoral dissertationsengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.hydrophobicvanadiummenaquinoneconformationredox potentialNMR spectroscopyText