A novel cascade DCC/annulation reaction of N-alkoxybenzamides with β-keto esters has been developed for the synthesis of isoquinolinone derivatives under palladium catalysis. A plausible mechanism involving α-C(sp²)–H activation and a Pd(II)/Pd(IV) catalytic cycle is also proposed.

Palladium-catalyzed [5 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-aryl-2-vinyloxiranes with sulfamate-derived cyclic imines is described. The zwitterionic allylpalladium intermediates act as five-membered synthon to react with sulfamate-derived cyclic imines to furnish [5 + 2] cycloaddition, giving 1,3-oxazepine derivatives in moderate to excellent yields with excellent regioselectivities.

In this report, the enantioselective, copper-catalyzed borylation of β-amidoacrylates is disclosed. A broad variety of biologically important α-aminoboronates has been prepared with consistently high levels of enantiocontrol using an inexpensive copper catalyst and a commercially available chiral ligand. The method can be applied to the synthesis of novel boron-containing dipeptides and hemiboronates.

An efficient procedure for the copper-catalyzed cross-coupling between a broad range of cyanamides and iodoalkenes is reported. Upon reaction with catalytic amounts of copper(I) iodide and 2,2′-bisimidazole in the presence of cesium carbonate in DMF at 80 °C, a fast, regioselective, and stereoretentive cross-coupling occurs. This reaction, which was found to have a broad substrate scope, provides the first general entry to N-alkenylcyanamides, building blocks that hold great synthetic potential.

The direct Pd-catalyzed ortho C–H hydroxylation of benzaldehydes was achieved using 4-chloroanthranilic acid as the transient directing group, 1-fluoro-2,4,6-trimethylpyridnium triflate as the bystanding oxidant, and p-toluenesulfonic acid as the putative oxygen nucleophile. The unusual C–H chlorination and polyfluoroalkoxylation reactions signaled the importance of external nucleophiles to the outcome of Pd(IV) reductive eliminations.

Under solventless grinding conditions, mechanochemical ruthenium-catalyzed hydroarylations of alkynes with acetanilides lead to trisubstituted alkenes. Only catalytic amounts of pivalic acid or copper acetate are required, and without the need for external heating, the reaction times are shorter than those of their solution-based counterpart. Mechanochemical oxidative annulations through palladium-catalyzed intramolecular amination convert the products into N-acetylindoles.

A novel visible-light-induced aza-pinacol rearrangement was developed for the first time. In this approach, the addition of the N-centered radical to the C═C bond of alkylidenecyclopropanes delivers a variety of cyclobutanimines and γ-butyrolactones, with all-carbon quaternary centers via the ring expansion of the cyclopropyl group, in moderate to good yields under mild reaction conditions.

tert-Butyl hydroperoxide-initiated radical cyclization of 2-alkynylthioanisoles or -selenoanisoles with sulfinic acids has been developed. This reaction is applicable to a wide substrate scope via one C(sp³)–S(Se) bond cleavage and two C(sp²)–S(Se) bond formation, leading to the synthesis of 3-(arylsulfonyl)benzothiophenes or -benzoselenophenes under mild conditions.

The first total synthesis of the bisindole alkaloid raputindole A from the rutaceous plant Raputia simulans is reported. The key step is a Au(I)-catalyzed cyclization that assembles the cyclopenta[f]indole tricycle from a 6-alkynylated indoline precursor. The isobutenyl side chain was installed by Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling, followed by a regioselective reduction employing LiDBB. Starting from 6-iodoindole, the sequence needs nine steps and provided (±)-raputindole A in 6.6% overall yield. The absolute configuration of the natural product (+)-raputindole A was determined by quantum chemical calculation of the ECD spectrum.

Thiadiazoloquinoxaline-fused naphthalenediimides (TQ-f-NDIs) are designed and synthesized. They show high electron affinities (EAs) of ∼4.5 eV. Organic field-effect transistor (OFET) devices, fabricated by dip-coating, provided maximum high electron mobilities of 0.03 cm²/(V·s) with an on/off ratio of 2 × 10⁵.

2-Hydroxymethylpyridines undergo nickel-catalyzed hydrogenolysis upon activation with a chlorophosphate. Reactions employ diethylzinc and are proposed to proceed through secondary benzylzinc reagents. Quenching with deuteromethanol provides straightforward incorporation of a deuterium label in the benzylic position. Intramolecular conjugate additions with α,β-unsaturated esters are also demonstrated and support the intermediacy of a benzylzinc complex.

A visible-light photoredox cleavage of α-allenylic C–O bond and alkenyl C–S formation is disclosed for the first time. The thiolation of allenyl phosphine oxides with diaryl disulfides occurs smoothly in metal-free and mild conditions, affording novel S,P-bifunctionalized butadienes with moderate to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies explain the cleavage of a C(sp³)–O(Ar) bond in initiating a key alkenyl radical intermediate.

Herein it is shown, for the first time, that enolonium species are powerful electrophiles capable of reacting with aromatic compounds in an intermolecular manner to afford α-arylated ketones. The reaction is compatible with a variety of functional groups, is of wide scope with respect to aromatic compounds and ketone, and even works for polymerization-prone substrates such as substituted pyrroles, thiophenes, and furans. Only 1.6 to 5 equiv of the commodity aromatic substrates is needed.

A highly enantioselective hydrosilylation of ketones was developed for the synthesis of a variety of chiral secondary alcohols. In the presence of a chiral oxazaborolidinium ion (COBI) catalyst, the reaction proceeded with good yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).

The total synthesis of neodysiherbaine A was achieved via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a chiral nitrone template with a sugar-derived allyl alcohol in the presence of MgBr₂·OEt₂. This cycloaddition constructed the C2 and C4 asymmetric centers in a single step. Then reductive cleavage, intramolecular S_N2 reaction of the tertiary alcohol, and oxidation of the primary alcohol afforded neodysiherbaine A.

A highly enantioselective Fe^II-catalyzed thia-Michael addition to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl derivatives was developed. The scope of the reaction was demonstrated with a selection of aromatic, heterocyclic and aliphatic thiols, and various Michael acceptors. The corresponding β-thioethers were obtained in good to excellent yields (up to 98%) and moderate to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 96:4 er). Unusual hepta-coordination of the metal and chelation to α,β-unsaturated oxazolidin-2-one derivatives allowed the construction of a coherent model rationalizing the enantioselective event. DFT calculations support the proposed model for observed stereoselectivities.

A general iron-catalyzed strategy for the atom-transfer radical cyclization (ATRC) of allylic halide is reported. Critical to this strategy is the use of DPPF [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene] as catalyst, which allows for efficient generation of the allylic radical species via a single-electron transfer (SET) process. The feasibility of achieving ATRC reactions of propargyl chlorides is also demonstrated, which affords products with an exocyclic allene moiety.

An unprecedented electrochemical aromatic C–H oxygenation reaction for the synthesis of 4H-1,3-benzoxazines from easily available N-benzylamides is reported. These oxidative cyclization reactions proceed in a transition metal- and oxidizing reagent-free fashion and produce H₂ as only theoretical byproduct. Adapting the C–H oxygenation reaction in an electrochemical microreactor has been demonstrated.

The dearomative introduction of trifluoromethyl and 1,1-difluoroethyl radicals, generated from their corresponding sulfinate salts, into the C2 position of indole derivatives allows the diastereoselective synthesis of three-dimensional 3,3-spirocyclic indolines over C–H functionalized indoles.

A phosphine-catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition of cyclic α-substituted allenoates with sulfamate-derived cyclic imines has been reported. Using dibenzylphenylphosphine as the nucleophilic catalyst, the reaction worked efficiently to yield various fused multicyclic heterocyclic compounds in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities. It undergoes a new reaction mode involving γ′-carbon of α-substituted allenoate.

Bromide-mediated intermolecular annulation of phenylethanone derivatives with alkynes has been developed, which allows for the regioselective formation of polysubstituted 1-naphthols. The usage of readily available bromine catalyst, broad substrate scope, and mild conditions make this protocol very practical. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the bromination of phenylethanone derivatives occurs to yield bromo-substituted intermediates, which react in situ with alkynes to furnish the desired 1-naphthols.

Nigegladines A–C (1–3), three thymoquinone dimers, were isolated from the seeds of Nigella glandulifera. Racemic 1 possesses a unique tricyclo[5.4.0.1^2,6]dodecane carbon skeleton, and compounds 2 and 3 are two unusual diterpenoid alkaloids with indole cores. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and that of 1 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both (+)-1 and (−)-1 exhibited significant protective effects against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced H9c2 myocardial cell injury.

Higher π-extended naphthalene, contained in methylnaphthalenes, which could capture alkyl radicals via SOMO–LUMO interactions, enabled the development of Cu-catalyzed formal [4 + 2] and [3 + 2] cycloadditions between methylnaphthalenes and electron-deficient alkenes. Under copper catalysis, a series of electron-deficient alkenes and methylnaphthalenes with different substituents were successfully incorporated with di-tert-butyl peroxide (TBP) as an oxidant and radical initiator, providing a wide range of cycloadducts.

The first catalytic enantioselective [5 + 2] dipolar cycloaddition of a 3-hydroxy-4-pyrone-derived oxidopyrylium ylide is described. These studies leveraged the recently recognized ability of oxidopyrylium dimers to serve as the source of ylide, which was found to be key to increasing yields and achieving enantiomeric excesses up to 99%. General reaction conditions were identified for an array of α,β-unsaturated aldehyde dipolarophiles. Reaction products possess four stereocenters, and subsequent reduction introduced a fifth contiguous stereocenter with total stereocontrol.

Highly substituted purines were synthesized in good to high yields through a one-pot straightforward metal-free scalable method, using the Traube synthesis adapted to Vilsmeier-type reagents. From 5-amino-4-chloropyrimidines, new 9-aryl-substituted chloropurines and intermediates for peptide nucleic acid synthesis were prepared. Variant procedures allowing a rapid synthesis of ribonucleosides and 7-benzylpurine from 5-amidino-6-aminopyrimidines are also reported to illustrate the high potential of this versatile toolbox. This route appears to be particularly interesting in the field of nucleic acids for a direct and rapid access to various new 8-alkylpurine nucleosides.

A catalytic enantioselective Mukaiyama–Mannich reaction of cyclic C-acylimines with difluoroenoxysilanes is reported. (S)-TRIP enables the enantioselective synthesis of a series of novel difluoroalkylated indolin-3-ones bearing a quaternary stereocenter in up to 97% yield and 98% ee. The synthetic utility of this protocol is highlighted by efficient conversion of the products to the corresponding indolin-3-one derivatives without any erosion of the enantiopurity.

Functionalized bicyclic amino-azaheterocycles are rapidly accessed in a one-pot cross-coupling/reduction sequence enabled by the use of COware. Incompatible reagents are physically separated in a single reaction vessel to effect two chemoselective transformations—Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling and heteroarene reduction. The developed method allows access to novel heterocyclic templates, including semisaturated Hedgehog and dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, which show enhanced physicochemical properties compared to their unsaturated counterparts.

One-step concurrent fluoro-trifluoromethylation across the triple bond of arylacetylenes in a syn mode is enabled by the collaboration of (phen)Cu^III(CF₃)₃ and CsF that produces chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectively (Z)-α-fluoro-β-CF₃ styrenes. This method can be extended to achieve syn-oxy-trifluoromethylation and syn-aryl-trifluoromethylation of alkynes using phenoxides, alkoxides, or phenylboronic acid in place of CsF. It opens up new opportunities for preparing various functionalized trifluoromethylated Z-alkenes and demonstrates the potential of Cu(III)–CF₃ complexes in organic synthesis.

A highly efficient, enantioselective intramolecular allylation of (E)-4-(alkyl(4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-yl)amino)but-2-en-1-yl methyl carbonates was developed, and the corresponding dihydroimidazoquinazolinones were prepared in high yields and enantiomeric excess. The allylation was performed under catalysis of iridium-chiral cyclic phosphoramidite complexes, in which the reactivity and enantioselectivity of the substrates were elaborately tuned by our developed chiral cyclic phosphoramidite ligands with adjustable sizes of rings.

Triazoliptycene fluorophores have been designed and synthesized, in which a three-dimensional propeller-like iptycene motif is employed to suppress intermolecular π–π stacking in the solid state. Key to the success of this modular synthesis is a stereoelectronic bias imposed by the iptycene scaffold, which assists the desired regioselectivity in the C–N cross-coupling step as the last-stage structure diversification from a common precursor.

CoCl₂ (5%) catalyzes cross-couplings of various halogenated naphthyridines with alkyl- and arylmagnesium halides. Also, arylzinc halides undergo smooth cross-couplings with various naphthyridines in the presence of CoCl₂·2LiCl (5%) and sodium formate (50%), leading to polyfunctional arylated naphthyridines. Two of these arylated naphthyridines are highly fluorescent, with quantum efficiencies reaching 95% and long excited-state lifetimes of up to 12 ns.

A general methodology for the synthesis of enantioenriched tertiary allylic aryl ethers through Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative reactions of vinyl cyclic carbonates and phenols is presented. Switching of the regioselectivity toward the formation of linear products by a judicious choice of the ligand is also reported.

Phosphine-catalyzed (3+2) annulations of δ-acetoxy allenoates with 2-naphthols are reported, wherein the δC of allentoate reacts with the αC of 2-naphthol to form the C–C bond while a C–O bond is formed between the γC of allenoate and the hydroxyl group of 2-naphthol. When (R)-SITCP is used as the catalyst, 1,2-dihydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans are obtained in moderate to good yields and with high enantioselectivity. This method is useful for the construction of enantiomerically enriched atropoisomeric furans via a central to axial chirality conversion strategy.

The iron(III)-catalyzed synthesis of indolizines from commercially available alkyne, pyridine, and diazo precursors is reported. This mild, expedient method is tolerant of various solvents and proceeds with as little as 0.25 mol % [Fe(TPP)Cl]. Significantly, this multicomponent reaction is compatible with electrophilic alkynes; control experiments demonstrate the importance of the catalyst in promoting pyridinium ylide formation over background reactivity.

Direct addition of a chiral N-azidoacetyl thiazolidinethione to a variety of dialkyl acetals catalyzed by a commercially available and structurally simple nickel(II) complex gives access in good yields and a highly stereocontrolled manner to anti-β-alkoxy-α-azido carboxylic derivatives which, in turn, can be easily converted into a wide array of enantiomerically pure compounds.

The unprecedented transformation of a wide range of synthetically appealing phthalimides into amides in a single-step operation has been achieved in high yields and short reaction times using a ruthenium catalyst. Mechanistic studies revealed a unique, homogeneous pathway involving five-membered ring opening and CO₂ release with water being the source of protons.

Base-catalyzed equilibration of anancomeric cyanocyclohexanes demonstrates that replacement of cis-3,5-dimethyl holding groups with electron-withdrawing CF₃ groups dramatically increases the proportion of the axial cyano isomer present at equilibrium. The CF₃ groups exert an effect on the conformational energy of the cyano group worth about 0.6 kcal/mol. A nonclassical hydrogen bond between the axial CN group and the syn-axial hydrogens is a major contributor to the axial stability of the group.

The first example of UV light-induced, copper-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective decarboxylative coupling of α,β-unsaturated acids with alkyl iodides was reported. Under standard conditions, the 1°, 2°, and 3° alkyl iodides proceeded smoothly with the E-selective alkenes obtained in uniformly good yields and high stereoselectivities.

A highly enantioselective Henry reaction of β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters with nitromethane in water by virtue of chiral copper complexes has been developed. A series of unsaturated β-nitro-α-hydroxy esters bearing tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters were obtained exclusively with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. This method could avoid tedious anaerobic anhydrous manipulation and reduce the environmental pollution caused by organic solvents.

The synthesis of a new family of iodonium zwitterions, in which the formal anion is a trifluoroborate moiety, is reported. These reagents present very good stability and have high resistance toward benzyne formation. Their structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis and were further investigated using DFT calculations. QTAIM analysis supports an ionic, noncovalent, I⁺···BF₃^– interaction, in accordance with a true zwitterionic nature. Preliminary results of synthetic applications, the arylation of phenolates and trifluoroborate group functionalization, are reported.

α-Ketoamides undergo redox-annulations with cyclic secondary amines, such as 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, pyrrolidine, piperidine, and morpholine. Catalytic amounts of benzoic acid significantly accelerate these transformations. This approach provides polycyclic imidazolidinone derivatives in typically good yields.

A range of β-keto-γ-acetal enamides has been synthesized and transformed into the corresponding enantioenriched α-acetal-β′-amino ketones with enantioinductions of up to 99% by using rhodium/QuinoxP*-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation under mild conditions. This method also proved to be highly chemoselective toward the reduction of the C–C double bond.

A novel method of palladium-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of ketones, amines, and carbon monoxide for the synthesis of 4-quinolones has been developed. This protocol provides a straightforward route to construct useful 4-quinolone derivatives from inexpensive chemicals.

Tetrabutylammonium decatungstate (TBADT)-photocatalyzed C–H functionalization of alkylpyridines was investigated. Unlike alkylbenzene counterparts, alkylation of α-C–H bonds did not proceed for the reaction of 2- and 4-alkylpyridines and reluctantly proceeded for 3-alkylpyridines, which allow site-selective C(sp³)–H functionalization at nonbenzylic positions. The observed nonbenzylic site selectivities are rationalized by the polar inductive effects of pyridyl groups in the S_H2 transition states. Consecutive γ-functionalization and α-bromofunctionalization were successfully carried out in selected cases.

A distinct one-pot protocol toward several types of fused tricyclic scaffolds has been developed, by employing diazoesters and alkynyl-cyclohexadienones as starting materials, enabling rapid construction of diverse tricyclic compounds with multiple bonds formation in an operationally simple procedure. Typically, this controlled tandem sequence showcases the in situ formation of tetrasubstituted allenoates, an unprecedented anion-triggered annulation, and oxidative aromatization.

Photochemical precursors that produce dA^• and dG(N₂–H)^• are needed to investigate their reactivity. The synthesis of two 1,1-diphenylhydrazines (1, 2) and their use as photochemical sources of dA^• and dG(N₂–H)^• is presented. Trapping studies indicate production of these radicals with good fidelity, and 1 was incorporated into an oligonucleotide via solid-phase synthesis. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that reduction potentials of 1 and 2 are lower than those of widely used “hole sinks”, e.g., 8-oxodGuo and 7-deazadGuo, to investigate DNA–hole transfer processes. These molecules could be useful (a) as sources of dA^• and dG(N₂–H)^• at specific sites in oligonucleotides and (b) as “hole sinks” for the study of DNA–hole transfer processes.

A method for [3 + 2] cycloaddition of oxaziridines with alkynes to form 4-isoxazolines via visible-light photoredox catalysis is described. This method is a greener, atom-economical reaction that tolerates various functional groups and provides good to excellent yield. Moreover, the cyclization products can be conveniently converted into tetrasubstituted allylic alcohols and enamines. A mechanistic study suggests that the reaction involves photoredox-catalyzed in situ generation of a nitrone from the oxaziridine by SET.

The redox neutral photocatalytic divergent radical 1,2-difunctionalization of a wide array of structurally varied alkenes with gem-dibromides is presented. On the basis of the electronic effect of alkenes, predictable 1,2-carboxygenation and 1,2-carbohalogenation of alkenes are readily available regardless of steric effect. This protocol affords a practical approach to the biologically important furan skeleton. It is distinguished by good regioselectivity, good functional group compatibility, and late-stage modification and thus signifies an important step forward to divergent radical difunctionalization of alkenes.

A sextuple helix molecule possessing four cove regions of helicene and two axes of biaryls was synthesized. The entropy-driven self-assembly in solution was determined by concentration- and temperature-dependent NMR spectra, which also revealed unique dynamics of isomerization involving structural changes at the cove regions. Unexpectedly, the assembly retarded the isomerization in solution, and the sextuple helix structure was rigidified.

The iridium-catalyzed, Zn(OTf)₂ promoted asymmetric allylic amidation of a secondary alcohol derived from tryptamine has been utilized to forge a tetrahydro-β-carboline. Based on this key step, a novel, facile, and enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-geissoschizol was achieved in 10 steps.