2-Nitroallylic acetates have been demonstrated to be versatile C₃ synthons in Lewis-base-catalyzed annulation reactions. Catalyzed by PhPMe₂ (20 mol %), they readily undergo a cascade [3+2] annulation/allylic alkylation reaction with electron-deficient alkenes to provide cyclopentenes and even spirocyclopenteneoxindoles in moderate to good yields and high diastereoselectivity. Under the catalysis of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (20 mol %), 2-nitroallylic acetates also undergo a [3+3] annulation reaction with 1,1-dicyanoalkenes to give cyclohexenes. This work further broadens the scope of the Lewis-base-catalyzed annulation protocol for modified allylic derivatives.

A phosphane-catalyzed [4+1] annulation between nitroalkenes and Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates has been realized; this provides facile and diastereoselective access to polysubstituted isoxazoline N-oxides in moderate to excellent yields. In the annulation, an in situ formed allylic phosphorus ylide presumably serves as a pivotal active intermediate. This reaction accordingly represents the first example of phosphorus ylide initiated [4+1] cyclization of nitroalkenes to give isoxazoline N-oxides.

In this work, the phosphine-catalyzed annulation reactions between modified allylic derivatives and polar 1,1-dicyano-1,3-dienes have been studied. In the catalysis of PPh₃ (20 mol%), a [4+1] annulation reaction is realized between a series of 1,1-dicyano-2,4-diaryl-1,3-dienes and ethoxycarbonyl-activated allylic acetate, producing polysubstituted cyclopentenes in modest to excellent yields. It is also observed that the substituents of both 1,3-dienes and allylic derivatives have a significant influence on the annulation mode: under the catalysis of PPh₃ or PBu₃ (20 mol%), regioselective [3+2] annulation products are formed from differently substituted substrates.

Convenient and highly efficient syntheses of tetrasubstituted furans with flexible substituent patterns from simple and readily available starting materials have been developed. Under very mild conditions, with the mediation of stoichiometric nBu₃P, simple terminal activated olefins and acyl chlorides or anhydrides smoothly furnish tetrasubstituted furans in modest to excellent yields. This synthetic strategy features a flexible selection of substituent pattern and a C-acylation/O-acylation/C-acylation/intramolecular Wittig reaction multiple domino assembly sequence.

A new tertiary amine-catalyzed cascade Michael–Michael–Henry reaction between nitromethane, a doubly activated alkene and an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compound is described, which provides a convenient and efficient synthesis for densely functionalized cyclohexanes and some bicyclic compounds in moderate to excellent yields with high diastereoselectivity.