A novel and metal-free acrylamides formation between arylpropynes and hydroxylamine hydrochloride through sp3 C–H and C–C bond cleavage has been achieved with DDQ as an oxidant. The mechanistic study shows that the acrylamides are formed through a three-step tandem sequence, including cross-dehydrogenative-coupling (CDC) reaction, aza-Meyer–Schuster rearrangement and Beckmann rearrangement.

A novel transition-metal-free oxidative carboazidation of acrylamides using inexpensive NaN3 and K2S2O8 was achieved, which not only provided an efficient method to prepare various N3-substituted oxindoles, but also represented a novel strategy for C–N and C–C bond formation via a free-radical cascade process. This transformation exhibits excellent functional group tolerance, affording the desired oxindoles in good to excellent yields.

An atom-efficient and transition metal-free approach to amides from the corresponding benzyl hydrocarbons through C–H and C–C bond cleavage has been developed. Mechanistic studies have shown that a DDQ-promoted cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction with subsequent oxidation and rearrangement are involved in this transformation.

An unusual decarboxylative photocyclization of 2-acyl benzamides with intramolecular chiral α-aminoacids was studied. The reaction exclusively yields bi- and tri-cyclic benzo-oxazepines via distinct chemoselective C–O bond formation. High enantio- and diastereo-selectivities (ee = 87–99% and dr = 85/15–95/5) for the products were achieved. Evidence indicates that the formation of the two chiral carbon centers is controlled by chiral memory.

Novel diastereoselective photo-induced pinacol coupling reactions of acetophenones by using triethylamine and chiral tertiary amines as electron donating co-sensitizers were studied. Various influence factors including solvents, substituents, and chiral amines on both the diastereoselectivity and yield were examined. The diastereoselectivities were enhanced in supramolecular systems of cyclodextrins and zeolites. The best result of dl/meso up to 82:18 was obtained in combination use of chiral tertiary amine and β-CD.A novel diastereoselective photo-induced pinacol coupling reactions of substituted acetophenones by electron transfer photosensitization using triethylamine and chiral tertiary amines as electron donating co-sensitizers were investigated in β-CD.

A novel and metal-free acrylamides formation between arylpropynes and hydroxylamine hydrochloride through sp3 C–H and C–C bond cleavage has been achieved with DDQ as an oxidant. The mechanistic study shows that the acrylamides are formed through a three-step tandem sequence, including cross-dehydrogenative-coupling (CDC) reaction, aza-Meyer–Schuster rearrangement and Beckmann rearrangement.

An atom-efficient and transition metal-free approach to amides from the corresponding benzyl hydrocarbons through C–H and C–C bond cleavage has been developed. Mechanistic studies have shown that a DDQ-promoted cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction with subsequent oxidation and rearrangement are involved in this transformation.

A novel transition-metal-free oxidative carboazidation of acrylamides using inexpensive NaN3 and K2S2O8 was achieved, which not only provided an efficient method to prepare various N3-substituted oxindoles, but also represented a novel strategy for C–N and C–C bond formation via a free-radical cascade process. This transformation exhibits excellent functional group tolerance, affording the desired oxindoles in good to excellent yields.