An efficient copper-promoted oxidative coupling of enamides with alkynes has been developed for the synthesis of substituted pyrroles. The reaction proceeded through CH and NH bond functionalization of enamides under mild conditions.

A novel and efficient palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation of aryl iodides with amides and N-alkyl anilines has been developed. The reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups and is a reliable method for the rapid synthesis of a variety of valuable imides and tertiary benzanilides under an atmospheric pressure of CO.

The iron-catalyzed addition and cyclization of the Blaise reaction intermediate and nitroolefins to synthesize highly functionalized NH-pyrroles in a tandem one-pot manner from nitriles has been developed. This reaction shows good functional group tolerance and affords a broad spectrum of substituted NH-pyrroles in good yields.

The FeCl₃-catalyzed self-condensation of enamides offers a new strategy for the synthesis of enamido-substituted nitrogen-containing quaternary carbon centers, which are attractive structures in organic chemistry. The reaction affords nitrogen-containing quaternary carbon centers in good yields under mild reaction conditions. The catalytic system was also employed in the condensation of enamides with indoles for the synthesis of bis-indoles.

Switchable access to carbamates and ureas has been developed by solvent control palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of aromatic amines under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide. A variety of N-phenylcarbamates and N,N′-diphenylureas was easily synthesized in good to excellent yields from readily available aromatic amines under mild conditions.