A catalytic asymmetric [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of chiral palladium-containing N¹-1,3-dipoles with methyleneindolinones has been successfully developed. The reaction allows an efficient construction of 3,3′-pyrrolinyl spirooxindoles with high yields and excellent stereoselectivities (up to 93 % yield, 19:1 d.r. and >99 % ee). A synthetic application of this methodology is demonstrated and a stereocontrol mechanism is proposed.

A new hybrid P,S ligand was exploited by combining a chiral β-amino sulfide and a simple diphenyl phosphite. The resultant ligand performs extremely well in a palladium-catalyzed asymmetric decarboxylative [4+2] cycloaddition reaction, thus generating multiple contiguous stereocenters and a chiral quaternary center. By doing so, a straightforward route to highly functionalized tetrahydroquinolines was developed with yields of up to 99 %, as well as 98 % ee and greater than 95:5 d.r. Moreover, mechanistic insights into this transformation and the possible stereocontrol are discussed.

The first example of iron-catalyzed decarboxylative (4+1) cycloaddition reactions is described in this publication. By using this method, a wide range of functionalized indoline products were prepared from easily available vinyl benzoxazinanones and sulfur ylides in high yields and selectivities. A possible reaction pathway involving an allylic iron intermediate is discussed based on a series of control experiments and density-functional theory calculations.

The first example of iron-catalyzed decarboxylative (4+1) cycloaddition reactions is described in this publication. By using this method, a wide range of functionalized indoline products were prepared from easily available vinyl benzoxazinanones and sulfur ylides in high yields and selectivities. A possible reaction pathway involving an allylic iron intermediate is discussed based on a series of control experiments and density-functional theory calculations.

A new hybrid P,S ligand was exploited by combining a chiral β-amino sulfide and a simple diphenyl phosphite. The resultant ligand performs extremely well in a palladium-catalyzed asymmetric decarboxylative [4+2] cycloaddition reaction, thus generating multiple contiguous stereocenters and a chiral quaternary center. By doing so, a straightforward route to highly functionalized tetrahydroquinolines was developed with yields of up to 99 %, as well as 98 % ee and greater than 95:5 d.r. Moreover, mechanistic insights into this transformation and the possible stereocontrol are discussed.

Visible-light-induced photocatalytic decarboxylative alkynylations of carboxylic acids have been developed for the first time. The reaction features extremely mild conditions, broad substrate scope, and avoids additional oxidants. Importantly, a decarboxylative carbonylative alkynylation has also been carried out in the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) under photocatalytic conditions, which affords valuable ynones in high yields at room temperature.

Visible-light-induced photocatalytic decarboxylative alkynylations of carboxylic acids have been developed for the first time. The reaction features extremely mild conditions, broad substrate scope, and avoids additional oxidants. Importantly, a decarboxylative carbonylative alkynylation has also been carried out in the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) under photocatalytic conditions, which affords valuable ynones in high yields at room temperature.

A novel and efficient CP bond formation reaction of diarylphosphine oxides with aryl iodides was achieved by combining nickel catalysis and visible-light-induced photoredox catalysis. This dual-catalytic reaction showed a broad substrate scope, excellent functional group tolerance, and afforded the corresponding products in good to excellent yields. Compared with the previously reported use of photoredox/nickel dual catalysis in the construction of CC bonds, the methodology described herein was observed to be the first to allow for C-heteroatom bond formation.

An unprecedented α-allylation of amines was achieved by combining palladium catalysis and visible-light photoredox catalysis. In this dual catalysis process, the catalytic generation of allyl radical from the corresponding π-allylpalladium intermediate was achieved without additional metal reducing reagents (redox-neutral). Various allylation products of amines were obtained in high yields through radical cross-coupling under mild reaction conditions. Moreover, the transformation was applied to the formal synthesis of 8-oxoprotoberberine derivatives which show potential anticancer properties.

An unprecedented α-allylation of amines was achieved by combining palladium catalysis and visible-light photoredox catalysis. In this dual catalysis process, the catalytic generation of allyl radical from the corresponding π-allylpalladium intermediate was achieved without additional metal reducing reagents (redox-neutral). Various allylation products of amines were obtained in high yields through radical cross-coupling under mild reaction conditions. Moreover, the transformation was applied to the formal synthesis of 8-oxoprotoberberine derivatives which show potential anticancer properties.

The first radical alkoxycarboxylation of aryldiazonium salts using CO gas through visible-light-induced photoredox catalysis (16 W blue LEDs) has been developed. This reaction is entirely metal-free, is carried out at room temperature with a low loading of an organic dye as a photocatalyst (0.5 mol %), and provides a wide range of arylcarboxylic acid esters in high yields. Importantly, this photocatalytic system can be successfully extended to other carboxylation reactions.

The first radical alkoxycarboxylation of aryldiazonium salts using CO gas through visible-light-induced photoredox catalysis (16 W blue LEDs) has been developed. This reaction is entirely metal-free, is carried out at room temperature with a low loading of an organic dye as a photocatalyst (0.5 mol %), and provides a wide range of arylcarboxylic acid esters in high yields. Importantly, this photocatalytic system can be successfully extended to other carboxylation reactions.

A photocatalytic formal [3+2] cycloaddition of 2H-azirines with alkynes has been achieved under irradiation by visible light in the presence of organic dye photocatalysts. This transformation provides efficient access to highly functionalized pyrroles in good yields and has been applied to the synthesis of drug analogues. A primary trial of photocascade catalysis merging energy transfer and redox neutral reactions was shown to be successful.

A photocatalytic formal [3+2] cycloaddition of 2H-azirines with alkynes has been achieved under irradiation by visible light in the presence of organic dye photocatalysts. This transformation provides efficient access to highly functionalized pyrroles in good yields and has been applied to the synthesis of drug analogues. A primary trial of photocascade catalysis merging energy transfer and redox neutral reactions was shown to be successful.

A novel method for the synthesis of 1,4-diketones from β-ketosulfones was developed by means of a visible light-induced CS bond activation process. Symmetrical and unsymmetrical 1,4-diketones can be easily prepared in moderate to good yields.