In the present paper we report our latest efforts in pushing the boundaries of synergistic catalysis. We propose the use of 3 different catalytic cycles working in concert for the formation of cis cyclopropane derivatives of benzoxazoles with excellent stereoselectivities. This is the proof of concept that synergistic catalysis could be successfully used in cascade reactions.

Herein, we describe the first enantioselective cyclopropanation of enals using benzyl chlorides as bifunctional (nucleophilic and electrophilic) reagents. The reaction is simply catalyzed by chiral secondary amines to afford the formyl cyclopropane derivatives in good yields with moderate to excellent stereoselectivities.

We report herein a novel photocyclopropanation of dibromomalonates with alkenes in the presence of Hünig base. This protocol provides an environmentally benign approach for the synthesis of multisubstituted cyclopropanes, since no catalyst is required. The Photo-induced Electron Transfer (PET) from Hünig base to dibromomalonate is the key process during this transformation.We report herein a novel photocyclopropanation of dibromomalonates with alkenes in the presence of Hünig base. This protocol provides an environmentally benign approach for the synthesis of multisubstituted cyclopropanes, since no catalyst is required. The Photo-induced Electron Transfer (PET) from Hünig base to dibromomalonate is the key process during this transformation.

Nucleophilic addition to carbon–nitrogen double bonds (imines) represents one of the most common strategies for the synthesis of amine derivatives. In order to circumvent the problem associated with low reactivity of imines in nucleophilic addition, various imines with electron-withdrawing groups at nitrogen have been studied, and many of them were successfully applied in asymmetric methodologies. Especially N-carbamoyl imines were found to be useful in the enantioselective synthesis of various organic compounds, due to their increased reactivity toward nucleophiles as well as limited difficulties connected with the removal of the carbamoyl moiety in target molecules. The aim of this review is to cover enantioselective methods based on N-carbamoyl imines, focusing on synthetically useful protocols.

An expedited method has been developed for the diastereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized alkyl-azaarene systems with good yields and high diastereoselectivities (>15:1 dr). The methodology includes a synergistic catalysis event involving organometallic (10 mol% AgOAc) activation of an alkyl azaarene and Lewis base (10 mol% DABCO) activation of a Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonate. The structure and relative configuration of a representative product were confirmed by X-ray analysis.

All in one pot: an organocatalytic highly enantioselective synthesis of α-methylene-γ-lactones has been reported. The reaction between protected 2-hydroxymalonates and MBH carbonates is simply catalysed by chiral Lewis bases affording after acid treatment the corresponding lactones in excellent yields and enantioselectivities.

A new three-component cascade reaction for the synthesis of thiohydantoins is reported. The reaction between α-amino esters, nitrostyrenes, and aromatic isothiocyanates is efficiently promoted by organic bases to afford highly substituted thiohydantoins in moderate to good yields and diastereoselectivities.A new three-component cascade reaction for the synthesis of thiohydantoins is reported. The reaction between α-amino esters, nitrostyrenes, and aromatic isothiocyanates is efficiently promoted by organic bases to afford highly substituted thiohydantoins in moderate to good yields and diastereoselectivities.

A new method for the photooxidation of triarylphosphines into the corresponding oxides is developed. In this new protocol, neither a catalyst nor an additive is required. The greenest oxidant, oxygen in air atmosphere, is used. After a short period of photo irradiation at rt, stoichiometric amounts of the oxides can be easily afforded by simply recycling the solvent under vacuum. No waste is formed in the whole process of this reaction. The substrate scope of this reaction is broad, showing very good application prospects in both organic chemistry and industrial processes.

Nucleophilic addition to carbon–nitrogen double bonds (imines) represents one of the most common strategies for the synthesis of amine derivatives. In order to circumvent the problem associated with low reactivity of imines in nucleophilic addition, various imines with electron-withdrawing groups at nitrogen have been studied, and many of them were successfully applied in asymmetric methodologies. Especially N-carbamoyl imines were found to be useful in the enantioselective synthesis of various organic compounds, due to their increased reactivity toward nucleophiles as well as limited difficulties connected with the removal of the carbamoyl moiety in target molecules. The aim of this review is to cover enantioselective methods based on N-carbamoyl imines, focusing on synthetically useful protocols.

All in one pot: an organocatalytic highly enantioselective synthesis of α-methylene-γ-lactones has been reported. The reaction between protected 2-hydroxymalonates and MBH carbonates is simply catalysed by chiral Lewis bases affording after acid treatment the corresponding lactones in excellent yields and enantioselectivities.

In the present paper we report our latest efforts in pushing the boundaries of synergistic catalysis. We propose the use of 3 different catalytic cycles working in concert for the formation of cis cyclopropane derivatives of benzoxazoles with excellent stereoselectivities. This is the proof of concept that synergistic catalysis could be successfully used in cascade reactions.

An expedited method has been developed for the diastereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized alkyl-azaarene systems with good yields and high diastereoselectivities (>15:1 dr). The methodology includes a synergistic catalysis event involving organometallic (10 mol% AgOAc) activation of an alkyl azaarene and Lewis base (10 mol% DABCO) activation of a Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonate. The structure and relative configuration of a representative product were confirmed by X-ray analysis.