A catalyst-free multicomponent CDC reaction is rarely reported, especially for the intermolecular tandem CDC cyclization, which represents an important strategy for constructing cyclic compounds. Herein, a three-component tandem CDC cyclization by a Pummerer-type rearrangement to afford biologically relevant isoindolinones from aromatic acids, amides, and DMSO, is described. This intermolecular tandem reaction undergoes a C(sp²)−H/C(sp³)−H cross-dehydrogenative coupling, C−N bond formation, and intramolecular amidation. A notable feature of this novel protocol is avoiding a catalyst and additive (apart from oxidant).

A novel, efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalytic assembly of peroxophosphotungstate held in an ionic liquid brush was synthesized and an extraction and catalytic oxidative desulfurization (ECODS) procedure was developed for a model oil of benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) using 30 wt% hydrogen peroxide as terminal oxidant and methanol as solvent under mild conditions. Several factors that affect sulfur removal were investigated in detail. The highest sulfur removal can reach 100% for BT in 7 h at 70 °C when the molar ratio of H₂O₂, S and catalyst is 10:1:0.025. The sulfur removal for DBT can also reach 100% in 4 h at 50 °C with the same molar ratio of H₂O₂, S and catalyst. The experimental results demonstrate that this ECODS process has no apparent scale-up effect. The catalyst can be easily recovered (via simple filtration) and recycled five times without a significant decrease in activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The rhodium-catalyzed amidation of substituted benzoic acids with isocyanates by directed CH functionalization followed by decarboxylation to afford the corresponding N-aryl benzamides is demonstrated, in which the carboxylate serves as a unique, removable directing group. Notably, less common meta-substituted N-aryl benzamides are generated readily from more accessible para- or ortho-substituted groups by employing this strategy.

A reusable heterogeneous catalytic assembly of [PO₄{WO(O₂)₂}₄]³⁻ held in an ionic liquid brush was synthesized and an environmentally friendly procedure was developed for the dihydroxylation of several olefins with 30 wt% H₂O₂. These reactions were conducted in neat water under mild conditions without any organic co-solvent or other additive. Several factors that affect the dihydroxylation were investigated in detail. The catalyst is easily recovered after the reaction via simple filtration, and can be reused at least eight times without a noticeable loss of activity. The experimental results demonstrate that this dihydroxylation process has no apparent scale-up effect. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalytic assembly of PdCl₂ held in ionic liquid brushes has been synthesized and an environmentally-friendly procedure was developed for coupling aryl iodides with acrylic acid. These reactions were conducted in water under aerobic conditions with water-insoluble or even solid aryl iodides and they proceeded smoothly and cleanly without any organic co-solvent or other additives. A 0.5 mol% (based on Pd atom) dose of the catalyst was found to be sufficient for Mizoroki–Heck reaction. The catalyst is easily recovered post reaction, via simple filtration, and reused at least eight times without a noticeable loss of activity. The protocol has the advantages of excellent yield, environmental friendliness, and catalyst recyclability. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.