A novel Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O catalyzed coupling reaction of N-substituted-2-iodobenzamides with malononitrile to afford N-substituted-3-amino-4-cyano-isoquinoline-1(2H)-ones is described. The reaction proceeded in DMSO at 90°C for 5 h in nitrogen without external ligands.

Phosphorus- or sulfur-centered radicals generated from the reaction of manganese(III) acetate with dialkyl phosphonates or arylthiols undergo selective additions to conjugated alkynes followed by cyclization and rearomatization to afford 2-phosphonyl- or 2-thioaryl-substituted indenones in fair to good yields.

Mn(III)-Cl formed by the reaction of Mn(OAc)₃ and hydrochloric acid in situ, reacted with α,β-unsaturated ketones readily to afford α,β-dichloroketones in good yields under mild conditions. The products are key precursors for synthesis of conjugated alkynones and other organic compounds.

The Biginelli-type condensation of ethyl acetoacetate/cycloketone, aldehyde and urea/thiourea under solvent-free condition catalyzed by 10% gallium(III) iodide to form dihydropyrimidine-2(1H)-one derivatives was described. This process offered one way to constructing dihydropyrimidine-2(1H)-ones in good to excellent yields with simple procedure and short reaction time.

Solid base fluorapatite was found to catalyze the Michael addition of indole/pyrrole to nitroalkenes efficiently under solventless condition, affording the products in good to excellent yields. The Michael addition occurred at the 3-position of indole exclusively with an exception of 3-methylindole. The synthetic fluorapatite could be recovered and reused easily without obvious loss in activity.

Ga(OTf)₃-catalyzed three-component Mannich reaction of aromatic aldehydes, aromatic amines and cycloketones in water promoted by ultrasound gave the corresponding β-amino cycloketones in good to excellent yields and good anti selectivities.

Sulfamic acid can effectively catalyze the reaction of (-diketones with arylamines to afford the β-enaminones. The present method offers several advantages, such as high yield, short reaction time, mild conditions, easy work-up and catalyst recyclability.