A novel and concise method for the construction of γ-nitro ketones and 1,3-dinitro compounds with chemoselective acyl transfer has been presented under basic conditions via one-pot reactions. These reactions feature high atom- and step-economic possess, mild condition and simple operation for one-pot synthesis of aliphatic nitro compounds. This protocol provides the products in good yields. The possible reaction mechanism has also been proposed.

Friedel–Crafts alkylation reactions of ethyl glyoxylate with various thiophenes to give the corresponding chiral secondary alcohols were demonstrated. The majority of these reactions proceeded with good enantioselectivities (up to 91 %) and satisfactory isolated yields. Notably, we found that 2-substituted thiophenes underwent the reaction more smoothly than unsubstituted and 3-substituted thiophenes.

A novel chiral nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NADH) model with C₃ symmetry was designed and synthesized. Hydrogens at the C-4 position of all dihydropyridine rings in the inner part of the bowl could transfer to the substrate with powerful enantioselectivity. This novel C₃ symmetrical NADH model is capable of fluorescence emission at 455 nm when excited at 390 nm.