N-Methylation of amines with methanol proceeds at room temperature in the presence of a silver-loaded titanium dioxide (Ag/TiO2) photocatalyst under UV–vis light irradiation. This method allows facile synthesis/isolation of N-methylamines bearing various functional groups including N-benzyl, N-allyl, N-Boc, hydroxyl, ether, acetal, carboxamide, formamide, and olefin groups.

Photochemical transformation of biomass-derived or renewable substances with promising scalability is an important challenge for promoting green and sustainable chemistry. We report here that photocatalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of allyl alcohol (obtained from glycerol) gives potentially sustainable propylene with high chemo- and redox selectivity, promoted by powdered Pd/TiO2 in CH3OH (obtained from CO2) under near-ultraviolet–visible light irradiation (λ > 365 nm) at ambient temperature.

Herein, catalytic fluoride (F−) is demonstrated to be a trigger for dehydrative immobilization of atmospheric pressure CO2, such that reaction of CO2 with β-amino alcohols derived from natural amino acids gives optically pure oxazolidinones in high yields. A synergistic combination of fluoride and organosilicon agents (e.g., Bu4NF + Ph3SiF or siloxanes) enhances the catalytic activity and functional group compatibility. This system lies at the interface between homogenous and heterogeneous catalysis, and may prove useful for the development of recoverable/reusable siloxane-based CO2 immobilization materials.

A virtually salt-free and straightforward bimolecular assembly giving N-unsubstituted pyrroles through fully unmasked α-amino aldehydes, which was enabled by the dual effects of a catalytic ruthenium complex and an alkali metal base, is reported. Either solvent-free or acceptorless dehydrogenation facilitates high atom, step, and pot economy, which are otherwise difficult to achieve in multistep operations involving protection/deprotection.

Dehydrative synthesis of oxazolidinones from amino alcohols and CO2 was achieved in the presence of alkali metal carbonates such as Cs2CO3 as catalyst. It is noteworthy that 1 atm of CO2 is enough for the reaction to proceed and no special dehydrating agent is required in this system. A mechanstic study showed that the OH of amino alcohol acts as nucleophile and the OH in the carbamic acid moiety is liberated during the cyclization process.

A general method for catalytic hydrogenation of unactivated amides was achieved. During the catalyst induction period, a novel structural change was observed involving full hydrogenation of the interior unsaturated bonds of the pyridines of the Ru-containing catalyst precursor. Based on this observation, the mechanism of amide hydrogenation may involve a two-step pathway, wherein the Ru catalyst having an H–Ru–N–H functionality is generated in the first step, followed by the amide carbonyl group interacting with the outer, rather than the inner, sphere of the Ru catalyst.

We have developed a new method for the direct aldol condensation of unactivated amides using 1,3,5-triazo-2,4,6-triphosphorine-2,2,4,4,6,6-hexachloride (TAPC)-based phosphorous/SO42− catalysis. The SO42− species in a reaction mixture enhances the reaction rate of the catalysis. In principle, no metal sources are required for the generation of the catalyst, and there is no requirement for the use of stoichiometric quantities of an acid or base. This catalyst system is operative under relatively acidic conditions. One major advantage of carrying out the reaction under acidic conditions is that both aldehydes and acetals are capable of undergoing carbon–carbon bond formation at the α-carbon of amide carbonyl groups through dehydration.

A cross-coupling reaction of different alcohols was achieved using a pincer-type NHC/PdBr complex as the catalyst precursor, and the reaction, under either Ar or H2 gas, displayed a broad substrate scope with respect to both primary and secondary alcohol components, with high alcohol product selectivity.

We disclosed structural dynamics hidden behind a series of aminoorganoboron (AOB) compounds that involved a recombinant of covalent, dative, and hydrogen bonds. A combination process occurred via reorganizing elements and bonds between the two major structures (open and closed), which were chemically switchable through precise adjustment of either acidic or basic conditions. The structural dynamics favoring an open structure seem to be more important for catalysis, as represented by methanolysis of activated amides.

Photochemical transformation of biomass-derived or renewable substances with promising scalability is an important challenge for promoting green and sustainable chemistry. We report here that photocatalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of allyl alcohol (obtained from glycerol) gives potentially sustainable propylene with high chemo- and redox selectivity, promoted by powdered Pd/TiO2 in CH3OH (obtained from CO2) under near-ultraviolet–visible light irradiation (λ > 365 nm) at ambient temperature.

A cross-coupling reaction of different alcohols was achieved using a pincer-type NHC/PdBr complex as the catalyst precursor, and the reaction, under either Ar or H2 gas, displayed a broad substrate scope with respect to both primary and secondary alcohol components, with high alcohol product selectivity.