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We report a thioacylation transfer reaction based on nickel-catalyzed C-C bond cleavage of thioesters with sp 2 -hybridized electrophiles. Aryl bromides, iodides, and alkenyl triflates can participate in thioester transfer reaction of aryl thioesters, affording a wide range of structurally diverse new thioesters in yields of up to 98% under mild reaction conditions. With this protocol, it is possible to construct alkenyl thioesters from the corresponding ketones through the generation of alkenyl triflates.

Deconstructive functionalization of cyclic amines can provide access to chemicals with diverse skeletons. We report the conversion of tertiary amines to thiocarbamoyl fluorides, a reaction enabled by photoredox catalysis and tolerating different functional groups while avoiding strong oxidants. A one-pot synthetic method from tertiary amines and AgF has been developed to get access to trifluoromethylamines. The synthesized thiocarbamoyl fluorides can be further transferred into esters.

The chemistry of hydrazones has gained great momentum due to their involvement throughout the evolution of organic synthesis. Herein, we discuss the tremendous developments in both the methodology and application of hydrazones. Hydrazones can be recognized not only as synthetic equivalents to aldehydes and ketones but also as versatile synthetic building blocks. Consequently, they can participate in a range of practical synthetic transformations. Furthermore, hydrazone derivatives display a broad array of biological activities and have been widely applied as pharmaceuticals. Owing to the weak directing group effect of simple aldehydes and ketones in C-H bond functionalizations, the C-H bond functionalizations of hydrazones that have been developed in the past five years represent a significant step forward. These novel transformations open a new door to a broader library of functionalized and complex small molecules. Moreover, a wide range of biologically important N-heterocycles (dihydropyrazoles, pyrazoles, indazoles, cinnolines, etc.) can be efficiently synthesized in an atom- and step-economical manner through single, double, or triple C-H bond functionalizations of hydrazones. Both radical C-H functionalizations and transition-metal-catalyzed directing-group strategies have enhanced the synthetic utility of hydrazones in the chemical community because these strategies solve the long-standing challenge of C-H functionalizations adjacent to aldehydes and ketones. We began this study based on our ongoing interest in visible-light photoredox catalysis. Visible-light photoredox catalysis has become a powerful tool in contemporary synthetic chemistry due to its remarkable advantages in sustainability and use of radical chemistry. By exploiting a photoredox-catalyzed aminyl radical polar crossover (ARPC) strategy, we successfully achieved visible-light-induced C(sp 2 )-H difluoroalkylation, trifluoromethylation, and perfluoroalkylation of aldehyde-derived hydrazones. This intriguing result was later applied in the C(sp 2 )-H amination of hydrazones and a cascade cyclization reaction for the synthesis of polycyclic compounds. Encouraged by this redox-neutral C-H functionalization of aldehyde hydrazones, we extended the oxidative C-H/P-H cross-coupling method, which represents a novel and efficient method for the synthesis of α-iminophosphine oxides. Furthermore, an elegant [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azides and aldehyde hydrazones for the synthesis of functionalized tetrazoles was advantageously developed during our investigation of the oxidative C(sp 2 )-H azidation of aldehyde hydrazones with TMSN 3 . The sequential C(sp 2 )-H/C(sp 3 )-H bond functionalization of aldehyde-derived hydrazones with simple 2,2-dibromo-1,3-dicarbonyls was achieved by employing relay photoredox catalysis, and it provides a novel method of accessing bioactive fused dihydropyrazole derivatives. The notable feature of this approach was further reflected in the formal [4 + 1] annulation of aldehyde-derived N-tetrahydroisoquinoline hydrazones with 2-bromo-1,3-dicarbonyls. To complement these radical C-H functionalization strategies, we recently applied a directing-group strategy in the Rh-catalyzed C(aldehyde)-H functionalization of aldehyde-derived hydrazones for the synthesis of distinctive and bioactive 1H-indazole scaffolds. In summary, this Account presents recent contributions to the exploration, development, mechanistic insights, and synthetic applications of C-H bond functionalizations of aldehyde hydrazones.

An efficient deoxygenative radical cyclization reaction has been reported for the synthesis of fluorenones by employing various biarylcarboxylic acids via photoredox catalysis. Attractive features of this process include generation of acyl radical, which quickly underdone intramolecular radical cyclization. This method marks the first photocatalytic intramolecular acyl radical coupling for constructing carbon-carbon bond, which further synthesizes the valuable fluorenone products with mild conditions, good yields, and good functional-group compatibility.

The redox neutral photocatalytic divergent radical 1,2-difunctionalization of a wide array of structurally varied alkenes with gem-dibromides is presented. On the basis of the electronic effect of alkenes, predictable 1,2-carboxygenation and 1,2-carbohalogenation of alkenes are readily available regardless of steric effect. This protocol affords a practical approach to the biologically important furan skeleton. It is distinguished by good regioselectivity, good functional group compatibility, and late-stage modification and thus signifies an important step forward to divergent radical difunctionalization of alkenes.

Domino-fluorination-protodefluorination decarboxylative cross-coupling of α-keto acids with styrene has been developed via photoredox catalysis. The critical part of this strategy is the formation of the carbon-fluorine (C-F) bond by the capture of a carbon-centered radical intermediate, which will overcome side reactions during the styrene radical functionalization process. Experimental studies have provided evidence indicating a domino-fluorination-protodefluorination pathway with α-keto acid initiating the photoredox cycle. The present catalytic protocol also affords a novel approach for the construction of α,β-unsaturated ketones under mild conditions.

A hydroacylation reaction of alkenes has been achieved employing readily available carboxylic acids as the acyl source and hydrosilanes as a hydrogen source via photoredox catalysis. The combination of both single electron transfer and hydrogen atom transfer steps has dramatically expanded new applications of carboxylic acids in organic synthesis. The protocol also features extremely mild conditions, broad substrate scope, and good functional group tolerance, affording a novel and convenient approach to hydroacylation of alkenes.

A relay visible-light photoredox catalysis strategy has been accomplished. Three successive photoredox cycles (one oxidative quenching cycle and two reductive quenching cycles) are engaged in a single reaction with one photocatalyst. This strategy enables formal [4 + 1] annulation of hydrazones with 2-bromo-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, which functionalizes three C-H bonds of hydrazones. This method affords rapid access to a complex and biologically important pyrazole scaffold in a step-economical manner with high efficiency under mild conditions.

A novel one-pot synthesis of sulfone-containing 4-quinolones with easily available sulfinic acids as sulfonylating precursors is described. This reaction is characterized by mild reaction conditions, high functional-group tolerance and amenability to gram-scale synthesis.

The reductive single electron transfer (SET) umpolung amination of aldehyde-derived hydrazones has been developed through visible-light-promoted photoredox catalysis. The ideal transformation of hydrazones into the corresponding hydrazonamide through selective carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bond functionalization represents one of the most step- and atom-economical methods. This SET umpolung strategy features mild conditions and a remarkably broad substrate scope, offering an entirely new substrate class to direct C-H amination.

The novel cascade photoredox/iodide catalytic system enables the alkene to serve as a radical acceptor capable of achieving aminodifluoroalkylation of alkenes. Cheap iodide salts play a vital role in this reaction, which could tune carbocation reactivity through reversible C-I bond formation for controlling reaction selectivity, and a series of competitive reactions are completely eliminated in the presence of multiple reactivity pathways. The present dual catalytic protocol affords a very convenient method for direct synthesis of various difluoro-γ-lactams from simple and readily available starting materials under mild reaction conditions.

A silver-catalyzed cascade cyclization of cinnamamides with diphenylphosphine oxide was developed, in which activation of the P-H bond and functionalization of the C(sp(2))-H bond occurred. A direct method for the synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-ones was developed.

A K2S2O8/Cu(OAc)2-mediated oxidative C-H/P-H cross-coupling of aldehyde hydrazones with diphenylphosphine oxide for the direct preparation of functionalized α-iminophosphine oxides is reported. The reaction shows good functional group tolerance and proceeds smoothly under mild conditions. This strategic protocol for C-P bond formation is facilitated by a net oxidative aminyl radical-polar crossover process.

An iridium-catalyzed phosphoramidation of arene C-H bonds with phosphoryl azide as the amino source is described. The direct C-H phosphoramidation of arenes bearing pyridinyl, pyrazoyl, and quinolinyl as the directing group has good functional group tolerance and occurs smoothly under mild conditions, providing N-aryl phosphoramidates in good yields.

A sequential oxidative radical alkoxycarbonylation and aromatization of 2-isocyanobiphenyl with carbazates was developed to furnish phenanthridine-6-carboxylates. Various functional groups such as methoxy, chloro, fluoro, trifluoromethoxy, and trifluoromethyl groups were tolerated well under the reaction conditions. The sequential radical addition-cyclization strategy represents a practical route to access phenanthridine-6-carboxylates.

The trifluoromethyl-substituted anilines are biologically active compounds and useful building blocks. In this communication, we have developed the first visible-light-induced radical trifluoromethylation of free anilines with the commercially available and easily handled Togni reagent at room temperature. The resulting products were successfully transformed into a variety of valuable fluorine-containing molecules and heterocyclic compounds. This protocol provides an economical and powerful route to trifluoromethylated free anilines.

A straightforward and efficient protocol for the construction of structurally and biologically interesting chiral flavanoids incorporating three privileged structures, i.e., chromanone, dihydropyran, and indole, has been developed on the basis of chiral bifunctional tertiary amine thiourea-catalyzed asymmetric inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction of chromone heterodienes and 3-vinylindoles, which were used as dienophiles.

A copper-mediated C2-cyanation of indoles using cheap and commercially available acetonitrile as the "nonmetallic" cyanide source was achieved through sequential C-C and C-H bond cleavages. The installation of a removable pyrimidyl group on the indole nitrogen atom is the key for this C2 selectivity. This approach provides a novel and alternative route leading to indole-2-carbonitrile.

(R,R)-Salen-based chiral polymer P-1 was synthesized by the polymerization of 5,5'-((2,5-dibutoxy-1,4-phenylene)bis(ethyne-2,1-diyl))bis(2-hydroxy-3-(piperidin-1-ylmethyl) benzaldehyde (M-1) with (1R,2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine (M-2) via nucleophilic addition- elimination reaction, and (R,R)-salan-based polymer P-2 could be obtained by the reduction reaction of P-1 with NaBH(4). (R,R)-Salen-based chiral polymer P-1 can exhibit greater fluorescence enhancement response toward (l)-α-hydroxyl carboxylic acids, and the value of enantiomeric fluorescence difference ratio (ef) can reach as high as 8.41 for mandelic acid and 6.55 for lactic acid. On the contrary, (R,R)-salan-based chiral polymer P-2 shows obvious fluorescence quenching response toward α-hydroxyl carboxylic acids. Most importantly, (R,R)-salen-based polymer P-1 can display bright blue fluorescence color change in the presence of (l)-α-hydroxyl carboxylic acids under a commercially available UV lamp, which can be clearly observed by the naked eyes.

An asymmetric Michael-type reaction of phosphorus ylides and α,β-unsaturated ketones under the catalysis of a chiral ion pair catalyst has been described. The ion pair catalyst containing a chiral counteranion was prepared by simply mixing 9-amino-(9-deoxy)-epi-quinine with l-N-Boc-proline. The optically active α-methylene-δ-ketoesters could be obtained with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee) under mild reaction conditions., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

A facile in situ formed primary amine-imine organocatalyst was developed in the asymmetric Michael addition of substituted 4-hydroxycoumarins to cyclic enones. A series of optically active polycyclic coumarin derivatives were obtained in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities up to 97% ee., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

A novel chiral Perazamacrocyclic fluorescent sensor (1) was designed and synthesized. It can serve as a fluorescent turn-off sensor with high selectivity toward Cu(II) among 14 metal ions. Furthermore, though 1 exhibits no enantioselectivity, after adding Cu(II), the in situ generated Cu(II)-containing complex of 1 (Cu(II)-1) can exhibit remarkable fluorescent enhancement responses and considerable enantioselectivities toward unmodified α-amino acids in protic solutions via a ligand displacement mechanism; i.e. a cascade recognition of Cu(II) and unmodified α-amino acids has been achieved.

Two coumarin salen-based sensors CS1 and CS2 can exhibit a pronounced fluorescence enhancement response toward Mg(2+) as high as 36-fold (CS1) and 111-fold (CS2) in the presence of Na(+) as a synergic trigger. More importantly, the fluorescent color of CS1 was bright green instead of weak yellow after the addition of Mg(2+) and Na(+) together, which can be easily detected by the naked eye.

Reported herein is the asymmetric pinacol coupling of aromatic aldehydes with chiral Salan-Mo(VI) dioxo complex as an effective precatalyst. Chiral diols were obtained with high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity up to 92/8 and 95%, respectively. The possible mechanism of the pinacol coupling reaction with the catalytic system was investigated. The X-ray crystal structure of the precatalyst Mo(L3)O2 was determined and the oxidation state of the intermediate C was confirmed as +4 with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study. The proposed mechanism speculated the stereochemical outcome of the reaction, and a working model for the radical coupling of E was proposed, which explained the absolute configuration of the favored (S,S)-enantiomer of the dl isomer.

The highly enantioselective three-component Biginelli condensation catalyzed by a recyclable chiral ytterbium triflate with a novel hexadentate amine phenol ligand containing a pyridyl group has been developed. A wide range of optically active dihydropyrimidines with remarkable pharmacological interest was obtained in high yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities under mild conditions.

The first example of enantioselective ring-opening reaction of meso-epoxides with aryl selenols to give optically active beta-arylseleno alcohol in up to 97% ee was realized, using a chiral Ti-Ga-Salen heterometallic catalyst. A strong synergistic effect of different Lewis acids in the system was exhibited in the catalytic process.

The asymmetric oxidation of sulfides to chiral sulfoxides with hydrogen peroxide in good yield and high enantioselectivity has been catalyzed very effectively by chiral vanadium-salan [N,N'-alkyl bis(salicylamine)] complex. The salan ligand shows results superior in terms of reactivity and enantioselectivity to those of salen [N,N'-alkylene bis(salicylideneimine)] analogue, and provides the sulfoxide with opposite configuration. The high enantioselectivity of this reaction is the direct result of the asymmetric oxidation. The efficient kinetic resolution of racemic sulfoxides catalyzed by the vanadium-salan system is also described.