A highly diastereoselective cyclopropanation of cyclic enones with sulfur ylides was developed under catalyst-free conditions, producing multifunctional spirocyclopropanes in generally excellent yields (up to 99% yield and >99:1 d.r.). The asymmetric version of this method was realized by using an easily available chiral sulfur ylide, affording products with moderate to good stereoselectivity.

The first Mannich reaction employing phthalides using a quinidine-based multifunctional catalyst has been developed. The reported method led to the synthesis of 3,3-disubstituted phthalide derivatives in excellent yields, with good diastereo- and enantioselectivities. Convenient synthesis of chiral isoquinolinones and isoquinolines has also been demonstrated.

Porous heterogeneous catalysts play a pivotal role in the chemical industry. Herein a new Hf-based metal-organic framework (Hf-NU-1000) incorporating Hf6 clusters is reported. It demonstrates high catalytic efficiency for the activation of epoxides, facilitating the quantitative chemical fixation of CO2 into five-membered cyclic carbonates under ambient conditions, rendering this material an ex...

A convenient one-pot Mannich-type-cyclization-oxidation tandem process has been developed for the synthesis of 1,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazoles derivatives from aldehydes, hydrazines and alkynes using p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (PTSA) as a multifunctional catalyst. This method provides a flexible and rapid route to 1,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazoles.

A new class of silica-based zeolite capsule catalyst was readily prepared employing a dual-layer method under close-to-neutral conditions. In a tandem catalysis process, the precisely controlled synthesis of dimethyl ether was realized. This new concept of H-type zeolite shell preparation and application represents a powerful approach for preparing high-performance, multifunctional catalysts.

Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have attracted increasing attention for the creation of solid-state platforms for catalysis applications. In this review article, we present strategies to employ MOF-based materials in photochemical hydrogen production. The scope ranges from the incorporation of single functions (catalyst or photosensitizer) to multifunctional MOFs that combine both light-harvest...

An unprecedented Pd-catalyzed hydrohalogenation of alkynyl halides for the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-1,2-dihaloalkenes has been realized using [(allyl)PdCl](2) as the catalyst and cis,cis-1,5-cyclooctadiene as the ligand. The advantages of this protocol are well illustrated by the assembly of trisubstituted (Z)-enynes and multifunctional benzenes via iterative cross-coupling r...

A Cu-catalyzed tandem dehydrogenation/dehalogenation sequential reaction along with N-arylation has been developed for the synthesis of pyridazinone derivatives in an aerobic and aqueous environment. To achieve the transformation of three chemical bonds in a one-pot reaction, a multifunctional copper catalyst was used which afforded excellent activity, high selectivity, and recyclability. The c...

N-Heterocyclic carbenes, prepared in situ from diarylimidazolium salts, serve as highly effective catalysts for the generation of reactive homoenolates from alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes. The catalyst-bound homoenolate reacts with electrophilic aldehydes leading, via the key intermediacy of an activated carboxylate, to gamma-butyrolactones in good yields and stereoselectivities. Importantly,...