The coupling reaction of aryl iodides with arylboronic acids to give biaryl compounds can be efficiently performed without adding a transition metal catalyst. The key to success is the use of dimethyl carbonate as a solvent. This finding provides a new strategy for constructing a biaryl linkage.

9-Methylacridine was identified as a generally effective ligand to promote a Pd(II)-catalyzed C(sp(3))-H and C(sp(2))-H alkylation of simple amides with various alkyl iodides. This alkylation reaction was applied to the preparation of unnatural amino acids and geometrically controlled tri- and tetrasubstituted acrylic acids.

A low pressure microflow system was developed for palladium-catalyzed multiphase carbonylation reactions in an ionic liquid. The microflow system resulted in superior selectivity and higher yields in carbonylative Sonogashira coupling and amidation reactions of aryl iodides compared to the conventional batch system.

Alkyl iodides and tertiary silanes were successfully coupled with good functional group tolerance using a Pt(P(tBu)(3))(2)/(iPr)(2)EtN/CH(3)CN system. The utility of the methodology is demonstrated by the synthesis of silafluofen, a Si-containing insecticide.

Significant progress has been made in the direct arylation of simple arenes. A number of catalyst systems have been developed which enable the intramolecular direct arylation of aryl chlorides, bromides and iodides in high yield as well as conditions capable of achieving intermolecular direct arylation with simple arenes. This account describes recent progress by our group and others in the dev...

Pyridyl iodides were synthesized to serve as effective, economical, green and dual function additives for high efficiency and stable DSCs. Using commercial P25 as the photoanode, a high PCE of 7.81% was achieved with a pyridyl iodide-containing electrolyte. Meanwhile, DSCs based on our novel electrolytes demonstrated better stability.

Employing (2-pyridyl)acetone as a new supporting ligand, the copper-catalyzed coupling reactions of aryl chlorides, aryl bromides, and aryl iodides with various phenols successfully proceeded in good yields under mild conditions. This reaction displays great functional groups compatibility and excellent reactive selectivity.

A Cu(I)-catalyzed cyanation reaction of aryl iodides with α-cyanoacetates is reported herein, which uses α-cyanoacetates as the nontoxic and easy-handling CN source through copper-mediated C-CN bond cleavage. This reaction enables access to aryl nitriles with an array of functional groups on the aromatic ring in good to excellent yields.

The visible-light-driven, phase-transfer-catalyzed, enantioselective perfluoroalkylation and trifluoromethylation of cyclic β-ketoesters is described. The photo-organocatalytic process, which occurs at ambient temperature and under visible light illumination, is triggered by the photochemical activity of in situ-generated electron donor-acceptor complexes, arising from the association of chiral...

The enantioselective synthesis of heavily decorated spirolactams has been accomplished via an arylative or vinylative allene carbocyclisation cascade. Mediated by silver phosphate, a range of allene-linked pro-nucleophiles and aryl or vinyl iodides were reacted in the presence of catalytic Pd(OAc)2 and chiral bis(oxazoline) ligands to afford the spirolactam products in good yields and high enan...