Molybdenum hexacarbonyl (Mo(CO)6) was used as an efficient catalyst for the chemoselective reduction of the amide functionality in α,β-unsaturated compounds, under hydrosilylation conditions using 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDS) as the hydride source.

Asymmetric addition of arylboroxines to δ-aryl-α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones proceeded in the presence of an iridium catalyst coordinated with a chiral diene ligand to give high yields of δ-diaryl ketones with very high enantioselectivity.

Ruthenium-catalyzed highly selective codimerization of N-acetyl α-arylenamines with ethyl acrylates is reported. This codimerization reaction provides a new efficient method for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated γ-amino esters with a quaternary center.

The ruthenium-catalyzed oxidative allylation of aromatic and α,β-unsaturated carboxamides with allylic carbonates is described. These transformations proceed readily with complete linear γ-selectivity of substituted allylic carbonates.

A highly regioselective and enantioselective copper-catalyzed 1,4-conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to linear α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones was developed. The 1,4-addition products were obtained regioselectively in high yields with up to 98% ee.

A triazolium salt derived N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzes the redox esterification reaction between α-β-unsaturated aldehydes and oximes. The resulting saturated oxime esters were obtained in very good yields for a broad range of aliphatic, aromatic and heteroaromatic substrates.

An efficient visible light photocatalytic and external oxidant-free N-radical 5-exo cyclization/addition/aromatization cascade of β,γ-unsaturated hydrazones is described, which provides a practical route to various biologically interesting dihydropyrazole-fused benzosultams in satisfactory yields.

A range of terminal alkenes smoothly underwent palladium-catalyzed oxidative alkoxycarbonylation with carbazates under an oxygen atmosphere to afford structurally diverse α,β-unsaturated esters in moderate to good yields with excellent regioselectivity and E selectivity.

The first organocatalytic enantioselective direct vinylogous Michael reaction of α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactam to nitroolefins is developed using cinchona alkaloids as the catalysts. Both product enantiomers are accessible with moderate to good enantioselectivity.

A highly regioselective protocol for the direct synthesis of γ,δ-unsaturated ketones from β-ketoacids and allylic alcohols was proposed and accomplished relying on the combination of [Ir(cod)Cl]2 and 10-camphorsulfonic acid via decarboxylative allylation.