The direct asymmetric allylic alkylation of beta,gamma-butenolides with MBH carbonates to access gamma,gamma-disubstituted butenolides containing adjacent quaternary and tertiary chiral centers has been presented in excellent stereoselectivities (86-96% ee, dr >95:5) and moderate to good yield (50-83%). Their synthetic utility has been well demonstrated by the facile construction of bicyclic lactones bearing 4-5 stereogenic centers.

Spiro[4,5]decanes and polycyclic compounds bearing spiro[4,5]decane systems are important biofunctional molecules. Described are diastereoselective formal (4+1) cycloaddition reactions to afford oxindole-functionalized spiro[4,5]decanes and organocatalytic enantioselective Michael-Henry cascade reactions of the (4+1) cycloaddition products to generate spirooxindole polycyclic derivatives bearing the spiro[4,5]decane system. Spiro[4,5]decanes bearing oxindoles containing three stereogenic centers and spirooxindole polycycles having seven stereogenic centers, including two all-carbon chiral quaternary centers and one tetrasubstituted chiral carbon center, were obtained with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Double C-H activations of C(5)-H and Csp(2)-H of 2-substituted N-vinyl- or arylimidazoles were realized without heteroatom-directing assistance by rhodium(III) catalyst. A subsequent oxidative annulation reaction with alkynes efficiently produced aza-fused heterocycles with high molecular complexity in low to excellent yields.

The N-S bond-based internal oxidant offers a distinct approach for the synthesis of highly functionalized pyridines. A novel Rh(III)-catalyzed one-pot process undergoes an efficient C-C/C-N bond formation along with desulfonylation under very mild conditions. The method is quite simple, general, and efficient.

Tandem multi-site cyclization triggered by Rh(iii)-catalyzed C-H activation has been achieved for highly efficient synthesis of spirocycle indolin-3-one (C2-cyclization), benzo[a]carbazole (C3-cyclization) and an unusual indoxyl core (N1-cyclization). In particular, the synthesis of pseudo-indoxyl is typically completed within 10 min, and the reaction tolerates air, water and a range of solvents.

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Simple but efficient: Aza-fused polycyclic quinolines were efficiently assembled through rhodium(III)-based direct double C-H activation of N-aryl azoles followed by cyclization with alkynes without heteroatom-assisted chelation. Copper(II) acetate, aside from acting as an oxidant, could also play an important role in the C-H activation process.

α‐Chloroaldehydes have been used as alkyne equivalents in rhodium‐catalyzed syntheses of isoquinolones and 3,4‐dihydroisoquinolins starting from N‐methoxyamides. Compared to the existing technology, a complementary regioselectivity is achieved. Mechanistic investigations have been performed, and it was found that steric effects of both substrate and additive determine the product selectivity. Various other heterocycles, such as isoquinolines and lactones, can be prepared by transformation of the obtained products.