Three-component reactions can directly convert three reactants into the desired products in one pot and thus greatly shorten the synthetic path. Recently, transition-metal catalysis has been applied in the difunctionalization of alkenes and remarkable progress has been achieved to facilitate the construction of a wide range of functional molecules with high atom- and step-economic efficiency. This Focus Review highlights recent advances in this field.

Nickel-catalysed P-H/C-CN cross coupling reactions take place efficiently under mild reaction conditions affording the corresponding sp(2)C-P bonds. This transformation provides a convenient method for the preparation of arylphosphines and arylphosphine oxides from the readily available P-H compounds and arylnitriles.

The columnar phenotype is a very valuable genetic resource for apple breeding because of its compact growth form determined by the dominant gene Co. Using bulked segregant analysis combined with several DNA molecular marker techniques to screen the F 1 progeny of Spur Fuji × Telamon (heterozygous for Co), 9 new DNA markers (6 RAPD, 1 AFLP and 2 SSRs) linked to the Co gene were identified. A total of 500 10-mer random primers, 56 pairs of selective AFLP primers and 8 SSR primer pairs were screened. One RAPD marker S1142 682 , and the AFLP marker, E-ACT/M-CTA 346 , were converted into SCAR markers designated SCAR 682 and SCAR 216 , respectively. These markers will enable early selection in progenies where Co is difficult to identify. The Co gene was located between the SSR markers CH03d11 and COL on linkage group 10 of the apple genetic linkage map. Finally, a local genetic map of the region around the Co gene was constructed by linkage analysis of the nine new markers and three markers developed earlier.

Because of the unique properties and wide applications, continuing efforts have been devoted to developing simpler and cleaner methods for the synthesis of organophosphorus compounds. Recently, transition metal-catalysed dehydrogenative coupling has been emerging as one of the powerful methodologies for constructing chemical bonds. Herein, we highlight the recent progress in the preparation of organophosphorus compounds via transition metal-catalysed dehydrogenative couplings of P(O)H compounds with Z-H compounds.

Eight yeast strains were isolated from jujube fruit surfaces collected in Shanxi and Shandong Provinces, China. All eight strains produced needle-shaped ascospores under suitable conditions. Three separate groups, representing three novel species in the genus Metschnikowia, were recognized by sequence comparisons of the 26S rDNA D1/D2 domain and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The names Metschnikowia sinensis sp. nov. (type strain XY103T=AS 2.3110T=CBS 10357T), Metschnikowia zizyphicola sp. nov. (type strain XY201T=AS 2.3111T=CBS 10358T) and Metschnikowia shanxiensis sp. nov. (type strain XY801T=AS 2.3112T=CBS 10359T) are proposed for the three novel species. Phylogenetic analysis of the 26S rDNA D1/D2 domain sequence showed that these three novel species are clustered in a clade together with the previously described species Metschnikowia fructicola, Metschnikowia andauensis, Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Metschnikowia chrysoperlae.

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A Ni-catalyzed hydrogenation of C-O compounds with sodium formate is developed. Various esters, i.e. aryl, alkenyl, benzyl pivalates, and even the aryl ethers, were efficiently reduced with a loading of nickel catalysts down to 0.5 mol%. Reactive functional groups such as C-C double bonds, carbonyl, CN, MeS and halogen groups are tolerable. This reaction can be used for the modification of complex molecules and carried out at a large scale.