Herein, the first acceptorless dehydrogenation of tetrahydroquinolines (THQs), indolines, and other related N-heterocycles, by merging visible-light photoredox catalysis and cobalt catalysis at ambient temperature, is described. The potential applications to organic transformations and hydrogen-storage materials are demonstrated. Primary mechanistic investigations indicate that the catalytic cycle occurs predominantly by an oxidative quenching pathway.

Palladium-catalyzed dual C-H functionalization of benzophenones to form fluorenones by oxidative dehydrogenative cyclization is reported. This method provides a concise and effective route toward the synthesis of fluorenone derivatives, which shows outstanding functional group compatibility.

Direct aryl C-H addition to aryl aldehydes to produce biaryl methanols was reported via Rh catalysis with an N-containing directing group. The method is highly atom-, step-, and redox-economic. The procedure is robust, reliable, and compatible with water and air.

Semi-one-pot synthesis of phenanthrenes from styrenes and arenes was developed through cross-dehydrogenative coupling. A sequence of Heck-type coupling and photo-cyclization were involved and a variety of functionalities were tolerated. This method provides an effective and practical protocol towards the synthesis of substituted phenanthrenes.