A copper-catalyzed decarboxylative trifluoromethylation of various α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids by using a stable and inexpensive solid, sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate (CF(3)SO(2)Na, Langlois reagent), was developed. In addition, an iron-catalyzed difluoromethylation of aryl-substituted acrylic acids by using zinc difluoromethanesulfinate (DFMS, (CF(2)HSO(2))(2)Zn, Baran reagent) via a similar radical process was also achieved.

A copper-catalyzed alkylarylation of alkenes with simple alkanes was achieved, which not only provided an efficient method to prepare various alkyl-substituted oxindoles, but also represented a novel strategy for selective sp(3) C-H functionalization/C-C bond formation via a free-radical cascade process. Additionally, selective activation of unactivated (sp(3))C-H and (sp(2))C-H bonds by one single step is achieved in this system, which would also provide a novel strategy for raising efficiency in C-H bond functionalization.

Photo-promoted mild tandem 6-exo-trig spirocyclization of biaryl ynones with ammonium thiocyanate has been developed to access thiocyanate-containing spiro[5,5]trienones with good yields and regioselectivity. Meanwhile, other thiocyanate-substituted cycles also could be...

A scalable, selective, and operationally easy iodotrifluoromethylation of a wide range of alkenes and alkynes by using two simple and safe solids, sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate and iodine pentoxide, in aqueous medium has been developed. Mechanistic studies confirm that free-radical processes are involved in this system since the key radical intermediates such as CF(3) and β-CF(3) alkyl radicals have been clearly detected by spin trapping and electron spin resonance.

A copper-catalyzed free-radical cascade cyclization of isocyanides with simple alkanes and alcohols was developed, which allowed convenient access to various alkyl-substituted phenanthridines.