A visible-light-promoted [3 + 2] cyclization between chalcones and 2-mercaptobenzoimidazoles for the construction of diverse imidazo­[2,1-b]­thiazoles via an electron–donor–acceptor (EDA) complex has been developed. This novel aminothiolation can be realized under only visible light irradiation without the aid of external photocatalysts, transition metals, and oxidants. Mechanistic investigations have revealed that the thiol anions and chalcones form EDA complexes, providing a novel strategy for the synthesis of imidazo­[2,1-b]­thiazoles.

A palladium-catalyzed direct C−H arylation of indolines at C-7 position has been achieved at near-ambient temperature. The reaction was carried out with aryltriazene as a stable aryl source and electron shuttle to sustainably release aryl radical in situ under the action of promoter, and pyrimidine as a detachable directing group for the synthesis of 7-arylindolines under oxidant-and ligand-free conditions. Notably, this catalytic system can also be applied to the direct and site-selective arylation of tetrahydroquinolines (C-8) and carbazoles (C-1).

The hydration of nitriles to amides in a water extract of pomelo peel ash (WEPPA) was realized with moderate to excellent yields without using external transition metals, bases or organic solvents. This reaction features a broad substrate scope, wide functional group tolerance, prominent chemoselectivity, and good reusability. Notably, a magnification experiment in this bio-based solvent at 100 mmol further demonstrated its practicability.

Stable and recyclable Z-scheme g-C3N4/rGO/BiVO4 heterojunction photocatalyst was constructed by facile two-step hydrothermal procedure. The photocatalyst was used for the synthesis of C-3 formylated indoles from indoles with methanol as...