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.