A series of bifunctional phase-transfer catalysts with a quaternary onium center and a hydrogen-bonding donor group were prepared for the fixation of CO2 with epoxides under mild conditions by using a CO2 balloon (1 atm) to produce cyclic carbonates up to 95% yields.

Ferrocene (Fc) as a privileged framework for chiral organocatalysts (Orgcat) has been developed rapidly in recent years. Herein, five categories have been summarized, including Fc‐based nucleophilic, bifunctional, Brønsted acid, hydrogen‐bonding organocatalysts and Fc‐based frustrated Lewis pairs. Their applications in enantioselective transformations were also highlighted and discussed in this Minireview.

The direct enantioselective amination of nitroolefins has been performed with l-tert-leucine-derived squaramide-scaffold bifunctional phase-transfer catalysts under base-free and water-rich conditions with low catalyst loading (0.5-1 mol%) to provide 2-aminonitroalkanes in good yields (up to 96%) and enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee).