An efficient method for the direct preparation of high synthetic valuable α-hydroxycarbonyls is described. The simple and readily available I2 or NBS was used as catalyst. DMSO acts as the oxidant, oxygen source, and solvent. A diverse range of tertiary Csp(3)-H bonds as well as more challenging secondary Csp(3)-H bonds could be hydroxylated in this transformation. The reaction is mild, less toxic and easy to perform.

A novel and efficient Fe-catalyzed direct C-H amination (NH ) of arenes is reported using a new redox-active aminating reagent. The reaction is simple, and can be performed under air, mild, and redox-neutral conditions. This protocol has a broad substrate scope and could be used in the late-stage modification of bioactive compounds. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that a radical pathway could be involved in this transformation.

Organic azides are key motifs in compounds of relevance to chemical biology, medicinal chemistry and materials science. In addition, they also serve as useful building blocks due to their remarkable reactivity. Therefore, the development of efficient protocols to synthesize these compounds is of great significance. This paper reviews the major applications and development of azidation in difunctionalization of olefins using azide reagents.

A protocol on chemoselective cobalt(II) porphyrin-catalyzed intramolecular cyclopropanation of N-alkyl indoles/pyrroles with alkylcarbenes has been developed. The reaction enables the rapid construction of a range of nitrogen-containing polycyclic compounds in moderate to high yields from readily accessible materials. These N-containing polycyclic compounds can be converted into a variety of N-heterocycles with potential synthetic and biological interest. Compared to their N-tosylhydrazone counterparts, the use of bulky N-2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl hydrazones as carbene precursors allows cyclopropanation to occur under milder reaction conditions.