PPh3/NaI driven photocatalytic decarboxylative cyclization of 2-isocyanobiaryls with alkyl NHP esters was developed. This simple protocol afforded a novel and environmentally friendly approach to furnish 6-alkyl phenanthridines in good yields.

Cerium photocatalytic dehydrogenative lactonization of 2-arylbenzoic acids yields synthetically useful benzo-3,4-coumarin derivatives in gram scale under mild reaction conditions.

A new approach for the synthesis of benzofurans starting from non-aromatic precursors is reported. The reaction involves sequential DBU-mediated cycloisomerization for furanylation followed by benzene ring construction via oxidative aromatization in the presence of Oxone®. Atom- and pot-economy, simple reaction conditions, the straightforward preparation of starting materials and access to diverse substituted benzofurans are the major advantages of this reaction.