The difluoroalkylation of alkynes and alkenes by direct photoexcitation of ethyl difluoroiodoacetate is described. Under catalyst- and oxidant-free conditions, iododifluoro­alkylation and hydrodifluoro­alkylation products were generated from alkynes, and difluoroalkylation products were prepared from alkenes. This methodology provides a streamlined access to difluoroalkylated organic compounds starting from simple alkynes or alkenes.

A facile and cost-effective method for the preparation of fluoroalkylated compounds has been described by the direct photoexcitation of halofluoroalkanes with blue light absorptivity, enabling the difluoroalkylation of aryl ketones. The methodology has provided an efficient, mild, and catalyst-free synthetic method for quaternary difluoroalkylated arenes and tetrasubstituted monofluoroalkenes.

An efficient method for the directing group controlled rhodium-catalyzed addition reaction of oxa/azabicylic alkenes with aromatic ketones and benzoic acids has been developed. The ketones and benzoic acids afforded different addition products when reacted with oxa/azabicyclic alkenes. The reaction between ketones and azabenzonorbornadienes furnished the ring-opening addition products. The reaction between benzoic acids and aza/oxabicyclic alkenes proceeded in the absence of silver salt, giving the 1:2 hydroarylation products in yields up to 96%.

A Co-catalyzed effective transfer hydrogenation of various α-ketoesters and N-cyclicsulfonylimides by safe and environmentally benign H 2 O as hydrogen source is described. The reaction used easily available and easy to handle zinc metal as a reductant. Interestingly, the catalytic system does not require ligand for reduction of N-cyclicsulfonylimides.

An efficient, catalyst/photocatalyst-free, and cost-effective methodology for the decarboxylative alkylation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids to synthesize β,γ-unsaturated nitriles has been developed. The reaction proceeded in an environmentally benign atmosphere of blue light-emitting diode irradiation with K2CO3 and water at room temperature. The methodology worked for a wide range of substrates (22 examples) with up to 83% yield. The protocol is also compatible for gram-scale synthesis.