Brønsted acid catalyzed tandem cyclization was found to be highly effective for the preparation of a series of polysubstituted 4-pyrones from diynones (yield up to 99%). 4-Pyridone and 3-pyrrolone derivatives were also selectively synthesized by employing NIS and/or Brønsted acid. NIS as an electrophilic reagent could promote these reactions efficiently and rapidly under very mild reaction conditions.

Palladium-catalyzed carbene migratory insertion-cyclization reactions were reported, delivering dihydronaphthalene and indene derivatives in moderate to good yields. A three-component cross-coupling was also developed. The reactions are easy to handle, under mild conditions and various functional groups are tolerated.

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An efficient approach for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted cyclopentadienes through Pd-catalyzed reactions of (Z)-2-en-4-yn acetates with substituted indoles was developed. This methodology has the advantages of broad scope, simple conditions and easily accessible starting materials.

A novel and efficient synthetic approach to substituted 2-iodo-spiro[indene-1,1'-isobenzofuran]-3'-ones has been developed via an iodine-promoted cascade cyclization of 2-(3-hydroxy-3,3-diarylprop-1-yn-1-yl)benzoates. This sequential cascade process is concisely conducted at room temperature. Subsequent palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira, Suzuki, and Heck reactions of the resulting iodides proceed smoothly in good yields.