Based on the B-spline basis method, the properties of the helium atom confined inside an endohedral environment, such as buckminster fullerene, are studied. In our calculations, the endohedral environment is a parabolic potential well. In this situation, the phenomenon of “mirror collapse” is exhibited for energy levels of a confined helium atom. The “giant resonance” of oscillator strength of the dipole transition emerges with the variation of depth of the confining well. The physical mechanisms of these phenomena are analyzed in this paper.

The first enantioselective reductive decarboxylative C(sp3)-C(sp2) cross-coupling of malonic acid derivatives are reported via the intermediacy of redox-active esters (RAEs). A newly modified chiral bis-imidazoline ligand was identified as the optimal ligand to enable this reaction, providing direct access to valuable chiral aryl esters with high efficiency and excellent enantioselectivity. Our protocol is featured by its broad scope and exceptional compatibility with a variety of functional groups, even in the context of late-stage functionalization. In addition, C(sp2)−I could be selectively functionalized with bromo(iodo)arene. The detailed mechanistic studies supported a radical based cross-coupling mechanism.