An efficient synthesis of dibenzo[b,f]oxepines and benzo[b]oxepines via FeCl3-catalyzed alkyne-aldehyde metathesis reaction is described. Structurally diverse dibenzo[b,f]oxepines and benzo[b]oxepines have been achieved in good yields with high regio- and chemoselectivity under mild conditions. Notably, among the various catalysts such as Fe(III), Au(III), In(III), Zn(II), Ag(I) and triflic acid, the alkyne-aldehyde metathesis reaction of 2-(2'-phenylethynyl-phenyloxy)-benzaldehyde is only catalyzed by environmentally friendly and sustainable iron(III) chloride.

A simple and efficient synthesis of complex pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoline derivatives was achieved through sequential reactions that involved an iron(III)‐catalyzed synthesis of N‐(2‐alkynylaryl)pyrroles and a gold(III)‐catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation reaction. This strategy tolerated a wide range of substrates with a variety of sensitive functional groups and afforded the corresponding pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoline derivatives in moderate to good yields. The ease of availability of the starting materials and the generality of the reaction sequences make it a highly attractive strategy to synthesize a diverse range of pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoline derivatives. Moreover, a preliminary photophysical study showed that the resulting molecules exhibit good fluorescence activity.

An efficient and simple strategy has been developed to synthesize various substituted nitroalkenes involving a cooperative catalytic system of FeCl3 and piperidine. This dual catalytic protocol simultaneously activates both electrophile and nucleophile and works under mild reaction conditions so that many sensitive functional groups were tolerated. Moreover, this cooperative catalytic reaction is also suitable for various one‐pot reactions involving nitroalkenes such as, 2H‐chromenes, N‐arylpyrrole and Michael reaction with indole. Notably, this method is low‐cost, efficient and environmentally friendly.

An efficient synthesis of functionalized phenanthrenes has been developed for the first time involving an iron(III)-catalyzed intramolecular coupling of 2'-alkynyl-biphenyl-2-carbaldehydes. A broad range of functionalized phenanthrene derivatives could be obtained in the present method in moderate to good yields with high chemo- and regioselectivity. This transformation can also be applied to the synthesis of an angularly fused tetracyclic compound. This method offers several advantages such as high selectivity, mild reaction conditions, and easy availability of starting materials.

A new and efficient protocol to synthesize substituted benzo[b]carbazole derivatives has been demonstrated involving iron-catalyzed domino isomerization/cyclodehydration sequences from substituted 2-[(indoline-3-ylidene)(methyl)]benzaldehyde derivatives. The substrates could be easily made via Pd-catalyzed domino Heck-Suzuki coupling from 2-bromo-N-propargylanilide derivatives in high yields. Notably, the generality and efficiency of this two-stage domino strategy was further exemplified by the synthesis of a polycyclic benzofuran derivative.