Asymmetric pallada‐electrocatalyzed C−H olefinations were achieved through the synergistic cooperation with transient directing groups. The electrochemical, atroposelective C−H activations were realized with high position‐, diastereo‐, and enantio‐control under mild reaction conditions to obtain highly enantiomerically‐enriched biaryls and fluorinated N−C axially chiral scaffolds. Our strategy provided expedient access to, among others, novel chiral BINOLs, dicarboxylic acids and helicenes of value to asymmetric catalysis. Mechanistic studies by experiments and computation provided key insights into the catalyst's mode of action.

A new method for the direct conversion of 4-pentenylsulfonamides to 2-formylpyrrolidines and a 2-ketopyrrolidine has been developed. This transformation occurs via aerobic copper-catalyzed alkene aminooxygenation where molecular oxygen serves as both oxidant and oxygen source. The 2-formylpyrrolidines can further undergo oxidative carbon–carbon bond cleavage in situ upon addition of DABCO, providing 2-pyrrolidinones. These transformations have been demonstrated for a range of 4-pentenylsulfonamides. 4-Pentenylalcohols also undergo oxidative cyclization to form γ-lactones predominantly. The reaction is chemoselective, oxidizing one alkene in the presence of others, and is compatible with several functional groups. Application of these reactions to the formal syntheses of baclofen and (+)-monomorine was demonstrated.

Enantioselective palladaelectro-catalyzed C–H alkenylations and allylations were achieved by the means of an easily-accessible amino acid for the synthesis of N–C axially chiral indole biaryls.

A system for transfer hydrogenation of alkenes, composed of a ruthenium metathesis catalyst and HCOOH, is presented. This operationally simple system can be formed directly after a metathesis reaction to effect hydrogenation of the metathesis product in a single-pot. These hydrogenation conditions are applicable to a wide range of alkenes and offer remarkable selectivity.