A domino reaction of phthalhydrazide and vinylketone in the presence of phosphotungstic acid was established, and 3D turbine-type tetrasubstituted 1H-indazolo[1,2-b]phthalazinedione derivatives were conveniently obtained with up to 95% yield.

The double Michael reactions between benzofuran-3-one or 1-indone and symmetric dienones in the presence of catalytic ionic liquids were successfully developed and spiro[benzofuran-2,1'-cyclohexane]-3-one or spiro[cyclohexane-1,2'-indene]-1',4(3'H)-dione derivatives containing a spiro quaternary stereogenic center, which widely exist in biologically active products and building blocks in organic synthesis, were obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%). This catalytic system was also extended to the double Michael reaction of less reactive 1-indone and the desired products were also obtained in 31%-62% yields. The catalytic system was highly active and efficient for a broad of substrates under mild conditions.

We develop 3,5-di-tert­butylphenol as a strategic substrate for the evaluation of biomimetic Cu2–O2 complexes intended to mimic the activity of tyrosinase. We describe a practical and scalable synthesis and validate its use in an aerobic ortho-oxygenation catalyzed by N,N′-di-tert-butylethylenediamine and [Cu(CH3CN)4]PF6.

1 H -Indazolo[1,2- b ]phthalazine-5,10-dione IPDD with an approximate turbine-like spatial structure, primary assembled double-stranded helices at the first level, was predicted by quantum chemical calculations and confirmed by atomic force microscopy. The higher-dimensional hierarchical architectures including fibrils, helical fibers, spherical shells, and porous prismatic structures were observed in sequence by the scanning electron microscopy technique. The final porous prismatic structures sensitive to NH 3 vapors have the potential to be applied in gas sensing and absorbing materials.