An efficient and convenient palladium-catalyzed C-H bond oxidative sulfenylation of indoles and related electron-rich heteroarenes with aryl boronic acids and elemental sulfur has been described. This procedure provides a useful and direct approach for the assembly of a wide range of structurally diverse 3-sulfenylheteroarenes with moderate to excellent yields from simple and readily available starting materials. Moreover, this synthetic protocol is suitable for N-protected and unprotected indoles. Notably, the construction of two C-S bonds in one step was also achieved in this transformation.

A novel and efficient palladium-catalyzed cascade annulation/arylthiolation reaction has been developed to afford functionalized 3-sulfenylbenzofuran and 3-sulfenylindole derivatives in moderate to good yields from readily available 2-alkynylphenols and 2-alkynylamines in ionic liquids. This protocol provides a valuable synthetic tool for the assembly of a wide range of 3-sulfenylbenzofuran and 3-sulfenylindole derivatives with high atom- and step-economy and exceptional functional group tolerance. Moreover, the employment of ionic liquids under mild reaction conditions makes this transformation green and practical. Furthermore, this approach enriched current C-S bond formation chemistry, making a valuable and practical method in synthetic and medicinal chemistry.

An efficient and practical palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative approach to afford functionalized 2-substituted quinolines in moderate to good yields from readily available allylbenzenes with aniline is developed. The present annulation process has high functional-group tolerance and high atom economy, making it a valuable and practical method in synthetic and medicinal chemistry. Moreover, this transformation is supposed to proceed through oxidation of allylic C-H functionalization to form C-C and C-N bonds in one pot.

An efficient and environmentally benign iodine-catalyzed cascade cyclization has been achieved to afford functionalized 3-sulfenylcoumarin and 3-sulfenylquinolinone derivatives.

A novel palladium-catalyzed approach for constructing functionalized heteroarenes via C–S bond cleavage and C–C bond formation has been demonstrated.