The first highly enantioselective asymmetric decarboxylative addition of β-keto acids with 3-alkenyl-oxindoles bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter have been developed. The relevant products were acquired in 49–98% yields with 88–98% enantioselectivities in the presence of 0.04–1.0 mol % of chiral rhodium catalyst. The comprehensive practicability of this method was proven in the preparation of the key intermediate, which can be easily transformed into analogues of physovenine and physostigmine.

Here, we report a photocatalytic charge-transfer complex (CTC) strategy for one electron reduction of alkenes using thiolate as a catalytic electron donor. This catalytic CTC system could engage hydroarylation of both activated and unactivated alkenes for the synthesis of various heterocycles. The reactions do not require any photocatalysts or acids and are easy to perform. Mechanistic studies revealed the formation of a CTC between catalytic thiolate and alkene.Letter pubs.acs.org/OrgLett

An organic superbase-catalyzed aminocarbonylation reaction of α,β-unsaturated ketones was reported. Under the catalysis of 10 mol% Schwesinger’s superbase t-Bu-P4, a variety of enones and ynone reacted with N, N-dimethyl carbamoylsilane...