A robust transition-metal-free one-step strategy for the synthesis of ynamides from sulfonamides and (Z)-1,2-dichloroalkenes or alkynyl chlorides is presented. This method is not only effective for internal ynamides but also amenable for terminal ynamides. Various functional groups, even the vinyl moiety, are compatible, and thus, this strategy offers the opportunity for further functionalization.

A robust one-step synthetic strategy for ynamide with cheap and easily available stock chemicals vinyl dichlorides and electron deficient amides as the starting material is described. In the absence of transition-metal catalyst, the reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions in open air and thus rendering a convenient operation. This strategy is not only suitable for both terminal and internal ynamide synthesis but also amenable for large-scale preparation. Broad substrate scopes with respect to vinyl dichloride as well as electron-deficient amide were observed.

In visible light, sulfoximidoyl-containing hypervalent iodine reagents react with aryl alkynes to give N-α-ketoacylated sulfoximines in good to high yields. The process is metal- and base-free, providing the diketonic products without the use of highly oxygenated reagents such as peroxides. Results from mechanistic investigations suggest the intermediacy of radicals and reveal the importance of molecular oxygen.

A highly efficient palladium-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of arylhydrazines and arenethiols with molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant to afford unsymmetrical diaryl sulfides has been developed. The only byproducts are nitrogen and water. A broad range of functional groups, even the reactive iodides, are tolerated and thus offer the opportunity for further functionalization.

Both arylhydrazines and quaternary ammonium salts are readily accessible or commercially available chemicals that show versatile reactivity in Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions via CÀ N bond cleavage. A tremendous array of coupling reactions involving reaction partners such as organoborons, aryl silanes, alkenes, alkynes, arylation or alkylation reagents in CÀ H functionalization and carbonylation reactions are summarized, in which arylhydrazines or quaternary ammonium salts function as aryl or alkyl donors. This account mainly focuses on recent advances in Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions with arylhydrazines or quaternary ammonium salts via CÀ N bond cleavage, including mechanistic elucidations.