An efficient strategy for synthesis of isoquinolines via Pd(II)-catalyzed cyclization reaction of oximes with vinyl azides or homocoupling of oximes is reported. Oximes could serve as a directing group and an internal oxidant in the transformation. This reaction features good functional group tolerance and provides a useful protocol for the synthesis of different kinds of isoquinolines under mild conditions. Some control experiments and (15)N isotope labeling experiments were conducted for the mechanistic research.

A new strategy for 2-aminothiazoles is developed via the copper-catalyzed coupling of oxime acetates with isothiocyanates. Various 4-substituted and 4,5-disubstituted 2-aminothiazoles were formed smoothly under mild reaction conditions. This process involved copper-catalyzed N-O bond cleavage, activation of vinyl sp(2) C-H bonds, and C-S/C-N bond formations. It is noteworthy that the oxime acetates were used not only as a substrate but also as a single oxidant.

A novel and versatile method for the synthesis of 2H-imidazoles via iron-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation from readily available oxime acetates with vinyl azides has been developed. This denitrogenative process involved N-O/N-N bond cleavages and two C-N bond formations to furnish 2,4-substituted 2H-imidazoles. This protocol was performed under mild reaction conditions and needed no additives or ligands. Furthermore, this is a green reaction involving oxime acetate as internal oxidant, acetic acid, and nitrogen as byproducts.

A novel copper-catalyzed C(sp)-H oxidative functionalization of aromatic oxime acetates with α-oxocarboxylic acids was reported. This process involved N-O/C-C bond cleavages and C-C bond formations to furnish substituted enaminones under redox-neutral conditions. The oxime acetates served as both reactants and internal oxidants. Furthermore, this transformation also features good functional group tolerance and needs no ligands or additional bases.

A new strategy for thiazoles via copper-catalyzed [3+1+1]-type condensation reaction from oximes, anhydrides and potassiumthiocyanate (KSCN) is developed herein. The transformation has good functional group tolerance and various thiazoles were formed smoothly in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. This process involves copper-catalyzed N-O/C-S bond cleavages, activation of vinyl sp C-H bond, and C-S/C-N bond formations which are under redox-neutral conditions as well as operational simplicity.