base-catalyzed cascade nucleophilic/aza-Michael addition reaction of N-alkoxy β-oxo-acrylamides with isocyanates has been developed to afford various highly functionalized hydantoin derivatives in 80–98% yields under mild reaction conditions. The intriguing features of this method include metal-free reaction conditions, low catalyst loading, broad substrate scope and short reaction time.
By employing triethylamine as a catalyst, [3 + 2] coupling‐eliminationcascade of α,α‐dicyanoolefins with quinonemonoimines was realized. The reactions afforded various novelpterocarpenanalogues with generally moderate yields (up to 75%). In addition, a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed.
An asymmetrichydrogenation of aroylacrylic acidscatalyzed by RuPHOX-Ru catalyst has been developed, affording the corresponding chiral γ-lactones in high yields and with up to 93% ee. The methodology has the advantage of utilizing easily accessible substrates and has therefore expand the scope of the resulting chiral γ-lactones. Furthermore, high catalytic efficiency was achieved in that the reduction