Synthesis of spiroindanes by palladium-catalyzed oxidative annulation of non- or weakly activated 1,3-dienes involving C-H functionalization.

The synthesis of spiroindanes by the palladium-catalyzed oxidative annulation of non- or weakly activated 1,3-dienes with 2-aryl cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds is described. Examples of the dearomatizing oxidative annulation of 1,3-dienes with 1-aryl-2-naphthols are also presented.

Rhodium-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloaddition of ynamides with nitroalkenes.

In the presence of a diene-ligated rhodium complex, ynamides and nitroalkenes undergo catalytic [2 + 2] cycloadditions to provide cyclobutenamides. The presence of sodium tetraphenylborate was found to be crucial for the reactions to proceed efficiently.