Themed collection Editor's choice - Paolo Melchiorre

Naked-eye comparison of reaction profiles is a powerful tool to extract mechanistic information – FAQ, video tutorial and templated examples included.

The utilization of physical organic molecular descriptors for the quantitative description of reaction outcomes in multivariate linear regression models is demonstrated as an effective tool for a priori prediction and mechanistic interrogation.

A visible-light-enabled, operationally simple cyclopropanation reaction of styrenes with excellent functional group tolerance and chemoselectivity via carbenoid-like radicals.

A novel Pd-catalyzed δ-C(sp²)–H functionalization reaction with readily available aldehydes towards the assembly of non-proteogenic acylated Phe-containing oligopeptides is presented.

The mechanism of the gold-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of arenes and alkynes has been studied in detail combining stoichiometric experiments with putative reaction intermediates and DFT calculations.

In this manuscript, we describe the conversion of fuscol, a natural product isolated in 1978, to xishacorenes A, B, and C, isolated in 2017, as well as a previously unreported congener, which we have named xishacorene D.

The first organocatalysed, metal-free cross-nucleophile coupling of indoles with α-branched aldehydes forming acyclic stereoselective quaternary carbon centres is presented.

We have developed a catalytic asymmetric nucleophilic allylation of aldehydes using simple alkenes as pronucleophiles without relying on stoichiometric metals.

The first visible light photocatalytic generation and utilization of the OCF₂H radical for direct (hetero)aryl C–H difluoromethoxylation at room temperature.

Herein, we report the radiosynthesis of ¹⁸F-difluoromethylarenes via the assembly of three components, a boron reagent, ethyl bromofluoroacetate, and cyclotron-produced non-carrier added [¹⁸F]fluoride.

A modular synthesis of enantioenriched polyfunctionalized cyclobutanes was developed and applied to the synthesis of (+)-rumphellaone A.

We report an efficient and economical method for remote δ C(sp³)–H heteroarylation of free aliphatic alcohols using a hypervalent iodine PFBI-OH oxidant under photoredox catalysis.

Through kinetic studies we provide a quantitative reactivity scale for ten electrophilic fluorination reagents.

Asymmetric H-bonding catalysis as a viable strategy for enantioselective radical coupling of ketones is demonstrated.

A palladium(II)-catalysed C(sp³)–H carbonylation of free(NH) secondary aliphatic amines to 2-pyrrolidinones is described.

Highly diastereo- and enantioselective 1,6-addition of β-keto amides to p-quinone methides catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes via ion-pair interaction is developed.

Fine-tuned organic photoredox catalysts are introduced for the metal-free alkynylation of alkylnitrile radicals generated via oxidative ring opening of cyclic alkylketone oxime ethers.

A metal-catalyst-free and redox-neutral innate difluoromethylthiolation method enabled by visible light is described. This protocol employs a shelf-stable and readily available electrophilic difluoromethylthiolating reagent, PhSO₂SCF₂H, and converts a broad spectrum of arenes and heteroarenes to difluoromethylthioethers without noble metals and stoichiometric amount of additives.

Upon irradiation with visible light, the Ni^II complex 1 is converted to the reduced form 2 in the presence of NEt₃. The Ni-based photosensitizer catalyzes the cyclization of a bromoalkyl-substituted indole.

The combination of diboron, pyridine and base serves as an efficient source of structurally well-defined super electron donors.