A direct C–H bond phosphonation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with H-phosphonates, H-phosphinates or H-phosphine oxides has been developed. A wide variety of heteroaryl phosphonates were obtained in up to 92% yield for 20 examples under transition-metal-free conditions. This protocol tolerates a broad scope of substrates and features practicality, high efficiency, environmental friendliness and atom economy.

A novel strategy of dehydrogenative Heck reaction controlled by redox process of ferrocene has been developed. Commercially available chiral amino acid as ligand realized asymmetric dehydrogenative Heck reaction, leading to planar-chiral ferrocene derivatives with excellent enantioselectivity and in good to excellent yields (up to 99% ee and 98% yield).

In this tutorial review, the rapid advances of directing group (DG) migration in transition-metal-catalysed direct C–H activation was presented through analyzing and comparing the different bond cleavage trigger DG migration (including N–O, N–C, N–N or O–C).

A novel protocol for the synthesis of 4(3H)-quinazolinones via selective cleavage of the triple bond of ketoalkynes under oxidant-, metal-, and ligand-free conditions has been developed. Various 4(3H)-quinazolinones were obtained through fragmentation of the C–C triple bond and formation of two C–N bonds.