A metal-free oxidative tandem coupling of activated alkenes with carbonyl C(sp²)–H bonds and aryl C(sp²)–H bonds using TBHP is established for the synthesis of 3-(2-oxoethyl)indolin-2-ones. This method allows 1,2-difunctionalization of the C–C double bond in N-arylacrylamides by simultaneous formation of two C(sp²)–C(sp³) bonds.

An intermolecular dialkylation of alkenes via a radical process with two distinct C(sp ³ )─H bonds is described.

Photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) have emerged as an environmentally friendly tool for fuel production, conversion of carbon dioxide, water splitting, and pollutant degradation in the past few years. Although PECs show advantages in these areas, their application in organic synthesis has just begun. Recently, oxidation, C–H functionalization and cross-coupling have been successfully achieved in PECs by the use of an oxidizing photoanode, such as BiVO₄ or WO₃, for the construction of C–N, C–O and C–P bonds. This highlight article focuses on the application of PECs in organic synthesis reactions and their reaction mechanisms, with a special emphasis on enantioselective conversions.