2-Substituted-3-allylbenzo[b]furans 3 can be prepared from o-alkynylphenols 1 and allyl carbonates 2 through a palladium-catalyzed O-allylation/cyclization sequence. Two basic procedures have been developed: a stepwise method based on the isolation of O-allyl derivatives 4 and their subsequent cyclization to 3 (procedure A) and a one-pot reaction omitting the isolation of 4 (procedure B). The cyclization of 4 in the presence of the electron-rich sterically-encumbered ligand tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)phosphine (ttmpp)exhibits remarkable regioselectivity in that 3-allylbenzofurans in which the benzofuryl unit is bound to the less substituted allyl terminus are formed almost exclusively. Some loss of the stereochemistry of the carbon-carbon double bond is observed.

The scope and the generality of gold versus silver catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation reactions of 3-[(3-arylprop-2-ynyl)oxy]benzene derivatives in terms of rings substitution were investigated. Only products deriving from 6-endo cyclization were exclusively formed. The features of substituents had a considerable effect on the reaction outcome in the presence of silver catalysis, whereas gold catalysis revealed a unique blend of reactivity and selectivity and represented the only choice for the intramolecular hydroarylation reaction of the starting substrates bearing electron deficient arenes.

The functionalized pyrrole nucleus contained in the indole system has been assembled via the palladium-catalyzed reaction of o-alkynyltrifluoroacetanilides with organic halides/triflates or allyl carbonates. In the presence of carbon monoxide, a three-component reaction can take place and indole derivatives incorporating a molecule of carbon monoxide have been obtained.

Fully ripe fruits and mature leaves of Elaeagnus angustifolia were harvested and analyzed by means of analytical and biological tests to better comprehend the chemical composition and therapeutic/nutraceutical potential of this plant. Fruits and leaves were dried and the obtained powders were analyzed to study their color character and (via headspace gas chromatography) describe the chemical profile. Subsequently, they were submitted to a chloroform–methanol extraction, to a hydroalcoholic extraction procedure assisted or not by microwaves, and to an extraction with supercritical CO₂, assisted or not by ethanol as the co-solvent, to detect the polyphenolic and the volatile content. The resulting extracts were evaluated in terms of chlorophyll and carotenoid content, polyphenolic content, volatile fraction, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, radical scavenging activity, and enzymatic inhibition activity. The results confirmed the correlation between the chemical composition and the high antioxidant potential of leaf extracts compared to the fruit extracts in terms of the phenolic and pigment content. A promising effect against tyrosinase emerged for all the extracts, suggesting a therapeutic/nutraceutical use for this plant. Conversely, the volatile content from both natural matrices was similar.

2-Ethynyl-3-pyridinols and 3-ethynyl-2-pyridinols, readily available from halopyridinols, have been treated with aryl/heteroaryl halides or vinyl triflates to give 2-substituted furo[3,2-b]pyridines and 2-substituted furo[2,3-b]pyridines through a coupling/cyclization process. Two catalyst systems have been used: PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂-CuI and Pd₂(dba)₃-P(t-Bu)₃. Halopyridinols have been employed for an alternative approach to 2-substituted furo[2,3-b]pyridines and 2-substituted furo[2,3-c]pyridines via 2-(trimethylsilyl)furopyridines, 2-iodofuropyridines, palladiumcatalyzed reactions.