A straightforward synthesis of 1,2-dicyanoalkanes by reacting nitroalkenes with trimethylsilyl cyanide in the presence of tetrabutylammonium fluoride is described. The reaction proceeds through a tandem double Michael addition under mild conditions. Employing the hypervalent silicate generated from trimethylsilyl cyanide and tetrabutylammonium fluoride is essential for achieving this transformation. Mechanistic studies suggest that a small amount of water included in the reaction media plays a key role. This protocol is applicable to various types of substrates including electron-rich and electron-deficient aromatic nitroalkenes, and aliphatic nitroalkenes. Moreover, vinyl sulfones were found to be good alternatives, particularly for electron-deficient nitroalkenes. The broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance of the reaction makes this approach a practical method for the synthesis of valuable 1,2-dicyanoalkanes.

A series of phosphorus analogues of aromatic-fused monoimides (phthalimides and naphthalimides) bearing a mesityl group on the P center have been synthesized. In a comparison of their photophysical, electrochemical, and thermal properties with those of the corresponding imides, the impact of P incorporation was revealed. Furthermore, theoretical studies using DFT methods were conducted to understand their properties.

The iodine-catalyzed decarboxylative amidation of β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids with chloramine salts is described. This method enables the regioselective synthesis of allylic amides from various types of β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids containing substituents at the α- and β-positions. In the reaction, N-iodo-N-chloroamides, generated by the reaction of a chloramine salt with I₂, function as a key active species. The reaction provides an attractive alternative to existing methods for the synthesis of useful secondary allylic amine derivatives.

A direct synthetic method for producing oxazoline-fused fullerenes, that is, fullerooxazoles, from [60] fullerene and readily available carboxamides by radical pathways has been developed. The method presented allows efficient access to a variety of fullerooxazoles with high functional compatibility under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, systematic investigation of their properties, such as solubility, thermostability, and electrochemical behavior, was conducted.

A PCy₃-catalyzed ring-expansion reaction of aziridine-fused fullerenes (aziridinofullerenes) through the insertion of CO₂ and aryl isocyanates is disclosed. The reaction allows for CO₂ fixation by aziridinofullerenes, producing oxazolidinone-fused fullerenes (oxazolidinofullerenes) in high yields, whereas treatment with aryl isocyanates led to a new fullerene family—imidazolidinone-fused fullerenes (imidazolidinofullerenes)—in good to high yields. Furthermore, a mechanistically related unprecedented fullerenyl phosphonium salt was successfully isolated. Using the isolated salt, mechanistic studies were also investigated.

Highly selective and versatile methods for the synthesis of aza[60]fulleroids and aziridino[60]fullerenes from C₆₀ have been developed. The reactions utilized N,N-dihalosulfonamides as an N₁ source. The photophysical, electrochemical, and thermal properties of the iminofullerenes were investigated by means of UV/Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and thermogravimetry, respectively. Furthermore, photovoltaic cells based on the synthesized iminofullerenes were fabricated. The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of the devices showed moderate values ranging from 1.33 to 2.35 %.