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Abstract Herein, we reported an intermolecular asymmetric hydrative aldol reaction through vinyl‐gold intermediate under ambient conditions. This tandem alkyne hydration and sequential nucleophilic addition afforded a “base‐free” approach to β‐hydroxy amides with high efficiency (up to 95 % yields, >50 examples). Vinyl gold intermediate was applied as reactive nucleophile and Fe(acac)₃was used as the critical co‐catalyst to prevent undesired protodeauration, allowing this transformation to proceed under mild conditions with good functional group tolerance and excellent stereoselectivity (>20 : 1 d.r. and up to 99 % ee). 

Abstract A reverse‐binding‐selectivity between monovalent and divalent cations was observed for two different self‐assembly G₁₆‐hexadecamer and G₈‐octamer systems. The dissociation constant between G₄‐quadruplex and monomer was calculated via VT‐¹H NMR experiments. Quantitative energy profiles revealed entropy as the key factor for the weaker binding toward Ba²⁺compared with K⁺in the G₈‐octamer system despite stronger ion‐dipole interactions. This study is the first direct comparison of the G₄‐quartet binding affinity between mono and divalent cations and will benefit future applications of G‐quadruplex‐related research. Further competition experiments between the G₈‐octamer and 18‐crown‐6 with K⁺demonstrated the potential of this G₈system as a new potassium receptor. 

Abstract Stereoselective thioallylation of alkynes under possible gold redox catalysis was accomplished with high efficiency (as low as 0.1 % catalyst loading, up to 99 % yield) and broad substrate scope (various alkynes, inter‐ and intramolecular fashion). The gold(I) catalyst acts as both a π‐acid for alkyne activation and a redox catalyst for Au^I/IIIcoupling, whereas the sulfonium cation generated in situ functions as a mild oxidant. This novel methodology provides an exciting system for gold redox catalysis without the need for a strong oxidant. 

Systematic investigations were performed with various substituted groups at C8 purine and ribose. A series of isoG analogs, C8-phenyl substituted isoG were synthesized and applied for Cs + coordination. The structural proximity between purine and ribose limited pentaplex formation for C8-phenyl substituted isoG derivatives. Based on this observation, deoxy isoG derivative with modification on ribose ( tert -butyldimethylsilyl ether) was applied to assemble with the Cs + cation. Critical solvent (CDCl 3 and CD 3 CN) and anion (BPh 4 − , BARF − , and PF 6 − ) effects were revealed, leading to the controllable formation of various stable isoG pentaplexes, including singly charged decamer, doubly charged decamer, and 15-mer, etc. Finally, the X-ray crystal structure of [isoG 20 Cs 3 ] 3+ (BARF − ) 3 was successfully obtained, which is the first example of multiple-layer deoxy isoG binding with the Cs + cation, providing solid evidence of this new isoG ionophore beyond two-layer sandwich self-assembly.