We study two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnets with additional multi-spin interactions which can drive the system into a valence-bond solid state. For standard SU(2) spins, we consider both four- and six-spin interactions. We find continuous quantum phase transitions with the same critical exponents. Extending the symmetry to SU(N), we also find continuous transitions for N=3 and 4. In addition, we also study quantitatively the cross-over of the order-parameter symmetry from Z4 deep inside the valence-bond-solid phase to U(1) as the phase transition is approached.
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