Perspectives on C—H Oxidation
M. Christina White
Thanks for the C&EN article on selective C–H functionalization (March 8, 2021, page 28). Continuing questions about the best ways to discriminate between bonds of the same type and functionalize a strong bond in the presence of a weaker one have been key challenges “at the heart of C–H activation chemistry.” Since understanding the past can inspire the future, this letter notes advances not discussed in your article and looks to exciting future challenges.
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Base-Metal Catalysis: Embrace the Wild Side
M. Christina White
The economic and environmental advantages of developing base-metal catalysts for chemical synthesis are clear. A complementary approach taken by our group is to embrace and unleash the potential for base metals to operate via distinct mechanisms and achieve reactivity and selectivity that has not been accessed with precious metals.
Organometallics Roundtable 2013-2014
John A. Gladysz, Robin B. Bedford, Makoto Fujita, François P. Gabbaï, Karen I. Goldber, Patrick L. Holland, Jaqueline L. Kiplinger, Michael J. Krische, Janis Louie, Connie C. Lu, Jack R. Norton, Marina A. Petrukhina, Tong Ren, Shannon S. Stahl, T. Don Tilley, Charles Edwin Webster, M. Christina White, and Gregory T. Whiteker
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A panel of seventeen experts from academia, industry, and government laboratories share their thoughts on a variety of matters of importance to the readership of Organometallics. These include directions for the field and recent breakthroughs (illustrated with selected examples), the interface with green chemistry, the quest for reproducible experimental procedures, data and research integrity, laboratory safety, the preparation of coworkers for non-academic careers, and needs regarding instrumentation, infrastructure, shared facilities, and computational methods. A lively give and take are evident in the edited transcript, which continues a biennial tradition initiated in 2011.
C-H Bond Functionalization and Synthesis in the 21st Century: A Brief History and Prospectus
M. C. White
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Among the frontier challenges facing synthetic chemistry in the 21st century are the interconnected goals of increasing control of chemical reactivity and synthesizing complex molecules with higher levels of efficiency. Catalytic C-H bond functionalization reactions are increasingly being discovered that meet the criterion for useful reactivity (i.e. preparative, predictably selective, and general). Consequently, such reactions are enabling chemists to exploit strategies for complex molecule synthesis and derivatization previously accessible only in nature. This perspective highlights some of the achievements and important challenges that remain in the area of C-H bond functionalization.
Adding Aliphatic C-H Bond Oxidations to Synthesis
M. C. White
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Oxidations of aliphatic C-H bonds (unactivated, isolated, alkyl sp3 C-H bonds) have appeared in the literature sporadically since the late 1800s. However, synthetic chemists considered these transformations to be too unselective and/or inefficient for routine utilization in synthesis. This view has changed dramatically during the past several years. Specifically, it is now widely accepted that predictable selectivity and preparative utility for aliphatic C-H oxidations is possible with small molecule catalysts. This perspective explains how we arrived at this point.