A bright outlook for carbon coupling

Abstract

Dual Catalysis In contemporary organic chemistry, it is straightforward to forge bonds between unsaturated carbons (i.e., carbons already engaged in double bonds) using cross-coupling catalysis. The protocol runs into some trouble, however, if one or both starting carbon centers are saturated (purely single-bonded). Tellis et al. and Zuo et al. independently found that combining a second, light-activated catalyst with a nickel cross-coupling catalyst could achieve selective coupling of saturated and unsaturated reagents (see the Perspective by Lloyd-Jones and Ball). Their methods rely on single-electron transfer from the light-activated catalyst to the saturated carbon, thereby enhancing its reactivity more effectively than the two-electron mechanisms prevailing in traditional protocols. Science , this issue p. [433][1], p. [437][2]; see also p. [381][3] [1]: /lookup/volpage/345/433?iss=6195 [2]: /lookup/volpage/345/437?iss=6195 [3]: /lookup/volpage/345/381?iss=6195