C–H activation

The stability of the chemical bonds in saturated hydrocarbons makes them generally unreactive. But the invention of processes in which carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bonds in hydrocarbons can be activated is allowing chemists to exploit organic compounds in previously unimaginable ways. The ubiquitous carbon-hydrogen bond is stubbornly inactive. This means, for instance, that natural gas is still regarded primarily as a fuel, though to chemists it is a vast low-cost feedstock of hydrocarbons just waiting to be exploited. The past 30 years have seen great strides towards the goal of activating C-H bonds, mainly using 'organometallic' catalysts that work by forming transient bonds between carbon and a metal. In a Q&A feature, Robert Bergman explains the current state of play in this field, which has the potential to one day revolutionize the petrochemicals and organic synthesis industries.