New tools direct reactions at specific C–H bonds in organic molecules

When looking for ways to build up an organic molecule, traditionally chemists ignored carbon–hydrogen bonds. Unless activated by a nearby functional group such as a carbonyl, alcohol or amine, they were deemed unreactive. Recent years have seen a shift in this thinking, with new tools being developed that attack ‘inert’ C–H bonds and replace them with bonds such as carbon–carbon, carbon–oxygen, carbon–nitrogen and carbon–halogen.