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Chemistry

Unraveling the Mechanistic Pathways of Photocatalyzed C–H Bond Activation

Quick fact

Photocatalysts can abstract hydrogen atoms from C–H bonds with bond dissociation energies exceeding 100 kcal/mol, a process previously requiring harsh conditions, now occurring at room temperature under visible light.

Why this is interesting

Imagine being able to pluck a hydrogen atom off the strongest, most unreactive bond in a molecule—carbon–hydrogen—using just light and a catalyst. How do chemists achieve this seemingly impossible feat?