Homogeneous Catalytic C(sp3 )–H Functionalization of Gaseous Alkanes

• Antonio Pulcinella^a
• Daniele Mazzarella^a
• Timothy Noël^a

• ^aFlow Chemistry Group, Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam

The conversion of light alkanes into bulk chemicals is becoming an important challenge as it avoids effectively the use of prefunctionalized alkylating reagents. The implementation of such processes is, however, hampered by their gaseous nature and low solubility, as well as the low reactivity of the C–H bonds. Efforts have been made to enable both polar and radical processes to activate these inert compounds. In addition, these methodologies also benefit significantly from the development of a suitable reactor technology that intensifies gas-liquid mass transfer. In this review, we critically highlight these developments, both from a conceptual and a practical point of view. The recent expansion of these mechanisticallydifferent methods have enabled the use of various gaseous alkanes for the development of different bond-forming reactions, including C–C, C–B, C–N, C–Si and C–S bonds.

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