Environmental concerns in organic synthesis are increasing and require a reconsideration of all the aspects of chemical processes. An ideal eco-friendly process must take place efficiently starting from non-toxic and cheap substrates, minimizing the amounts of additives, solvent (unless water is chosen) and external energy involved. A very interesting contribution to the development of “green chemistry” has been recently achieved by the group of Professor Maurizio Fagnoni from the University of Pavia (Italy), which authored a communication describing novel selective activations of C–H bonds driven by sunlight.

To read more please download SYNFORM 2010/02 online, free of charge.