(Phys.org)—Traditionally, C-C bond forming reactions require the use of a precious metal, such as palladium, to catalyze the reaction. Precious metals are expensive and because pharmaceutical ingredients require a very low metal content, these reactions are not practical for medicinal chemistry. This has prompted many scientists to seek alternative coupling reactions that do not use precious metals. Prior research with boronic acids has demonstrated that metal-free cross-coupling reactions are possible, but the reaction conditions are prohibitive for a generalizable synthesis.
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