Rethinking catalysis

<p>Visit <a href="https://thermofisher.com/bctl"><strong>https://thermofisher.com/bctl</strong></a> to register for your free <i>Bringing Chemistry to Life</i> T-shirt and <a href="https://www.alfa.com/en/chemistry-podcasts/"><strong>https://www.alfa.com/en/chemistry-podcasts/</strong></a> to access our episode summary sheet, which contains links to recent publications and additional content recommendations for our guest.</p><p>Modern synthetic chemistry relies on a rich toolbox of chemical transformations, among which catalytic reactions play a prominent role. Yet, despite all the many successes, innovation in the field has seemingly slowed down, the focus moving to exploring variations and application scope of well-established catalysts based on a limited number of reliable transition metals.</p><p>Josep Cornella, from the Max Planck Institute in Mülheim an der Ruhr, is an innovator. He is not loyal to a specific element or a specific catalyzed reaction. He has a non-discriminatory approach to catalysis, where the key is choosing the catalytic approach to do what he wants/needs rather than figuring out what he can do with his catalyst of choice. </p><p>This episode is a declaration of love for catalysis as a driver for innovation in organic synthesis. Paolo and Josep discuss using the elements the Earth has given us in creative new ways, from making air-stable nickel zero (Ni(0)) complexes to the unexpected use of bismuth as a completely novel catalyst, opening the box of possibilities by removing the biases from overreliance on well established – and old – concepts.</p>