Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Synthesis of Antiviral Tetrahydrocarbazole Derivatives by Photochemical and Acid-catalyzed C-H Functionalization via Intermediate Peroxides (CHIPS)
Published on: June 20, 2014
The carbene insertion methodology for the catalytic functionalization of unreactive hydrocarbons: no classical C-H
M Mar Díaz-Requejo1, Tomás R Belderrain, M Carmen Nicasio
1Laboratorio de Catálisis Homogénea, Departamento de Química y Ciencia de los Materiales, Unidad Asociada al CSIC, Universidad de Huelva, Campus de El Carmen, 21007, Huelva, Spain.
Abstract:
This contribution intends to highlight the use of the metal-catalyzed functionalization of unreactive carbon-hydrogen bonds by the carbene insertion methodology, that employs diazo compounds as the carbene source.
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Hydroboration-Oxidation
One of the convenient methods for the preparation of aldehydes and ketones is via hydration of alkynes. Hydroboration-oxidation of alkynes is an indirect hydration reaction in which an alkyne is treated with borane followed by oxidation with alkaline peroxide to form an enol that rapidly converts into an aldehyde or a ketone. Terminal alkynes form aldehydes, whereas internal alkynes give ketones as the final product.
Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration

