Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Scalable Syntheses of Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide using Cascade Design Oxidation and Highly Basic Reduction Reactions
Published on: July 3, 2025
Oxidative Addition and Reductive Elimination at Main-Group Element Centers.
Terry Chu1, Georgii I Nikonov1
1Department of Chemistry , Brock University , 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way , St. Catharines , Ontario L2S 3A1 , Canada.
Main-group compounds are now showing transition-metal-like reactivity, activating single and multiple bonds. This review highlights recent advances in this rapidly evolving field of main-group chemistry.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organometallic Chemistry
Background:
- Catalytic reactions mediated by transition-metal complexes often involve oxidative addition and reductive elimination.
- Historically, these reactions were exclusively attributed to d-block elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review significant progress in main-group compound reactivity over the past decade.
- To highlight the activation of single and multiple bonds by main-group elements.
- To discuss reversible bond activation and reductive elimination in main-group chemistry.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of recent literature (past decade) on main-group element reactivity.
- Categorization of reactions by bond type (single/multiple) and element group.
- Inclusion of earlier foundational reports for completeness.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of transition-metal-like reactivity in main-group compounds.
- Substantial progress in activating robust single bonds by main-group elements.
- Recent advances in multiple bond activation and reversible bond activation by main-group elements.
- Observation of reductive elimination at main-group element centers.
Conclusions:
- Main-group compounds exhibit diverse reactivity previously thought exclusive to transition metals.
- The field has seen rapid advancements in bond activation and related catalytic processes.
- Future research directions include further exploration of these novel main-group reactivities.
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution: Addition–Elimination (SNAr)
The reaction begins with an attack of the nucleophile on the carbon that holds the leaving group. This results in the delocalization of the π electrons over the ring carbons. The resonance interaction between...
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution: Elimination–Addition
Oxidation and Reduction of Organic Molecules
The removal of an electron from a molecule, results in a...
Reactions at the Benzylic Position: Oxidation and Reduction
Oxidation Numbers

