Towards Sustainable C-H Functionalization Reactions: The Emerging Role of Bio-Based Reaction Media

In the last decade, transition-metal catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions have progressed enormously, becoming a useful tool in organic synthesis and a practical alternative to well-established methodologies. Very recently, research efforts have also been devoted to developing more sustainable C-H functionalization protocols, in order to increase their applicability. One of the most promising approaches in this sense is represented by the substitution of common reaction media with bio-based solvents. In the present contribution a general perspective on the benefits of this approach is given, followed by key literature examples.