Cross-coupling reactions—chemical transformations in which two fragments are joined together—are a valuable tool in the synthesis of organic molecules. Applications range from drug development and synthesis of naturally occurring molecules to materials science. Despite many known methods, finding the right conditions for new reactions remained a challenge.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Photocatalytic reactions in the laboratory of Prof. König (University of Regensburg) with visible light. Credit: Prof. Dr. Burkhard König Given the numerous factors that can affect the outcome of the reaction, such as the presence or absence of ligand molecules, catalyst precursors, bases, and other additives, optimization is a tedious task. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are promising new approaches to predicting optimal reaction conditions, but training such models also involves significant effort. A solution to this problem that has now been found by researchers at the University of Regensburg (UR) in cooperation with the Zelinisky Institute in Moscow takes a completely different approach: the reaction parameters have been reduced to a minimum and only the two reaction partners that are to be linked are combined with a simple nickel salt and an organic dye under exposure to visible light. No traditional ligands or additives are added to constrain the nickel catalyst (i.e., they provide multiple channels for catalytic reactivity), as…