The continuum of carbon–hydrogen (C–H) activation mechanisms and terminology

As a rapidly growing field across all areas of chemistry, C-H activation/functionalisation is being used to access a wide range of important molecular targets. Of particular interest is the development of a sustainable methodology for alkane functionalisation as a means for reducing hydrocarbon emissions. This Perspective aims to give an outline to the community with respect to commonly used terminology in C-H activation, as well as the mechanisms that are currently understood to operate for (cyclo)alkane activation/functionalisation.

Alkane activation on crystalline metal oxide surfaces

Late transition-metal oxide surfaces that expose coordinatively-unsaturated metal atoms promote the formation and bond activation of alkane σ-complexes.