Computational prediction of C–H hydricities and their use in predicting the regioselectivity of electron-rich C–H functionalisation reactions

• Rasmus M. Borup,
• Nicolai Ree and
• Jan H. Jensen

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 603–610, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.46

• –N, C–C, and C–X bond formations, carbene insertions, and oxidative transformations. Comparative analysis with ALFABET, a bond dissociation energy (BDE)-based ML model, reveals that hydricity predictions, when combined with steric accessibility, correctly identify the reactive site in eight out of

• host of other reactivity predictors. Keywords: bond dissociation energy; hydricity; hydride affinity; hydride-transfer reactions; machine learning (ML); quantum chemistry (QM); Introduction Bond dissociation energies (BDEs) and pKa values for C–H bonds are often used to rationalise and predict the

• therefore be essential to determine the robustness and transferability of hydricity-guided predictions. The model is made available at regioselect.org together with a host of other reactivity predictors. Different cleavage methods for C–H bonds. Heterolytic bond dissociation energy with proton dissociation

Advances in Zr-mediated radical transformations and applications to total synthesis

• Hiroshige Ogawa and
• Hugh Nakamura

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 71–87, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.3

• bond dissociation energy (BDE). Although zirconium shares many characteristics with titanium as a group-congener transition metal, it is known to form stronger bonds in several cases. For example, the Ti–O BDE is reported as 115 kcal·mol−1, whereas the Zr–O BDE is 132 kcal·mol−1 [4]; likewise, Ti–Br

• transfer (XAT) mediated by zirconocene bistosylate (Scheme 7A) [22]. Alkyl chlorides are inexpensive and readily available feedstocks; however, their chemical transformation has been challenging due to the high bond dissociation energy of the C–Cl bond compared to the C–Br and C–I bonds [12]. Motivated by

• transformations of monofluoroalkyl groups have been considered difficult due to their negative reduction potentials. In contrast, the authors focused on the comparatively small bond dissociation energy (BDE) of C(sp³)–F bonds. Based on the hypothesis that this property could enable C–F bond functionalization via

Recent advances in Norrish–Yang cyclization and dicarbonyl photoredox reactions for natural product synthesis

• Peng-Xi Luo,
• Jin-Xuan Yang,
• Shao-Min Fu and
• Bo Liu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 2315–2333, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.177

• key late-stage step in this total synthesis, the Norrish–Yang photocyclization exhibits high chemoselectivity and efficiency. It regulates selectivity through C–H bond dissociation energy and restricted bond rotation, constructing a 6/6/4 fused ring system with three contiguous quaternary carbons

Transition-state aromaticity and its relationship with reactivity in pericyclic reactions

• Israel Fernández

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1613–1626, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.125

• -dissociation energy required to liberate the two migrating hydrogen atoms is approximately 7 kcal/mol lower in CH3–OH than in CH3–CH3. More quantitative insights into the factors leading to the barrier reduction were gained by applying the combined ASM-EDA method [79]. As graphically shown in Figure 6a, which

• TS-aromaticity and the barrier heights. The origin of the computed decrease of the activation barrier in the CH3–OH to O=CH2 as compared to the analogous reaction involving ethane as hydrogen donor can be initially traced to different C–H vs O–H bond strengths. Indeed, we found that the total bond

Photoredox-catalyzed arylation of isonitriles by diaryliodonium salts towards benzamides

• Nadezhda M. Metalnikova,
• Nikita S. Antonkin,
• Tuan K. Nguyen,
• Natalia S. Soldatova,
• Alexander V. Nyuchev,
• Mikhail A. Kinzhalov and
• Pavel S. Postnikov

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1480–1488, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.110

• differs from the ones with electron-rich aryls with 0.36 eV gap between (4-NO2C6H4)2I+ and (4-OMeC6H4)2I+ iodonium cations. If unsymmetric iodonium cations are considered where one of the aryls is phenyl and the other is a 4-substituted phenyl the bond-dissociation energy is 4.0 kcal/mol lower in case of

Recent advances in amidyl radical-mediated photocatalytic direct intermolecular hydrogen atom transfer

• Hao-Sen Wang,
• Lin Li,
• Xin Chen,
• Jian-Li Wu,
• Kai Sun,
• Xiao-Lan Chen,
• Ling-Bo Qu and
• Bing Yu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1306–1323, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.100

• molecules. On the other hand, C–H bonds exhibit low reactivity due to their relatively high bond dissociation energy (BDE) (Figure 1a). Therefore, the direct functionalization of C–H bonds is extremely challenging [1][2][3][4][5]. In recent decades, transition-metal-catalyzed C–H bond functionalization

Recent advances in controllable/divergent synthesis

• Jilei Cao,
• Leiyang Bai and
• Xuefeng Jiang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 890–914, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.73

• imides and TMS-alkynes, enabling the rapid construction of S(VI)–C(sp2) or S(VI)–C(sp) bonds efficiently (Scheme 24) [55]. This linkage utilizes the high bond dissociation energy (BDE = 135 kcal/mol) of silicon–fluorine bonds, employing trifluoroborate as a fluorine transfer reagent to simultaneously

Entry to 2-aminoprolines via electrochemical decarboxylative amidation of N‑acetylamino malonic acid monoesters

• Olesja Koleda,
• Janis Sadauskis,
• Darja Antonenko,
• Edvards Janis Treijs,
• Raivis Davis Steberis and
• Edgars Suna

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 630–638, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.50

• observed by LC–MS when the electrolysis was performed in 5:1 MeCN/D2O (Scheme 2, reaction 2). The considerably higher O–H bond dissociation energy (119 kcal/mol) [12] as compared to that of the C–H bond in MeCN (86 kcal/mol) [13] renders the hydrogen atom abstraction from water by a carbon-centered radical

Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of 2-fluorobenzofurans with arylboronic acids via aromatic C–F bond activation

• Takeshi Fujita,
• Haruna Yabuki,
• Ryutaro Morioka,
• Kohei Fuchibe and
• Junji Ichikawa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 146–154, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.8

• organic chemistry owing to their high bond dissociation energy compared to other aromatic C–X (X = Cl, Br, I) bonds [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. This activation is essential for the late-stage functionalization of stable C–F bonds in complex molecules with reactive functional groups, providing an orthogonal

Transition-metal-free synthesis of arylboronates via thermal generation of aryl radicals from triarylbismuthines in air

• Yuki Yamamoto,
• Yuki Konakazawa,
• Kohsuke Fujiwara and
• Akiya Ogawa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2577–2584, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.216

• aryl radicals without photocatalysts, and the trapping with diselenides afforded a variety of diaryl selenides [59]. Based on these backgrounds of our studies and the fundamental property, i.e., the weak bond dissociation energy of the Ph–Bi bond (46 kcal/mol) [60], we hypothesized that aryl radicals

A review of recent advances in electrochemical and photoelectrochemical late-stage functionalization classified by anodic oxidation, cathodic reduction, and paired electrolysis

• Nian Li,
• Ruzal Sitdikov,
• Ajit Prabhakar Kale,
• Joost Steverlynck,
• Bo Li and
• Magnus Rueping

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2500–2566, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.214

Efficacy of radical reactions of isocyanides with heteroatom radicals in organic synthesis

• Akiya Ogawa and
• Yuki Yamamoto

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2114–2128, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.182

• perform. In contrast, tris(trimethylsilyl)silane, (Me3Si)3SiH, has a bond dissociation energy similar to that of n-Bu3SnH (74 kcal/mol) and can be used as an efficient reducing agent/mediator. Radical addition of group 13 compounds to isocyanides Boron, a group 13 typical element, also lacks a non

Predicting bond dissociation energies of cyclic hypervalent halogen reagents using DFT calculations and graph attention network model

• Yingbo Shao,
• Zhiyuan Ren,
• Zhihui Han,
• Li Chen,
• Yao Li and
• Xiao-Song Xue

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 1444–1452, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.127

• ][45][46][47] have highlighted the critical role of bond dissociation energy (BDE) in understanding the group transfer capabilities and chemical stability of hypervalent iodine(III) reagents. In this context, detailed knowledge of the BDE of hypervalent bromine(III) and chlorine(III) reagents is

Advancements in hydrochlorination of alkenes

• Daniel S. Müller

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 787–814, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.72

• yield). Metal hydride hydrogen atom transfer reactions vs cationic reactions; BDE (bond-dissociation energy). Mechanism for the cobalt hydride hydrogen atom transfer reaction reported by Carreira. Proposed mechanism for anti-Markovnikov hydrochlorination by Nicewicz. Mechanism for anti-Markovnikov

Mechanisms for radical reactions initiating from N-hydroxyphthalimide esters

• Carlos R. Azpilcueta-Nicolas and
• Jean-Philip Lumb

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 346–378, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.35

• photochemical instability, as evidenced by their low N–O bond dissociation energy (BDE ≈ 42 kcal/mol) [28], the reliance on toxic tin hydrides as reductants and the undesired radical recombination with reactive 2-pyridylthiyl radicals that leads to (alkylthio)pyridine byproducts [26]. More recently, N

Nucleophilic functionalization of thianthrenium salts under basic conditions

• Xinting Fan,
• Duo Zhang,
• Xiangchuan Xiu,
• Bin Xu,
• Yu Yuan,
• Feng Chen and
• Pan Gao

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 257–263, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.26

• accessible and have significant importance in the pharmaceutical industry, positioning them as appealing candidates for C(sp3) coupling due to their availability as a common chemical feedstock. However, due to the high bond dissociation energy of the C–O bond and the poor leaving ability of the hydroxy group

Benzoimidazolium-derived dimeric and hydride n-dopants for organic electron-transport materials: impact of substitution on structures, electrochemistry, and reactivity

• Swagat K. Mohapatra,
• Khaled Al Kurdi,
• Samik Jhulki,
• Georgii Bogdanov,
• John Bacsa,
• Maxwell Conte,
• Tatiana V. Timofeeva,
• Seth R. Marder and
• Stephen Barlow

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1651–1663, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.121

• ). We have previously noted a similar lack of correlation between bond length and bond dissociation energy in comparing the structures of 1c2 (Y = Fc; R = R' = H) and 1e2 (Y = cyclohexyl; R = R' = H) [14], and in comparing those of different organometallic dimers [22][46]. As noted in our previous work

Photoredox catalysis harvesting multiple photon or electrochemical energies

• Mattia Lepori,
• Simon Schmid and
• Joshua P. Barham

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1055–1145, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.81

Aromatic C–H bond functionalization through organocatalyzed asymmetric intermolecular aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction: a recent update

• Anup Biswas

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 956–981, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.72

• bond is thermodynamically stable and possesses a high bond dissociation energy opposing the bond to easy chemical transformation. Therefore, harsh reaction conditions and the necessity of an external activator like catalysts are common prerequisites for processes involving C–H bond breaking. Among

Redox-active molecules as organocatalysts for selective oxidative transformations – an unperceived organocatalysis field

• Elena R. Lopat’eva,
• Igor B. Krylov,
• Dmitry A. Lapshin and
• Alexander O. Terent’ev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1672–1695, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.179

• catalyst shows the increase in selectivity compared to the reaction catalyzed by NHPI. In principle, the regioselectivity of a CH-functionalization can also be controlled by electronic effects of substituents in an N-oxyl radical, which influence the O–H bond-dissociation energy in the N-hydroxy compound

Development of N-F fluorinating agents and their fluorinations: Historical perspective

• Teruo Umemoto,
• Yuhao Yang and
• Gerald B. Hammond

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1752–1813, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.123

Iodine-catalyzed electrophilic substitution of indoles: Synthesis of (un)symmetrical diindolylmethanes with a quaternary carbon center

• Thanigaimalai Pillaiyar,
• Masoud Sedaghati,
• Andhika B. Mahardhika,
• Lukas L. Wendt and
• Christa E. Müller

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 1464–1475, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.102

• interest due to fluorine’s unique physical and chemical properties, such as its small size, high electronegativity, and high C–F bond dissociation energy [22][23][24]. Organofluoro compounds developed as drug molecules often display increased metabolic stability and bioavailability compared to non

Metal-free glycosylation with glycosyl fluorides in liquid SO₂

• Krista Gulbe,
• Jevgeņija Lugiņina,
• Edijs Jansons,
• Artis Kinens and
• Māris Turks

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 964–976, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.78

• groups, promoter, solvent and temperature has to be applied. In 1981, Mukaiyama et al. introduced glycosyl fluorides [5] as a new class of glycosyl donors [6]. The C–F bond is one of the strongest single bonds in the realm of organic compounds with a bond dissociation energy (BDE) of 570 kJ/mol [7]. Thus

• dissociation energy (ΔΔG) by 10.6 kcal/mol. The formation of the neighboring group stabilized the oxocarbenium ion (dioxolenium ion) and its reaction with alcohol leads to the experimentally observed glycosides and the FSO2H adduct. We assume that due to the formation of the latter also substrates, which do

• performed on the model reaction α-11 + MeOH → α-13c to elucidate the influence of SO2 on the dissociation of the glycosidic C–F bond [78] (Figure 2). Indeed, it was found that the coordination of the Lewis acidic SO2 to the fluoride (transition state TS-A≠ versus TS-A(SO2)≠) decreases the C–F bond

Photosensitized direct C–H fluorination and trifluoromethylation in organic synthesis

• Shahboz Yakubov and
• Joshua P. Barham

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 2151–2192, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.183

• . Moreover, the inertness of C(sp3)–H bonds due to their high homolytic bond dissociation energy and low polarity necessitate highly reactive reagents/intermediates for their activation, which may encourage off-site activity with other functional groups present in the target molecule and lead to a poor

Oxime radicals: generation, properties and application in organic synthesis

• Igor B. Krylov,
• Stanislav A. Paveliev,
• Alexander S. Budnikov and
• Alexander O. Terent’ev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2020, 16, 1234–1276, doi:10.3762/bjoc.16.107

• was explained by the decrease of the O–H bond dissociation energy by the electron-donating substituent Y [35][79][80][81][82][83][84]. The result of these reactions depends on the phenol structure. 4-Methylphenol (27a) and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT, 27b) gave 4-methyl-4