Unlocking the Potential of Deep Eutectic Solvents for C–H Activation and Cross-Coupling Reactions: A Review

Abstract

Green chemistry principles have underpinned the development of deep eutectic solvents (DESs). In this brief overview, we discuss the potential of DESs as a greener alternative to volatile organic solvents for cross-coupling and C–H activation reactions in organic chemistry. DESs offer numerous benefits, such as easy preparation, low toxicity, high biodegradability, and the potential to replace volatile organic compounds. The ability of DESs to recover the catalyst-solvent system enhances their sustainability. This review highlights recent advances and challenges in utilizing DESs as a reaction media, as well as the impact of physicochemical properties on the reaction process. Several types of reactions are studied to highlight their effectiveness at promoting C–C bond formation. Aside from demonstrating the success of DESs in this context, this review also discusses the limitations and future prospects of DESs in organic chemistry.

Keywords

• deep eutectic solvents
• green chemistry
• C–H activation
• cross-coupling
• sustainability
• recyclability