This Special Collection on “Radical Chemistry in Homogeneous Catalysis and Organic Synthesis” organized in collaboration with the European Journal of Organic Chemistry and ChemCatChem showcases the maturity of field. Overall, this Special Collection encompasses 11 reviews and 27 research articles, covering a diverse range of topics. It presents the latest advancements in the controlled generation of radical species using transition metal catalysis, photoredox catalysis, or electrochemistry. It highlights the importance of moving towards more sustainable chemical processes, with particular focus on the development of novel organo(photo)catalysts, or efficient catalyst-free reactions. It presents new transformations to access complex scaffolds as well as new building blocks and reagents, further simplifying single-electron disconnection logic. In addition, it also highlights the key advancements in addressing some of the current challenges in radical chemistry, such the development of enantioselective reactions or how to scale-up radical processes to meet the needs of the fine chemical industry.
The Cover Feature of this issue highlights the work by Abir Kayal and Mrinmoy De, who describe a method for synthesizing recyclable organo-soluble MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) using a colloidal approach, which exhibits high efficiency as photocatalysts for the synthesis of biologically active α-amino phosphonates. The authors’ approach capitalizes on the oxidizing potential of molecular oxygen (O2). Specifically, MoS2 QDs are excited upon absorption of blue light, providing the necessary energy to initiate the formation of reactive iminium ion species from N-phenyl benzylamine, thereby facilitating product formation. Mechanistic analysis has underscored the critical role of MoS2 QDs in generating reactive superoxide radicals from O2 via single electron transfer (SET), highlighting their significance in this process. More information can be found in the Research Article by Abir Kayal and Mrinmoy De (DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202400264).