An agrochemical perspective on Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling chemistry

In this Activity article, Mark Ford (Distinguished Bayer Science Fellow at Bayer AG, Crop Science Division) and Ian Fairlamb (professor at the University of York) discuss aspects of Pd cross-coupling chemistry as an invaluable tool for the technically viable sustainable syntheses of crop-protection products. Optimizing such reactions requires a level of understanding that moves well beyond empirical experimentation. Partnerships between academia and industry provide the perfect environment for ensuring that industrially relevant goals are coupled with the deep mechanistic insights needed for meeting the ever-increasing challenges provided by modern crop-protection products.