Hydrogen breaks strong bonds with brute force

Projectile hydrogen molecules are central to a new green method for precisely breaking one of the most abundant and industrially important bonds you can find.

C–H bonds are very stable and as such their cleavage normally requires either a temperature above 300°C or treatment with something like irradiation – both of which can cause organic molecules to lose their functionality. Now a method developed by Leo Lau of Western University in Canada and colleagues can break C–H bonds without damaging the rest of the molecule.

This article provides a link to coverage by Chemistry World.