Methane (CH₄) functionalization is an important field that is traditionally dominated by transition-metal catalysis. In this issue of Chem, Wang and colleagues report the exceptional reactivity of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilized hydroborenium cation that allows for the selective C−H activation of CH₄, affording value-added borylated products in a transition-metal-free fashion.

中文翻译：

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利用硼的反应性进行甲烷活化

甲烷（CH ₄）功能化是传统上由过渡金属催化主导的重要领域。在本期Chem 中，Wang 及其同事报告了 N-杂环卡宾 (NHC) 稳定的硼氢化阳离子的特殊反应性，该阳离子允许 CH ₄的选择性 CH 活化，在过渡金属中提供高附加值的硼化产物-自由时尚。