The question of whether all useful reactions in synthetic organic chemistry must utlimately be catalytic raises the specter of downgrading the value of 'reagent-based' transformations. Even though all catalytic reactions must employ some reagents in stoichiomertic quantities, it is nevertheless of interest to examine the merit of developing transformations that involve new reagents without the immediate benefit of catalysis. This lecture will provide case studies from the author's laboratories as well as a personal perspective on how this discourse should evolve.

To convert, or to catalyze, that is the question

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.