A relay catalysis protocol for the functionalization of α-amino acids and dipeptides using a combination of visible-light photoredox and Lewis acid catalysis has been developed.

In June 2015, a discussion meeting entitled ‘Catalysis improving society’ was held based around the research initiatives of the recently established UK Catalysis Hub. The title is very bold for a discussion meeting, and this is indeed true. However, it is hard to imagine the world today or indeed civilized society without the impact of catalysis on the fundamental aspects required for life, nam...

Direct oxidation of methane to methanol (DOMTM) is attractive for the increasing industrial demand feedstock. In this review, latest advances in heterogeneous catalysis and plasma DOMTM are summarized, with aim pinpoint differences between both, provide some insights into their reaction mechanisms, as well implications future development highly selective catalysts DOMTM.