"Black Swan events" in organic synthesis.
When a research area "goes viral", the event typically occurs in conjunction with a major change in "conventional wisdom". In retrospect, the literature often contains earlier hints that the original judgment was not correct. These antecedents are referred to as "Black Swan" events. The picture shows research on homogeneous gold catalysis "going viral".
Chemical Development Department, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, USA. william_nugent@vrtx.com
William A
WA
Nugent
D002384:Catalysis; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D006865:Hydrogenation; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D010165:Palladium / Q000737:chemistry; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D002614:Chelating Agents; D005609:Free Radicals; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010165:Palladium; D006046:Gold