title: Halogen bonds in organic synthesis and organocatalysis.
abstract: In contrast to hydrogen bonding, halogen bonding has so far found very little use in organic synthesis and organocatalysis. Although there are multiple reports on the use of elemental iodine in a wide range of organic reactions, the understanding of the actual mode of activation in these cases is very rudimentary. Recently, first proof-of-principle reactions have been established towards the use of carbon-based halogen-bond donors as activators or organocatalysts. These halogen-based Lewis acids offer more structural variety and potential than elemental iodine itself, and the mode of activation is better understood. Yet, the reported cases still only cover simple benchmark reactions, and there is a clear need for further and more complex applications.
authors.affiliation: Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.forename: Stefan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Huber