About this ebook
Although the fields of sustainable catalysis and small-molecule borylation encompass a wide range of systems and methodologies, this primer aims to provide an introductory framework for understanding the structural features of sustainable homogeneous main-group and first-row transition metal catalysts, as well as the fundamental mechanisms underlying carbon–boron bond-forming transformations catalyzed by these systems—transformations that play a significant role in the fine chemicals industry.
This primer is intended for students beginning their research journey into the exciting world of homogeneous catalysis. We hope it inspires you to think creatively about catalyst design, often the first step toward unlocking transformations once believed to be out of reach. Whether you are new to the field or revisiting its fundamentals, we invite you to explore these concepts with curiosity and imagination.
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About the author
Rebeca Arevalo is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Merced. Rebeca is currently working on the discovery of sustainable catalytic systems for the functionalization of small molecules through processes that involve the cleavage of inert bonds. Her main interests lie in fundamental chemistry that aims to understand and rationally improve applied processes in the fields of catalysis, coordination, and organometallic chemistry. Rebeca completed her B. S. in Chemistry at the University of Oviedo (Spain), earned an M.S. in Chemistry and Sustainability, and was awarded an FPU fellowship for graduate studies. She received her Ph. D. from the University of Oviedo in 2017, where she studied nucleophilic additions on bipy and phen ligands in rhenium tricarbonyl complexes under the supervision of Prof. Julio Perez. Afterwards, she moved to Princeton University to conduct postdoctoral research on cobalt-catalyzed C-H borylation with Prof. Paul J. Chirik until 2020.
Himani Ahuja is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Merced, working under the guidance of Prof. Rebeca Arevalo in the field of organometallic chemistry. Her research is at the core of sustainable chemistry, focusing on the design and synthesis of earth-abundant metal complexes—primarily including manganese, iron, and nickel. By leveraging the unique reactivity of these complexes, she aims to develop environmentally benign and efficient catalytic systems for the functionalization of small molecules, with a particular emphasis on the synthesis of boronate esters. She is a member of the ACS Leaders Scholars Program, Cohort 2025, and a past participant of the ACS Summer School on Green Chemistry and Sustainable Energy, Cohort 2023. She received her B.Sc. in Chemistry from Panjab University, India, which paved her path towards research.
Victor Duran Arroyo received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine, in 2019. Currently, he is in the process of completing his Ph.D. at the University of California, Merced, specializing in the design, synthesis, and application of earth-abundant transition metal catalysts to offer greener, more sustainable alternatives to current precious-metal catalysts used in the chemical industries. His research was recognized by the Achievement & Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation, having received their 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 scholarship award for his research into Mn- and Ni-based catalysis.
Harleen Kaur is a Ph.D. candidate in the Arevalo Lab at the University of California, Merced. Her research focuses on using Earth-abundant metals for designing and synthesizing sustainable catalysts. Her work encompasses utilizing manganese- and silicon-based catalytic systems for the activation and functionalization of small molecules, with a key emphasis on the synthesis of boronate esters, which serve as valuable precursors for complex molecule synthesis. Her research also includes exploring iron-based catalysts for developing cost-effective and sustainable catalytic systems. She received a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry in 2017 and an M.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry in 2019 from Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
