Sphalerite is a geochemical catalyst for carbon-hydrogen bond activation

Organic compound transformations in the Earth commonly take place in the presence of minerals and aqueous solutions, but a mechanistic understanding of how minerals influence hydrothermal organic reactivity is virtually nonexistent. We present the first description of mineral catalysis of a fundamental organic reaction—carbon-hydrogen bond activation. The discovery that a common mineral, sphalerite (ZnS), can readily accomplish this reaction will interest not only geochemists but also the organic catalysis and green chemistry communities, because the solvent for organic reactions under these conditions is water. This work highlights the importance of aqueous processes in organic chemistry and shows how common minerals could be used as catalysts for organic reactions.