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The synthesis of drug substances (DS) requires the continuous effort of the pharma industry to ensure high sustainability standards. The Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling is a fundamental C-C bond-forming reaction to produce complex DS intermediates. The present contribution points out the way in which the synthesis of DS intermediates by C-C cross coupling can be economically competitive, while minimizing waste by selecting the appropriate heterogeneous catalyst. By comparing homogeneous, immobilized heterogeneous catalysts on silica and metal-organic framework (MOF) catalysts, while considering the perspectives of academia and industry, the critical parameters for a successful industrial application of heterogeneous catalytic Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reactions were identified. Heterogeneous catalysts, such as MOFs, may provide a complementary platform for reducing waste and the costs of production related to such transformations.

Structural features, synthesis, and reactivity of Zn-biphenyl metal-organic frameworks with MOF-5 topology are presented to show the chemical flexibility of such materials and to demonstrate the challenges that can be encountered and solved to avoid interpenetration. We introduce the synthesis of a Zn-biphenyl MOF with diphenylphosphino functionalization and illustrate its structural and chemical properties.

The conversion of methane to value-added liquid chemicals is a promising answer to the imminent demand for fuels and chemical synthesis materials in the advent of a dwindling petroleum supply. Current technology requires high energy input for the synthesis gas production, and is characterized by low overall selectivity, which calls for alternative reaction routes. The limitation to achieve high selectivity is the high C-H bond strength of methane. High-temperature reaction systems favor gas-phase radical reactions and total oxidation. This suggests that the catalysts for methane activation should be active at low temperatures. The enzymatic-inspired metal-exchanged zeolite systems apparently fulfill this need, however, methanol yield is low and a catalytic process cannot yet be established. Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic systems have been described which stabilize the intermediate formed after the first C-H activation. The understanding of the reaction mechanism and the determination of the active metal sites are important for formulating strategies for the upgrade of methane conversion catalytic technologies.