Catalysis of Organic Reactions through Halogen Bonding

Halogen bonding, the noncovalent interaction based on electrophilic halogen substituents, features very interesting properties, as illustrated by numerous applications continuously emerging in recent years, and is by now sometimes considered as a hydrophobic and soft analogue of the well-known hydrogen bond. Conventionally studied both in silico and in the solid state, its solution-phase applications particularly for catalyzing organic transformations are currently under active investigation. Herein we present a conceptual treatise on the latest developments in this regard and discuss the challenges associated with the advancement of more practical catalytic halogen-bonding systems.