Recent advances in hydride transfer-involved C(sp3)–H activation reactions

The hydride transfer reaction, which is characterized by a redox-neutral and step/atom economic process, has emerged as an enabling platform for C(sp3)–H activation with high efficiency. During the past five years, significant advances have been made in new versions of hydride transfer-enabled C(sp3)–H activation, which mainly include the construction of novel scaffolds for cycles, and the intermolecular methods of both hydride transfer and C(sp3)–H functionalization. Herein, we summarize recent progress according to the reaction types categorized into hydride transfer/intramolecular C(sp3)–H functionalization, hydride transfer/intermolecular C(sp3)–H functionalization, and hydride reduction reactions. Furthermore, unsolved scientific problems as well as future directions in this field are also directly indicated. This review covers the period from 2016 to 2020.