The first example of using an isolable carbene to dissociate homonuclear bonds (e.g. S-S, Br-Br) has been reported by researchers in the US.
The conditions are mild and metal-free – a surprisingly straightforward way to activate a variety of substrates. The dissociation of homonuclear bonds is critical to chemical reactions that range from the rearrangement of disulfide linkages in proteins to the synthesis of small molecules.
Link to journal article
Homonuclear Bond Activation Using A Stable N,N’-Diamidocarbene
K M Wiggins et al
Chem. Sci., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/c2sc20639k
