The Chemistry of C-H Bond Activation on Diamond

The surface of hydrogen-terminated diamond resembles a solid hydrocarbon substrate. Interestingly, the C-H bonds on the diamond surface are not as unreactive as that of saturated hydrocarbon molecules owing to its unique surface electronic properties. The invention of C-H bond activation and C-C coupling reactions on the diamond surface allows chemists to develop powerful chemical transistors, biosensors, and photovoltaic cells on the diamond platform.