The coupling of aryl halides and arylboronic acids is generally performed by metal-catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura reactions while metal-free approaches remain elusive. Here an organocatalytic approach based on amine catalysts is introduced for the preparation of commercially relevant asymmetric biaryls.

Considerable research achievements were made to address the plastic crisis by biotechnology, e.g. for PET. In our Comment article we clarify important aspects related to myths and realities about plastic biodegradation and we suggest distinct strategies for a biobased circular plastic economy.