Low‐Energy‐Electron‐Induced Hydroamination of an Alkene

The smallest catalyst : A new strategy to control chemical synthesis by exposure to low‐energy electrons relies on the electrostatic attraction caused by the soft ionization of one of the reaction partners. This approach was used to induce a reaction between C₂H₄ and NH₃ yielding aminoethane. The reaction resembles a hydroamination except that the electron beam replaces the catalyst used in the organic synthesis.