Though important progress is being made toward transition metal mediated C-C bond activation, there is an increasing drive away from late transition metal-based systems. Late transition metals are commonly expensive and toxic, with further issues regarding the sustainability and ethics of the mining practices used to obtain the requisite minerals for refining. Main-group metals (e.g. Mg, Al, Zn, Sn) are promising alternatives to their transition metal counterparts for applications in synthesis and catalysis. These elements are commonly earth-abundant, inexpensive, and more widely distributed in the Earth's crust compared to the late transition metals. Except for Sn, they are non-toxic and accordingly safer to handle.