Electron transfer is a fundamental chemical process that adds an electron into one chemical entity and generates a hole in another. Both the additional electron and the corresponding hole exhibit remarkable catalytic effects in promoting chemical transformations. In this Perspective, by classifying the implementation methods of electron/hole catalysis into four categories—namely, chemical, electrochemical, photochemical and mechanochemical means—we summarize the recent progress in this burgeoning field of research, focusing on the elegant ways that have been developed to inject or remove electrons into or from reaction systems under mild conditions. Moreover, recent advances in research involving the applications of electron/hole catalysis in molecular switches and supramolecular assemblies are also highlighted in order to show the versatility and potential of this strategy in all aspects of contemporary chemistry including, but not limited to, organic synthesis.

电子转移是一种基本的化学过程，它将一个电子添加到一个化学实体中并在另一个化学实体中产生一个空穴。额外的电子和相应的空穴在促进化学转化方面都表现出显着的催化作用。在本文中，通过将电子/空穴催化的实现方法分为四类——即化学、电化学、光化学和机械化学手段——我们总结了这一新兴研究领域的最新进展，重点介绍了已开发的优雅方式在温和条件下将电子注入或从反应系统中取出。而且，