Transition Metal-Catalyzed C-H Oxidation of Saturated Hydrocarbons with Molecular Oxygen

The C-H oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons to the corresponding alcohols and ketones can be performed efficiently at room temperature with molecular oxygen (1 atm) in the presence of acetaldehyde and catalysts such as Fe, Cu(OH)(2), and CuCl2-18-crown-6 complex. Moreover, extremely high turnover numbers (>27,000) have been obtained for the C-H oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons with molecular oxygen (1 atm) using a combination of Cu(OAc)(2) and acetonitrile at 70 degrees C. Related oxidation reactions such as epoxidation, Baeyer-Villiger reaction, acetoxylation of beta-lactams with molecular oxygen and a suitable aldehyde at room temperature are described.

Automated summary

Efficient C-H oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons can be achieved at room temperature using molecular oxygen, acetaldehyde, and catalysts like Fe, Cu(OH)(2), and CuCl2-18-crown-6 complex. High turnover numbers (>27,000) have been obtained by combining Cu(OAc)(2) and acetonitrile at 70 degrees C for this reaction. Additional oxidation reactions such as epoxidation, Baeyer-Villiger reaction, and acetoxylation of beta-lactams with molecular oxygen and suitable aldehyde at room temperature have also been described.