Mild oxidation of hydrocarbons catalyzed by iron corrole with tert-butylhydroperoxide

Catalytic alkane and alkene oxidation by iron complex of 5,10,15 tris-(pentafluorophenyl)corrole, using 70% tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant at room temperature is reported for the very first time. Involvement of freely diffusing radicals in the oxidizing system is observed. A reaction mechanism is proposed based on the experimental results.