Catalytic hydrocarbon oxidation by iron complex of 5,10,15-tris(difluorophenyl)corrole via activation of hydroperoxides

The catalytic properties of 5,10,15-tris(difluorophenyl)iron(IV) corrole complex [(tdfc)FeIVCl] (1) with tert-butylhydroperoxide as the terminal oxidant was evaluated. The 1/t-BuOOH system has been found to catalyze the oxidation of alkanes, alkenes, alkylbenzene and alcohols at room temperature. The homolytic cleavage of the OO bond of tert-butylhydroperoxide by catalyst 1 was observed and the oxygenates have been shown to be derived from organoperoxides. Selective hydroxylation of unactivated CH bonds of alkanes has also been realized using catalyst 1 with m-chloroperbenzoic acid as the oxidant.

Graphical abstractCatalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons was studied with tert-butylhydroperoxide and m-chloroperbenzoic acid as oxidant at room temperature under argon and in air using novel 5,10,15-tris(difluorophenyl) iron(IV) corrole complex [FeIV(tdfc)Cl] as catalyst.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Synthesis of Iron(IV) complex of 5,10,15-tris(difluorophenyl) corrole ► Catalytic hydrocarbon oxidation at room temperature by the iron(IV) catalyst ► Activation of alkyl hydroperoxide by iron corrole ► Selective hydroxylation of alkanes by m-CPBA