Alkane CH functionalization and oxidation with molecular oxygen

 Paper highlights 3 strategies for partial oxidation of hydrocarbons using specific examples

 

Alkane C–H Functionalization and Oxidation with Molecular Oxygen

Dominik Munz and Thomas Strassner^*

Physikalische Organische Chemie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany

Inorg. Chem., 2015, 54 (11), pp 5043–5052

DOI: 10.1021/ic502515x

Publication Date (Web): March 30, 2015

Synopsis

General strategies for the partial oxidation of methane and lower alkanes by molecular oxygen are discussed on the basis of three examples. These are the functionalization of methane and propane by palladium bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes in combination with vanadium cocatalysts, the functionalization of methane catalyzed by cobalt salts, and the stoichiometric reaction of methane with group XVII compounds.

Abstract

The application of environmentally benign, cheap, and economically viable oxidation procedures is a key challenge of homogeneous, oxidative alkane functionalization. The typically harsh reaction conditions and the propensity of dioxygen for radical reactivity call for extraordinary robust catalysts. Mainly three strategies have been applied. These are (1) the combination of a catalyst responsible for C–H activation with a cocatalyst responsible for dioxygen activation, (2) transition-metal catalysts, which react with both hydrocarbons and molecular oxygen, and (3) the introduction of very robust main-group element catalysts for C–H functionalization chemistry. Herein, these three approaches will be assessed and exemplified by the reactivity of chelated palladium (N-heterocyclic carbene) catalysts in combination with a vanadium cocatalyst, the methane functionalization by cobalt catalysts, and the reaction of group XVII compounds with alkanes.