Cobalt porphyrin-catalyzed alkane oxidations using dioxygen as oxidant

In a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and water, cobalt(II) porphyrin complexes catalyze the oxidation of alkanes by dioxygen. Carbon monoxide is required as a coreductant for the oxidations to proceed. While the turnover rates are slow, the system displays unusual selectivity in that primary CH bonds are more reactive than the weaker secondary CH bonds or CH bonds α to an alcohol functionality.