Alkane oxygenation with H2O2 catalysed by FeCl3 and 2,2′-bipyridine

The H2O2–FeCl3–bipy system in acetonitrile efficiently oxidises alkanes predominantly to alkyl hydroperoxides. Turnover numbers attain 400 after 1 h at 60 °C. It has been assumed that bipy facilitates proton abstraction from a H2O2 molecule coordinated to the iron ion (these reactions are stages in the catalytic cycle generating hydroxyl radicals from the hydrogen peroxide). Hydroxyl radicals then attack alkane molecules finally yielding the alkyl hydroperoxide.