Oxidation of alkylarene C-H Bonds by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of cobalt, chromium, and vanadium acetylacetonates

Abstract

Cobalt, chromium, and vanadium acetylacetonates catalyze efficient hydroperoxide oxidation of alkylarenes under mild conditions (20°C). The process takes place with either conservation, or destruction of carbon backbone of the hydrocarbon. Oxidizing agents are oxygen generated in the system, as well as tert -butylperoxy radicals. In the formation of end products alkylperoxy radicals originating in the substrates, tert -butylperoxy radicals, as well as metal-containing peroxides are involved. For the oxidative degradation processes a recombination reaction of the alkylperoxy radicals is suggested with the intermediate formation of 1,2-dioxetanes.