Methyltrioxorhenium catalyzed oxidation of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons by H2O2 in air

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(96)01418-9

Alkanes (cyclohexane, cyclooctane, n-heptane) and aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene) are oxidized by anhydrous H₂O₂ in MeCN in air in the presence of catalytic amounts of MTO. The reaction in accelerated by addition of pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid. Alkanes give alkyl hydroperoxides as main products, as well as alcohols and ketones. Arenes yield predominantly phenols.