Oxidation by a "H2O2-vanadium complex-pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid" reagent 5. Oxidation of lower alkanes with the formation of carbonyl compounds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF01435388

Lower alkanes (ethane, propane, n-butane, n-pentane) are readily oxidized in acetonitrile solvent by H2O2 with vanadate anion - pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (PCA), as the catalyst at 75 deg C and pressure of ca. 3 atm to produce predominantly or exclusively ketones (aldehydes).Isobutane is transformed selectively into tert-butyl alcohol.The oxidation of cyclohexane at 26 deg C in acetone or acetic acid is less efficient than in acetonitrile.The reaction does not occur in tert-butyl alcohol.