title: FeCl3-activated oxidation of alkanes by [Os(N)O3]-.
abstract: Although the ion [Os(VIII)(N)(O)(3)](-) is a stable species and is not known to act as an oxidant for organic substrates, it is readily activated by FeCl(3) in CH(2)Cl(2)/CH(3)CO(2)H to oxidize alkanes efficiently at room temperature. The oxidation can be made catalytic by using 2,6-dichloropyridine N-oxide as the terminal oxidant. The active intermediates in stoichiometric and catalytic oxidation are proposed to be [(O)(3)Os(VIII)N-Fe(III)] and [Cl(4)(O)Os(VIII)N-Fe(III)], respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Shek-Man
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yiu
authors.forename: Zhi-Biao
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chi-Keung
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Tai-Chu
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Lau