title: Selective CH functionalization of methane, ethane, and propane by a perfluoroarene iodine(III) complex.
abstract: Direct partial oxidation of methane, ethane, and propane to their respective trifluoroacetate esters is achieved by a homogeneous hypervalent iodine(III) complex in non-superacidic (trifluoroacetic acid) solvent. The reaction is highly selective for ester formation (>99%). In the case of ethane, greater than 0.5 M EtTFA can be achieved. Preliminary kinetic analysis and density functional calculations support a nonradical electrophilic CH activation and iodine alkyl functionalization mechanism.
authors.affiliation: The Scripps Energy & Materials Center, Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458 (USA). mkonnick@scripps.edu.
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Konnick
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Hashiguchi
authors.forename: Deepa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Devarajan
authors.forename: Nicholas C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Boaz
authors.forename: T Brent
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Gunnoe
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Groves
authors.forename: Niles
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gunsalus
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Ess
authors.forename: Roy A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Periana
keywords: CH activation; alkanes; hypervalent compounds; iodine; main-group elements