Aerobic photooxygenation

Indeed, organometallic precatalysts can be transformed during an induction period into catalyticaUy active species that do not contain metal-carbon bonds. For example, molybdenum [7a] and tungsten [7b] carbonyls catalyze aerobic photooxygenation of cyclohexane to cyclohexyl hydroperoxide (primary product) and cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (Fig. 1.4). The proposed mechanism is shown in Fig. 1.5. It includes the formation during the induction period of an oxo derivative. Complexes CpFe( r-PhH)BF4 and ( 7r-durene)2Fe(BF4)2 also catalyzed the aerobic alkane photooxygenation [7c]. The mechanism has not been studied. 

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