Hydrocarbons enantioselective hydroxylation

The tra x-[Ru (0)2(por)] complexes are active stoichiometric oxidants of alkenes and alkylaro-matics under ambient conditions. Unlike cationic macrocyclic dioxoruthenium I) complexes that give substantial C=C bond cleavage products, the oxidation of alkenes by [Ru (0)2(por)] affords epoxides in good yields.Stereoretentive epoxidation of trans- and cw-stilbenes by [Ru (0)2(L)1 (L = TPP and sterically bulky porphyrins) has been observed, whereas the reaction between [Ru (0)2(OEP)] and cix-stilbene gives a mixture of cis- and trani-stilbene oxides. Adamantane and methylcyclohexane are hydroxylated at the tertiary C—H positions. Using [Ru (0)2(i)4-por)], enantioselective epoxidation of alkenes can be achieved with ee up to 77%. In the oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons such as ethylbenzenes, 2-ethylnaphthalene, indane, and tetrahydronaphthalene by [Ru (0)2(Z>4-por )], enantioselective hydroxylation of benzylic C—H bonds occurs resulting in enantioenriched alcohols with ee up to 76%. ... 

In many cases enantiospecific or enantioselective oxidation of acyclic hydrocarbons or their derivatives is possible using microorganisms, although in few cases has the extent of optical induction been accurately quantified. This is clearly an area where more work is required. In those cases studied so far hydroxylation has been found to occur with retention of configuration at the reacting carbon. 

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