Mercury oxide reactions with alkanes

Irradiation (k 180-360 nm) of an aqueous solution of an alkane C2-C7and mercury(II) sulfate in air gives rise to the alkane oxidation products (predominantly carbon dioxide) [25]. The authors tentatively assumed that the key step of the reaction is the interaction of the hydrocarbon with the photoexcited Hg(ll) species. This process is considered as electrophilic substitution. 

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