The Gif systems for the selective functionalization of saturated hydrocarbons based on the reactions of superoxide with Feu and of hydrogen peroxide with FelI1 are described. [l] Both systems are relatively efficient, but not nearly so efficient as the electrochemical system developed in collaboration with Prof. G.Balavoine and Dr. Aurore Gref (Universite de Paris-Sud-Orsay, France).[2] All systems afford main1 ketones. This is an unusual selectivity which implies a non-radical mechanism. It has been proven for the FeIIl H202 system that the activation of the Fe*II is independent of the formation of ketone which comes from oxygen. The intermediate for the ketone is a hydroperoxide (derived from oxygen). [3] Recent mechanistic studies are reported.
INI1pODUClTONThere is universal acceptance that the selective functionalization of saturated hydrocarbons is a research challenge of major proportions. Although paraffins are, as their name implies, usually considered to be inert, Nature has solved the problem of their functionalization using complexes of iron and, to a lesser extent of copper. The iron complexes are either heme based, as in the ubiquitous P450 enzymes, or non-heme based, as in the vitally important roline-4-hydroxylase and in the fascinating enzyme, methane monooxygenase. These enzymes contain one FJ1, or two FelI1 atoms bridged by an 0x0 bridge, respectively. Although the protein in these enzymes is responsible for their chemo-and stereo-selectivity, the fundamental activation of the iron should be seen also in appropriate models. Models of P450 enzymes have been known for decades and the work of J.T.Groves is particularly noteworthy in this respect. Models of non-heme iron enzymes are much less familiar and, until our publications on Gif type Chemistry, not efficacious.[5]
USE OF SUPEROXIDE AND OF HKDROGEN PEROXIDEOur work started with the assumption that when, 3 billion years ago, the blue-green algae started to make oxygen, a unicellular form of life started to concert the oxidation of iron with the oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons. It is agreed that after 1 billion years of life under reductive conditions, the world was full of saturated hydrocarbons, FeI1 compounds and metallic iron, as well as, an abundance of hydrogen sulfide, since life was using the reduction of sulfate to sulfide as an energy source.So our first experiment to test our hypothesis was the oxidation of adamantane in pyridine with some acetic acid in the presence of iron powder, hydrogen sulfide and oxygen. Surprisingly, a major amount of adamantanone was formed and there was only minor formation of the tertiary alcohol. Later, we obtained the same results when we replaced the iron powder with zinc powder and added a catalytic amount of an FdI salt. This showed the unusual power of the iron species formed to make ketones as principal products. During systematic studies on adamantane oxidation, we examined the effect of reducing oxygen pressure. We were surprised to find that lowering the oxy en pressure increased th...