Recent progress in aerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons by N-hydroxyimides

Sustainability in catalytic oxidation: an alternative approach or a structural evolution?

This Review documents some examples of recent innovations in the field of catalytic selective oxidation from an industrial point of view. The use of alkanes as building blocks for the synthesis of bulk chemicals and intermediates is discussed, along with the main properties that catalysts should possess in order to efficiently catalyse the selective oxidation of these hydrocarbons. The currently developed processes for propene oxide and new processes under investigation for the synthesis of adipic acid are also described, highlighting innovative aspects for a better sustainability of the chemical industry.

Autoxidation catalysis with N-hydroxyimides: more-reactive radicals or just more radicals?

A first-principles analysis reveals that the catalytic efficiency of nitroxyl radicals in alkane oxidations is not simply correlated with their reactivity toward the substrate.