Redox-inactive metal ions promoted the catalytic reactivity of non-heme manganese complexes towards oxygen atom transfer

Redox Processes Involving Oxygen: The Surprising Influence of Redox-Inactive Lewis Acids

Metalloenzymes with heteromultimetallic active sites perform chemical reactions that control several biogeochemical cycles. Transformations catalyzed by such enzymes include dioxygen generation and reduction, dinitrogen reduction, and carbon dioxide reduction-instrumental transformations for progress in the context of artificial photosynthesis and sustainable fertilizer production. While the roles of the respective metals are of interest in all these enzymatic transformations, they share a common factor in the transfer of one or multiple redox equivalents. In light of this feature, it is surprising to find that incorporation of redox-inactive metals into the active site of such an enzyme is critical to its function. To illustrate, the presence of a redox-inactive Ca2+ center is crucial in the Oxygen Evolving Complex, and yet particularly intriguing given that the transformation catalyzed by this cluster is a redox process involving four electrons. Therefore, the effects of redox inactive metals on redox processes-electron transfer, oxygen- and hydrogen-atom transfer, and O-O bond cleavage and formation reactions-mediated by transition metals have been studied extensively. Significant effects of redox inactive metals have been observed on these redox transformations; linear free energy correlations between Lewis acidity and the redox properties of synthetic model complexes are observed for several reactions. In this Perspective, these effects and their relevance to multielectron processes will be discussed.

Dual-Ligand Strategy for the Design and Construction of a Cd-Zn Heterometallic Metal-Organic Framework by One-Pot Synthesis as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Epoxidation Reaction of Olefins

The use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as catalysts is reported in various industrial applications. In contrast to monometallic MOFs, heterometallic MOFs with mixed organic ligands showed enhanced catalytic properties. The catalytic properties of heterometallic MOFs can be enhanced by generating defects and the synergistic effect between the two heterometals at secondary building units. By using a solvothermal technique, a Cd-Zn heterometallic MOF with a new morphology, [Cd2Zn(DPTTZ)0.5(OBA)3(H2O)(HCOOH)] (IUST-4) [DPTTZ = 2,5-di(4-pyridyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole, OBA = 4,4'-oxybis(benzoic acid)], was synthesized via a mixed-ligand strategy and characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. X-ray crystallographic analysis showed that IUST-4 is a neutral 3D metal-organic framework crystallized in the monoclinic system with space group C2/c. In this study, the catalytic properties of IUST-4 for the epoxidation of cyclooctene were investigated. IUST-4 was selected as the optimal catalyst for epoxy product production due to its high selectivity and yield. Moreover, the catalytic performance of IUST-4 was maintained despite five recycling cycles without significant degradation. The epoxidation of cyclooctene with IUST-4 has several advantages, including good selectivity, easy recovery, and short-time reaction.

Lewis Acids and Electron-Withdrawing Ligands Accelerate CO Coordination to Dinuclear CuI Compounds

A series of dinuclear molecular copper complexes were prepared and used to model the binding and Lewis acid stabilization of CO in heterogeneous copper CO₂ reduction electrocatalysts. Experimental studies (including measurement of rate and equilibrium constants) and electronic structure calculations suggest that the key kinetic barrier for CO binding may be a σ-interaction between Cu^I and the incoming CO ligand. The rate of CO coordination can be increased upon the addition of Lewis acids or electron-withdrawing substituents on the ligand backbone. Conversely, K_eq for CO coordination can be increased by adding electron density to the metal centers of the compound, consistent with stronger π-backbonding. Finally, the electrochemically measured kinetic results were mapped onto an electrochemical zone diagram to illustrate how these system changes enabled access to each zone.

Differences in chemoselectivity in olefin oxidation by a series of non-porphyrin manganese(IV)-oxo complexes

High valent metal-oxo intermediates are versatile oxidants known to facilitate both oxygen atom transfer (OAT) and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reactions in nature. In addition to performing essential yet challenging biological reactions, these intermediates are known for their selectivity in favoring the formation of one oxidation product. To understand the basis for this selectivity, we explore the role of equatorial ligand field perturbations in Mn^IV-oxo complexes on chemoselectivity in cyclohexene oxidation. We also examine reactions of Mn^IV-oxo complexes with cyclohexene-d₁₀, cyclooctene, and styrene. Within this series, the product distribution in olefin oxidation is highly dependent on the coordination environment of the Mn^IV-oxo unit. While Mn^IV-oxo complexes with sterically encumbered, and slightly tilted, MnO units favor CC epoxidation products in cyclohexene oxidation, a less encumbered analogue prefers to cleave allylic C-H bonds, resulting in cyclohexenol and cyclohexenone formation. These conclusions are drawn from GC-MS product analysis of the reaction mixture, changes in the UV-vis absorption spectra, and kinetic analyses. DFT computations establish a trend in thermodynamic properties of the Mn^IV-oxo complexes and their reactivity towards olefin oxidation on the basis of the MnO bond dissociation free energy (BDFE). The most reactive Mn^IV-oxo adduct from this series oxidizes cyclohexene-d₁₀, cyclooctene, and styrene to give corresponding epoxides as the only detected products. Collectively, these results suggest that the chemoselectivity obtained in oxidation of olefins is controlled by both the coordination environment around the MnO unit, which modulates the MnO BDFE, and the BDFEs of the allylic C-H bond of the olefins.

Synergistic effects of CH3CO2H and Ca2+ on C–H bond activation by MnO4−

The activation of metal-oxo species with Lewis acids is of current interest. In this work, the effects of a weak Brønsted acid such as CH₃CO₂H and a weak Lewis acid such as Ca²⁺ on C–H bond activation by KMnO₄ have been investigated. Although MnO₄⁻ is rather non-basic (pK_a of MnO₃(OH) = −2.25), it can be activated by AcOH or Ca²⁺ to oxidize cyclohexane at room temperature to give cyclohexanone as the major product. A synergistic effect occurs when both AcOH and Ca²⁺ are present; the relative rates for the oxidation of cyclohexane by MnO₄⁻/AcOH, MnO₄⁻/Ca²⁺ and MnO₄⁻/AcOH/Ca²⁺ are 1 : 73 : 198. DFT calculations show that in the active intermediate of MnO₄⁻/AcOH/Ca²⁺, MnO₄⁻ is H-bonded to 3 AcOH molecules, while Ca²⁺ is bonded to 3 AcOH molecules as well as to an oxo ligand of MnO₄⁻. Our results also suggest that these synergistic activating effects of a weak Brønsted acid and a weak Lewis acid should be applicable to a variety of metal-oxo species.

The activation of metal-oxo species with Lewis acids is of current interest.

Deeper Understanding of Mononuclear Manganese(IV)-Oxo Binding Brønsted and Lewis Acids and the Manganese(IV)-Hydroxide Complex

Binding of Lewis acidic metal ions and Brønsted acid at the metal-oxo group of high-valent metal-oxo complexes enhances their reactivities significantly in oxidation reactions. However, such a binding of Lewis acids and proton at the metal-oxo group has been questioned in several cases and remains to be clarified. Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity studies of a mononuclear manganese(IV)-oxo complex binding triflic acid, {[(dpaq)Mn^IV(O)]-HOTf}⁺ (1-HOTf). First, 1-HOTf was synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques, including resonance Raman (rRaman) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy/extended X-ray absorption fine structure. In particular, in rRaman experiments, we observed a linear correlation between the Mn-O stretching frequencies of 1-HOTf (e.g., ν_Mn-O at ∼793 cm^-1) and 1-Mⁿ⁺ (Mⁿ⁺ = Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Lu³⁺, Al³⁺, or Sc³⁺) and the Lewis acidities of H⁺ and Mⁿ⁺ ions, suggesting that H⁺ and Mⁿ⁺ bind at the metal-oxo moiety of [(dpaq)Mn^IV(O)]⁺. Interestingly, a single-crystal structure of 1-HOTf was obtained by X-ray diffraction analysis, but the structure was not an expected Mn(IV)-oxo complex but a Mn(IV)-hydroxide complex, [(dpaq)Mn^IV(OH)](OTf)₂ (4), with a Mn-O bond distance of 1.8043(19) Å and a Mn-O stretch at 660 cm^-1. More interestingly, 4 reverted to 1-HOTf upon dissolution, demonstrating that 1-HOTf and 4 are interconvertible depending on the physical states, such as 1-HOTf in solution and 4 in isolated solid. The reactivity of 1-HOTf was investigated in hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactions and then compared with those of 1-Mⁿ⁺ complexes; an interesting correlation between the Mn-O stretching frequencies of 1-HOTf and 1-Mⁿ⁺ and their reactivities in the OAT and HAT reactions is reported for the first time in this study.

Rapid Iron(III)-Fluoride-Mediated Hydrogen Atom Transfer

We anticipate high-valent metal-fluoride species will be highly effective hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) oxidants because of the magnitude of the H-F bond (in the product) that drives HAT oxidation. We prepared a dimeric Fe^III (F)-F-Fe^III (F) complex (1) by reacting [Fe^II (NCCH₃ )₂ (TPA)](ClO₄ )₂ (TPA=tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) with difluoro(phenyl)-λ³ -iodane (difluoroiodobenzene). 1 was a sluggish oxidant, however, it was readily activated by reaction with Lewis or Brønsted acids to yield a monomeric [Fe^III (TPA)(F)(X)]⁺ complex (2) where X=F/OTf. 1 and 2 were characterized using NMR, EPR, UV/Vis, and FT-IR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. 2 was a remarkably reactive Fe^III reagent for oxidative C-H activation, demonstrating reaction rates for hydrocarbon HAT comparable to the most reactive Fe^III and Fe^IV oxidants.

Directing transition metal-based oxygen-functionalization catalysis

This review presents the recent progress of oxygen functionalization reactions based on non-electrochemical (conventional organic synthesis) and electrochemical methods. Although both methods have their advantages and limitations, the former approach has been used to synthesize a broader range of organic substances as the latter is limited by several factors, such as poor selectivity and high energy cost. However, because electrochemical methods can replace harmful terminal oxidizers with external voltage, organic electrosynthesis has emerged as greener and more eco-friendly compared to conventional organic synthesis. The progress of electrochemical methods toward oxygen functionalization is presented by an in-depth discussion of different types of electrically driven-chemical organic synthesis, with particular attention to recently developed electrochemical systems and catalyst designs. We hope to direct the attention of readers to the latest breakthroughs of traditional oxygen functionalization reactions and to the potential of electrochemistry for the transformation of organic substrates to useful end products.

The most reactive iron and manganese complexes with N-pentadentate ligands for dioxygen activation—synthesis, characteristics, applications

The iron and manganese complexes that activate oxygen atom play multiple role in technologically relevant reactions as well as in biological transformations, in which exist in different redox states. Among them, high-valent oxo intermediate seems to be the most important one. Iron, and/or manganese-based processes have found application in many areas, starting from catalysis and sustainable technologies, through DNA oxidative cleavage, to new substances useful in chemotherapeutic drugs. This review is not only the latest detailed list of uses of homogeneous N-pentadentate iron and manganese catalysts for syntheses of valuable molecules with huge applications in green technologies, but also a kind of "a cookbook", collecting "recipes" for the discussed complexes, in which the sources necessary to obtain a full characterization of the compounds are presented. Following the catalytic activity of metalloenzymes, and taking into account the ubiquity of iron and manganese salts, which in combination with properly designed ligands may show similarity to natural systems, the discussed complexes can find application as new anti-cancer drugs. Also, owing to ability of oxygen atom to exchange in reaction with H₂O, they can be successfully applied in photodriven reactions of water oxidation, as well as in chemically regenerated fuel cells as a redox catalyst.

BION-2: Predicting Positions of Non-Specifically Bound Ions on Protein Surface by a Gaussian-Based Treatment of Electrostatics

Ions play significant roles in biological processes—they may specifically bind to a protein site or bind non-specifically on its surface. Although the role of specifically bound ions ranges from actively providing structural compactness via coordination of charge–charge interactions to numerous enzymatic activities, non-specifically surface-bound ions are also crucial to maintaining a protein’s stability, responding to pH and ion concentration changes, and contributing to other biological processes. However, the experimental determination of the positions of non-specifically bound ions is not trivial, since they may have a low residential time and experience significant thermal fluctuation of their positions. Here, we report a new release of a computational method, the BION-2 method, that predicts the positions of non-specifically surface-bound ions. The BION-2 utilizes the Gaussian-based treatment of ions within the framework of the modified Poisson–Boltzmann equation, which does not require a sharp boundary between the protein and water phase. Thus, the predictions are done by the balance of the energy of interaction between the protein charges and the corresponding ions and the de-solvation penalty of the ions as they approach the protein. The BION-2 is tested against experimentally determined ion’s positions and it is demonstrated that it outperforms the old BION and other available tools.

A manganese(iii) Schiff base complex immobilized on silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles showing enhanced electrochemical catalytic performance toward sulfide and alkene oxidation

A Mn–Schiff base complex supported on silica-coated iron magnetic nanoparticles was used for the electrochemical oxidation of sulfides and alkenes.

Catalytic epoxidation of olefins in liquid phase over manganese based magnetic nanoparticles

Epoxidation of olefins stands out as a crucial class of reactions and is of great interest in academic research and industry due to the production of various important fine chemicals and intermediates. Manganese complexes have the potential to catalyze the epoxidation of olefins with high efficiency. Magnetic nanocatalysts have attracted significant attention for immobilizing homogeneous transition metal complexes. Easy separation by external magnetic fields, nontoxicity, and a core shell structure are the main advantages of magnetic nanocatalysts over other heterogeneous catalysts. The method of functionalizing magnetic nanoparticles and of anchoring homogeneous metal complexes has significant effects on catalytic performance. Therefore, a critical review of recent research progress on manganese complexes' immobilization on magnetic nanoparticles for liquid phase olefin epoxidation is necessary. In this work, magnetic nanoparticles are categorized according to their preparation procedures and structures. The physical/chemical properties, catalytic performance for olefin epoxidation, reusability and plausible reaction mechanisms will be discussed, in an attempt to unravel the structure-function relationship and to guide the future study of MNPs' design for olefin epoxidations.

Lewis versus Brønsted Acid Activation of a Mn(IV) Catalyst for Alkene Oxidation

Lewis acid (LA) activation by coordination to metal oxido species has emerged as a new strategy in catalytic oxidations. Despite the many reports of enhancement of performance in oxidation catalysis, direct evidence for LA-catalyst interactions under catalytically relevant conditions is lacking. Here, we show, using the oxidation of alkenes with H₂O₂ and the catalyst [Mn₂(μ-O)₃(tmtacn)₂](PF₆)₂ (1), that Lewis acids commonly used to enhance catalytic activity, e.g., Sc(OTf)₃, in fact undergo hydrolysis with adventitious water to release a strong Brønsted acid. The formation of Brønsted acids in situ is demonstrated using a combination of resonance Raman, UV/vis absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, isotope labeling, and DFT calculations. The involvement of Brønsted acids in LA enhanced systems shown here holds implications for the conclusions reached in regard to the relevance of direct LA-metal oxido interactions under catalytic conditions.

Lewis acid activation of oxidation catalysts is proposed to be through binding of the Lewis acids to metal-oxo species. The activity of the catalyst [Mn₂(μ-O)₃(tmtacn)₂](PF₆)₂ in the oxidation of alkenes with H₂O₂ appears to correlate with the strength of the Lewis acid used for its activation. We show that the correlation arises from the relative propensity of the Lewis acids to generate Brønsted acids in situ.

Elucidating the secondary effect in the Lewis acid mediated anodic shift of electrochemical oxidation of a Cu(ii) complex with a N2O2 donor unsymmetrical ligand

The causes behind the fluctuations from a linear dependence of the electrochemical signal of a guest bound metalloligand [CuL] with the Lewis acidity of redox-inactive cations were established by using UV-vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry.

The effect of the orientation of the Jahn–Teller distortion on the magnetic interactions of trinuclear mixed-valence Mn(ii)/Mn(iii) complexes

The effect of the orientation of the Jahn–Teller distortion on the magnetic interactions in two new mixed-valence trinuclear Mn(iii)–Mn(ii)–Mn(iii) complexes has been investigated.

Incorporation of redox-inactive cations promotes iron catalyzed aerobic C-H oxidation at mild potentials

The synthesis and characterization of the Schiff base complexes Fe(ii) (2M) and Fe(iii)Cl (3M), where M is a K+ or Ba2+ ion incorporated into the ligand, are reported. The Fe(iii/ii) redox potentials are positively shifted by 440 mV (2K) and 640 mV (2Ba) compared to Fe(salen) (salen = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine), and by 70 mV (3K) and 230 mV (3Ba) compared to Fe(Cl)(salen), which is likely due to an electrostatic effect (electric field) from the cation. The catalytic activity of 3M towards the aerobic oxidation of allylic C-H bonds was explored. Prior studies on iron salen complexes modified through conventional electron-donating or withdrawing substituents found that only the most oxidizing derivatives were competent catalysts. In contrast, the 3M complexes, which are significantly less oxidizing, are both active. Mechanistic studies comparing 3M to Fe(salen) derivatives indicate that the proximal cation contributes to the overall reactivity in the rate determining step. The cationic charge also inhibits oxidative deactivation through formation of the corresponding Fe2-μ-oxo complexes, which were isolated and characterized. This study demonstrates how non-redox active Lewis acidic cations in the secondary coordination sphere can be used to modify redox catalysts in order to operate at milder potentials with a minimal impact on the reactivity, an effect that was unattainable by tuning the catalyst through traditional substituent effects on the ligand.

Involvement of high-valent manganese-oxo intermediates in oxidation reactions: realisation in nature, nano and molecular systems

Manganese plays multiple role in many biological redox reactions in which it exists in different oxidation states from Mn(II) to Mn(IV). Among them the high-valent manganese-oxo intermediate plays important role in the activity of certain enzymes and lessons from the natural system provide inspiration for new developments of artificial systems for a sustainable energy supply and various organic conversions. This review describes recent advances and key lessons learned from the nature on high-valent Mn-oxo intermediates. Also we focus on the elemental science developed from the natural system, how the novel strategies are realised in nano particles and molecular sites at heterogeneous and homogeneous reaction conditions respectively. Finally, perspectives on the utilisation of the high-valent manganese-oxo species towards other organic reactions are proposed.

Design of porphyrin-based ligands for the assembly of [d-block metal : calcium] bimetallic centers

A secondary binding-site for alkaline-earth cations is introduced on a porphyrin platform to obtain competent bitopicN,O-ligands.

A Manganese(V)-Oxo Complex: Synthesis by Dioxygen Activation and Enhancement of Its Oxidizing Power by Binding Scandium Ion

A mononuclear non-heme manganese(V)-oxo complex, [Mn(V)(O)(TAML)](-) (1), was synthesized by activating dioxygen in the presence of olefins with weak allylic C-H bonds and characterized structurally and spectroscopically. In mechanistic studies, the formation rate of 1 was found to depend on the allylic C-H bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of olefins, and a kinetic isotope effect (KIE) value of 16 was obtained in the reactions of cyclohexene and cyclohexene-d10. These results suggest that a hydrogen atom abstraction from the allylic C-H bonds of olefins by a putative Mn(IV)-superoxo species, which is formed by binding O2 by a high-spin (S = 2) [Mn(III)(TAML)](-) complex, is the rate-determining step. A Mn(V)-oxo complex binding Sc(3+) ion, [Mn(V)(O)(TAML)](-)-(Sc(3+)) (2), was also synthesized in the reaction of 1 with Sc(3+) ion and then characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. The binding site of the Sc(3+) ion was proposed to be the TAML ligand, not the Mn-O moiety, probably due to the low basicity of the oxo group compared to the basicity of the amide carbonyl group in the TAML ligand. Reactivity studies of the Mn(V)-oxo intermediates, 1 and 2, in oxygen atom transfer and electron-transfer reactions revealed that the binding of Sc(3+) ion at the TAML ligand of Mn(V)-oxo enhanced its oxidizing power with a positively shifted one-electron reduction potential (ΔEred = 0.70 V). This study reports the first example of tuning the second coordination sphere of high-valent metal-oxo species by binding a redox-inactive metal ion at the supporting ligand site, thereby modulating their electron-transfer properties as well as their reactivities in oxidation reactions.

Synergistic oxygen atom transfer by ruthenium complexes with non-redox metal ions

Non-redox metal ions can affect the reactivity of active redox metal ions in versatile biological and heterogeneous oxidation processes; however, the intrinsic roles of these non-redox ions still remain elusive. This work demonstrates the first example of the use of non-redox metal ions as Lewis acids to sharply improve the catalytic oxygen atom transfer efficiency of a ruthenium complex bearing the classic 2,2'-bipyridine ligand. In the absence of Lewis acid, the oxidation of ruthenium(ii) complex by PhI(OAc)2 generates the Ru(iv)[double bond, length as m-dash]O species, which is very sluggish for olefin epoxidation. When Ru(bpy)2Cl2 was tested as a catalyst alone, only 21.2% of cyclooctene was converted, and the yield of 1,2-epoxycyclooctane was only 6.7%. As evidenced by electronic absorption spectra and EPR studies, both the oxidation of Ru(ii) by PhI(OAc)2 and the reduction of Ru(iv)[double bond, length as m-dash]O by olefin are kinetically slow. However, adding non-redox metal ions such as Al(iii) can sharply improve the oxygen transfer efficiency of the catalyst to 100% conversion with 89.9% yield of epoxide under identical conditions. Through various spectroscopic characterizations, an adduct of Ru(iv)[double bond, length as m-dash]O with Al(iii), Ru(iv)[double bond, length as m-dash]O/Al(iii), was proposed to serve as the active species for epoxidation, which in turn generated a Ru(iii)-O-Ru(iii) dimer as the reduced form. In particular, both the oxygen transfer from Ru(iv)[double bond, length as m-dash]O/Al(iii) to olefin and the oxidation of Ru(iii)-O-Ru(iii) back to the active Ru(iv)[double bond, length as m-dash]O/Al(iii) species in the catalytic cycle can be remarkably accelerated by adding a non-redox metal, such as Al(iii). These results have important implications for the role played by non-redox metal ions in catalytic oxidation at redox metal centers as well as for the understanding of the redox mechanism of ruthenium catalysts in the oxygen atom transfer reaction.

Non-redox metal ion promoted oxidative coupling of indoles with olefins by the palladium(ii) acetate catalyst through dioxygen activation: experimental results with DFT calculations

Non-redox metal ions can sharply improve the Pd(ii)-catalyzed oxidative coupling of indoles with acrylates, leading to one-step synthesis of bis(indolyl)methane derivatives.

Non-redox metal ions can promote Wacker-type oxidations even better than copper(II): a new opportunity in catalyst design

In Wacker oxidation and inspired Pd(ii)/Cu(ii)-catalyzed C-H activations, copper(ii) is believed to serve in re-oxidizing of Pd(0) in the catalytic cycle. Herein we report that non-redox metal ions like Sc(iii) can promote Wacker-type oxidations even better than Cu(ii); both Sc(iii) and Cu(ii) can greatly promote Pd(ii)-catalyzed olefin isomerization in which the redox properties of Cu(ii) are not essential, indicating that the Lewis acid properties of Cu(ii) can play a significant role in Pd(ii)-catalyzed C-H activations in addition to its redox properties. Characterization of catalysts using UV-Vis and NMR indicated that adding Sc(OTf)3 to the acetonitrile solution of Pd(OAc)2 generates a new Pd(ii)/Sc(iii) bimetallic complex having a diacetate bridge which serves as the key active species for Wacker-type oxidation and olefin isomerization. Linkage of trivalent Sc(iii) to the Pd(ii) species makes it more electron-deficient, thus facilitating the coordination of olefin to the Pd(ii) cation. Due to the improved electron transfer from olefin to the Pd(ii) cation, it benefits the nucleophilic attack of water on the olefinic double bond, leading to efficient olefin oxidation. The presence of excess Sc(iii) prevents the palladium(0) black formation, which has been rationalized by the formation of the Sc(iii)H-Pd(ii) intermediate. This intermediate inhibits the reductive elimination of the H-Pd(ii) bond, and facilitates the oxygen insertion to form the HOO-Pd(ii) intermediate, and thus avoids the formation of the inactive palladium(0) black. The Lewis acid promoted Wacker-type oxidation and olefin isomerization demonstrated here may open up a new opportunity in catalyst design for versatile C-H activations.