PERFLUOROALKYLPORPHYRIN COMPLEXES AS ACTIVE CATALYSTS FOR THE REACTION OF ISOBUTANE WITH OXYGEN AND THE DECOMPOSITION OF TERT-BUTYL HYDROPEROXIDE

A new family of metalloporphyrin complexes having perfluoroalkyl group s in the meso-positions of the ring are active catalysts for the oxida tion of isobutane to tert-butyl alcohol, TEA, and for the decompositio n of tert-butyl hydroperoxide to TEA. This discovery extends the limit ed number of meso-substituents that can be used to enhance catalytic a ctivity and fits the postulate that groups that withdraw electrons fro m the porphyrin periphery give rise to active catalysts for alkane oxi dation. The perfluoroalkyl groups also confer oxidative stability, hyd rophobicity and lower cost to the catalyst.