NEW TYPES OF CATALYTIC OXIDATIONS IN ORGANIC-SYNTHESIS

Simulation of the enzymatic function of cytochrome P-450 with transiti on metal complex catalysts has resulted in finding biomimetic and cata lytic oxidations of amines, amides, beta-lactams, alcohols, phenols an d hydrocarbons by using ruthenium catalyst and peroxide. Further study revealed that the catalytic formation of peracids in situ from aldehy des and molecular oxygen enables the aerobic oxidation of beta-lactams , alcohols, alkanes and ketones in the presence of metal catalyst unde r mild conditions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.