Selective dioxygenation of cyclohexane catalysed by hydrogen peroxide and dinuclear iron(III) complexes with mu-alkoxo bridges

Several dinuclear iron(III) complexes with mu-alkoxo bridges gave predomina ntly cyclohexyl hydroperoxide in the reaction with cyclohexane and hydrogen peroxide, and similar results were observed when linear n-alkanes, such as n-nonane and n-octane, were used instead of cyclohexane. A mechanism for s elective formation of the hydroperoxide is discussed.