Atom-transfer reactions catalyzed by methyltrioxorhenium(VII)—mechanisms and applications

Abstract

Methyltrioxorhenium activates hydrogen peroxide by an electrophilic mechanism, transferring a single oxygen atom to many substrates without the intervention of free-radical intermediates. The reactions proceed without by-products, unlike those of most chemical (stoichiometric) oxidizing agents. In separate chemistry, the rhenium catalyst brings about the transfer of oxygen atoms between a pair of closed-shell molecules.