An efficient electrochemical process for the oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons: the Gif–Orsay system

Abstract

The selective oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons can be carried out using triplet oxygen, pyridine, trifluoroacetic acid, and an iron catalyst in an unicellular electrochemical cell (Gif–Orsay system), cyclododecane, adamantane, and cyclo-octane being oxidised in 17–30 mmolar amounts with improved coulombic yields of up to ∼30% being attainable; oxidation of cyclohexane in 48 mmolar amounts gave cyclohexanone with some cyclohexanol in ∼40% coulombic yield, and similar yields were obtained on a 140–167 mmolar scale (saturated solution of hydrocarbon) with addition of electron transfer reagents and enough water to give two layers (good stirring) and satisfactory conductivity.