Oxidation by cobalt(III) acetate. Part 3. Allylic oxidation of various olefins in acetic acid

Abstract

Allylic oxidation of various olefins with cobalt(III) acetate in acetic acid under nitrogen has been investigated. The substrates studied include allylbenzene, oct-1- and -trans-4-ene, cycloalkenes (C₅–C₈), and 1- and 4-methyl-cyclohexene. The reaction gave exclusively the allylic acetate as the primary product; no 1,2-addition or skeletal rearrangement product was formed in significant amount. Some mechanistic aspects of allylic oxidation are discussed.