High-valence CuIICuIII species in action: demonstration of aliphatic C–H bond activation at room temperature

Abstract

The electrochemically generated Cu^IICu^III mixed-valence species promotes activation of strong aliphatic C–H bonds (i.e. toluene) at room temperature. The mechanistic pathway turns from stoichiometric to catalytic upon addition of base, hence demonstrating that such high-valence dicopper species can be key reactive intermediates in copper-based oxidative processes.