Reactive intermediates in oxygenation reactions with mononuclear nonheme iron catalysts.

An advanced intermediate: A nonheme iron(IV) oxo complex [Fe(IV)(O)(bqen)(L)](n+) (bqen = N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(8-quinolyl)ethane-1,2-diamine, L = CH(3)CN or CF(3)SO(3)(-)) activates the C-H bonds of alkanes and alcohols by a hydrogen-atom abstraction mechanism. The catalytic oxidation of these species is proposed to occur through a nonheme iron(V) oxo species, with a high reactivity in oxidation reactions (see picture).