Radical and non-radical chemistry of the Fenton-like systems in the presence of organic substrates

The review deals with the chemistry concerning the processes of mild and selective oxidation of alkanes and cycloalkanes by using synthetic iron complexes as catalytic systems. These cover a number of coordinated species of iron ions including the so-called Gif systems up to the polydentated Que's models, aimed to mimic or emulate the non-haem enzymatic oxidation of alkanes. Special attention is paid to the mechanisms proposed by the various Authors and to the arguments set out for and against the free-radical interpretation to account for the activation of the C-H bonds. The schemes of the free-radical chemistry of Fenton reagents in the presence of organic substrates are quoted as a reference basis for the discussion. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.