Reactions catalyzed by a binuclear copper complex: selective oxidation of alkenes to carbonyls with O2

Terminal alkenes were selectively cleaved into ketones and aldehydes catalyzed by a binuclear copper catalyst bearing a simple salicylate ligand with O-2 as the oxidant. The reaction was carried out under an atmosphere of O-2 (balloon) with 0.5 mol% of catalyst and could be performed on a gram scale, providing a convenient and practical method for the cleavage of terminal alkenes into carbonyl compounds.