Catalytic allylic oxidation with a recyclable, fluorous seleninic acid

In conjunction with iodoxybenzene as reoxidant perfluorooctylseleninic acid catalyzes the allylic oxidation of alkenes to enones in trifluoromethylbenzene at reflux in moderate to good yield. After a reductive workup with sodium metabisulfite, the catalyst is recovered by fluorous extraction in the form of bis(perfluorooctyl) diselenide, which, itself, serves as a convenient catalyst precursor.