Creation of a chain-like cationic iron species in montmorillonite as a highly active heterogeneous catalyst for alkane oxygenations using hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

A chain-like Fe³⁺ species containing an Fe–O–Fe unit has been prepared within the interlayer space of a montmorillonite, which showed a very high catalytic activity (turnover frequency 386 h⁻¹ and turnover number 23 200) for the oxidation of cyclohexane with H₂O₂, affording cyclohexyl hydroperoxide as a major product.