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The application of dirhodium(II) caprolactamate as an efficient engine for the production of the tert-butylperoxy radical and selective reagent for hydrogen atom abstraction is demonstrated. The mechanistic implications arising from studies of allylic oxidation with enones provide new insights into factors that control product formation.

The selective C-H oxidation of alkynes to propargylic ketones was performed by using dirhohdium caprolactamate ([Rh.sub.2][(cap).sub.4]) with 70 percent w/w aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide as a highly effective catalytic oxidation protocol. The oxidation in aqueous solvent under mild condition with yields about 80 percent of [alpha],[beta]-acetylenic carbonyl compounds was found.