Efficient catalytic oxidation of alkanes by Lewis acid/[[[Os.sup.VI](N)[Cl.sub.4]].sup.-] using peroxides as terminal oxidants. Evidence for a metal-based active intermediate

The oxidation of alkanes by various peroxides is efficiently catalyzed by [[[Os.sup.VI](N)[Cl.sub.4]].sup.-]/Lewis acid in C[H.sub.2][Cl.sub.2]/C[H.sub.3]C[O.sub.2]H to give alcohols and ketones. The new mechanism has involved initial O-atom transfer from ROOH to [[[Os.sup.VI](N)[Cl.sub.4]].sup.-]/Lewis acid to generate [[[Os.sup.VIII](N)(O)[Cl.sub.4]].sup.-]/Lewis acid, which has oxidized alkanes via H-atom abstraction.