Molecular mechanism of alkane oxidation involving binuclear iron complexes

The use of substrate probes for establishing the nature of intermediates and the mechanism of alkane oxidation by peroxides upon catalysis by binuclear iron complexes {[Fe₂OL₂ (H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₄, where L = bpy, 4,4′-Me₂bpy or 5-NO₂phen (bpy = bipyridine, phen = phenanthroline)}, the analysis of the dependence of test parameters on the nature of a substituent in a ligand and the effect of dioxygen all make it possible to diagnose a two-electron mechanism for the transfer of the oxygen atom from peroxide to the C–H bond of an alkane via metal complexes.