Co(III)−Alkyl Complex- and Co(III)−Alkylperoxo Complex-Catalyzed Triethylsilylperoxidation of Alkenes with Molecular Oxygen and Triethylsilane

Both a Co(III)−alkyl complex and a Co(III)−alkylperoxo complex were found to catalyze triethylsilylperoxidation of alkenes with O₂ and Et₃SiH. On this basis, together with the nonstereoselectivity in the Co(II)-catalyzed peroxidation of 3-phenylindene and the formation of the corresponding 1,2-dioxolane from 2-phenyl-1-vinylcyclopropane (a radical clock), we propose a reasonable mechanism for the Co(II)-catalyzed novel autoxidation of alkenes with Et₃SiH discovered by Isayama and Mukaiyama.