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C-H Bond Activation by Air-Stable [(Diimine)MII(2-OH)]22+ Dimers (M = Pd, Pt)

In collaboration with colleagues at Caltech, air and water tolerant palladium catalysts for hydrocarbon oxidation are reported. Under anaerobic conditions hydrocarbon dehydrogenation occurs. In contrast to most heterogeneous systems both of these carbon-hydrogen bond (C-H) activation reactions occur at mild temperatures (80 °C). High selectivity has subsequently been confirmed by studies using closely analogous catalysts for the C-H activation of more elaborate substrates, in part inspired by our report. Our work reports significant and fundamental advances towards identifying a practical palladium based system for hydrocarbon oxidation. By contrast, the catalytic dehydrogenation reaction is of relevance to hydrogen production.