Activation and functionalisation of the C–H bonds of methane and higher alkanes by a silica-supported tantalum hydride complex

Abstract

Silica-supported tantalum hydride activates at low temperature the C–H and the C–D bonds of cyclooctane and CD4, respectively, to form the corresponding cyclooctyl and perdeuteriomethyl-tantalum surface complexes; these complexes are transformed under molecular oxygen into the corresponding tantalum-alkoxy derivatives which with acetic acid give rise to the corresponding alkylacetates.