Comparison of catalytic activity and efficiency of hydrogen peroxide utilization for di-iron-containing silicotungstate with those for iron containing complexes and the oxidation of methane and ethane

The Keggin-type di-iron-substituted γ-SiW₁₀{Fe(OH₂)}₂O₃₈ ^6- showed high efficiency of hydrogen peroxide utilization for the oxidation of cyclohexane. The efficiency and catalytic activity greatly depended on the structures of the iron centers. Such a structure dependency of the catalysis is significant and the remarkable catalytic performance of di-iron-substituted polyoxometalate may be related to the catalysis by methane monooxygenase. Not only cyclohexane but also cyclooctane, n-hexane, n-pentane, and adamantane were catalytically oxygenated with high efficiency of hydrogen peroxide utilization. Even methane and ethane were oxidized. It was also demonstrated that the potassium salt of γ-SiW₁₀{Fe(OH₂)}₂O₃₈ ^6- oxidized methane in water.