C-H bond oxidation with transition-metal-based carbene complexes

Due to their ability to form stable complexes with transition metals even under harsh reaction conditions, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) represent an important ligand class for various catalytic applications including alkane oxygenation. Furthermore, NHCs are versatile in terms of electronic, steric and physical properties, allowing access to a broad range of mono- and polydentate ligands. Recently, several transition metal NHC complexes (Fe^II, Ir^III, and Pd^II) have been shown to be active catalysts in the oxidative conversion of various alkane substrates, including methane and propane, to the corresponding alcohols and ketones.