Chemospecific chromium[VI] catalyzed oxidation of C-H bonds at -40 degrees C1.

H5IO6 in the presence of catalytic chromoyl diacetate is a powerful method for oxidation of C-H bonds. Tertiary and oxygen activated C-H bonds are oxidized to tertiary alcohols or ketones at temperatures as low as -40 degrees C. The putative reagent is neutral dioxoperoxy chromium[VI] which undergoes C-H oxidation with retention of stereochemistry. This reagent appears to be the first reagent capable of oxidation of a C-H bond in the presence of an olefin without concomitant epoxidation.