Catalytic oxidations using cobalt(II) complexes - Advances in Catalytic Activation of Dioxygen by Metal Complexes - page 293

Besides being very active catalysts for alkane oxidation by the iron
perhaloporphyrins are also most active in the decomposition of alkyl
hydroperoxides. The nature of products formed depends on the structure of
the aliphatic substrate and can be rationalized by a catalytic pathway very
efficiently generating alkyl and alkoxy radicals at low temperatures.
Obviously, similar considerations apply also to the mechanism of oxidation
catalysis by (Figure 34).
Cobalt(II)-porphyrins a-d (Figure 35) are versatile catalysts promoting
the oxidation of the organic substrates listed in (Figure 36) by a combination
of molecular oxygen and 2-methylpropanal under ambient conditions 104 .
Typically 10 mmol of hydrocarbon and 20 mmol of the aldehyde are stirred
in an autoclave in 15 mL acetonitrile for 12-15 hours under at room
temperature. Although not stated explicitly by the authors, acyl free radicals
are obviously the key intermediates, converted by to acylperoxy radicals

responsible for the oxidation.