Abstract
Most C–H bond activations of natural gas alkanes rely on transition metal complexes. Activations by using main-group systems have been reported but required heating or photo-irradiation under high atmospheric pressure with rather low regioselectivity. Here we report that Lewis acid-carbene adducts facilely undergo oxidative additions to C–H bonds of ethane, propane and n-butane with high selectivity under room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The Lewis acids can be moved by the addition of a base and the carbene-derived products can be easily converted into aldehydes. This work offers a route for main-group element compounds to selectively functionalise C–H bonds of natural gas alkanes and other small molecules.
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