Copper-/Cobalt-Catalyzed Highly Selective Radical Dioxygenation of Alkenes

A highly selective radical dioxygenation of alkenes using hydroxamic acid and O2 was developed, and copper/cobalt was used as the catalyst without assistance of any additional ligands or bases. Mechanistic investigation disclosed that copper salt and O2 work in concert to activate hydroxamic acid, with Cu(I) and Cu(II) concurrently existing in this reaction.