Positive and Negative Gas Phase Ion Chemistry of Chlorofluorocarbons in Air at Atmospheric pressureadamantane selective hydroxylation by 2, 6-dichloro-pyridine-N-oxide and organo-ruthenium (II) polyoxometalates as catalyst precursors

Organoruthenium polyoxometalates with general formula [{Ru(C6Me6)}3M5O18], M=Mo, W, serve as catalyst precursors, together with 2,6-dichloropyridine N-oxide, to effect the hydroxylation of adamantane with conversion up to 94%, and C3-H/C2-H selectivity >100. Under analogous conditions, hydroxylation of cis-decalin occurred with complete stereoretention. Control experiments and kinetic evidence suggest the in-situ formation of a high valent Ru-oxo species as the competent oxidant.