An ideal homogeneous catalyst for dioxygen (O2) oxidations would be selective, useful for tackling a variety of substrates and chemical structures, reasonably fast, and stable. Considerable progress towards this ideal is realized in a new catalyst containing two sterically protected ruthenium atoms, which can facilitate direct O2 activation and substrate oxidation without generating nonselective radicals.
- Craig L. Hill
- Ira A. Weinstock
