Selective functionalization of light hydrocarbons is a challenging but desirable transformation. Now a family of Fe(II)-based metal–organic frameworks has been shown to convert ethane into ethanol and acetaldehyde using N2O. Electronic structure calculations indicate that the active Fe oxidant in the MOF is a high-spin S = 2 iron(II)–oxo species.
- Dianne J. Xiao
- Eric D. Bloch
- Jeffrey R. Long
