Introduction
<P>The use of molecular oxygen for transformation of organic compounds is an attractive
and challenging research subject which is especially interesting for industrial application.
Molecular oxygen is inexpensive, readily available and ultimately produces benign
byproducts such as water. The development of efficient protocols using O
2 as an oxidant is a subject of great importance also from the viewpoint of green approach
to organic synthesis. Transformations of organic compounds with O
2 need catalysis in order to promote both the rate of reaction and the selectivity
to partial oxidation products. The catalysts are usually transition metals, often
as organometallic complexes
[
1]
or as solid-supported species,
[
2]
while NaNO
2 as non-metal catalyst for aerobic transformation of organic compounds was recently
promoted.
[
3]
From the green chemistry point of view the ideal system for oxidation is the use of
O
2 together with a reusable catalyst in a non-toxic and non-volatile medium like water
or ionic liquids or even under solvent-free conditions.
[
4]
</P><P>The present spotlight emphasises recent developments in the use of molecular
oxygen for oxidation of benzene and its alkyl-substituted derivatives, alkenes, alcohols,
sulphides and amines; special attention was also devoted to its application in oxidative
halogenation of organic compounds.</P>
