Both a Co(III)−alkyl complex and a Co(III)−alkylperoxo complex were found to catalyze triethylsilylperoxidation of alkenes with O2 and Et3SiH.
On this basis, together with the nonstereoselectivity in the Co(II)-catalyzed peroxidation of 3-phenylindene and the formation of the corresponding
1,2-dioxolane from 2-phenyl-1-vinylcyclopropane (a radical clock), we propose a reasonable mechanism for the Co(II)-catalyzed novel autoxidation
of alkenes with Et3SiH discovered by Isayama and Mukaiyama.