Oxidation of C2, C3and higher alkanes by a ruthenium–oxo system

Abstract
Barium ruthenate, BaRuO3(OH)2, when dissolved in TFA–CH2Cl2 containing a few equivalents of 2,2′-bipyridine, generates a highly reactive ruthenium–oxo system that is capable of oxidizing ethane and propane at room temperature with good yields.