Combined redox couples for catalytic oxidation of methane by dioxygen at low temperatures.

The combination of three redox couples Pd2+/Pd0-quinone/hydroquinone-NO2/NO creates an electron-transfer loop, which facilitates one-pot catalytic oxidation of methane selectively to methanol by dioxygen in CF3COOH at a temperature as low as 80 degrees C. This is the first example where an organic cocatalyst significantly increases the catalytic efficiency of a transition metal in the selective oxidation of methane in the presence of dioxygen.