Selective hydroxylation of methane by dioxiranes under mild conditions.

The direct conversion of methane to methanol at low temperatures was achieved selectively using dioxiranes 1a,b either in the isolated form or generated in situ from aqueous potassium caroate and the parent ketone at a pH close to neutrality. Results suggest that the more powerful dioxirane TFDO (1b) should be the oxidant of choice.