A hexanuclear mixed-valence oxovanadium(IV,V) complex as a highly efficient alkane oxidation catalyst.

The new hexanuclear mixed-valence vanadium complex [V(3)O(3)(OEt)(ashz)(2)(μ-OEt)](2) (1) with an N,O-donor ligand is reported. It acts as a highly efficient catalyst toward alkane oxidations by aqueous H(2)O(2). Remarkably, high turnover numbers up to 25000 with product yields of up to 27% (based on alkane) stand for one of the most active systems for such reactions.