The mild and efficient hydroxytrifluoromethylation of alkenes with bromotrifluoromethane (CF3Br) and atmospheric oxygen mediated by cobalt-tertiary amine is described. This reaction proceeds with broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds through a radical pathway, which is enabled by combination of the previously unexplored highly efficient N-isopropyl-N,2-dimethylpropan-2-amine with Co­(II) for the single electron reduction of CF3Br to CF3 radical.

The partial oxidation of methane with O2 is significant due to its potential of providing abundant chemical feedstock. Only a few examples realized this type of reaction in homogeneous solvent systems, most of which are in low efficiency. Herein, we present a pyridine N-oxide-promoted cobalt-catalyzed O2-mediated methane oxidation to produce methylene bis(trifluoroacetate) with productivity over 500 molester molmetal –1 h–1.