Synthesis of iron N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and their application in the oxidation catalysis of hydrocarbons

Coordination compounds of iron are used as models for iron enzymes in bioinorganic chemistry. Moreover, there is an increasing interest in iron-catalyzed reactions from an economic and ecologic point of view. This thesis deals with the synthesis of iron NHC complexes and their application in the oxidation catalysis of hydrocarbons. Beside mechanistic studies, the complexes were successfully tested in the selective oxidation of alkanes, in the epoxidation of alkenes, and in the aromatic ring hydroxylation.