On the Trail of CrO2Cl2 in Its Reactions with Organic Compounds

The simple metal oxo compound chromyl chloride, CrO2Cl2, displays a very complex reactivity with respect to alkanes, olefins, alcohols, and epoxides. Synergetic investigations applying various techniques and methods have only recently led to an understanding of the key steps in the corresponding mechanisms, which are representative for more complex systems. Product formation seems to be largely determined by radical reactions initiated by this d0-metal compound.