Abstract: The influence of complex formation on reactivity of a bound ligand has been elucidated. Significant activation of molecular oxygen and butene as a result of their coordinating with transition metals has been established. The combined catalyst has been proposed to conduct the reaction of butene oxidation to methylethylketone under mild conditions (low temperature, atmospheric pressure) with high selectivity and yield of main product.

Keywords: Molecular oxygen, methylethylketone, metal complex, absorption, dimethylformamide.