A radical reappraisal of Gif reactions

Various iron-catalysed procedures for the functionalisation of saturated hydrocarbons have been designated 'Gif' reactions. These were originally conceived as biomimetic models for non-haem oxidase systems, and a mechanism in which high-valent iron-ore species interact with the hydrocarbon has been adduced in support of this analogy. This review examines the evidence against an alternative free-radical mechanism. It concludes that plausible radical schemes are available for the interpretation of most, if not all, of the Gif data, but that more information is required before any unambiguous mechanistic interpretation can be justified.