Isolation of a stable Cr(V) intermediate in the oxidation of aryl-substituted alkenes by chromylchloride

The isolation and characterization of a stable chromium(V) intermediate in the chromylchloride oxidation of aryl-substituted alkenes is reported. A 2:1 complex of CrO2Cl2 and alkene could be isolated in high yields. Based on spectroscopic evidence and density functional theory calculations (UBecke3LYP/6-31G*) we propose a structure for the elusive intermediate.