Alkanes (cyclohexane, cyclooctane, n-heptane) and aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene) are oxidized by anhydrous H2O2 in MeCN in air in the presence of catalytic amounts of MTO. The reaction is accelerated by addition of pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid. Alkanes give alkyl hydroperoxides as main products, as well as alcohols and ketones. Arenes yield predominantly phenols. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd373664876490