A pincer iron(III) catalyst for the oxidation and chlorination of C(sp3)–H bonds was developed. Oxidation of a diagnostic substrate cis-decalin implies that a long-lived carbon-centred radical is involved. Mechanistic studies suggest that an Fe-oxo species could be responsible for the rate-determining C–H activation step. This report expands the scope of non-heme catalysts for C–H functionalisation.
