This thesis describes the development of novel catalytic oxidation and reduction reactions. More specifically, the synthesis of alcohols, aldehydes, epoxides, ketones, quinones has been developed based on Fe, Re, Ru, and Zn catalysts. In general, the described oxidations as well as reduction reactions provided high reactivity and good to excellent selectivity. In addition to catalytic studies mechanistic investigations were also performed. A major focus of the work has been on the synthesis of quinones, whereby excellent results in catalysis were realized.
