Catalytic systems RhCl3–KI–NaCl and RhCl3–Cu(OAcf)2–NaCl in aqueous perfluorinated carboxylic acids (CF3COOH, C3F7COOH) are effective in coupled oxidation of alkanes and carbonmonoxide with dioxygen. In their presence, predominant is the outer-sphere oxidation of alkanes into respective esters (alcohols) with involvement of peroxo rhodium species as an oxidant (mechanism A). The process occurs partially