A promoter can have utility in selective heterogeneous oxidation of arylalkyl hydrocarbons such as, for example, cyclohexyl benzene and/or sec-butyl benzene to form hydroperoxides. The promoter can include the product of contacting a solid support comprising a metal oxide surface and an iron compound. The solid support can include, for example, titanium dioxide and/or an iron oxide such as magnetite and can have magnetic susceptibility. A method for the oxidation of arylalkyl hydrocarbons to form hydroperoxides can include contacting 16 an arylalkyl hydrocarbon with oxygen in the presence of the promoter under catalytic oxidation conditions to form arylalkyl hydroperoxide, which can then be converted to phenol via cleavage 26. The method can include recovery 22 of the promoter from the arylalkyl hydroperoxide and can further include recycling the recovered promoter to the contacting 16. Where the solid support has magnetic susceptibility, the recovery 22 can include magnetic separation of the promoter.