Copper(I) and copper(II) mediated two-electron oxidations of benzylic alcohols and diaryl acetic acids by trimethylamine N-oxide

Abstract

A novel ligand oxidation of Cu^I and Cu^II benzylic alcoholates and diaryl acetic carboxylates to carbonyl compounds by trimethylamine N-oxide gives support to the existence of cupryl (–Cu^IIIO) intermediates, previously postulated in the reaction of Cu^I derivatives with dioxygen.