Visible light-driven photocatalytic sulfonative oxidation of benzyl secondary amines

Abstract

A method for the α-oxidation and sulfonation of benzyl secondary amines was developed utilizing Ir(III) or Eosin Y as the photocatalyst in the presence of O₂ as a green oxidant. Using commercial substrates, 37 products from cyclic and acyclic benzylamines were achieved with good functional group compatibility in 48–87% yields. Furthermore, tetrahydroisoquinoline protected by an Ac or a Boc group was oxidized under standard conditions.