Aerobic oxidative C–C bond cleavage and functionalization for the synthesis of value-added chemicals

Abstract

The aerobic oxidative cleavage of C–C bonds is an attractive and sustainable route for constructing valuable molecules such as esters, nitriles, and amides. Traditionally homogeneous catalytic systems for C–C bond cleavage required harsh conditions, stoichiometric oxidants, and noble metal catalysts to overcome the thermodynamic and kinetic barriers of C–C bonds, imposing environmental concerns of the transformation. Therefore, developing efficient, low-cost, and environmentally benign methods for C–C bond cleavage is of great importance and a cutting-edge area in modern chemistry. This feature article summarizes the sustainable aerobic oxidative C–C bond cleavage method developed by our group in the past 5 years. Fundamental principles in catalyst design, substrate scope, and mechanism for C–C bond cleavage are also discussed.