Chemoselective benzylic Csp3–H bond oxidation reactions catalyzed by the AgII(bipy)2S2O8 complex

Abstract

Herein, we present a silver-catalyzed method for the selective oxidation of benzylic Csp³–H bonds with high chemo- and regioselectivity. This approach efficiently converts toluenes into aldehydes, benzylic methylenes into ketones, and benzylic alcohols into aldehydes. Notably, the reaction also proceeds under in situ generated catalytic conditions and is scalable. Control experiments further indicate that water serves as the oxygen source in the oxidized products.