Eosin Y catalyzed visible light mediated aerobic photo-oxidative cleavage of the C-C double bond of styrenes

A mild, efficient, and metal-free oxidative cleavage of C-C double bond to aldehydes utilizing eosin Y as an organophotoredox catalyst has been developed. The green aspects of our work capitalize on the utilization of visible light and air (O-2) as inexpensive, readily-available, non-toxic, and eco-sustainable reagents with the removal of specialized glassware and a powerful UV light source. Moreover, a synthetic application of the photo-oxidative cleavage of C-C double bond is also demonstrated by the convenient synthesis of benzothiazoline. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.