Selective Oxidation of Alkylarenes to the Aromatic Ketones or Benzaldehydes with Water

Here a palladium-catalyzed oxidation method for converting alkylarenes into the aromatic ketones or benzaldehydes with water as the only oxygen donor is reported. This C-H bond oxidation functionalization does not require other oxidants and hydrogen acceptors, and H-2 is the only byproduct. The oxygen atom introduced into the products is confirmed to be from water by the MS analysis on the product of the O-18-labeled water reaction.

Automated summary

A palladium-catalyzed oxidation method is reported, which converts alkylarenes into aromatic ketones or benzaldehydes using water as the sole oxygen donor. This C-H bond oxidation does not require other oxidants or hydrogen acceptors, with H2 being the only byproduct. The origin of the introduced oxygen atom is confirmed to be from water through MS analysis.