Visible-Light Photocatalytic Aerobic Benzylic C(sp3)-H Oxygenations with the 3DDQ*/tert-Butyl Nitrite Co-catalytic System

Photocatalytic aerobic benzylic C(sp3)-H oxygenations of aromatic hydrocarbons and C3-substituted indoles were studied by employing a co-catalytic system of (3)DDQ* (DDQ=2,3-di-chloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone) and tert-butyl nitrite. The superior efficiency of these reaction conditions was demonstrated by comparison with the analogous thermal protocol, and a range of substrates could be oxidized catalytically and selectively in good yields.