Direct and Selective Benzylic Oxidation of Alkylarenes via C-H Abstraction Using Alkali Metal Bromides

A direct benzylic oxidation of alkylarenes via C-H bond abstraction was developed using alkali metal bromides and oxidants under mild conditions. This reaction proceeded with excellent selectivity by thermal oxidation or photooxidation to provide a broad range of carbonyl compounds containing electron-deficient aryl carbonyl compounds in high yields.