Chemoselective Hydroxylation of Aliphatic sp3 C-H Bonds Using a Ketone Catalyst and Aqueous H2O2

The first ketone-catalyzed method for the oxidation of aliphatic C-H bonds is reported. The reaction conditions employ aryl trifluoromethyl ketones in catalytic amounts and hydrogen peroxide as the terminal oxidant. Hydroxylation is stereospecific and chemoselective for tertiary over secondary C-H bonds. A catalytic cycle invoking a dioxirane as the active oxidant is proposed.