Terminal Aryl Alkenes and Alkynes as Arylcarboxy Surrogates toward o-Benzoxylation of 2-Phenylpyridine Catalyzed by Copper

A variety of styrenes and phenylacetylenes serve as excellent arylcarboxy sources in bringing about substrate directed o-benzoxylation of 2-phenylpyridine derivatives catalyzed by Cu(II) in the presence of TBHP. This reaction proceeds via formation of phenylglyoxal followed by decarbonylation to benzoyl radical/benzaldehyde which acts as the arylcarboxy source.