Iodine(III)-catalyzed benzylic oxidation by using the (PhIO)n/Al(NO3)3 system

The first iodine(III)-based procedure for the benzylic oxidation of different arenes is described by using the (PhIO)(n)/Al(NO3)(3) system under catalytic conditions leading to the formation of the corresponding carbonyl derivatives. The method proceeds under mild, operationally simple, room temperature, short reaction times, and open flask conditions. In light of the organocatalysis relevance and the novelty of our protocol, we wish to communicate our initial results of this novel oxidation.