Photocatalytic Benzylic Oxidation Promoted by Eosin Y in Water

The oxidation of the C-H bond received wide attention in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical chemistry due to its potential as one of the most straightforward and powerful methods to construct molecular scaffolds. The development of a green and efficient catalytic protocol for the oxidation of the sp(3) C-H bond is highly desirable. We described a light-induced synthetic strategy for benzyl oxidation. This approach featured characteristics of the use of Eosin Y as a photocatalyst, water as a solvent, and O-2 as an oxidant. A range of substrates with different functional groups were converted to aromatic ketones in moderate to high yields. The control experiments suggested that this reaction undergoes a single electron-transfer (SET) mechanism.

Automated summary

The oxidation of the C-H bond is a significant method in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical chemistry, and the development of a green and efficient catalytic protocol for this oxidation is highly desired. In this study, a light-induced strategy for benzyl oxidation was described, which utilized Eosin Y as a photocatalyst, water as a solvent, and O-2 as an oxidant.