Photo-Induced Cleavage of Alkenes to Carbonyls in Water

A method of the oxidative cracking of olefins' C=C bonds promoted by NaN3 in water without photocatalyst was developed. Some typical cheap olefins could be converted to aldehydes or ketones in moderate to good yields at room temperature under blue light irradiation. The experimental results showed that NaN3-O-2 charge-transfer complexes might be formed during the reaction, and then oxidized and cracked, finally formed aldehydes or ketones.

Automated summary

A method of oxidative cracking of olefins' C=C bonds promoted by NaN3 in water was developed, without the use of a photocatalyst. Under blue light irradiation, cheap olefins can be converted to aldehydes or ketones with moderate to good yields at room temperature. Experimental results suggest that NaN3-O-2 charge-transfer complexes may be formed during the reaction, which are then oxidized and cracked to form aldehydes or ketones.