TBHP-promoted direct oxidation reaction of benzylic Csp3-H bonds to ketones

A metal-free oxidation system employing tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) has been developed for selective oxidation of structurally diverse benzylic sp(3) C-H bonds. This low-cost methodology allows for rapid generation of synthetically and biologically valued arylketones in good to excellent yields from readily available alkylarenes and diarylmethanes.