Copper(II)-catalyzed C-H oxidation of alkylbenzenes and cyclohexane with hydrogen peroxide

Copper(II) complex 1 efficiently catalyses the oxidation of alkylbenzenes and cyclohexane into the corresponding ketones in moderate to high yields in the presence of 30% H2O2. This protocol is simple, clean and generates water as the only by-product. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.