Various allylic and benzylic substrates were oxidized to the corresponding enones, arenealdehydes and aryl ketones in good yields with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of catalytic amounts of Co(acac)2 under mild conditions. The reactivity, selectivity, and scope of the reaction were investigated.
Key words
Co(acac)
2
- allylic and benzylic oxidation -
tert-butyl hydroperoxide - enones - benzaldehydes - ketones