An efficient cobalt-catalyzed protocol for the selective oxidation of anilines using a combination of inexpensive tert-butyl hydroperoxide and Co(OAc)2·4H2O without any ligand has been developed, providing the nitroarene products in good to excellent yields (up to 96%).
Key words
Co(OAc)
2·4H
2O -
tert-butyl hydroperoxide - ligand-free - selective oxidation - aromatic amines