Water-promoted cascade synthesis of α-arylaldehydes from arylalkenes using N-halosuccinimides: an avenue for asymmetric oxidation using Cinchona organocatalysis

摘要

The direct oxidation of arylalkenes into a-arylaldehydes is achieved for the first time in water without relying on transition metal catalysts, and a novel organocatalytic enantioselective approach is also explored to provide up to 30% ee in initial investigations.rnThe accomplishment of new organic transformations in water constitute some of the most cherished goals of contemporary organic synthesis due to several inherently unique benefits.1 However, the above objective becomes especially fruitful if the use of water can help replace rare and expensive transition metal catalysts that are conventionally required for particular synthetic transformations.