A remarkable effect of ionic liquids in transition-metal-free aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols

摘要

The transition-metal-free aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols is uniquely accelerated by a 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorbphosphate (BMI-PF6)/PhCF3 biphasic system and Cs2CO3 to afford the corresponding ketones in good yields. The reaction system is also applicable to an oxidative cross-esterification of primary benzyl alcohols with a higher aliphatic alcohol.