Catalytic Oxidation of <i>α</i>-Carbon of Ethers Utilizing Binuclear Copper(II) Complex of 7-Azaindole

Abstract

Abstract Treatment of benzyl ethyl ether with a catalytic amount of binuclear copper(II) complex of 7-azaindole 1 under oxygen atmosphere at 80 °C produced ethyl benzoate in 10400% yield based on the catalyst. This reaction could be also applied to other ethers (e.g., alkyl benzyl ethers and dialkyl ethers) to give α-oxygenated products catalytically.