Utilization of Natural Sunlight and Air in the Aerobic Oxidation of Benzyl Halides

Abstract

A novel, efficient oxidation of α-aryl halogen derivatives to the corresponding α-aryl carbonyl compounds at room temperature has been disclosed. Natural sunlight and air are successfully utilized in this approach through the combination of photocatalysis and organocatalysis. A plausible mechanism was proposed on the basis of the mechanistic studies.