Photocatalytic Carbon–Carbon σ-Bond Anaerobic Oxidation of Ketones with Water by Rhodium(III) Porphyrins

Abstract

Photocatalytic carbon–carbon σ-bond oxidation of unstrained ketones by water using rhodium(III) porphyrin catalyst was accomplished. The catalysis yielded the corresponding one-carbon-less carbonyl compound and H2 with up to 30 turnovers in both aliphatic and cyclic ketones with α substituents. No carbon loss was observed in aromatic ketone. Mechanistic studies suggest that (Ph3P)RhIII(ttp)OH (ttp = tetratolylporphyrinato dianion) is the key intermediate in the carbon–carbon σ-bond anaerobic oxidation.