DDQ/tert-Butyl nitrite-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of diarylmethane sp3 C-H bonds

An efficient 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone/tert-butyl nitrite-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of diarylmethane sp3 C-H bonds in the presence of acetic acid has been developed. Under the optimal reaction conditions, a number of diarylmethanes can be directly converted to their corresponding diarylketones in good to excellent yields. In addition, a plausible reaction mechanism has been investigated.