Trichloroacetonitrile-hydrogen peroxide: a simple and efficient system for the selective oxidation of tertiary and secondary amines

- Selective oxidation of amines was studied.
- Trichloroacetonitrile-hydrogen peroxide system was a selective system for oxidation.
- Trichloromethylperoxyimidic acid is an active reagent for the oxidation processes.

A variety of tertiary and secondary amines were efficiently oxidized to their corresponding N-oxides and nitrones, respectively, using the trichloroacetonitrile-hydrogen peroxide system. The in situ generated trichloromethylperoxyimidic acid is the active reagent for the oxidation processes.