A simple synthetic protocol for oxidation of alkyl-arenes into ketones using a combination of HBr-H2O2

A wide variety of alkyl- and cycloalkyl-arenes undergo benzylic C-H oxidation by employing a combination of 48% hydrogen bromide and 30% hydrogen peroxide in dichloromethane at room temperature. In addition, a chemoselective oxidation at the benzylic position is feasible by deactivating the aromatic ring using the same combination.