Biphasic copper-catalyzed C-H bond activation of arylalkanes to ketones with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in water at room temperature

A facile C-H bond activation of arylalkanes to their corresponding ketones catalyzed by copper salts using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as an oxidant in water at room temperature is described. Easy product separation, simple reaction procedures (without using base or phase transfer catalysis), and catalyst recycling make the catalytic system attractive. It is also active beyond activated benzylic methylene positions and could tolerate factionalized arylalkanes with diverse groups.

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