Aldehydes and Ketones Formation: Copper-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Decarboxylation of Phenylacetic Acids and α‑Hydroxyphenylacetic Acids

Abstract

Aromatic aldehydes or ketones from copper catalyzed aerobic oxidative decarboxylation of phenylacetic acids and α-hydroxyphenylacetic acids have been synthesized. This reaction combined decarboxylation, dioxygen activation, and C–H bond oxidation steps in a one-pot protocol with molecular oxygen as the sole terminal oxidant. This reaction represents a novel decarboxylation of an <i>sp</i>³-hybridized carbon and the use of a benzylic carboxylic acid as a source of carbonyl compounds