Tuning Regioselectivity of Wacker Oxidation in One Catalytic System: Small Change Makes Big Step.

A regioselectivity switchable aerobic Wacker-Tsuji oxidation has been developed using catalytic tert-butyl nitrite as a simple organic redox cocatalyst. By solely switching the solvent, either substituted aldehydes or ketones could be prepared under mild aerobic conditions in good yields, respectively. A mechanistic explanation for the selectivity control is proposed.

Organopromoted Selectivity-Switchable Synthesis of Polyketones.

In this work, an organopromoted metal-free pharmaceutical-oriented selectivity-switchable benzylic oxidation was developed, affording mono-, di-, and trioxygenation products, respectively, using oxygen as the oxidant under mild conditions. This process facilitates dioxygenation of 2,6-benzylic positions of heterocycles, which could be inhibited by heterocycle chelation to the metal cocatalysts. Enantiopure chiral ketones could also be prepared. The noninvolvement of transition metals and toxins avoids metal or hazardous residues, consequently ensuring a final-stage gram-scale synthesis of Lenperone.