Photoinduced oxidation of benzylic boronic esters to ketones/aldehydes via α-borylalkyl radicals†

Abstract

A method for direct oxidation of boronic esters to the carbonyl groups has been established herein. Under the irradiation of visible light and O₂ atmosphere, ketones and aldehydes can be obtained in moderate to excellent yields. Using tetrabutylammonium tribromide (TBATB) as the catalyst, this procedure avoids using of metal-based (photo)catalysts. α-Borylalkyl radicals have been proposed as the key intermediates of this oxidation process.