Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Enables Tandem Radical Relay for Asymmetric Copper-Catalyzed Phosphinoylcyanation of Styrenes

Synthesis of Benzylic Alcohols by C-H Oxidation

Selective methylene C-H oxidation for the synthesis of alcohols with a broad scope and functional group tolerance is challenging due to the high proclivity for further oxidation of alcohols to ketones. Here, we report the selective synthesis of benzylic alcohols employing bis(methanesulfonyl) peroxide as an oxidant. We attempt to provide a rationale for the selectivity for monooxygenation, which is distinct from previous work; a proton-coupled electron transfer mechanism (PCET) may account for the difference in reactivity. We envision that our method will be useful for applications in the discovery of drugs and agrochemicals.

Silver-promoted cascade radical cyclization of γ,δ-unsaturated oxime esters with P(O)H compounds: synthesis of phosphorylated pyrrolines

We report the first silver-promoted imino-phosphorylation of γ,δ-unsaturated oxime esters with P(O)H compounds to synthesize various phosphorylated pyrrolines.