Aerobic visible light-oxidation of aromatic methyl groups to carboxylic acids?

Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences Pub Date: 2007-04-12 DOI: 10.1039/B702703F

Abstract

A catalytic amount of magnesium bromide diethyl etherate (MgBr2·Et2O) enables us to carry out the aerobic photo-oxidation of a methyl group at the aromatic nucleus to the corresponding carboxylic acid in high yield under irradiation of VIS from a general-purpose fluorescent lamp. The bromine radical is thought to be generated in situ by continuous aerobic photo-oxidation of the bromine anion from MgBr2·Et2O, and to effect this oxidation reaction.

Graphical abstract: Aerobic visible light-oxidation of aromatic methyl groups to carboxylic acids
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