Bismuth mediated oxidations

摘要

A process is provided for the catalytic oxidation of a benzylic alkyl moiety using a bismuth complex and a stoichiometric oxygen source. This new oxidation methodology uses environmentally benign salts of bismuth in a process that uses mild conditions which are suitable for the oxidation of polyfunctional benzylic compounds. The bismuth complexes can contain Bi(III) and/or Bi(V) or the Bi(III) and/or Bi(V) can be formed in situ from Bi(O).