Iodine/DMSO promoted oxidation of benzylic Csp3–H bonds to diketones – A mechanistic investigation

Abstract

This article describes a mechanistic investigation into the I2/DMSO mediated benzylic Csp3–H oxidation of an α-methylene ketone. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum centred at g = 2.0011 supports the involvement of iodine and benzylic radicals, as the α-iodinated compound 2-iodo-1,2-diphenylethanone was isolated as a key reactive intermediate. The oxidation reaction relies, primarily, on DMSO as a source of oxygen in benzil, proven by the reaction of benzyl phenyl ketone with diphenyl sulfoxide (DPSO).