Oxidation of benzoins to benzils in the presence of porphyrin sensitizers by air and sunlight or visible light

Abstract

In this work, two new aerobic routes are introduced for the oxidation of a variety of benzoins to benzils by using molecular oxygen in the presence of porphyrins as sensitizers, using white light or sunlight in acetonitrile under mild conditions. The methods have a wide range of applications, do not involve cumbersome work-up, exhibit chemoselectivity and proceed under mild reaction conditions. The resulting products are obtained in good yields in a reasonable time.

Effect of para‐Substituents on meso‐Functionalized Oxidovanadium(IV) Porphyrins as Catalysts for Oxygen Atom Transfer Mediated Oxidation of Benzoin to Benzil under Mild Conditions

“…[1,2] Benzil is also useful as a photosensitizer in UVcuring resin, an intermediate in pharmaceuticals, a photoinitiator in polymer chemistry, and a potent inhibitor of human carboxylesterases. [3][4][5] It can be used to synthesize diketimines by reacting with amines. [6,7] In addition, reduced benzil derivatives are crucial intermediates for several pharmaceuticals like antibiotics, [8] antifungal, [9] antidepressants, [10] urease inhibitors, [11] and selective inhibitors for the β-protein of amyloid.…”

“…Benzil and its derivatives have paved the way to become great building blocks for the facial synthesis of several heterocycles [1,2] . Benzil is also useful as a photosensitizer in UV–curing resin, an intermediate in pharmaceuticals, a photoinitiator in polymer chemistry, and a potent inhibitor of human carboxylesterases [3–5] . It can be used to synthesize diketimines by reacting with amines [6,7] .…”