“…[17a] In a transition-metal-and iodine-free system, the benzyl peroxy radical 10 couples with the hydroperoxide radical (HOO·) to form a monoalkyl tetroxide 11, which decomposes to afford the desired product 3 a, along with the formation of molecular oxygen and water through Russell fragmentation. [22,23] The by-products benzene, [10a] bibenzyl, and stilbene [24] were detected by GCMS, which indicated that intermediates 8 and 9 are involved in this transformation. [21] Furthermore, intermediate 13, which is generated from 3 a, could be continuously oxidized by Cu-and/or Fesalts and molecular oxygen to form benzyl radical 14, which can undergo the same oxidative processes again (as benzyl radical 9) to form the second carbonyl group of diketone product 4 a.…”