Aerobic Oxidative C(CO)–C Bond Cleavage under Catalyst‐Free and Additive‐Free Conditions

It was found that C(CO)–C bonds could undergo aerobic oxidative cleavage under catalyst‐free and additive‐free conditions. In the presence of environmentally friendly reagents including O2 and H2O, a series of 1,1‐diphenylacetones, diphenyl‐acetaldehydes, phenylacetones and their derivatives were smoothly converted into the desired products. A catalyst‐ and additive‐free method for aerobic oxidative C(CO)–C Bond cleavage was developed. No other reagents apart from environmentally friendly oxygen and water were used in the reaction, showing that the present method is simple and economical. Various 1,1‐diphenylacetones, diphenyl‐acetaldehydes, phenylacetones and their derivatives underwent this transformation to give the targeted products in low to high yields. A possible mechanism pathway for the present reaction is also given.