Manganese() porphyrin-catalyzed regioselective dual functionalization of C(sp)-H bonds: the transformation of arylalkanes to 1,4-diketones

The first, direct way from arylalkanes to 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds has been shown. It makes obtaining these useful products more accessible and cheaper. Our method is based on a one-pot reaction with excellent regioselectivity, mild conditions, and water as the main solvent. A plausible reaction mechanism has also been proposed. We have developed a complete methodology for one-pot oxidation of arylalkanes to 1,4-diketones under mild conditions with high site-selectivity, using water as the main solvent and the most basic manganese( iii ) porphyrin complex as a catalyst.