Metal-free, NHPI catalyzed oxidative cleavage of C-C double bond using molecular oxygen as oxidant.

A metal-free N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) catalyzed aerobic oxidative cleavage of olefins has been developed. Molecular oxygen is used as the oxidant and reagent for this oxygenation reaction. This methodology has prevented the use of toxic metals or overstoichiometric amounts of traditional oxidants, showing good economical and environmental advantages. Based on the experimental observations, a plausible mechanism is proposed.