Manganese dioxide-methanesulfonic acid promoted direct dehydrogenative alkylation of sp3 C-H bonds adjacent to a heteroatom.

A manganese dioxide (MnO2)-methanesulfonic acid (CH3SO3H) oxidation system has been developed to efficiently promote direct coupling of benzylic ethers and carbamates with simple ketones via oxidative C-H bond activation. The alkylation proceeds smoothly under air atmosphere to afford the corresponding products in good to excellent yields (53-87%). The employment of the combination of MnO2 and CH3SO3H is attractive on the basis of economical and environmental issues.