L-Proline: an efficient N,O-bidentate ligand for copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of primary and secondary benzylic alcohols at room temperature.

A novel and highly practical copper-catalyzed aerobic alcohol oxidation system with L-proline as the ligand at room temperature has been developed. A wide range of primary and secondary benzylic alcohols tested have been smoothly transformed into corresponding aldehydes and ketones with high yields and selectivities.