Iron-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cleavage of the C-C σ-bond using air as the oxidant: chemoselective synthesis of carbon chain-shortened aldehydes, ketones and 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds.

A simple iron-catalyzed aerobic oxidative C-C σ-bond cleavage of ketones has been developed. Readily available and environmentally benign air is used as the oxidant. This reaction avoids the use of noble metal catalysts or specialized oxidants, chemoselectively yielding carbon chain-shortened aldehydes, ketones and 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds without overoxidation.