DDQ catalyzed benzylic acetoxylation of arylalkanes: a case of exquisitely controlled oxidation under sonochemical activation

Acetoxylated arylalkanes are selectively obtained via sonochemical activation of DDQ catalyzed benzylic oxidation of arylalkanes in the presence of anhydrous acetic acid. The method gives an exquisite control of benzylic acetoxylation under ultrasound, in contrast to the uncontrolled oxidation observed under conventional heating or microwave activation. In addition, the developed method could be a useful strategy for the synthesis of industrially important enantiopure benzyl alcohols due to the easy amenability of obtained acetoxylated products toward chiral resolution.