Oxidative carboncarbon bond cleavage reaction of 1,2-diamines and 1,2-amino alcohols under an oxygen atmosphere

Under an atmosphere of oxygen 1,2-diamines underwent clean oxidative cleavage in the presence of BF3·OEt2 to give imines in good to excellent yields. 1,2-Amino alcohols were also cleaved under the same conditions to give imines and aldehydes in good yields.