Metal-free oxidative C–C bond formation of active methylenic sp3 C–H bonds with benzylic sp3 C–H and allylic sp3 C–H bonds mediated by DDQ

An efficient and simple method for the oxidative coupling of benzylic and allylic sp3 C–H bonds with active methylenic sp3 C–H bonds under metal-free conditions was developed by employing 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ) as an oxidant. The reaction was shown to proceed smoothly for various 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with a range of benzylic and allylic substrates in good to excellent yields.