Trichloroacetonitrile–hydrogen peroxide: a simple and efficient system for the selective oxidation of tertiary and secondary amines

A variety of tertiary and secondary amines were efficiently oxidized to their corresponding N-oxides and nitrones, respectively, using the trichloroacetonitrile–hydrogen peroxide system. The in situ generated trichloromethylperoxyimidic acid is the active reagent for the oxidation processes.