Aerobic conversion of benzylic sp3 C–H in diphenylmethanes and benzyl ethers to CO bonds under catalyst-, additive- and light-free conditions

Catalyst-free, additive-free and light-free aerobic conversion of benzylic C–H to CO bonds is reported. A series of C–H bonds in diphenylmethanes and benzyl ethers underwent this transformation to give the targeted products in low to high yields. The reaction mechanism was also investigated using radical trapping, DFT calculations and 18O-labelled experiments, and the results suggested that the present reaction relied on an activation of oxygen by the π bond of the benzene ring.