Selectivity Modulation of the Ley–Griffith TPAP Oxidation with N-Oxide Salts

A wide variety of novel non-hygroscopic N-oxide tetraphenylborate salts were synthesized and evaluated as co-oxidants in the Ley–Griffith (TPAP) oxidation of benzylic and allylic alcohols under non-anhydrous conditions. The novel DABCOO·TPB (2:1) salt was herein unearthed as a viable competitor to the first-generation NMO·TPB (2:1) salt, but more importantly gave increased performance under oxidative competition. X-ray crystal structure analysis and NMR spectroscopy revealed that depending on the crystallization conditions 1:1, 2:1 or 3:2 N-oxide–tetraphenylborate salts could be formed.