Direct aerobic oxidation of 2-benzylpyridines in a gas–liquid continuous-flow regime using propylene carbonate as a solvent

The use of high-temperature/pressure gas–liquid continuous flow conditions dramatically enhances the iron-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of 2-benzylpyridines to their corresponding ketones. Pressurized air serves as a readily available oxygen source and propylene carbonate as a green solvent in this radically intensified preparation of synthetically valuable 2-aroylpyridines.