Visible-light induced oxidative Csp 3 –H activation of methyl aromatics to methyl esters

A mild and catalytic oxidative Csp 3 –H activation of methyl aromatics using O 2 via photocatalysis has been achieved. A lot of methyl aromatics can be tolerated, providing a route for aromatic methyl carboxylates. In addition, this protocol can be performed on a gram scale.