Allylic and benzylic oxidation reactions with sodium chlorite

Various allylic and benzylic substrates were selectively oxidized to the corresponding enones in good yields using sodium chlorite, either in combination with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in stoichiometric conditions, or associated with N-hydroxyphthalimide as catalyst. These oxidation reactions were effectively and economically performed under mild, transition-metal free conditions and therefore the dual challenge of cost effectiveness and benign nature of the processes was met with.