2,3‐Dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ)/tert‐Butyl Nitrite/Oxygen: A Versatile Catalytic Oxidation System

Abstract A new catalytic oxidation system using catalytic amounts of 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) and tert ‐butyl nitrite with molecular oxygen serving as the environmentally benign, terminal oxidant has been developed. This aerobic catalytic system was established for the selective oxidation of non‐sterically hindered benzylic alcohols and electron‐rich benzyl methyl ethers, and successfully extended to an application in the oxidative deprotection of PMB ethers to the alcohols in high selectivity.