Electrochemical oxidation-induced benzyl C H carbonylation for the synthesis of aromatic α-diketones

Electrochemical oxidation-induced direct carbonylation of benzyl CH bond for the synthesis of aromatic α-diketones is described. In this process, tetrabutylammonium iodide (nBu4NI) not only acts as an electrolyte, but its iodine anion is oxidized to an iodine radical at the anode, acting as a hydrogen atom transfer agent. The iodine radical extracts the benzyl hydrogen atom and causes the carbonylation of the benzyl position, where O2 in the air is used as an oxygen source.