Metal-free oxygenation of cyclohexane with oxygen catalyzed by 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium and hydrogen chloride under visible light irradiation

Abstract

Photooxygenation of cyclohexane by O 2 occurs efficiently under visible-light irradiation of an O 2-saturated acetonitrile solution containing 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium ions (Acr +-Mes) and HCl to yield cyclohexanone, cyclohexanol and hydrogen peroxide. The photocatalytic reaction is initiated by electron transfer from Cl - to the mesitylene radical cation moiety. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011.