Green and efficient synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives via ceric ammonium nitrate promoted and in situ aerobic oxidation of alpha-hydroxy ketones and alpha-keto oximes in aqueous media.

The direct conversion of alpha-hydroxy ketones and alpha-keto oximes into quinoxaline derivatives in the presence of a catalytic amount of ceric ammonium nitrate via metal-catalyzed aerobic oxidation followed by in situ trapping with aromatic 1,2-diamines in water as a green and efficient reaction media, is reported.