Highly Selective Synthesis of 2--Butoxy-1-Arylethanones via Copper(I)-Catalyzed Oxidation/-Butoxylation of Aryl Olefins with TBHP.

A practical and environmentally friendly protocol for the selective oxidation of aryl olefins to arylethanone derivatives by using a Cu(I) catalyst and -butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) has been developed. A series of 2--butoxy-1-arylethanones were obtained in moderate to good yields under mild conditions with high selectivity. In this method, TBHP acts not only as an oxidant but also as the -butoxy and carbonyl oxygen sources. This enables one-step oxidation/-butoxylation. Various allyl peroxides were also synthesized from allyl substrates.