10.1039/c4cc10336j
The research focuses on the development of a selective and efficient method for allylic and benzylic oxidations using the dirhodium(II) catalyst Rh2(esp)2. The purpose of this study was to find a more potent catalyst that enables these transformations under practical and environmentally friendly conditions. The researchers discovered that Rh2(esp)2 allows for direct solvent-free allylic and benzylic oxidations using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (T-HYDRO) with remarkably low catalyst loadings, high conversion rates, and excellent regioselectivity. The process was found to be operationally simple, scalable at ambient temperature, and did not require any additives. The high catalyst stability was attributed to the dirhodium(II,II) catalyst resting state, which is less prone to decomposition.