tBuONO as the Co-catalyst in Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic α,β-Dehydrogenation of Ketones.

tBuONO was used as an efficient organo co-catalyst for the palladium-catalyzed oxidative α,β-dehydrogenation of ketones. Molecular oxygen was used as the clean and sole oxidant. Both linear and cyclic α,β-unsaturated ketones could be efficiently prepared under aerobic catalytic conditions directly from the corresponding saturated ketones. No toxic transition metal co-catalyst or polar solvent is required. The organic nitrite redox co-catalyst and alcohol solvent play key roles for realizing this catalysis.