Visible-Light Promoted Iron-Catalyzed C-C Bond Cleavage of 1,2-Diols to Carbonyls.

A simple visible-light-promoted iron-catalyzed aerobic oxidative C-C bond cleavage of vicinal diols was developed. This reaction avoids the use of noble metal catalysts or specialized oxidants, yielding aldehydes and ketones without overoxidation. The new method works under air and at room temperature and features mild conditions and simple operation. Notably, the protocol is applicable for complex natural products, achieving the bioinspired conversion of the natural abundant diterpene oridonin to the natural rare enmein-type diterpene.