Passerini three-component reaction of alcohols under catalytic aerobic oxidative conditions.

Alcohols instead of aldehydes were used in the Passerini three-component reaction under catalytic aerobic conditions. Mixing alcohols, isocyanides, and carboxylic acids in toluene in the presence of a catalytic amount of cupric chloride, NaNO(2), and TEMPO afforded, under an oxygen atmosphere, the P-3CR adducts in good yields.