Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin Catalyzed Chemoselective Oxidation of Benzylic Alcohols and Diarylmethanes in Water.

We report the highly efficient and chemoselective oxidation of benzylic alcohols catalyzed by sodium copper chlorophyllin in water, producing corresponding arylcarbonyl compounds. Importantly, the catalytic system exhibits a wide substrate scope and high functional group tolerance. Moreover, secondary alcohols and even diarylmethanes were smoothly oxidized to the desired aryl ketones with excellent yields.