Pd(II)−Catalyzed Non-Directed Benzylic C(sp3)−H Activation: Cascade C(sp3)−S Bond Cleavage to Access Benzaldehydes from Benzylphenyl Sulfides and Sulfoxides

Abstract

A novel, efficient and mutual strategy on Pd(II)−catalyzed inert benzylic C(sp3)−H bond activation of benzylphenyl sulfides and sulfoxides has been developed that provides access to a series of benzaldehydes via cascade C(sp3)−S bond cleavage in one pot. The highlight of this protocol is the regiospecific activation of less reactive benzylic C(sp3)−H bond as compared to heteroatom-directed more reactive C(sp2)−H bond, thus providing a strategy for late−stage site−selective C(sp3)−H bond functionalization. The reaction proceeds under air in moderate to good yields with excellent functional groups tolerance.