Stopping Aerobic Oxidation in Its Tracks: Chemoselective Synthesis of Benzaldehydes from Methylarenes

A practical and elegant solution to the long-standing challenge of methylarene partial oxidation has recently been provided by Pappo and co-workers who devised a catalytic aerobic route to benzaldehydes. The solution hinges on the unique hydrogen-bonding capacity of hexafluoroisopropanol, which prevents overoxidation of the aldehyde to the carboxylic acid.