TBHP/n-Bu4PBr-Promoted Oxidative Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Aryl Methanols: A Facile Synthesis of Symmetrical Carboxylic Anhydride Derivatives

A transition-metal-free oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction has been developed for the preparation of symmetrical carboxylic anhydrides through self-coupling dual C-O bond formations of aryl methanols. In the presence of a catalytic amount of tetrabutylphosphonium bromide (TBPB) as transfer agent and aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant and reactant, methylene groups of aryl methanols were efficiently oxidized to C=O and coupled with the peroxide oxygen from TBHP to form a diverse array of symmetrical carboxylic anhydride derivatives.