KOtBu/O2 Mediated Dehydrogenation of N‐Heterocycles, Alcohols.

A convenient dehydrogenation of a number of N,O‐containing heterocycles and carbocycles with readily available inorganic base (KOtBu) and oxygen is reported. The oxidation process is proved to be an SRN1 pathway followed by a radical elimination. This radical process has opened up the possibilities for the development of new superoxide mediated synthetic methodologies using KOtBu as the single electron reductant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]