Cerium(IV)-Catalyzed sp3 CH Bond Oxidation of Glycine Derivatives: Radical Cation Prompted Dioxygen Activation in the Presence of Triarylamine.

Catalytic cerium(IV)-triggered sp³ CH bond oxidation of glycine derivatives was achieved in the presence of catalytic tris(4-bromophenyl)amine, producing a series of quinolines, in which the generation of a triarylamine radical cation is the key step to prompt the aerobic oxidation. Both intermolecular and intramolecular reactions occur smoothly, showing good generality towards the synthesis of functionalized quinoline derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]