Reactions Catalysed by a Binuclear Copper Complex: Relay Aerobic Oxidation of N-Aryl Tetrahydroisoquinolines to Dihydroisoquinolones with a Vitamin B1 Analogue

N-Aryl tetrahydroisoquinolines were oxidised to dihydroisoquinolones through the relay catalysis of a binuclear paddle-wheel copper complex and a vitamin B1 analogue with oxygen as oxidant. Mechanistic studies revealed that the copper catalyst oxidises amines to the corresponding iminium salts, which are then oxygenated to lactam products by catalysis of the vitamin B1 analogue.