2,2,2‐Trifluoroacetophenone as an Organocatalyst for the Oxidation of Tertiary Amines and Azines to N‐Oxides

A cheap, mild and environmentally friendly oxidation of tertiary amines and azines to the corresponding N-oxides is reported by using polyfluoroalkyl ketones as efficient organocatalysts. 2,2,2-Trifluoroacetophenone was identified as the optimum catalyst for the oxidation of aliphatic tertiary amines and azines. This oxidation is chemoselective and proceeds in high-to-quantitative yields utilizing 10 mol % of the catalyst and H2 O2 as the oxidant.