The Research for Base‐Mediated Aerobic Oxidation of Benzoins to Benzils and Nitrogen Heterocyclic Compounds

Abstract Base‐mediated aerobic oxidation of benzoin was investigated under air atmosphere with a series of weak inorganic or organic bases. Bases play a key role in this transformation. Several benzils were produced in good yields under this transition metal‐free process, and nitrogen heterocyclic compounds were also obtained via tandem reactions.