1,5,7‐Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene Enhances Activity of Peroxide Intermediates in Phosphine‐Free α‐Hydroxylation of Ketones

Abstract The critical role of double hydrogen bonds was addressed for the aerobic α‐hydroxylation of ketones catalyzed by 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene (TBD), in the absence of either a metal catalyst or phosphine reductant. Experimental and theoretical investigations were performed to study the mechanism. In addition to initiating the reaction by proton abstraction, a more important role of TBD was revealed, that is, to enhance the oxidizing ability of peroxide intermediates, allowing DMSO to be used rather than commonly used phosphine reductants. Further characterizations with nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) confirmed the presence of double hydrogen bonds between TBD and the ketone, and kinetic studies suggested the attack of dioxygen on the TBD‐enol adduct to be the rate‐determining step. This work should encourage the application of TBD as a catalyst for oxidations.