A Mild and Efficient Catalytic Aerobic Oxidative Dehydrogenation of N-Pyridylindolines

An efficient and mild N-hydroxyphthalimide and copper co-catalyzed aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation of N-pyridylindolines is developed.The use of air as sole oxidant allows a green, safe, low-cost and simple operation.This method provides an alternative to the known method for the oxidation of N-pyridylindoline derivatives by the use of excess stoichiometric strong oxidant 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone.