Copper-catalyzed benzylic oxidation of C(sp3)–H bonds

A selective oxidation of benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds to C(sp3)–O bonds catalyzed by copper complexes of quinoline–imine ligands was developed with peresters as oxidants under mild reaction conditions, which converted benzylic methylenes directly into benzylic alcohols and esters by means of direct C–H bond functionalization.