Copper-triethanolamine complex as efficient and active catalyst for selective oxidation of alkylarenes to phenyl ketones by tert-butylhydroperoxide

Several types of alkylarenes were selectively oxidized to the corresponding α-phenyl ketones in moderate to good selectivities and conversions using tert-butylhydroperoxide in the presence of a tetranuclear copper-triethanolamine complex under mild reaction conditions.