Direct oxidative installation of nitrooxy group at benzylic positions and its transformation into various functionalities

C–H Nitrooxylation at benzylic positions has been achieved by employing the N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) catalyst/cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) reagent system. The nitrooxy groups were demonstrated to function as tentative hydroxy protecting groups, as well as excellent leaving groups for N- and C-substitution reactions. Hence, the present method offers a unique way to synthesize diverse O-, N-, or C-functionalized benzylic compounds from simple alkyl aromatics.