Facile aerobic photooxidation of methyl group in the aromatic nucleus in the presence of an organocatalyst under VIS irradiation

We report a useful method for a facile synthesis of carboxylic acids from methyl aromatics by aerobic photooxidation using VIS irradiation and easily handled 2-chloroanthraquinone as organic catalysts under mild conditions such as an air atmosphere and ambient pressure and temperature. This is a more environmentally benign oxidation than previous methods, which require drastic reaction conditions.