Selective functionalization of benzylic C-H bonds of two different benzylic ethers by bowl-shaped N -hydroxyimide derivatives as efficient organoradical catalysts.

A highly efficient, site-selective benzylic C-H bond amination of two different benzylic ether substrates was described by using bowl-shaped N -hydroxyimide organoradical catalysts with diethyl azodicarboxylate. The synthetic utility of this approach is demonstrated by the subsequent transformation of the amination products into the corresponding aldehydes and alkylhydrazines.