Catalytic Aerobic Chemoselective α-Oxidation of Acylpyrazoles en Route to α-Hydroxy Acid Derivatives.

Catalytic aerobic chemoselective α-oxidation of acylpyrazoles is described. Acylpyrazoles, carboxylic acid oxidation state substrates, were efficiently oxidized under aerobic conditions using TEMPO as an oxygenating agent. The mild catalytic conditions of the present catalysis were amenable to late-stage α-oxidation of various pharmaceutical agents and natural products, leading to previously unreported α-hydroxy acid derivatives in short steps. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that in situ generated copper(II) peroxo species served as a Lewis acid/Brønsted base cooperative catalyst.