B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 -catalyzed oxidation of α-diazoesters using DMF and molecular oxygen as oxygen sources.

A metal-free catalytic oxidation of α-diazoesters via a green environmental-friendly route was developed. The α-diazoesters were converted to α-ketoesters using DMF and molecular oxygen as oxygen sources and B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 as the catalyst, without any additives. This protocol has a broad adaptability of substrates and good compatibility with a range of functional groups, and it offers new insight into reactions catalyzed by B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 .