Unexpected catalytic activity of N-hydroxyphthalimide combined with some co-catalyst in oxidation of organic substrates by dioxygen

The combination of N-hydroxyphthalimide and various co-catalyst affords an efficient catalytic system for the aerobic oxidation of organic substrates. Thus, acids, tertiary and quaternary ammonium salts and typical Lewis acid s (e.g. BF3) are effective co-catalysts. Their role is concerned to weaknes s the O-H bond in NHPI via hydrogen bond formation or as the result of the donor-acceptor interaction.