LAUSR

Abstract Irradiated by visible light, the recyclable (PhTe)2-catalyzed oxidative deoximation reaction could occur under mild conditions. In comparison with the thermo reaction, the method employed reduced catalyst loading (1 mol% vs. 2.5 mol%), but afforded elevated product yields with expanded substrate scope. This work demonstrated that for the organotellurium-catalyzed reactions, visible light might be an even more precise driving energy than heating because it could break the Te Te bond accurately to generate the active free radical catalytic intermediates without damaging the fragile substituents (e.g. heterocycles) of substrates. The use of O2 instead of explosive H2O2 as oxidant affords safer reaction conditions from the large-scale application viewpoint.