Cross Redox Coupling of Aryl-Aldehydes and p-Benzoquinone

Herein, we report an unprecedented Cross Redox Coupling (CRC) reaction catalyzed by Cu(OAc)(2)center dot H2O. As a proof-of-concept, direct coupling of aromatic aldehydes (or alcohols) and p-benzoquinone led to an ester in the presence of the Cu(II)-TBHP combination. During the coupling process, the C-H bond of the aldehydes was converted directly to a C-O bond. Mechanistically, we propose that the reaction proceeded via a radical pathway. In addition, atom and electron economies were well-conserved during this CRC reaction.