Sodium pyruvate as a peroxide scavenger in aerobic oxidation under carbene catalysis

NHC-Catalyzed aerobic oxidative reactions of imines and aldehydes have been developed by using sodium pyruvate as a novel and efficient peroxide scavenger. A structurally diverse set of imidates and amidines has been prepared from imines using this strategy. This general and efficient strategy features the use of sodium pyruvate as a novel and efficient peroxide scavenger and ambient air as the sole oxidant to efficiently control the NHC-catalyzed aerobic reaction pathway (selective realization of the oxidative pathway) under mild and green conditions.