Flavin-Catalyzed Chemoselective Aerobic Oxygenation of Heteroarylmethanes to Ketones

A novel flavin-catalyzed chemoselective aerobic oxygenation of arylheteroarylmethanes to ketones has been developed under metal-free and mild conditions. This catalytic system employs a cationic flavin to activate sp³ C–H bonds through the formation of pyridinium–flavin adducts, enabling precise proton and electron transfer for oxygen atom insertion. As a result, this method exhibits high chemoselectivity, effectively distinguishing between arylheteroarylmethanes and diarylmethanes.