Cover Feature: Photochemically Mediated Toluene Oxidation through a Copper Complex (Chem. Eur. J. 46/2023)

Under ambient conditions, toluene can be oxidized selectively to benzaldehyde, an essential compound in the chemical industry. Copper(I) complexes were applied in combination with [Ru(bipy)3](PF6)2 and dioxygen as the oxidant. A peroxido copper complex is formed as the active species. The copper(II) complex obtained after oxidation can be photochemically reduced to the starting copper(I) species, and the process can be repeated. More information can be found in the Research Article by C. Noß, R. Göttlich, and S. Schindler (DOI: 10.1002/chem.202301142).