Reduction Reactions and Reducing Agents

Oxidation of Benzylic Carbons Oxidation of Ketone a-Carbons 

The introduction of any heteroatom alpha to a carbonyl can be described as an oxidation of the a-carbon. In one method, the ketone is first converted to the corresponding silyl enol ether by treatment with trimethylsilyl chloride and base (TMSCl, EtsN). Reaction of this enol ether with bromine (Br2) gives an a-bromo product. Oxidation of the enol ether with OSO4 or mCPBA gives the a-hydroxy ketone product. 

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