Access to α-Hydroxy Amides via a Practical Metal-Free "One-Pot" Tandem Reaction Involving Aerobic C(sp3)-H Hydroxylation and C(sp2)-C(sp3) Cleavage.

A flexible metal-free cascade reaction involving aerobic C(sp3)-H hydroxylation and decarbonylation with high regioselectivity and functional group tolerance has been established. Moreover, this indirect hydroxylation approach of N-aryl amides could enable the construction of a wide range of valuable secondary alcohols at α-position of N-aryl amides. It provides a supplementary strategy for direct α-hydroxylation of simple amides.