Oxidation of benzoins to benzils in the presence of porphyrin sensitizers by air and sunlight or visible light

In this work, two new aerobic routes are introduced for the oxidation of a variety of benzoins to benzils by using molecular oxygen in the presence of porphyrins as sensitizers, using white light or sunlight in acetonitrile under mild conditions. The methods have a wide range of applications, do not involve cumbersome work-up, exhibit chemoselectivity and proceed under mild reaction conditions. The resulting products are obtained in good yields in a reasonable time.