Selective Nitrous Oxide Oxidation for C-H Oxidation and Aromatization of 9,10-Dihydroanthracene Derivatives

During the nitrous oxide oxidation of 9,10-dihydroanthracene derivatives catalyzed by the ruthenium-porphyrin complexes, anthraquinones were selectively afforded by the C-H oxidation of the benzylic carbon under the appropriate reaction conditions, whereas anthracenes as a result of oxidative aromatization were selectively obtained in the presence of sulfuric acid.