A cobalt-catalyzed C(sp3)-H oxygenation reaction to furnish aldehyde was herein reported. This transformation demonstrated high chemo-selectivity, and tolerated various methylarenes bearing electron-withdrawing substituents. This reaction provided rapid access to diverse aldehydes form methylarenes. Notably, TFA/TFAA was used for the first time as a mixed solvent in cobalt-catalyzed oxygenation of benzylic methylenes.
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