The synthetic utility of cerium (IV) triflate Ce (OTf) 4 as a reagent for benzylic oxidation has been tested for a variety of aromatic compounds. Insight is provided into various factors that govern these oxidations and their progress. It has been shown that the mode of preparation of Ce (OTf) 4 and the% H2O present in the sample have a marked influence on oxidation ability. A variety of mono-and dialkylbenzenes, haloalkylbenzenes, bicyclic and tricyclic ...