Green, catalytic oxidation of alcohols in water
Alcohol oxidations are typically performed with stoichiometric reagents that generate heavy-metal waste and are usually run in chlorinated solvents. A water-soluble palladium(II) bathophenanthroline complex is a stable recyclable catalyst for the selective aerobic oxidation of a wide range of alcohols to aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids in a biphasic water-alcohol system. The use of water as a solvent and air as the oxidant makes the reaction interesting from both an economic and environmental point of view.
ten Brink GJ
Laboratory for Organic Chemistry and Catalysis, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, Netherlands.
Arends
IW
Sheldon
RA