title: Synthetic scope of alcohol transfer dehydrogenation catalyzed by Cu/Al2O3: a new metallic catalyst with unusual selectivity.
abstract: A method for the anaerobic oxidation of a wide series of alcohols including cyclohexanols and steroidal alcohols, has been set up. It relies on a transfer dehydrogenation reaction from the substrate alcohol to styrene catalyzed by a heterogeneous, reusable copper catalyst under very mild liquid-phase experimental conditions (90 degrees C, N(2)) and shows unusual selectivity. Thus, the method is selective for the oxidation of secondary and allylic alcohols even in the presence of unprotected primary and benzylic alcohols. Electronic effects and the choice of the hydrogen acceptor account for the selectivity observed.
authors.affiliation: Dip. CIMA, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Venezian 21, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zaccheria
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ravasio
authors.forename: Rinaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Psaro
authors.forename: Achille
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fusi