Green bromine: in situ generated catalyst for the selective oxidation of alcohols using H2O2 as a benign oxidant

Abstract

The selective oxidation of benzylic/secondary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes/ketones with a catalytic amount of bromide–bromate (10 mol%) couple and H₂O₂ as a benign oxidant has been developed. The oxidation reactions were achieved through acid (15 mol%) activation of 5 : 1 mole ratios of a bromide–bromate couple for the in situ generation of the Br₂/BrOH species. The In situ generation of the Br₂/BrOH species is also supported by UV-Visible spectrophotometric studies. High selectivity and yields of aldehydes/ketones were obtained without the use of any transition metal catalyst under aqueous conditions.