Multiple bonds between transition metals and main-group elements Part 175 - The selective catalytic oxidation of terminal alcohols: a novel four-component system with MTO as catalyst

A four-component system (H2O2. MTO, HBr, TEMPO) in acetic acid catalyzes the selective oxidation of terminal alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes with excellent selectivity and yield. The system allows the oxidation of alcohols with hydrogen peroxide as oxidants either selectively to aldehydes or to the corresponding acids, depending on the reaction parameters. The new technique is especially applicable to the oxidation of carbohydrates. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.