Oxidation of alcohols by electrochemically regenerated nickel oxide hydroxide. Selective oxidation of hydroxysteroids

Primary alcohols, α,ω-diols and secondary alcohols are easily transformed into carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids or ketones, respectively, by heterogeneous oxidation with nickel oxide hydroxide electrochemically regenerated at a nickel hydroxyde electrode. The results are discussed in comparison to those of the nickel peroxide and chromic acid oxidation. The oxidation rate decreases with increasing steric hindrance of the alcohol, thus allowing the selective oxidation of the 3-position in hydroxysteroids.