Simple and Efficient Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Primary Alcohols with Molecular Oxygen

Oxidative transformations utilizing molecular oxygen (O₂) as the stoichiometric oxidant are of paramount importance in organic synthesis from ecological and economical perspectives. Alcohol oxidation reactions that employ O₂ are scarce in homogeneous catalysis and the efficacy of such systems has been constrained by limited substrate scope (most involve secondary alcohol oxidation) or practical factors, such as the need for an excess of base or an additive. Catalytic systems employing O₂ as the “primary” oxidant, in the absence of any additive, are rare. A solution to this longstanding issue is offered by the development of an efficient ruthenium‐catalyzed oxidation protocol, which enables smooth oxidation of a wide variety of primary, as well as secondary benzylic, allylic, heterocyclic, and aliphatic, alcohols with molecular oxygen as the primary oxidant and without any base or hydrogen‐ or electron‐transfer agents. Most importantly, a high degree of selectivity during alcohol oxidation has been predicted for complex settings. Preliminary mechanistic studies including ¹⁸O labeling established the in situ formation of an oxo–ruthenium intermediate as the active catalytic species in the cycle and involvement of a two‐electron hydride transfer in the rate‐limiting step.     

Role of Graphitic Nitrogen and π‐Conjugated Functional Groups in Selective Oxidation of Alcohols: A DFT based Mechanistic Elucidation

Selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes is challenging reaction due to its accessibility to overoxidation. In this study, we have made an attempt to unravel the mechanistic aspects of selective oxidation of allyl alcohols that contain multiple functional groups catalyzed by N‐doped graphene. The role of graphitic nitrogen and the presence of π‐conjugated functional groups are demonstrated using the state‐of‐the‐art density functional theory calculations. The detailed reaction mechanism for aerobic oxidation of allyl alcohol (AA) and cinnamyl alcohol (CA) are investigated. The formation of activated oxygen species (AOS) over N‐doped graphene (NG) has been adopted from our previous report. The results revealed that ketonic AOS oxidizes allyl alcohols into aldehydes selectively with a relatively lower activation barrier of 20.1 kcal mol^?1. The oxidation of alcohols with the AOS formed at the edge results in high activation barriers owing to its high thermodynamic stability. Similarly, AOS formed at the center leads to the formation of H₂O₂ along with high activation barriers. As a consequence, AOS formed at the center is less active when compared to ketonic AOS. The overoxidation of aldehyde is only possible due to the formation of H₂O₂. However, it is unlikely to happen due to unfavorable ambient conditions. The presence of multiple π‐conjugated functional groups is responsible for the significant reduction in the activation barriers of the second hydrogen transfer step due to the stabilization of intermediate by increasing the acidic nature of the intermediates. On the basis of the results, a generalized reaction mechanism has been proposed. These results would definitely shed light on the effective fabrication of catalysts for oxidation of alcohol and sustainable energy.     

An Efficient Selective Oxidation of Alcohols with Zinc Zirconium Phosphate under Solvent‐free Conditions

Zinc zirconium phosphate (ZPZn) nanoparticles have been used as an efficient catalyst for the selective oxidation of a wide range of alcohols to their corresponding ketones or aldehydes using H₂O₂ as an oxidizing agent without any organic solvent, phase transfer catalyst, or additive. The steric factors associated with the substrates had a significant influence on the reaction conditions. The results showed that this method can be applied for chemoselective oxidation of benzyl alcohols in the presence of aliphatic alcohols. The catalyst used in the current study was characterized by ICP‐OES, XRD, N₂ adsorption‐desorption, NH₃‐TPD, Py‐FTIR, SEM, and TEM. These analyses revealed that the interlayer distance in the catalyst increased from 7.5 to 8.7 Å when Zn²⁺ was intercalated between the layers, whereas the crystallinity of the material was reduced. This nanocatalyst could also be recovered and reused at least seven times without any discernible decrease in its catalytic activity. This new method for the oxidation of alcohols has several key advantages, including mild and environmentally friendly reaction conditions, excellent yields and a facile work‐up.     

Preparation and Redox Properties of N,N,N‐1,3,5‐Trialkylated Flavin Derivatives and Their Activity as Redox Catalysts

Eight different flavin derivatives have been synthesized and the electronic effects of substituents in various positions on the flavin redox chemistry were investigated. The redox potentials of the flavins, determined by cyclic voltammetry, correlated with their efficiency as catalysts in the H₂O₂ oxidation of methyl p‐tolyl sulfide. Introduction of electron‐withdrawing groups increased the stability of the reduced catalyst precursor.     

Selective Aerobic Oxidation of Primary Alcohols to Aldehydes over Nb2O5 Photocatalyst with Visible Light

Primary alcohols are selectively converted into aldehydes by using a Nb₂O₅ photocatalyst under visible‐light irradiation. A strong interaction between the alcohol and Nb₂O₅ generates a donor level within the forbidden band of Nb₂O₅, which provides a visible‐light‐harvesting ability. Over oxidation of aldehydes into carboxylic acids does not proceed under visible‐light irradiation.     

Application and Mechanistic Studies of a Water‐Oxidation Catalyst in Alcohol Oxidation by Employing Oxygen‐Transfer Reagents

By using a dimeric ruthenium complex in combination with tert‐butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) as stoichiometric oxidant, a mild and efficient protocol for the oxidation of secondary benzylic alcohols was obtained, thereby giving the corresponding ketones in high yields within 4 h. However, in the oxidation of aliphatic alcohols, the TBHP protocol suffered from low conversions owing to a competing Ru‐catalyzed disproportionation of the oxidant. Gratifyingly, by switching to Oxone (2 KHSO₅ ? KHSO₄ ? K₂SO₄ triple salt) as stoichiometric oxidant, a more efficient and robust system was obtained that allowed for the oxidation of a wide range of aliphatic and benzylic secondary alcohols, giving the corresponding ketones in excellent yields. The mechanism for these reactions is believed to involve a high‐valent Ru^V–oxo species. We provide support for such an intermediate by means of mechanistic studies.     

Peroxidative catalytic oxidation of alcohols catalyzed by heterobinuclear vanadium(V) complexes using H2O2 as terminal oxidizing agents

Here we report the catalytic oxidation of benzylic alcohol, hetero‐aryl alcohols and propargylic alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl compound using heterobimetallic sodium‐dioxidovanadium(V) complexes. The present catalytic oxidation studies proceed at 70 °C using H₂O₂ as terminal oxidant. During the whole process, the complexes react with hydrogen peroxide to form peroxo‐vanadium(V) species. The present study shows the heterogeneity of pre‐catalyst which could be easily recovered and moreover isolation of product is very simple.     

Vanadium-catalyzed green oxidation of benzylic alcohols in water under air atmosphere

The oxidation of alcohols using catalytic amounts of metal complexes is highly attractive from the viewpoint of green chemistry principles. However, examples of metal complex-catalyzed oxidations of alcohols with O₂ using water as the solvent are still rare, and precious metals, high-pressure O₂ or air, and a stoichiometric amount of base are often required. In this study, it was found that an oxovanadium-4,4′-t-Bubpy (4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridyl) complex exhibited high catalytic activity in the oxidation of benzhydrols under an atmosphere of O₂ in water as the sole solvent. Interestingly, this catalytic oxidation method could be applied to the gram-scale aerobic oxidation of alcohols in water under the atmosphere.     

Reoxidation of Transition‐metal Catalysts with O2

Transition‐metal catalyzed oxidation reactions are central components of organic chemistry. On behalf of green and sustainable chemistry, molecular oxygen (O₂) has been considered as an ideal oxidant due to its natural, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly characters, and therefore offers attractive academic and industrial prospects. In recent years, some powerful organic oxidation methods have been continuously developed. Among them, the use of molecular oxygen (O₂) as a green and sustainable oxidant has attracted considerable attentions. However, the development of new transition metal‐catalyzed protocols using O₂ as an ideal oxidant is highly desirable but very challenging because of the low standard electrode potential of O₂ to reoxidize the transition‐metal catalysts. In this Account, we highlight some of our progress toward the use of transition‐metal catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions. Through the careful selection of ligand and the acidic additives, we have successfully realized the reoxidation of Cu, Pd, Mn, Fe, Ru, Rh, and bimetallic catalysts under O₂ or air atmosphere (1 atm) for the oxidative coupling, oxygenation reactions, oxidative C‐H/C‐C bond cleavage, oxidative annulation, and olefins difunctionalization reactions. Most of the reactions can tolerate a range of functional groups. These methods provide new strategies for the green synthesis of alkynes, (α ‐keto)amides/esters, ketones/diones, O/N‐heterocycles, β ‐azido alcohols, and nitriles. The high efficiency, low cost, and simple operation under air make these methodologies very attractive and practical. We will also discuss the mechanisms of these reactions which might be useful to promote the new type of aerobic oxidative reaction design.     

Solid Base Bi24O31Br10(OH)δ with Active Lattice Oxygen for the Efficient Photo‐Oxidation of Primary Alcohols to Aldehydes

The selective oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes by O₂ instead of stoichiometric oxidants (for example, Mn^VII, Cr^VI, and Os^IV) is an important but challenging process. Most heterogeneous catalytic systems (thermal and photocatalysis) require noble metals or harsh reaction conditions. Here we show that the Bi₂₄O₃₁Br₁₀(OH)_δ photocatalyst is very efficient in the selective oxidation of a series of aliphatic (carbon chain from C₁ to C₁₀) and aromatic alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes/ketones under visible‐light irradiation in air at room temperature, which would be challenging for conventional thermal and light‐driven processes. High quantum efficiencies (71 % and 55 % under 410 and 450 nm irradiation) are reached in a representative reaction, the oxidation of isopropanol. We propose that the outstanding performance of the Bi₂₄O₃₁Br₁₀(OH)_δ photocatalyst is associated with basic surface sites and active lattice oxygen that boost the dehydrogenation step in the photo‐oxidation of alcohols.     

Reaction‐Based and Single Fluorescent Emitter Decorated Ratiometric Nanoprobe to Detect Hydrogen Peroxide

A novel reaction‐based cross‐linked polymeric nanoprobe with a self‐calibrating ratiometric fluorescence readout to selectively detect H₂O₂ is reported. The polymeric nanoprobe is fabricated by using hydrophobic H₂O₂‐reactive boronic ester groups, crosslinker units, and environmentally sensitive 3‐hydroxyflavone fluorophores through a miniemulsion polymerization. On treatment with H₂O₂, the boronic esters in the polymer are cleaved to form hydrophilic alcohols and subsequently lead to a hydrophobic–hydrophilic transition. Covalently linked 3‐hydroxyflavones manifest the change in polarity as a ratiometric transition from green to blue, accompanied by a 500‐fold increase in volume. Furthermore, this nanoprobe has been used for ratiometric sensing of glucose by monitoring the H₂O₂ generated during the oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase, and thus successfully distinguished between normal and pathological levels of glucose.     

CoFe2O4@SiO2@ Co (III) salen complex nanoparticle as a green and efficient magnetic nanocatalyst for the oxidation of benzyl alcohols by molecular O2

In the presence of cobalt (III) salen complex, selective oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds was studied by molecular oxygen using isobutyraldehyde as an oxygen acceptor. The effect of cobalt (III) salen complex in the oxidation reaction was studied, and the results showed that Co (III) salen complex is very active and selective in the oxidation of various alcohols. Also, the effect of important factors including catalyst amount, solvent and temperature was investigated on the reaction. Furthermore, the catalytic activities of CoFe₂O₄@SiO₂‐supported Schiff base metal complex as well as the effect of molecular oxygen (O₂) as a green oxidant were studied. The results showed that benzaldehyde was the major product and the heterogeneous catalyst was highly reusable.     

From Surface‐Inspired Oxovanadium Silsesquioxane Models to Active Catalysts for the Oxidation of Alcohols with O2—The Cinnamic Acid/Metavanadate System

Silsesquioxane dioxovanadate(V) complexes were investigated with respect to their potential as a catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols with O₂ as an oxidant. The turnover frequencies determined were comparatively low, but during the oxidation of cinnamic alcohol an increase in activity was observed in the course of the process, which was inspected more closely. It turned out that during the oxidation of cinnamic alcohol, not only was the aldehyde formed but also cinnamic acid, which in turn reacts with the silsesquioxane complex employed to give NBu₄[O₂V(O₂CC₂H₂Ph)₂], which can also be obtained from NBu₄VO₃ and cinnamic acid and represents a far more active catalyst, not only for cinnamic alcohol but also for other activated alcohols and hydrocarbons. The rate‐determining step of the conversion corresponds to an hydrogen‐atom abstraction from the C? H units, as shown by the determination of the kinetic isotope effect in case of 9‐hydroxyfluorene, and the reoxidation of the reduced catalyst proceeds via a peroxo intermediate, which is also capable of oxidizing one alcohol equivalent. Furthermore the influence of the organic residues at the carboxylate ligands on the catalyst performance was investigated, which showed that the activity increases with decreasing pK_s value. Moreover, it was found that during the oxidation the catalyst slowly decomposes, but can be regenerated by addition of excessive carboxylic acid.     

Cu(II) Schiff base complex supported on Fe3O4 nanoparticles as an efficient nanocatalyst for the selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols

Herein, we have prepared a new Cu(II) Schiff base complex supported onto the surface of modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as highly stable, heterogeneous and magnetically recyclable nanocatalyst for the selective aerobic oxidation of different alcohols. The structure, morphology, chemical composition and magnetic property of the nanocatalyst and its precursors were characterized using FT‐IR, TGA, AAS, ICP‐AES, XRD, SEM, EDS, VSM and N₂ adsorption–desorption analyses. Characterization results exhibited the uniform spherical morphology for nanocatalyst and its precursors. A promising eco‐friendly method with short reaction time and high conversion and selectivity for oxidation of various primary and secondary alcohols under O₂ atmosphere condition was achieved. The synthesized nanocatalyst could be recovered easily by applying an external magnetic field and reused for least eight subsequent reaction cycles with only negligible deterioration in catalytic performance.     

Simultaneous Electroluminescence

A proof‐of‐concept for the production of simultaneous electroluminescence in a single electrochemical cell in a basic medium and using H₂O₂ as a co reactant is obtained: at the anode by means of the direct oxidation of luminol to yield an excited emitting species, and in the catholyte by an indirect mediated process involving the initial reduction of ClO₂^? to produce ClO^?, which then reacts with luminol (also to produce an excited emitting species). Emission spectra and possible mechanistic pathways are discussed.     

Alcohol Oxidations Using Reduced Polyoxovanadates

A full account of our recently communicated room temperature alcohol oxidation using reduced polyoxovanadates (r‐POV s) is presented. Extensive optimizations revealed optimal conditions employing 0.02 equiv. of r‐POV catalyst Cs₅(V₁₄As₈O₄₂Cl), 5 equiv. tert‐butyl hydrogen peroxide (^t BuOOH ) as the terminal co‐oxidant, in an acetone solvent for the quantitative oxidation of aryl‐substituted secondary alcohols to their ketone products. The substrate scope tolerates most aryl substituted secondary alcohols in good to quantitative yields while alkyl secondary and primary activated alcohols were sluggish in comparison under similar conditions. Catalyst recyclability was successful on a 1.0 mmol scale of starting alcohol 1‐phenylethanol. The oxidation was also successfully promoted by the V^IV /V^V mixed valent polyoxovanadate (POV ) Cs₁₁Na₃Cl₅(V₁₅O₃₆Cl). Finally, a third POV , Cs_2.64(V₅O₉)(AsO₄)₂, was investigated for catalytic activity using our established reaction protocol, but proved ineffective as compared to the other two r‐POV catalysts. This study expands the field of POM ‐mediated alcohol oxidations to include underexplored r‐POV catalysts. While our catalysts do not supplant the best catalysts known for the transformation, their study may inform the development of other novel oxidative transformations mediated by r‐POV s.     

Catalytic activity of nickel(II), copper(II) and oxovanadium(II)‐dihydroindolone complexes towards homogeneous oxidation reactions

Three novel paramagnetic metal complexes (MH₂ID) of Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and VO²⁺ ions with 3‐hydroxy‐3,3’‐biindoline‐2,2’‐dione (dihydroindolone, H₄ID) were synthesized and characterized by different spectroscopic methods. The ligand (H₄ID) was synthesized via homocoupling reaction of isatin in presence of phenylalanine in methanol. Complexation of low valent Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ ions and high valent VO²⁺ ions with H₄ID carried out in 1: 2 molar ratios. A comparison in the catalytic potential of paramagnetic complexes of low and high valent metal ion was explored in the oxidation processes of cis‐cyclooctene, benzyl alcohol and thiophene by an aqueous H₂O₂, as a green terminal oxidant, in the presence and absence of acetonitrile, as an organic solvent, at 85 °C. NiH₂ID, CuH₂ID and VOH₂ID show good catalytic activity, i.e. good chemo‐ and regioselectivity. VOH₂ID has the highest catalytic potential compared to both Ni²⁺‐ and Cu²⁺‐species in the same homogenous aerobic atmosphere. Catalytic oxidation of other alkenes and alcohols was also studied using NiH₂ID, CuH₂ID or VOH₂ID as a pre‐catalyst by an aqueous H₂O₂. A mechanistic pathway for those oxidation processes was proposed.     

Copper(II) Schiff Base Complex Immobilized on Superparamagnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 as a Magnetically Separable Nanocatalyst for Oxidation of Alkenes and Alcohols

A new heterogeneous catalyst containing a copper(II) Schiff base complex covalently immobilized on the surface of silica‐coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐Schiff base‐Cu(II)) was synthesized. Characterization of this catalyst was performed using various techniques. The catalytic potential of the catalyst was investigated for the oxidation of various alkenes (styrene, α‐methylstyrene, cyclooctene, cyclohexene and norbornene) and alcohols (benzyl alcohol, 3‐methoxybenzyl alcohol, 3‐chlorobenzyl alcohol, benzhydrol and n ‐butanol) using tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant. The catalytic investigations revealed that Fe₃O₄@SiO₂‐Schiff base‐Cu(II) was especially efficient for the oxidation of norbornene and benzyl alcohol. The results showed that norbornene epoxide and benzoic acid were obtained with 100 and 87% selectivity, respectively. Moreover, simple magnetic recovery from the reaction mixture and reuse for several times with no significant loss in catalytic activity were other advantages of this catalyst     

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of CoFe2O4/Ce-UiO-66 nanocomposite for photocatalytic aerobic oxidation of aliphatic alcohols

During the past years, light-driven selective oxidation of various alcohols has attracted increasing attention as a green and eco-friendly manner to convert visible light energy into valuable compounds. In this work, magnetic CoFe₂O₄/Ce-UiO-66 embedded structure composites are elaborately designed for the photocatalytic oxidation of aliphatic alcohols under visible-light irradiation and aerobic condition at room temperature. The CoFe₂O₄/Ce-UiO-66 structure was prepared using a simple and fast ultrasound-assisted technique in 60 min at room temperature. As compared with the unmodified CoFe₂O₄, the embedded composite exhibited better visible-light sensitization performance. The catalyst showed high chemical stability in the reaction conditions and can be recovered quickly and reused for at least five reaction runs in the aerobic oxidation reaction condition.     

(S)-tetrahydroprotoberberine oxidase the final enzyme in protoberberine biosynthesis

A new flavin enzyme has been discovered which in the presence of O₂ catalyses the oxidation of (S)-tetrahydro-protoberberines to protoberberines via the intermediate 7,14-dehydroberberinium.