Selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes by hydrogen peroxide using hexamolybdochromate(III) as catalyst

Anderson type hexamolybdochromate(III) was utilized as a catalyst for facile conversion of various aliphatic, benzylic and heterocyclic alcohols to corresponding aldehydes and ketones in good yields. The reaction was carried out in 50% aq. acetonitrile using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant at 50 °C. The reaction was found to involve oxidation of the catalyst to its active Cr(V) intermediate by hydrogen peroxide.