A rugged lead-ruthenate pyrochlore membrane catalyst for highly selective oxidation of alcohols

A rugged lead-ruthenate pyrochlore (Py, Pb₂Ru₂O₇) Nafion 417 membrane catalyst (|NPy|) has been demonstrated for highly efficient and fully selective oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to aldehydes and ketones. Under a triphasic condition of CH₂Cl_2(org)//|NPy|_(s)//NaOCl-pH 11_(aq), the |NPy| can be recycled and reused effectively on oxidations of alcohols. Using a same piece of |NPy|, similar reaction yields were obtained by repeating benzyl alcohol oxidation reaction for 20 times. Electrochemical mechanistic investigation indicated that the perruthenate ion (RuO₄⁻) intermediate was responsible for selective mediation of the alcohol oxidation.