Cooperative Electrocatalytic and Chemoselective Alcohol Oxidation by Shvo's Catalyst

摘要

A new electrocatalytic conversion of alcohols to ketones and aldehydes was developed based on an electrochemical study of Shvo Q s complex. The oxidation of secondary alcohols was efficiently performed under mild conditions using a catalytic amount of Shvo Q s catalyst, in combination with a sub-stoichiometric amount of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4benzoquinone in N, N-dimethylformamide at 80 degrees C. The hydroquinone thus formed is continuously reoxidized with the aid of an electrochemical device. Excellent yields for different ketones, aromatic as well as aliphatic and alpha, beta-unsaturated ketones, are obtained. In addition, chemoselectivity towards oxidation of the secondary alcohol is achieved when converting vicinal diols such as 1,2-octanediol and 1,2-decanediol.