Molecular sieve promoted copper catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols to corresponding aldehydes or ketones

A novel combination of catalyst system of CuCl/TEMPO-IL/MS3A, which catalyzed the aerobic oxidation of alcohols in ionic liquid [bmim][PF6] into aldehydes or ketones in high yields and selectivity, was reported. Molecular sieve 3A was found to have a significant beneficial effect on the catalytic reactions. The beneficial effect of Molecular sieve 3A was attributed to its Bronsted base property. With TEMPO being immobilized on ionic liquid to form TEMPO-IL and the use of a heterogeneous promoter of MS3A, the catalyst system could easily be recycled and reused without loss in catalytic activity. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.