Industrial Oxidations with Organocatalyst TEMPO and Its Derivatives

The radical TEMPO and its derivatives find a variety of industrial applications as highly selective oxidation catalysts for the production of pharmaceuticals, flavors and fragrances, agrochemicals, and a variety of other specialty chemicals. Reviewing recent notable examples, we show how and why homogeneous and heterogeneous TEMPO-mediated oxidations are becoming part of a central toolbox in industrial organic synthesis applicable for the conversion of alcohols into aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids.