Recyclable silica-supported iodoarene-RuCl3 bifunctional catalysts for oxidation of alcohols and alkylarenes

Novel, efficient, and recyclable bifunctional catalysts bearing SiO2-supported RuCl3 and iodoarene moieties were developed and used for environmentally benign oxidation of alcohols or alkylarenes at the benzylic position. These reactions in the presence of oxone as stoichiometric oxidant afforded the corresponding carbonyl compounds in high yields under mild conditions and convenient work-up. Furthermore, these SiO2-supported bifunctional catalysts can be recovered by simple filtration and directly reused. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.