Ru/Al2O3 catalyzed N-oxidation of tertiary amines by using H2O2

Synthesis of several aromatic heterocyclic N-oxides using nano-ruthenium (Ru(PVP)/gamma-Al2O3, catalyst I) in the presence of 30% H2O2 as the oxidant is presented. Catalyst I shows good catalytic activity in N-oxidation reactions. Aqueous H2O2 as a cheap and clean oxidant with active catalyst I has been developed to minimize waste production and meet the requirements of green chemistry. A variety of aromatic tertiary nitrogen compounds have been efficiently oxidized to their corresponding N-oxides in excellent yields.