Copper on boehmite: A simple, selective, efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for oxidation of alcohols with periodic acid in water at room temperature

Oxidation of various aliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic, benzylic and allylic alcohols to corresponding carbonyl compounds is studied in water at room temperature over copper on boehmite [Cu/AlO(OH)] catalyst which is prepared from CuCl2 center dot 2H(2)O, pluronic P123 and Al(O-sec-Bu)(3). The prepared catalyst was characterized by HR-TEM, SEM-EDX and IR spectroscopy. The reaction conditions for catalytic oxidation of alcohols are optimized with different mole ratio, solvents, and oxidants using 1-phenylethanol system as a model. The scope of the reaction is extended to various types of alcohols. Chemoselectivity, heterogeneity and reusability tests were performed. The use of water as a solvent at room temperature makes the reaction interesting from both an economic and environmental point of view. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.