Iridium-catalyzed Oppenauer oxidations of primary alcohols using acetone or 2-butanone as oxidant

The first Oppenauer oxidation of primary alcohols with acetone or 2-butanone by an amino alcohol-based Ir bifunctional catalyst was accomplished. The reaction proceeds with 1 mol % catalyst in acetone or 2-butanone at 30-80 degreesC to give the corresponding aldehydes in 33-96% yield.