Ligand-modulated palladium oxidation catalysis:: Mechanistic insights into aerobic alcohol oxidation with the Pd(OAc)2/pyridine catalyst system

[GRAPHICS] Pd(OAc)(2):pyridine (1:4) is an efficient catalyst system for the oxidation of alcohols with molecular oxygen. A mechanistic study of this reaction reveals that pyridine promotes the aerobic oxidation. of palladium(0) but inhibits the oxidation of alcohol by palladium(II). Kinetic results reveal that turnover-limiting substrate oxidation consists of (i) formation of a palladium(II)-alkoxide, (ii) pyridine dissociation, and (iii) beta-hydride elimination. These results provide a framework for the design and/or screening of more effective aerobic oxidation catalysts.