Chemoselective Oxidation of Secondary Alcohols Using a Ruthenium Phenylindenyl Complex

A straightforward catalytic alcohol oxidation procedure using the recently reported complex [RuCl(PPh3)(2)(3-phenylindenyl)] (1) with KHMDS as cocatalyst, in acetone as the oxidant, is reported. Complex 1 shows remarkable chemoselectivity in oxidizing secondary alcohols to ketones.