Solvent-free oxidation of alcohols by hydrogen peroxide over chromium Schiff base complexes immobilized on MCM-41

A series of chromium(III) Schiff base complexes immobilized on MCM-41 were prepared and characterized by various physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The complexes were used for the selective oxidation of alcohols by 30% hydrogen peroxide without any organic solvent, phase transfer catalyst or additive. The immobilized complexes proved to be effective catalysts and generally exhibited much higher catalytic performance than their corresponding homogeneous analogs. The catalytic performance of the immobilized complexes was also found to be closely related to the Schiff base ligands used. Under the optimal reaction conditions, secondary alcohols, cyclic alcohols and benzyl alcohol were prevailingly oxidized to their corresponding ketones or aldehydes.