Fe(NO3)(3)/2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ): An efficient catalyst system for selective oxidation of alcohols under aerobic conditions

A practical and efficient catalyst system for the oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds using catalytic amounts of DDQ and Fe(NO3)(3) with air as the environmentally benign oxidant has been developed. A variety of benzylic, heterocyclic, allylic and propargylic alcohols were smoothly converted into aldehydes or ketones in good to excellent yields. In case of large-scale reaction for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde was obtained in 93% isolated yield. Moreover, a possible reaction mechanism was proposed.