Solvent-Free Oxidation of Alcohols Catalyzed by a Mn(III) Schiff-Base Complex Using Hydrogen Peroxide as an Oxidant

Aliphatic and aromatic alcohols are efficiently oxidized to ketones or carboxylic acids using aqueous hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in the presence of a Mn(III) Schiff-base complex as a catalyst under solvent-free conditions. The oxidation of alcohols occurred at 50 degrees C to give the corresponding ketones or carboxylic acids with a yield higher than 60%.