Nanocrystalline Magnesium Oxide Stabilized Palladium(0): An Efficient Reusable Catalyst for Room Temperature Selective Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols

Nanocrystalline magnesium oxide-stabilized palladium(0) [NAP-Mg-Pd(0)], as an efficient catalytic system has been employed for the selective oxidation of alcohols using atmospheric oxygen as a green oxidant at room temperature. Various alcohols could be transformed into their corresponding aldehydes or ketones in good to excellent yields using a set of optimal conditions. NanoActive (TM) Magnesium Oxide Plus, [NAP-MgO] with its three-dimensional structure and well-defined shape acts as an excellent support for well dispersed palladium(0) nanoparticles. This catalyst can be recovered and reused for several cycles without any significant loss of catalytic activity.