A pentanuclear yttrium hydroxo cluster as an oxidation catalyst. Catalytic oxidation of aldehydes in the presence of air

The air- and moisture-stable pentanuclear yttrium cluster H-5[Y-5(mu(4)-O)(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu-eta(2)-Ph(2)acac)(4)(eta(2)-Ph(2)acac)(6)] (Ph(2)acac = dibenzoylmethanide) has been used as a homogenous catalyst for the oxidation of aldehydes to the corresponding carboxylic acids in the presence of air.