A novel environmentally benign method for the selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones

In the presence of [Ru(terpyridine)(2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate)], aliphatic and benzylic alcohols are oxidized to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones with high selectivity by using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. There is no need for the addition of co-catalysts or organic solvents. By applying an optimized reaction protocol, high catalyst productivity (turnover number>10000) and activity (turnover frequency up to 14800 h(-1)) has been achieved.