Selective oxidation of some primary and secondary benzylic alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds with a Cu(III) complex

The selective oxidation of benzylic alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds is described. In alkaline solution, the oxidation reagent potassium tetrasodium diperiodatocuprate(III) dodecahydrate (KNa4[Cu(HIO6)(2)]x12H(2)O) reacts with primary and secondary benzylic alcohols whereby good yields of the corresponding carbonyl compounds are obtained. The presented method provides for the selective oxidation of the benzylic hydroxyl group in compounds containing other types of alcoholic functional groups.