Synthesis of aromatic aldehydes by laccase-mediator assisted oxidation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)01215-5

Aromatic aldehydes can be prepared in aqueous medium by oxidation of the corresponding methyl aromatic compounds in the presence of oxygen, the enzyme laccase and catalytic amounts of various N-hydroxy compounds. Allylic alcohols also gave the corresponding aldehydes in good yield. Competing reactions reveal that the N-hydroxy compound is involved in the rate determining step of the reaction.