Chemoselective Oxidation of the Primary Alcohol Function of Diols Catalyzed by Zirconocene Complexes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1986-31775

Zirconocene complexes, Cp2ZrH2 and Cp2Zr2, catalyze the Oppenauer-type oxidation of alcohol functions to the corresponding carbonyl compounds in the presence of an appropriate hydrogen acceptor such as benzophenone.In the oxidation of primary α,ω-diols and of diols containing two secondary alcohol functions, one of the alcohol functions is selectively oxidized to form hydroxy aldehydes and hydroxy ketones, respectively, in substantial yields.The chemoselective oxidation of the primary alcohol function can be achieved in the oxidation of diols containing both the primary and secondary alcohol functions.