Oxidation of Alcohols by Metallic Nitrates Supported on Silica Gel

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00268a011

Several metallic nitrates supported on silica gel efficiently oxidized secondary alcohols and primary benzyl and allyl alcohols to the corresponding ketones and aldehydes under mild conditions.Especially, Cu(NO3)2 and Zn(NO3)2 are suitable for practical use.Silica gel was essential for the efficient oxidation in any case.Overoxidation of the formed aldehydes was not observed.Some mechanistic studies suggest that the key step of the process involves the formation of radical species.