Highly efficient selective oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds catalyzed by ruthenium (III) meso-tetraphenylporphyrin chloride in the presence of molecular oxygen.

Efficient selective oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds by molecular oxygen with isobutyraldehyde as oxygen acceptor in the presence of metalloporphyrins has been reported. Ruthenium (III) meso-tetraphenylporphyrin chloride (Ru(TPP)Cl) showed excellent activity and selectivity for oxidation of various alcohols under mild conditions. Moreover, different factors influencing alcohols oxidation, for example, catalyst, solvent, temperature, and oxidant, have been investigated. In large-scale oxidation of benzyl alcohol, the isolated yield of benzaldehyde of 89% was observed.