Chemoselective oxidation of alcohols by a H2O2-Pt black system under organic solvent- and halide-free conditions.

Environmentally benign oxidation of allylic alcohols by platinum black catalyst with aqueous hydrogen peroxide to give the corresponding alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in high yield is presented. Reactions are carried out under organic solvent- and halide-free conditions. The platinum black catalyst is commercially available and is found to be reusable at least seven times before significant loss of catalytic activity. The operation is very simple, even in a hectogram-scale synthesis, and gives corresponding carbonyl compounds in over 90 % yield. The effective oxidation of benzyl and secondary alcohols are also described.