Highly selective oxidation of alcohols with hydrogen peroxide and polyethylene oxide-supported long-chain imidazolium polyoxometalate hybrid catalyst

Abstract

A polyethylene oxide-supported long-chain imidazolium polyoxometalate hybrid catalyst ([PEO-didodecylimidazolium]3[PW12O40]2) was synthesized and employed as catalyst for the oxidation of various alcohols with H2O2 at room temperature. Owing to the exsistence of long chain, the catalyst had a good surface-active performance. The catalyst showed high activity not only in the oxidation of primary and secondary benzylic alcohols but also in the oxidation of heterocyclic and allylic alcohols to give good yields of aldehydes or ketones. The catalyst can be reused for six times without significant loss of its activity.