Oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds with peracetic acid catalysed by cobalt (III) acetate

Abstract

Some alcohols have been oxidized to carbonyl compounds with peracetic acid catalysed by cobalt(III) acetate in acetic acid. The addition of sodium bromide to the reaction mixture accelerated the reaction. The oxidation of primary and secondary aromatic alcohols with peracetic acid catalysed by cobalt acetate and sodium bromide gave, respectively, the corresponding aldehydes and ketones in excellent yields. Secondary aliphatic and alicyclic alcohols were converted into the corresponding ketones in moderate to good yields under similar conditions, but primary aliphatic alcohols did not react.