Benzyltriphenylphosphonium Chlorochromate: A Mild and Novel Reagent for Oxidation of Benzylic and Allylic Alcohols Under Non-Aqueous and Aprotic Conditions or Microwave Conditions

Abstract

This paper describes the oxidation of benzylic and allylic alcohols under non-aqueous and aprotic conditions or microwave conditions using benzyltriphenylphosphonium chlorochromate (1) PhCH₂PPh₃CrO₃.HCl which has been prepared by mixing an aqueous solution of benzyltriphenylphosphonium chloride with CrO₃ in 6 N HCl at room temperature. This reagent is stable orange powder which may be stored for months without loss of its activity. This compound is readily soluble in organic solvents such as acetonitrile, chloroform and dichloromethane and slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride, ether and hexane. the oxidation under microwave conditions is much more faster.