A Simple, Inexpensive Procedure for the Oxidation of Mono-and Di-Arylcarbinols to Benzaldehydes and Benzophenones

Abstract

Oxidation of mono and di-arylcarbinols to benzaldehydes and benzophenones is a superficially prosaic process for which a wide variety of oxidants is generally believed to be available. From an experimental point of view, however, most of the procedures that have been described for these transformations are not entirely satisfactory (see Table I). There appear to be only two techniques, namely oxidation by ceric ammonium nitrate¹³ and by dinitrogen tetroxide, ^14,15 which satisfy the criteria of generality, manipulative simplicity, and the realisation of high yields of pure products within a reasonable reaction time.