Pyridinium Dichromate-Assisted Oxidative Cleavage of α-Functionalized Benzylic Alcohols by Sodium Percarbonate Under Phase-Transfer Conditions

Abstract

The course and the efficiency of the oxidation by sodium percarbonate of benzylic alcohols, α-substituted by a keto, hydroxy, ester or acid group, are dependent on the nature of both α-group and the solvent, and yields are usually improved by the presence of catalytic amounts of Cr(VI) species. The oxidative cleavage of the C(OH)-Cα bond is the main process observed.