Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Oxidations, 2. Titanium‐ or Zirconium‐Catalyzed Selective Dehydrogenation of Benzyl Alcohols to Aldehydes and Ketones with <i>tert</i>‐Butyl Hydroperoxide

Abstract

Abstract Primary and secondary benzyl alcohols are selectivity converted in high yields into the corresponding aldehydes or ketones using tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide and catalytic amounts of titanium or (better) zirconium alcoholates. Aliphatic hydroxy groups, double bonds (except those in allylic position to hydroxy groups), and phenolic hydroxy groups (except those in ortho position to the benzylic alcohol) are not attacked.