The oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones with <i>N</i>‐bromosuccinimide in polyethylene glycol: an experimental and theoretical study

Abstract

Abstract Oxidation of aliphatic and aromatic alcohols has been studied by using N ‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) as oxidant and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as reaction medium under mild reaction conditions. Temperature and solvent effect are studied. Theoretical study is also done with the Gaussian 98 suite of program and the calculation results are in good accordance with the experimental outcome. This system offers a very clean, convenient, environmentally benign method for the oxidation of alcohols. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.