The First Example of Activation of Molecular Oxygen by Nickel in Ni-Al Hydrotalcite: A Novel Protocol for the Selective Oxidation of Alcohols

Abstract

NiO in association with aluminum oxide has been identified by temperature-programmed reduction as the active species in the Ni–Al hydrotalcite catalyst that oxidizes α-ketols as well as benzylic and allylic alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl compounds in oxygen in quantitative yields under mild reaction conditions (see scheme).