Activation of Oxidations with Oxygen on Platinum Metals Using the Example of the Conversion of 2‐Phenoxyethanols to Phenoxyacetic Acids

Abstract

The oxidation of phenoxyethanols (1) to phenoxyacetic acids (2) proceeds rapidly at atmospheric pressure, in almost quantitative yield, using O2 or air on activated charcoal on Pd in solutions of aqueous sodium hydroxide in the presence of small amounts of bismuth(III)-nitrate.