Catalytic Conversions in Water. Part 21: Mechanistic Investigations on the Palladium-Catalysed Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols in Water†

Abstract

Water-soluble complexes of palladium(II) with phenanthroline-derivatives are stable, recyclable catalysts for the selective aerobic oxidation of a wide range of alcohols to aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids in a biphasic liquid-liquid system. The active catalyst is a dihydroxy-bridged palladium dimer. Kinetics of the reaction, ligand and anion effects are discussed.