Acid-assisted catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol by NOx with dioxygen

Efficient transformation of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes is an important process in organic synthesis and industry. In the absence of transition metal ion, an acid-activated NOx has been explored for the catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Under the optimal conditions, 95% yield of benzyl aldehyde could be achieved at room temperature with dioxygen as the terminal oxidant. The reaction mechanism was investigated through UV–visible spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry, and the key active species for oxidation have been assigned to the nitrosonium cation.

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► NOx/acid catalyzes the oxidation of benzyl alcohol using oxygen.
► NO+ is the key active species in the catalytic cycle.
► Acid promotes the generation of NO+.