Clay-supported ceric ammonium nitrate as an effective, viable catalyst in the oxidation of olefins, chalcones and sulfides by molecular oxygen

A highly efficient and selective carbon-carbon double bond cleavage of olefins, chalcones and also oxidation of sulfides involving molecular oxygen is achieved using K10-montmorillonite clay-supported ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) in methanol medium. The catalyst is recycled without any loss in activity and selectivity. A suitable mechanism wherein all the three species are assembled within the clay interlayer is proposed.