Selective oxidation of glycerol catalyzed by iron complexes

• We describe a green process for glycerol oxidation catalyzed by iron complexes.
• Glycerol can be selectively oxidized to dihydroxyacetone.
• The catalytic reactions are carried out at r.t. with hydrogen peroxide as oxidant.
• It is the first example of iron-catalyzed glycerol oxidation to dihydroxyacetone.

Iron complexes with the polydentate ligand bis(2-pyridinylmethyl)amine (BPA) were employed as catalysts for the oxidation of glycerol using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. The only observed reaction products were dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and formic acid. Although the overall conversion was in all cases lower than 50%, by accurate choice of the experimental conditions selectivities in DHA up to 100% were obtained.

Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (135 K)Download as PowerPoint slide