Catalytic oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds with hydrogen peroxide using dinuclear iron complexes

Rapid and efficient oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols was achieved with hydrogen peroxide in acetone in the presence of [Fe(ind)Cl]2O and [Fe2(OMe)2(PAP)Cl4] as catalysts. The reaction conditions for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde with [Fe(ind)Cl]2O have been optimized by investigating the solvent, type of the oxidant, alcohol/oxidant molar ratio and length of reaction time.