A novel and selective oxidation of benzylic alcohols with polymer-supported periodic acid under mild aprotic conditions

A new polymeric oxidizing reagent was prepared by supporting periodic acid on poly(1,4-phenylene-2,5-pyridine dicarboxyamide). This polymeric reagent was used for the selective oxidation of primary benzylic alcohols to the corresponding benzaldehydes in CH3CN at reflux conditions. Excellent selectivity was observed between primary benzyl alcohols and secondary ones as well as non-benzylic alcohols in the oxidation reactions. Allylic alcohols were also converted to the corresponding aldehydes with good yields.