Selective oxidation of p-nitrobenzyl alcohol to p-nitrobenzaldehyde with 10% Ni silica with 30% H2O2 in acetonitrile solvent

p-Nitrobenzyl alcohol is oxidized to p-nitrobenzaldehyde with good selectivity using 30% H2O2 and 10% Ni/SiO2 as catalyst in acetonitirle, as refluxing solvent. A 95% conversion and single product are achieved. Using the same system, benzhydrol was selectively converted to benzophenone with 100% conversion. Cinnamyl alcohol, menthol and cyclohexanol were also converted to their corresponding aldehydes or ketones, but with less efficiency.