Copper Nanoparticles Immobilized on Nanocellulose: A Novel and Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for Controlled and Selective Oxidation of Sulfides and Alcohols

In this work, we have described the versatility of low metal loading copper nanoparticles immobilized on nanocellulose for the controlled and selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides and primary alcohols to aldehydes using green oxidant at room temperature. Aromatic, aliphatic and heterocyclic sulfides were oxidized to their corresponding sulfoxides with high yields without formation of over oxidized sulfones. Similarly, benzylic, allylic and aliphatic alcohols were selectively oxidized to aldehydes without traces of carboxylic acids in good to excellent yields. [GRAPHICS] .