Efficient and selective oxidation of alcohols catalyzed by oxo-rhenium complexes

This work reports the catalytic activity of several oxo-rhenium complexes in the oxidation of alcohols, using a sulfoxide as oxidant agent. The catalytic system bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulfoxide/ReOCl3(PPh3)(2) (10 mol%) proved to be efficient for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones. The primary alcohols are selectively oxidized to the corresponding aldehydes with no further oxidation to acids. The bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulfide, isolated as by-product in high yields, can be used as a substrate in other reactions or can be oxidized and reused in this procedure. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.