NHC-catalysed highly selective aerobic oxidation of nonactivated aldehydes

Abstract

This publication describes a highly selective oxidation of aldehydes to the corresponding acids or esters. The reaction proceeds under metal-free conditions by using N-heterocyclic carbenes as organocatalysts in combination with environmentally friendly oxygen as the terminal oxidation agent.

Keywords

• aerobic oxidation
• chemoselective oxidation
• metal-free oxidation
• N-heterocyclic carbene
• organocatalysis