IBX/n-Bu4NBr/CH2Cl2–H2O: a new mild system for selective oxidation of secondary alcohols

A new alternative system for the chemoselective oxidation of secondary hydroxyl group to ketone with IBX/n-Bu4NBr in CH2Cl2–H2O has been developed. Under the reaction conditions, the secondary hydroxyl group was highly chemoselectively oxidized to the corresponding ketone, in moderate to good yields at rt, in the presence of primary hydroxyl group within the same molecule.