Oxidant-dependent selective oxidation of alcohols utilizing multinuclear copper-triethanolamine complexes

Multinuclear Cu(II)-triethanolamine complexes were employed as catalysts for the selective oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols using tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) and O2/2,2′,6,6′-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO) system, respectively. The catalytic performances, especially in terms of selectivities, were oxidant-dependent in forming the corresponding carbonyl compounds as the major products. Excellent selectivities and moderate to good yields were obtained for the transformation of secondary alcohols to ketones in the case of TBHP and also for the conversion of benzylic primary alcohols to aldehydes in the case of O2/TEMPO system.