Efficient method for the oxidation of aldehydes and diols with tert-butylhydroperoxide under transition metal-free conditions

An efficient, mild, and simple protocol is presented for the oxidation of aldehydes and diols to carboxylic acids utilizing 70% aq TBHP as oxidant and t-BuOK as additive. The oxidation of aldehydes could be achieved by two methods under aqueous medium. Excellent yields of products were obtained in short reaction times. Notably, the products were isolated by simple filtration technique and do not involve chromatographic separation. These reactions may prove to be valuable alternatives to traditional metal-mediated oxidations. Oxidation does not require any transition metals or organic solvents in reaction, making this protocol green.