Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of ketones with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by Sn-palygorskite

Palygorskite-supported Sn complexes were prepared by a simple procedure. Cyclic ketones and acyclic ketones were oxidized by hydrogen peroxide in a reaction catalyzed by palygorskite-supported Sn complexes, affording corresponding lactones or esters with selectivity for the product of 90–100%. The catalysts can be recycled for several times without significant decline in catalytic activity.