Mono-substituted Keggin-polyoxometalate complexes as effective and recyclable catalyst for the oxidation of alcohols with hydrogen peroxide in biphasic system

Mono-substituted Keggin-polyoxymetalate complex Na6 [SiW11ZnH2O40]·12H2O was demonstrated to be an effective catalyst for the selective oxidation of alcohols in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. The reaction was carried out in an aqueous/oil biphasic system, which allowed easy recovery of catalyst, under relative mild conditions. The catalyst could be reused five times without appreciable loss of activity.