Activated charcoal: a highly efficient promoter for selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones by K2S2O8 at solvent-free conditions

Selective oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones was achieved efficiently using K2S2O8/activated charcoal system. All reactions were carried out at solvent?free conditions (40?45 ?C) within 15?60 min to give the products in high to excellent yields.