NiBr2 Catalyst for the Oxidation of Alcohols and Aldehydes using NaClO: Kinetic Studies

By exposing to NaClO aqueous solution (commercial bleach), NiBr2 is transformed quantitatively into an insoluble nickel oxide hydroxide species. This compound contains large surface area and is a beneficial heterogeneous catalyst for oxidizing numerous organic materials. The oxidation of aldehydes and primary alcohols to carboxylic acids and secondary alcohols to ketones is showed with 1 mol % of NiBr2 catalyst and NaClO as the terminal oxidant. It is demonstrated that the controlled and selective oxidizing of numerous organic compounds with this system resulting in 55-95 % separation yields and 87-95 % purity. In most cases, the oxidations can be carried out with no organic solvent, causing this method attractive as a “greener” substitute to traditional oxidations.