Vanadium(IV) complexes bearing 3-hydroxypicolinic acid (H2hpic) as ligands, VO(Hhpic)2 (1) and the cyclic tetramer (VO)4(hpic)4 (2), have excellent catalytic ability for the oxidation of a variety of primary and secondary benzyl alcohols with molecular oxygen in acetonitrile or protic solvents such as ethanol and water, affording the corresponding aldehydes and ketones, respectively. Construction of multi-nuclear complexes by the selection of ligands attains higher turnover numbers and recycling of the catalyst.
A review, with 32 references, providing an overview of the title catalysts in organic reactions.
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