Bis[2-(2-pyridyl)phenyl] diselenide, a more effective catalyst for oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds

Abstract

Bis[2-(2-pyridyl)phenyl] diselenide was found to be a more effective catalyst than any of the diselenides reported earlier by us for the oxidation of alcohols; secondary alcohols and a β,γ-unsaturated primary alcohol were oxidized to carbonyl compounds in high yields by using 0.002–0.01 mol equiv. (0.2–1 mol%) of the new diselenide and a stoichiometric amount of N-chloro-4-chlorobenzenesulfonamide sodium salt as oxidant. The reason why the new catalyst is more efficient has been discussed.