Selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde with hydrogen peroxide over tetra-alkylpyridinium octamolybdate catalysts

Abstract

Some tetra-alkylpyridinium octamolybdate catalysts were found to be recyclable and efficient for selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol with aqueous hydrogen peroxide as oxidant under simple reaction conditions. Organic solvent-free direct selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde with aqueous 15% hydrogen peroxide was performed at reflux temperature for a short period with 82.3%–94.8% benzyl alcohol conversion and 87.9%–96.7% benzaldehyde selectivity.