Ruthenium-catalysed oxidation of benzyl alcohols to benzaldehydes by carbon tetrachloride under phase-transfer conditions
Abstract
Benzyl alcohols are oxidized selectively to the corresponding benzaldehydes via mild transfer hydrogenolysis of carbon tetrachloride to chloroform in the presence of base; the reaction is catalysed by a combination of ruthenium trichloride and a quaternary ammonium salt.