The low-temperature selective oxidation of alcohols and a one-pot oxidative esterification using an IBS(iii/v)/oxone catalysis

Abstract

The IBS/oxone catalyst system has been improved for selective alcohol oxidation at near-room temperature (30 °C), overcoming the limitations of the conventional high-temperature (70 °C) method. An NMR spectroscopy analysis identified the rate-determining step, leading to the development of optimized conditions based on the pre-generation of IBS(III) and a phase-transfer catalyst. These improvements enhanced the functional-group tolerance and substrate scope, including thermally unstable, acid-sensitive, or overoxidation-prone alcohols. Furthermore, the system was successfully applied to one-pot oxidative esterification reactions, demonstrating its versatility and synthetic utility in mild oxidation processes.