Journal of Molecular Catalysis A-Chemical, Vol.165, No.1-2, 283-290, 2001
H(3+n)PMo(12-n)VnO(40)-catalyzed selective oxidation of benzoins to benzils or aldehydes and esters by dioxygen
Heteropolyacids H3+nPMo12-nVnO40 (HPA-n, n = 1-4) catalyze efficiently the oxidation and the oxidative cleavage of benzoin derivatives in the presence of dioxygen. HPA-2 gave the highest total yields in aldehydes and carboxylic esters by using primary alcohols as solvents. No oxidative cleavage products were obtained with secondary or tertiary alcohols. HPA-2 catalyzes the oxidation of benzoin to benzil in the presence of t-BuOH or other polar solvents such THE CH3CN, DME.