Iridium-Catalyzed Oppenauer Oxidations of Primary Alcohols Using Acetone or 2-Butanone as Oxidant

The first Oppenauer oxidation of primary alcohols with acetone or 2-butanone by an amino alcohol-based Ir bifunctional catalyst was accomplished. The reaction proceeds with 1 mol % catalyst in acetone or 2-butanone at 30-80 degrees C to give the corresponding aldehydes in 33-96% yield.