Metal-Free Oxidation of Alcohols to Their Corresponding Carbonyl Compounds Using NH4NO3/Silica Sulfuric Acid

Amin ZareiDepartment of Science, Fasa Branch, Islamic Azad University, Post Box No 364, Fasa 7461713591, Fars, IranE-mail: aj_zarei@yahoo.comReceived February 29, 2012, Accepted March 26, 2012A metal-free and efficient procedure for the oxidation of alcohols into the corresponding carbonyl compoundshas been described using ammonium nitrate in the presence of silica sulfuric acid under mild and heterogeneousconditions. The use of non-toxic and inexpensive materials, simple and clean work-up, short reaction times andgood yields of the products are among the advantages of this method.Key Words : Oxidation, Alcohols, Ammonium nitrate, Silica sulfuric acidIntroductionThe oxidation of alcohols into the corresponding aldehydesor ketones is one of the most important functional grouptransformations in organic chemistry which has receivedthe most attention over years. Different methods havetraditionally been employed for the oxidation of alcohols totheir corresponding carbonyl compounds. Representativeoxidants for this purpose include KMnO