The Urea−Hydrogen Peroxide Complex: Solid-State Oxidative Protocols for Hydroxylated Aldehydes and Ketones (Dakin Reaction), Nitriles, Sulfides, and Nitrogen Heterocycles

An efficient solid-state oxidation of organic molecules is described using a stable, inexpensive, and easily handled reagent, the urea−hydrogen peroxide adduct. The generality of the reaction has been demonstrated in oxidation of several molecules, namely hydroxylated aldehydes and ketones (to hydroxylated phenols), sulfides (to sulfoxides and sulfones), nitriles (to amides), and nitrogen heterocycles (to N -oxides).