The Oxidation of Primary Alcohols to Methyl Esters and Diols to Lactones Using Trichloroisocyanuric Acid

Primary alcohols and diols are easily oxidized to methyl esters by a solution of trichloroisocyanuric acid with methyl alcohol in dichloromethane. In addition, α,ω-diols are also readily oxidized into lactones by refluxing with trichloroisocyanuric acid and pyridine in dichloromethane.