The Dual Roles of Oxodiperoxovanadate Both as a Nucleophile and an Oxidant in the Green Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohols or Benzyl Halides to Aldehydes and Ketones

One catalyst, two roles: VO(O2)2− reacts as a nucleophilic oxidant under acidic conditions towards benzyl alcohols. Altogether 15 alcohols have been oxidized, in the absence of organic solvent, in excellent yields. Benzyl halides are also oxidized by H2O2 in water catalyzed by oxodiperoxovanadate and a phase transfer catalyst into aromatic aldehydes and ketones (see scheme). This reaction is the first green oxidation of benzyl halides.