Effective oxidation of benzylic and aliphatic alcohols with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by a manganese(III) Schiff-base complex under solvent-free conditions

A variety of alcohols were oxidized efficiently into the corresponding ketones and carboxylic acids in excellent yields with hydrogen peroxide using a manganese(III) Schiff-base complex as a catalyst under solvent-free and mild conditions. The oxidation procedure is very simple and the products are easily isolated in excellent yields.