Electrochemical selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols with sodium nitrate mediator in biphasic medium at ambient temperature

Sodium nitrate was used as an effective redox mediator in the electrochemical oxidation of primary and secondary aromatic alcohols in biphase electrolysis at ambient temperature. The oxidation reactions were carried out in an undivided cell equipped with carbon anode and stainless steel cathode in which upper aqueous phase contained 0.83% sodium nitrate with minimum amount of HCl whereas, the lower organic phase consisted of aromatic alcohols in chloroform. A variety of aromatic alcohols were efficiently oxidized to aldehydes and ketones in good yields with maximum selectivity (>99%).