A catalytic process for the selective oxidation of alcohols by copper (II) complexes

Novel copper (II)–N–(2-pyridyl)–Nʹ–(5-R-salicylidene) hydrazine triphenylphosphine complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The complexes were effective in the catalytic oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols in presence of periodic acid (H5IO6) as oxidant. The oxidation reactions were carried out in acetonitrile. Electrochemical electron transfer study reveals CuII–CuI reduction in methanolic solutions. A mechanistic study of the above reactions has been proposed.