A safe and efficient flow oxidation of aldehydes with O2

Org Lett. 2013 Dec 6;15(23):5978-81. doi: 10.1021/ol401273k. Epub 2013 Nov 22.

Abstract

A safe, straightforward, and atom economic approach for the oxidation of aliphatic aldehydes to the corresponding carboxylic acids within a continuous flow reactor is reported. Typically, the reaction is performed at room temperature using 5 bar of oxygen in PFA tubing and does require neither additional catalysts nor radical initiators except for those already contained in the starting materials. In some cases, a catalytic amount of a Mn(II) catalyst is added. Such a flow process may prove to be a valuable alternative to traditionally catalyzed aerobic processes.