Green oxidation of alcohols in water by a polyoxometalate nano capsule as catalyst

Abstract

In this work a water soluble polyoxometalate nano capsule, HxPMo12O40 ⊂ H4Mo72Fe30(CH3COO)15O254, with high stability was evaluated for the oxidation of various alcohols into the corresponding aldehydes and ketones by hydrogen peroxide. This environmentally and economically valuable catalyst allowed for using water as solvent and has not required any organic solvents. In the presence of very low amounts of catalyst high to excellent yields and selectivity were obtained. © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.