An efficient metal-free oxidation of benzylic alcohols to aromatic aldehydes is described. Heating a solution of the benzylic alcohol in DMSO in the presence of H2SO4 afforded the corresponding aldehyde in excellent yield. This oxidation reaction, which proceeds with a short reaction time and no side products, is akin to the Pfitzner–Moffatt oxidation, but without the need for N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide.
Key words
benzylic alcohols - aromatic aldehydes - sulfuric acid - dimethyl sulfoxide - oxidation