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Synfacts 2011(3): 0308-0308  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1259415
Metal-Mediated Synthesis
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Selective Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidation of Glycerol to Dihydroxyacetone

Contributor(s): Paul Knochel, Andreas J. Wagner
R. M. Painter, D. M. Pearson, R. M. Waymouth*
Stanford University, USA
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Publication History

Publication Date:
16 February 2011 (online)

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Significance

A dimeric phenanthroline-based palladium acetate complex catalyzes the chemo­selective oxidative transformation of glycerol into dihydroxyacetone. Both benzoquinone and air are effective oxidants and the reaction proceeds readily on a 10 mmol scale in wet acetonitrile or DMSO as solvents.