Anju Chadha

A wide range of primary and secondary multifunctional alcohols, α-hydroxyamides, and α-hydroxyesters were oxidized to their corresponding aldehydes, ketones, α-ketoamides, and α-ketoesters under mild reaction conditions using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl as a catalyst with calcium hypochlorite as an oxidant [TEMPO-Ca(OCl) 2]. This simplified method does not require any transition metals, acids, or bases and demonstrates controlled and selective oxidation of structurally diverse alcohols, affording moderate to excellent yields at room temperature. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

A quantitative method is reported for the estimation of glycerol during transesterification of oil to form biodiesel. The reagent used to derivatize glycerol was 9,9-dimethoxyfluorene. Glycerol is estimated by both UV-visible spectrophotometric and high performance liquid chromatography methods. Using the former method, detection limits of 0.05% w/w of glycerol in biodiesel was established. Validation of the developed method was done using the Greenhill method for determination of free glycerol formed during the transesterification reaction. © 2010 AOCS.

Oxidation of propargylic alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones was achieved at room temperature using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1- oxyl (TEMPO) and calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)2). Propargylic diols yielded corresponding dialdehydes as the product. This system was found to be very efficient for both the electron donating and electron withdrawing groups such as methoxy and nitro substituted alcohols, respectively. This method does not require any additives and demonstrates the controlled, selective oxidation of propargylic alcohols affording up to 97% isolated yield. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013.