Simplified procedure for TEMPO-catalyzed oxidation: Selective oxidation of alcohols, α-hydroxy esters, and amides using TEMPO and calcium hypochlorite

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.