Pd(ii)-hydrotalcite-catalyzed oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones using atmospheric pressure of air.

A heterogenized Pd catalyst, Pd(II)-hydrotalcite (palladium(II) acetate-pyridine complex supported by hydrotalcite) catalyzes the aerobic oxidation in toluene of a variety of primary and secondary alcohols into the corresponding aldehydes and ketones in high yields using atmospheric pressure of air as a sole oxidant under mild conditions. This catalyst is also effective for the oxidation of allylic alcohols, especially such as geraniol and nerol, without any isomerization of an alkenic part. The catalyst can be easily prepared from all commercially available reagents and reused several times.