Oxidation of α-trifluoromethyl alcohols using a recyclable oxoammonium salt.

A simple, mild method for the oxidation of α-trifluoromethyl alcohols to trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs) using the oxoammonium salt 4-acetylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxoammonium tetrafluoroborate (1) is described. Under basic conditions, oxidation proceeds rapidly and affords good to excellent yields of TFMKs, without concomitant formation of the hydrate. The byproduct of the oxidation, 4-acetylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (1c), is easily recovered and can be conveniently reoxidized to regenerate the oxoammonium salt.