Tandem Oxidation Processes Using Manganese Dioxide:  Discovery, Applications, and Current Studies

"One-pot" processes in which alcohol oxidations are combined with further elaboration of the carbonyl intermediate are reviewed. Sequential processes are briefly discussed, but most attention is centered on tandem processes; that is, oxidations carried out in the presence of a nucleophilic trapping agent, rather than those in which the trapping agent is added after the oxidation is complete. As part of this Account, a comprehensive review of the discovery of tandem oxidation processes (TOP) will be given together with applications in alkene-forming reactions, cyclopropanations, and imine, oxime, amine, and heterocycle formation.