Layered MnAl Complex Oxide Realizes the Efficient Aerobic Oxidative Transformations of 1,2‐Diols and Alcohols Under Normal Pressure

An efficient and convenient MnAl layered double oxide (Mn 2 Al‐LDO) catalyst has been developed. Characterization results indicated that Mn 2 Al‐LDO exhibits an improved ability of electron transfer and increased surface strong basic sites on its surface compared to the layered double hydroxide (Mn 2 Al‐LDH) precursor and conventionally prepared Mn 2 AlO x . These characters endow the Mn 2 Al‐LDO with excellent catalytic performance in the aerobic oxidative cleavage of 1,2‐diols under normal pressure without additives. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that both the two‐electron transfer (TET) and single‐electron transfer (SET) processes are included in the catalytic reaction, with the former being more prominent. The Mn 2 Al‐LDO catalytic system can tolerate a broad substrate scope, including monosubstituted 1,2‐diols, internal 1,2‐diols, primary alcohols, secondary alcohols, and various α ‐functionalized alcohols. Additionally, the Mn 2 Al‐LDO catalytic system also exhibits excellent catalytic stability and shows great potential for application in cascade transformations.