Au(iii) and Cu(ii) Catalyst for Oxidation of Aromatic and Cyclic Hydrocarbon by Cerium (Iv) in Acidic Medium Under Microwave Irradiation

The addition of traces of Au(III) chloride with Ce(IV) sulphate (catalyst: substrate ratio (1: 80 to 1: 300)) and in case of Cu(II) sulphate with Ce(IV) sulphate(catalyst: substrate ratio (1: 60 to 1: 250)) in solution phase under microwave irradiation resulted in good to excellent yields of corresponding to phenol, quinone and carbonyl compounds. In case of oxidation of anthracene, phenanthrene, naphthalene, cyclohexane and toluene dissolved in acetic acid to give 95.02 %, 85.25%, 34.68%, 40.94%, and 56.54% yields in case of gold catalyst and 93.5%, 83.4%, 24.68%, 38.25% and 47.11% yields in case of copper as a catalyst. Phenanthrene was oxidized in 9-Fluorenone instead of phenanthraquinone to get the benzylic rearrangement.