Cu(OAc) 2 catalysed aerobic oxidation of aldehydes to nitriles under ligand-free conditions

-butyldimethylsilyloxy, hetero-aryl, formyl, keto, chloro, bromo, methylenedioxy and cyano were well tolerated in the aforesaid method. The kinetic studies showed first order dependency on the aldehyde substrate in the reaction rate. The reaction was faster with the electron deficient aldehydes as confirmed by Hammett analysis. Moreover, the present oxidative method was effective on larger scales showing potential for industrial application.