Dinitrogen Tetraoxide Complexes of Iron(III) and Copper(II) as Efficient and Mild Reagents for Oxidation of Hydroxy Compounds

Fe(NO3)3·1.5N2O4 is a highly efficient reagent for the oxidation of various classes of hydroxy compounds in dichloromethane at room temperature, or in the absence of solvent. Cu(NO3)2·N2O4 oxidizes different hydroxy compounds in refluxing carbon tetrachloride and is a highly selective reagent for oxidation of primary benzylic alcohols in refluxing EtOAc.