Catalytic Synthesis of α-Hydroxy Ketones Using Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Polymer

Oxidation of silyl enolates was found to be smoothly catalyzed by [Cu(bpy)(BF4)2(H2O)2(bpy)]n (bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) under molecular oxygen, and provided the corresponding α-hydroxy carbonyl compounds in high yield. The insoluble organic–inorganic hybrid polymer was readily recovered by centrifugation after the completion of reaction, and the recovered catalyst could be reused.