Chemoselective Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols Utilizing a Vanadium(V) Catalyst

Work remains to develop an aerobic catalyst that will selectively oxidize secondary alcohols in the presence of primary alcohols. In principle, this is possible when there is an oxidation potential preference for doing so. One potential strategy is the use of a low oxidation potential catalyst. Recently, we reported a dimeric vanadium(V)–(μ-O)2 perfluoropinacolate (pinF) complex with the ability to oxidize alcohols via dehydrogenation that was sensitive to the alcohol redox potential. Herein, we report the scope, chemoselectivity, and insights into the mechanism by which V(V) cat performs oxidations on activated primary and secondary alcohols.